Melissa Nelson Laska, PhD, RD
Assistant Professor
PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
BS, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Research Interests:
The prevention of excess weight gain among emerging adults; environmental, social and behavioral determinants of body weight in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood; community food access in underserved areas.
>>> Research Projects
Recent Publications:
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Nelson MC, Larson NI, Barr-Anderson D, Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M. Dietary intake, meal patterning and home food environments among emerging adults: Disparities between non-students and 2- and 4-year college students. American Journal of Public Health 2009;99 1216-1219.
Nelson MC, Lust KD, Story M, Ehlinger E. Alcohol use, eating patterns & weight behaviors in a university population. American Journal of Health Behavior 2009;33(3):227-237.
Nelson MC, Kocos R, Lytle LA, Perry CL. Understanding the perceived determinants of weight gain in late adolescence: A qualitative analysis among college youth. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2009 Jul-Aug; 41(4):287-92.
Nelson MC, Story M. Examining the food environment in university student dormitories: Twenty thousand calories per dorm room and counting. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2009 Jun; 36(6):523-6. Epub 2009 Apr 8.
Larson NI, Nelson MC, Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, Hannan PJ. Making time for meals: meal structure and associations with dietary intake in young adults. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 2009 Jan;109(1):72-9.
Larson NI, Story M, Nelson MC. Neighborhood Environments: Disparities in Access to Healthy Foods in the U.S., American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2009 Jan;36(1):74-81. Epub 2008 Nov 1.
Nelson MC, Story M, Larson NI, Neumark-Sztainer D, Lytle LA. Emerging adulthood and college-aged youth: An overlooked age for weight-related behavior change. Obesity 2008; 16(10): 2205-11.
Fulkerson JA, Nelson MC, Lytle LA, Moe SG, Heitzler C, Pasch KE. The development and validation of a comprehensive home food inventory. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2008 Nov 4;5(1):55.
Nelson MC, Lust KD, Story M, Ehlinger E. Associations between credit card debt, stress, and leading health risk behaviors among college students. American Journal of Health Promotion 2008 Jul/Aug; 22(6):400-407.
Pasch KE, Nelson MC, Lytle LA, Moe SG, Perry CL. The adoption of risk-related factors through early adolescence: Associations with weight status and implications for causal mechanisms. Journal of Adolescent Health 2008 Oct;43(4):387-93.
Nelson MC, Neumark-Sztainer D, Hannan P, Sirard J, Story M. Longitudinal and secular trends in physical activity and sedentary behaviors among adolescents and young adults. Pediatrics 2006; 118;1627-1634.
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Professional Experience:
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2005 – present: Assistant Professor, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
2001 – 2005: Research Assistant, Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
1999-2001: Research Assistant, Nutrition and Growth Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
1998 – 1999: Dietetic Intern, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN |
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Honors:
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Delta Omega Honorary Public Health Society, 2005
University of North Carolina Impact Award, 2005
Society for Epidemiologic Research Abraham Lilienfeld Award, 2004.
American Society for Clinical Nutrition Young Investigator Award Finalist, 2003. |
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Mailing Address:
Division of Epidemiology and Community Health
1300 South Second Street, Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Phone:(612) 624-8832
Or: Megan Treziok, 624-2374, trezi003@umn.edu
Email: nels5024@umn.edu
Office: 334 WBOB
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Link
to: Academic Health Center : School
of Public Health : U of M Home 
