Dr. B. Michelle Harris is an accomplished nutritionist, educator, and public health advocate whose research and leadership focus on health disparities; maternal and child health; and community-based nutrition interventions.
Experience
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Nutrition, University of Maryland Master of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health/Public Health, Harvard University Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Food Science, Framingham State College (now Framingham State University) Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross
Roles
Associate Professor of Nutrition, UDC, 2018-Present Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics, UDC, 2018-Present Coordinator, Undergraduate Nutrition and Dietetics Program, UDC, 2018-Present Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics, UDC, 2007-18Member, District of Columbia Department of Health, Board of Long-Term Care Administration, 2017-24 Chairperson, District of Columbia Department of Health, Board of Long-Term Care Administration, 2023-24 Chaired Faculty Senate Subcommittee on Admission and Recruitment, UDC, 2007-24 Secretary, UDC Faculty Association/NEA, 2007-24 Founding Chairperson, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences, UDC, 2007-24 Chairperson, College Tenure and Promotion Committee for CAUSES, UDC, 2007-24
Courses Taught
Senior Seminar and Research Geriatric Nutrition, lecture and practicum Nutrition in the Life Cycle Nutrition Education, lecture and practicum Community Nutrition, lecture and practicum Food Economics, lecture and lab Introduction to Nutrition, lecture and lab Senior Seminar and Research
Expertise
Public Health Nutritionist, Howard University Hospital, WIC Program, Washington, D.C., 2020-Present Nutritionist (Consultant), Terrific Inc., Washington, D.C., 2014-15 Public speaker in areas of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, various topics in Public and Community Health, Health Disparities, 2007-Present
Research Focus / Works in Progress
Fetal origins of chronic diseases; HIV/AIDS; minority health, women's health; community participatory research; Rrecruitment of minority research participants; health disparities
Impact
Selected Publications
Harrison, E., Monroe-Lord, L., Carson, A. D., Jean-Baptiste, A. M., Phoenix, J., Jackson, P., Harris, B.M., Asongwed, E., & Richardson, M.L. COVID19 pandemic-related changes in wellness behavior among older Americans. BMC Public Health, 21, 755. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10825-6
Harris, B. M. (2021). Addressing challenges of COVID-19 for virtual college nutrition courses with practicum components. In Proceedings of the 2nd annual faculty senate research conference: Higher education during pandemics. University of the District of Columbia. https://doi.org/10.21467/proceedings.135.3
Harris, B. M. (2020). Student-centric and institution-centric approaches to addressing student retention at historically black colleges and universities: A review of the literature. In Proceedings of the faculty senate research conference. University of the District of Columbia.
Harrison, E. A., Lord, L. M., Asongwed, E., Jackson, P., Johnson-Largent, T., Jean Baptiste, A. M., Harris, B. M., & Jeffery, T. (2020). Perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes about physical activity and exercise in urban-community-residing older adults. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 11.https://doi.org/10.1177/2150132720924137
Selected Presentations
Harris, B. M. (2018). Round table facilitator: Cultural competence. Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Harris, B. M. (2018). Co-facilitated an activity on diabetes in senior citizens. Terrific, Inc. Mother’s Day Tea, Washington, D.C.
Harris, B. M. (2018). Maryland Nutrition and Dietetics Board Annual Meeting: Diversity and Inclusion, Arlington, Virginia.
Selected Grants
University of the District of Columbia. Decreasing food-plate waste for the school breakfast program in an urban pre-kindergarten classroom: A pilot study.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The relationship among the availability of healthy foods, body mass index, and dietary patterns in urban adolescents.
Various sources. (2002). The relationship of low birth weight and current obesity to diabetes in African-American women.
Department of Health and Human Services. Scholarships for disadvantaged students.
Recognitions
Honorary Award, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, 2018 Toastmaster of the Year, Agricultural Research Center Toastmaster Club, 2014-15 Advisor of the Year, The Society of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences, 2012 Graduate Student Minority Achievement Award, University of Maryland President's Commission on Ethnic Minority Issues, 2006 Graduate Student Award, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2006 Fellowship on Domestic Maternal and Child Health, Harvard University School of Public Health, 1989-91
