Tashara Leak

As a health disparities researcher, I conduct interventions that address socioeconomic and environmental influences on food choices, while drawing upon my expertise in mixed methods and community-based research. More specifically, I design innovative and culturally relevant interventions that aim to improve dietary behaviors among impoverished, minority youth that reside in urban communities. Thus, my research lies at the intersection of poverty, race/ethnicity, nutrition, and health (e.g., obesity and type 2 diabetes). Understanding and intervening on health disparities is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. As such, the majority of my research involves collaborators from diverse training backgrounds (e.g., economics, sociology, food science, business marketing, technology, etc.). I am deeply committed to conducting research that informs public health programming and policy. As such, the majority of my research studies have a clearly identified plan for translation from the very beginning.