Veronica J. Oates

Veronica J. Oates is a Professor in the Department of Human Sciences within the College of Agriculture at Tennessee State University, specializing in community-based health interventions targeting African American populations through nutrition science and behavioral research.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• B.S. in Human Sciences, North Carolina Central University
• M.S. in Biology, North Carolina Central University
• B.S. in Chemistry, North Carolina Central University
• B.S. in Biology, North Carolina Central University

Research Focus: Dr. Oates pioneers research in childhood obesity prevention and cultural/media influences on dietary behaviors, with groundbreaking work on the YAMS (Youth Active and Media Savvy) framework. Her methodology integrates critical media literacy with nutrition education to combat health disparities, emphasizing community empowerment through church-based and youth-focused interventions.

Publication Trends: Her scholarly output reveals consistent focus on African American health equity, evolving from cancer prevention studies (2004-2005) toward cardiometabolic disease interventions (2014-2017). Recent work demonstrates technological innovation in nutrient management systems while maintaining core emphasis on culturally tailored, church- and school-based behavioral modification programs.

Awards:

• New Connections 3rd Annual Symposium Travel Award, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2009)
• Pink Zone Professor Award, Tennessee State University Athletics Department (2009)

Research Leadership: As Principal Investigator for major federal grants including NSF HBCU-UP, USDA AFRI, and American Heart Association initiatives, Dr. Oates directs the YAMS program targeting childhood obesity through media literacy. Her $1.2M+ funded projects establish technology-enabled nutrient supply chains for microgreens and develop lay health advisor models for community nutrition.

Program Direction: She leads the YAMS summer camp program serving 8-13 year-old African American youth through daily nutrition education, 60+ minutes of physical activity, cooking instruction, and media production training. The program partners with TSU SNAP-Ed to deliver meatless, whole-grain focused meals while teaching grocery store navigation and critical analysis of food advertising through field trips to broadcast studios and challenge courses.