Members of Au Lab

Lauren Au, PhD, RD

Assistant Professor
Department of Nutrition
University of California, Davis

Email: leau@ucdavis.edu

Education

2013 PhD Food Policy and Applied Nutrition, Tufts University, Boston MA

2009, MS Nutrition and Public Health, Columbia University, New York NY

2007, BS Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, University of California, Berkeley CA

Research Interest

Dr. Au’s research is centered on identifying effective behavior change interventions to improve nutrition education, dietary quality, and health behaviors in low-income mothers, infants, and children, as well as evaluate school-based nutrition policies and programs to reduce obesity in underserved populations. Primarily her research involves understanding how to promote healthier eating and prevent obesity through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and the National School Lunch Program. The overall goal of her research is to provide evidence-based research to support strong nutrition policies for low-income populations.

Current Lab Members

Alana Chaney, MS

Ph.D Student

Graduate Group in Nutrition Biology

Email: amchaney@ucdavis.edu

Education

2021, Masters of Biotechnology, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA

2018, Masters of Healthcare Administration, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN

2016, BS Biology; Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA

Research Interests

Alana’s research interests are maternal and child nutrition, nutrition security strategies in low income populations, community nutrition program development and evaluation, and nutrition intervention programs.

Sarina Lin

Undergraduate Student

Email: sarlin@ucdavis.edu

Education

2023, BS Clinical Nutrition; University of California, Davis CA

Research Interests

Sarina’s research interests are maternal and child nutrition, nutrition education at schools, nutrition intervention programs, and school lunch programs.

Former Members

Monica Zuercher; PhD, MS, Project Scientist, UC Nutrition Policy Institute