Melissa Laska

Melissa Laska is a Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the Division of Epidemiology & Community Health at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. She serves as Co-Director of the Healthy Weight Research Center and is a Member of the Masonic Cancer Center (MCC).

Dr. Laska earned her PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a BS with Honors from Cornell University, and her Registered Dietitian (RD) credential from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics through Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Her research focuses on nutrition promotion, food access, and addressing nutrition-related inequities, with particular emphasis on supporting historically under-resourced communities in making healthy food choices. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Laska has developed a multifaceted research portfolio examining obesity prevention, food environments, nutrition policy, and health equity. Her work spans multiple settings including schools, colleges, and community food environments, with special attention to vulnerable populations including adolescents, college students, and sexual minorities.

Analysis of Dr. Laska's publication record reveals consistent focus on food insecurity, particularly in educational settings, with significant contributions to understanding weight-related disparities across different demographic groups. Her work increasingly incorporates systems science approaches to address complex food environment challenges, while maintaining strong emphasis on practical policy implications and community-based solutions.

• 2019 Sara Evans Faculty Woman Scholar and Leader Award
• 2020 Distinguished McKnight University Professor

Dr. Laska's research has been extensively funded by NIH, CDC, and USDA, resulting in nearly 200 peer-reviewed publications cited over 14,000 times across 28 languages from researchers in more than 120 countries. Her work has informed recommendations from prestigious organizations including the National Academy of Sciences, Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health. As Co-Director of the Healthy Weight Research Center, she leads interdisciplinary teams addressing complex nutrition and obesity challenges through innovative research approaches.