Priscilla Ayine

Dr. Priscilla Ayine serves as an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Nutrition Security and Healthy Eating at Tennessee State University's College of Agriculture, joining the faculty in October 2023. Her work bridges academic research with community-focused solutions to address nutritional disparities.

Her educational foundation includes:

• PhD in Nutrition Science from Auburn University
• MS in Food and Nutritional Science from Tuskegee University
• BEd in Basic Education from the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
• Teaching Diploma from Boscos College of Education, Navrongo, Ghana

Dr. Ayine's research centers on Nutrition Security, Healthy Food Access, and Food Systems, with specialized focus on community-engaged interventions and school-based health initiatives. She investigates socioeconomic determinants of childhood obesity, parental influences on dietary behaviors, and biological mechanisms linking nutrition to cardiovascular health, particularly in underserved rural and low-income populations.

Analysis of her 2019-2022 publications reveals consistent exploration of obesity drivers across biological, environmental, and behavioral domains. Key trends include microbiome-obesity interactions, sleep-diet relationships, and structural interventions targeting food access through school and community channels.

Her accolades demonstrate early-career excellence:

• GMaP Travel Award (2022)
• Texas A&M Postdoctoral Scholar Travel Award (2022)
• Auburn University Distinguished Dissertation Award (2021)
• Multiple research symposium awards (2016-2021)

Dr. Ayine currently leads a $143,177 American Heart Association project evaluating parent engagement in school health initiatives (2023-2025) and previously contributed to a GMaP-funded study on infant nutrition. Her extension role involves direct community collaboration to translate research into actionable programs across Tennessee.