Dr. Alison K. Ventura
 |
Alison K. Ventura, PhD, CLECProfessor
Email: akventur@calpoly.edu Office: 43A-371 Phone: 805-756-5693 |
Education
Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, 2008
M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, 2005
M.S. in Nutrition Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, 2005
B.S. in Psychology with a Biology Emphasis, Minor in Community Nutrition, University of California, Davis, 2003
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Monell Chemical Senses Center, 2008-2011
Specialization
- Obesity Prevention during Infancy and Early Childhood
- Parent-Child Interactions
- Caregiver Feeding Practices
Research and Interests
My research aims to understand how feeding experiences and growth trajectories during early childhood affect the development of eating behaviors and weight status across the life course. A key focus of my research is on the bidirectional influences between children and parents, and how child characteristics influence, and are influenced by, parent characteristics and behaviors. The overarching goal of my current research is to identify potential targets for obesity prevention programs.