Inclusive Food Access Research (I-FAR) Lab

Promoting food equity and supporting nutrition security for all, regardless of socio-demographic background or cultural identity

food, environment, and people

Principal Investigator

I am an Assistant Professor at the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences, Utah State University, with an interest in healthy and equitable communities. My research examines the interactions between nutrition behavior, people's environment, and health-promoting practices, programs, and policies. In my work, I am particularly interested in providing opportunities through a Community-based Participatory Research approach for residents and key stakeholders to create data to identify neighborhood nutrition-related challenges, inform intervention implementation, and policy change as well as monitor changes in neighborhoods.

Google Scholar

ResearchGate

abiodun.atoloye@usu.edu

Twitter: @aatoloye

Linkedin: Abiodun T. Atoloye

Graduate Research Assistants

PhD Student

Oluyemisi Akinsola, MSc.

She is a PhD student in Nutrition Science at Utah State University. She is enthusiastic about scaling up nutrition interventions to make healthier food choices desirable in combating malnutrition among vulnerable populations. Previously, she worked with The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) on : i) nutrition programs with Social Behavorial Change Campaign (SBCC) among under-five children and women of childbearing age in primary healthcare centers, ii) workforce nutrition projects that focused on pathways to improved diet, food access/safe consumption of nutritious foods among working-class adults. Her area of interest includes public health nutrition, sustainable food systems, and food & nutrition policies.

Masters Student

Sherif Olasoji, BSc.

Sherif is an Msc student in Nutrition Science. He is a Nigerian Registered Dietitian with an international certification in project management. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Science specializing in Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, in 2018 where he developed a research interest in Community and Public Health Nutrition. During his Dietetics Internship Program at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Nigeria, 2023, he contributed to the better health status of 600+ in and outpatients using therapeutic diet, nutrition education, and counseling. He led the hospital's 150+ interns being their representative, where he served as the Liaison Officer between the interns and the hospital management. He aims to become a world-renowned nutrition researcher whose work guarantees a healthier world population. He is committed to growth and ready to learn new skills.

Alumni

Camilla Quezada, BSc. 2022.

Intern, Fall 2022

While in the I-FAR lab, Camilla contributed to the development and programming of the survey tool in RedCap for our international food safety project. She earned a Master’s degree in Public Health Nutrition from Utah State University, building on a Bachelor of Science degree. She is passionate about making a meaningful impact in communities facing challenges with food access

Dantona Leger, MPH 2024.

Research Associate, Summer 2023-Spring 2024

Dantona participated in various research projects within the I-FAR Lab. She designed our food store audit tool in RedCap along with the accompanying protocol. As part of her requirements for her MPH degree, she developed an infographic and policy brief as dissemination materials for our research project on food safety and childhood malnutrition in Nigeria. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD degree at the University of Michigan.

Melissa Murillo Timoschenco, MSc. 2025

Her thesis focused on the utilization and participation experiences among refugees and immigrants in WIC, using a mixed-methods research approach. With her academic background, specialized knowledge, and practical experience, Melissa is poised to become a leading nutritionist who can positively impact the health and well-being of individuals and communities.