Renee D. Barrile

Renee D. Barrile serves as an Associate Teaching Professor and Program Director for the MPH in Dietetics at the University of Massachusetts Lowell's Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences within the Department of Biomedical & Nutritional Sciences, where she also contributes to the Health Assessment Laboratory (HAL).

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Nutrition Biochemistry and Metabolism (2008), Tufts University (Supporting Area: Epidemiology)
• M.S. in Nutrition Biochemistry and Metabolism (2001), Tufts University (Supporting Area: Epidemiology)
• B.S. in Nutrition (1999), University of Minnesota

Her research centers on dietetics education innovation, interprofessional education (IPE), and clinical nutrition, with pioneering work in flipped classroom methodologies to enhance student engagement. She actively investigates folate metabolism pathways, homocysteine dynamics, and bariatric surgery applications for type 2 diabetes management, bridging biochemical research with practical educational frameworks.

Her publication record reveals a consistent focus on folate metabolism's public health implications, particularly examining folic acid fortification effects, genetic polymorphisms (e.g., dihydrofolate reductase deletions), and nutrient-gene interactions in cardiovascular risk using Framingham Offspring cohort data. This body of work demonstrates her dual commitment to advancing nutritional science and improving evidence-based dietetics pedagogy.

Professional recognition includes the Dietetics Educator of the Year award for Coordinated Dietetics programs and dual Patty Berg Academic and Athletic Achievement Awards during undergraduate studies.

• Dietetics Educator of the Year for Coordinated Dietetics programs
• Patty Berg Academic and Athletic Achievement Award (1997)
• Patty Berg Academic and Athletic Achievement Award (1995)

As Program Director, she leads curriculum development for the MPH in Dietetics, securing grants for educational innovations like technology-integrated courses and hands-on learning labs. Her conference presentations at NDEP meetings and UML retreats highlight her role in advancing interprofessional education frameworks and dietary interventions for conditions ranging from obesity to child malnutrition in Haiti.

Her affiliation with the Health Assessment Laboratory (HAL) supports translational research in nutritional assessment methodologies while providing experiential learning opportunities for students in health sciences.