By Alissa Smethers, PhD, RD

Summer is almost here! For the month of June, the PAND Research Spotlight focuses on Amanda Kopetsky, MS, RD, LDN. Amanda is currently working towards her PhD, and shares her research journey below.

Where do you live currently?

Merion Station, PA

Is there anything you love about where you’re located?

I love that it’s still so close to Philly, even though it’s in a different county.

Where are you from originally?

Reading, PA

I noticed you’re currently a Graduate Research Assistant at The University of Delaware, what are you currently working on/researching?  

I am working on my PhD under Dr. Shannon Robson at The University of Delaware.  In her lab, we focus on pediatric weight management by working with families through behavioral interventions.  My background is in community nutrition (SNAP-Ed and counseling), which helped inform my current research interest of analyzing food systems of individuals through the food acquisition pathway — understanding the community food environment’s (food purchases) impact on the home food environment (consumption) and the relationship to the obesogenic home environment.

Where did you go to school?

I attended Penn State for my undergraduate degree in nutrition science, went on to Cedar Crest College for my dietetic internship, and completed my master’s at the University of Delaware before starting the PhD program.

What did you want to do after your studies were completed?

After school is finished, I am still undecided on where and what I’ll be doing.  After applying for post-doctorate programs, I’ll search for faculty/research positions or government agencies/nonprofits.

Have you published anything professionally?

Currently in progress.

How do you feel that your work in research has helped in application to real people? Working in research I am always focused on evidenced based practice.  If I want to educate or counsel someone, I first look at what the research says. To be constantly referring to research and evidence-based practice is critical in the field of nutrition, since the people and clients we interact with are saturated with mis-information on a regular basis. To provide the public with the correct health and nutrition information, we have to be looking at the current research.

Why did you decide to focus on nutrition as a career? 

I ran track/cross country in high school and started to pay attention to how certain foods I consumed impacted my performance.

How do you like to spend your free time? 

Fixing up an old home, yardwork, running, traveling and reading.

What is your favorite food? 

Doughnuts

Is there anything people be shocked you like or hate?

I have a hard time with mushrooms and eggplant – but it’s a texture thing, if they are cooked right, I’ll like it, but I tend to steer clear.