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College Overview

* (COPH C Overview faculty)

Lauri Wright

Lauri Wright, PhD, MS, RDN, LD/N, FADA

Associate Professor, Department of Community Health Sciences

Director, Nutrition Programs

Contact Info

Education

  • PhD, University of South Florida, 2007
  • MS, Case Western Reserve University, 1989
  • BS, the Ohio State University, 1987

Discipline

Nutrition & Dietetics

Specialization

  • Food Insecurity & Health Disparities
  • Malnutrition
  • Global Nutrition

Biography

Dr. Wright worked as a clinical dietitian at the Tampa VA Hospital for more than 15 years, specializing in infectious diseases. She began and directed the dietetic internship at Bay Pines VA Hospital. After completing her doctorate degree, Dr. Wright directed the master's/dietetic internship program at the University of North Florida and later, developed and directed the Doctorate of Clinical Nutrition program. Dr. Wright is the founding director of the UNF Center for Nutrition and Food Security where she developed and directed Meals on Wings, a food recovery-meal delivery program for underserved older adults. Dr. Wright joined the faculty at the University of South Florida where she developed the MPH/Dietetic Internship. Her research focuses on food insecurity and its health impact as well as global malnutrition. She has worked extensively with malnutrition and the nutrition transition in India, Africa and Central America. Dr. Wright was the 2023-2024 President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.