qualifications: PhD, RD
contribution: Study conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting of manuscript, Critical revision
position: Assistant Professor
I hold a doctoral degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Florida International University and am a Registered Dietitian. I received her Bachelor of Science in biology, and Master of Science in Food, Nutrition & Institution Administration from Oklahoma State University. Upon graduating with my MS, I moved to Honduras, Central America with my husband and one-year old son, where I spent the first fourteen years of my professional career. This afforded me some unique opportunities that I might not have had in the United States, such as serving as a consultant for Weight Watchers in Central America, owning a nutrition consulting business and health food store, and developing foundational dietetic systems within hospitals in the country. Upon returning to the US in 2001, I worked as a renal dietitian and received my doctoral degree. My early research investigated factors impacting disease progression and quality of life of HIV+ drug users from marginalized communities. I am currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, and work with a national community education network, the Cooperative Extension Service, as an Extension Specialist. Her current scientific investigation focuses on community based participatory methods for the evaluation of community health knowledge, resources, and needs, and responsive program development.
qualifications: PhD, MPH, RD
contribution: Study conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting of manuscript, Critical revision
position: Associate Professor
qualifications: DrPH, MPH
contribution: Study conception and design, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting of manuscript, Critical revision
position: Assistant Professor of Practice
qualifications: PhD, MPH
contribution: Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting of manuscript, Critical revision
position: Data Analyst and Postdoctoral Fellow
qualifications: PhD, MS, MPH, CHES
contribution: Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting of manuscript, Critical revision
position: Research Scientist
Dr. Kristina Jiles earned her MPH and PhD from Virginia Tech and has been a Senior Project Associate for the Center for Public Health Practice and Research since January of 2020. She has worked on projects related to diabetes prevention and management, COVID-19 messaging, healthcare provider counts, and opioid and substance use disorder in Southwest Virginia. She joined the iTHRIV Community and Collaboration Core for Virginia Tech in January of 2021. iTHRIV is an NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) in partnership among UVA, VT, Carilion Clinic and Inova Health System.
qualifications: PhD, RDN
contribution: Study conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting of manuscript, Critical revision
position: Professor Emeritus
Pilot study of a cognitive behavioral therapy skills intervention for rural adults
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NRHA 36th Rural Health Policy Institute, 11–13 February 2025, Washington, DC, USA
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RWAV Conference 2025: Dreaming Big and Driving Change in Rural Healthcare, 19–21 February 2025, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
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2025 European Forum on Prevention and Primary Care, 5 & 6 March 2025, Zagreb, Croatia
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WONCA South Asia Region Conference 2025, 4–6 April 2025, Bengaluru, India
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WONCA Asia Pacific Region Conference 2025: Primary Care Transformation; Implementing High-value, High-quality Care!, 24–27 April 2025, Busan Korea
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9th European Young Family Doctors' Movement (EYFDM Forum), 25–27 April 2025, Grande Région
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National Rural Health Conference 2025, 2–3 May 2025, Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand
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NRHA 30th Health Equity Conference, 19–20 May 2025, Atlanta, GA, USA
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NRHA 48th Annual Rural Health Conference, 20–23 May 2025, Atlanta, GA, USA
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2025 International Rural Nursing Conference, 27–30 May 2025, Arlington, TX, USA
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BC Rural Health Conference 2025, 6–8 June 2025, Prince George, BC, Canada
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4th International Indigenous Health & Wellbeing Conference 2025, 16–19 June 2025, Adelaide Convention Centre, Kaurna Country, Australia
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14th EURIPA Rural Health Forum. Rural Reformation: Meeting Wellbeing and Healthcare Needs in Rural Communities, 26–28 June 2025, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
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Rethinking Remote 2025: Scotland's Rural Health Conference
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WONCA World Conference 2025: New Vision for Primary Health Care and Sustainable Development, 17–21 September 2025, Lisbon, Portugal
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NRHA 23rd Rural Health Clinic Conference, 23–24 September 2025, Kansas, MO, USA
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Rural Mental Health Conference 2025 (RMHC25), 5–7 November 2025, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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4th EURACT Medical Education Conference, 23–25 April 2026, Iasi, Romania
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9th WONCA Africa Region Conference 2026, 10 & 11 September 2026, Gaborone, Botswana
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18th National Rural Health Conference, 14–17 September 2026, Adelaide, SA, Australia