Monique Dowd

Monique Dowd, EdD, RD, CDCES, CSG, LDN, is an Advanced Senior Lecturer and Associate Director of Undergraduate Nutrition Programs at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, within the Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences. She plays a key role in shaping undergraduate nutrition education and integrating community-based learning into academic curricula.

Education:

• EdD, University of Pennsylvania, 2024
• MA, Immaculata University, 1997
• BA, Loyola Marymount University, 1993

Her research and teaching focus on the intersection of nutrition with behavior, culture, and public health. She emphasizes how emotional, social, and cultural factors influence food choices. Courses she teaches include 'Fundamentals of Nutrition,' 'Case Studies in Clinical Nutrition,' and 'Nutrition in the Life Cycle,' which spans topics from pregnancy to aging and eating disorders. She frequently updates her curriculum to reflect current nutritional science and government guidelines.

The single identified publication highlights her interest in dietary interventions for diabetic and obese populations, particularly comparing low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets. This reflects broader research themes in clinical nutrition, chronic disease management, and community-based health improvement.

Ms. Dowd is actively involved in community outreach and service learning. She collaborates with the Netter Center for Community Partnership on initiatives such as the Fruit Stand program, which brings healthy food options to local elementary schools, and serves on the Healthy in Philadelphia committee, promoting nutrition education, blood pressure screenings, and breast cancer awareness. She has developed an academically-based community service component for her 'Nutrition in the Life Cycle' course, connecting students with West Philadelphia residents to promote healthy eating.

As a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in gerontological nutrition, with experience as a clinical dietitian at the LIFE Program (now Mercy LIFE), she brings extensive practical expertise into the classroom. She is currently accepting mentees and continues to contribute to public health through teaching, community collaboration, and applied research.