About the Authors

Maureen Zimmerman (EdD Northern Arizona University) is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) who recently retired from Mesa Community College where she was former Department Chair of Design, Family, and Consumer Sciences and of Applied Science. Maureen earned her undergraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics at Arizona State University, a master's degree in public health from the University of Hawaii, and a doctorate in educational leadership, with a specialization in educational research, from Northern Arizona University. Passionately and assiduously, Maureen ensured her students not only learned, but that they also enjoyed learning—and developed intellectual habits to sustain them throughout their lives. She fostered active engagement and nurtured the unique skills, experiences, and knowledge each student brought to the learning community. Maureen’s food-first philosophy is summed up in this statement: “Enjoy real food, enjoy it with others, and enjoy it in just the right amounts.”

Beth Snow (PhD University of British Columbia) is a Credentialed Evaluator who works as a Scientist and the Head of Evaluation at the Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHOS) in Vancouver, Canada, a Clinical Assistant Professor in the School of Population & Public Health at the University of British Columbia, and an instructor at the Justice Institute of British Columbia. She earned a BSc with honors in biochemistry from McMaster University, a MSc in human biology and nutritional sciences from the University of Guelph, a MBA from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia, and a PhD in human nutrition from the University of British Columbia. Beth’s doctoral research focused on the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the developing fetal skeleton, and she has published in many academic journals. Following the successful completion of her doctoral program, Beth spent two years working at the British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women's Health, where she ran an interdisciplinary research training program, and then five years as an Evaluation Specialist in Public Health in Greater Vancouver, BC, Canada. Beth’s teaching philosophy involves empowering students to take ownership of their own learning. She uses active learning techniques and encourages students to apply what they learn to real life. In addition to her busy career, Beth is an avid weightlifter and recreational hockey player, and a true foodie who always makes time to cook and share good food.

Jennifer K. Frediani (PhD Emory University) is Assistant Professor, Research Track in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, adjunct faculty at the Rollins School of Public Health, Nutrition and Health Sciences Program, and a member of the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in dietetics and nutrition (with honors) from Georgia State University, completed her dietetic internship through Utah State University, a master’s degree in exercise science from Georgia State University, and a PhD in nutrition science from Emory University. Jennifer’s doctoral research focused on body composition and dietary assessment in tuberculosis patients living in the Republic of Georgia, and she has published in journals such as Nature Scientific Reports, New England Journal of Medicine, Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, and Clinical Nutrition. Jennifer is also a registered dietitian and Certified Exercise Specialist. After earning her doctorate, Jennifer completed a two-year teaching fellowship at Emory College of Arts and Sciences. Her teaching philosophy focuses on a student-centered learning environment. She believes students learn best when they are actively engaged in their own learning through discovery and purposefully designs her courses to be accessible to all learners. Next, she completed a two-year post-doctoral research fellowship in pediatric hepatology, where she studied nutritional aspects of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Jennifer’s current research involves nutrition and exercise lifestyle interventions using weight-neutral approaches to improve health outcomes related to cardiometabolic diseases, metabolomics, dietary and exercise assessments, and clinical trial operations. Jennifer wholeheartedly supports enjoying food that makes you feel good at any given moment and feels everyone should have the opportunity to experience this joy of living without stigma.