Research

Summary

-42 peer-reviewed publications (Google H-index 15 as of 18/10/24): 21 as first author, 24 as corresponding, 29 in JCR/SCOPUS Q1.

-150+ invited presentations: 119 at scientific conferences, 22 government/decision-maker meetings, 9 as keynote/panel/guest speaker, and 5 to lay audiences.

-Served as a researcher/evaluator on 10 competitive research grants and 7 as Principal Investigator on non-competitive research projects.

-Extensive experience in conceptualizing and leading original research, internet panel studies, rapid assessment studies, designing surveys, and collecting evaluation data to improve the delivery and dissemination of health programs and policies. 

-Highly skilled in researching policy, system, and environmental (PSE) change strategies aimed at reducing chronic disease through behavioral design interventions, improving emotional health, and increasing access to high-quality health and preventive services.

-Trained in communicating research findings to diverse stakeholders (e.g., researchers, community partners, policymakers) from various sectors (e.g., academic, government, food service industry) and disciplines (e.g., social sciences, business, etc.).

Please note: *=corresponding author

2024

Chatmon J, Kuo T, Plunkett SW, Besnilian A, *Robles B. Food insecurity and the consumption of plant-centered meals and high sodium foods among students at three large state universities. Journal of American College Health, 20:1-11.

Robles B, Saez M, Cabrera A, Sánchez-Cantalejo C, Barceló MA (2024). Comparing temporal changes in and predictors of different mental and emotional health outcomes during COVID-19: a panel study of Spanish residents. BMC Public Health, 24 (1), 1-18. Altmetric Score: 26

Reyes MA, Robles B, Wickramasekaran RN, Regos-Stewart D, Barragan NC, Kuo T. Food service management perspectives on reducing sodium content in foods served: Opportunities and challenges. Open Health, 5 (1), 20230037. 

Dionicio P, Gonzalez E, Menendez T, Barragan NC, Mendoza C, Kuo T, *Robles B. Partnering with local schools of traditional Chinese medicine to provide accessible acupuncture services for pain management in a group of low-income Hispanics/Latinos. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 30(8):802-809.  

Robles B, Mota-Bertran A, Saez M, Solans M. Association between ultra-processed food consumption and excess adiposity in children and adolescents: a systematic review. Obesity Reviews, 25(10):e13796. 

*Robles B, Wickramasekaran R. Healthy Vending Machines: Food for Thought on a Popular Diet-Related Behavioral Economic Strategy for Public Health. JAMA Network Open, 7(5):e249400. Altmetric Score: 65 

Wood M, Robles B, Beltran J, Kuo T. Integrating Healthy Nutrition Standards and Practices Into Food Service Contracting in a Large US County Government. Preventing Chronic Disease, 21:E15.

*Robles B, Kwak H, Kuo T (2024). Associations Between Patient Comfort with a Primary Care Provider and Three Measures of Behavioral Health Services Utilization. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. doi: 10.1007/s12529-024-10259-5. Epub ahead of print.

2023

Li S, Kuo T, *Robles B. The association between provider encouragement and sodium consumption behaviors. Patient Education and Counseling, 110; 107681. 

Lin P, Hillstrom K, Gottesman K, Jia Y, Kuo T, *Robles B. Financial and other life stressors, psychological distress, and food and beverage consumption among students attending a large California state university during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(4): 3668.

2022

Bell CN, Robles B, Singleton CR, Thomas Tobin CS, Spears EC, Thorpe RJ Jr. Association between Proximity to Food Sources and Dietary Behaviors in Black and White College Graduates. American Journal of Health Behavior, 46(5):515-527. 

*Robles B, Kuo T. Provider-patient interactions as predictors of lifestyle behaviors related to the prevention and management of diabetes. Diabetology, 3(1): 176-192.

2021

*Robles B, Kuo T, Thomas Tobin C.S. What are the relationships between psychosocial community characteristics and dietary behaviors in a racially/ethnically diverse urban population in Los Angeles County? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(18): 9868. 

*Robles B, Kuo T, Galván A. Understanding the neuroscience underpinnings of obesity and depression: Implications for policy development and public health practice. Frontiers in Public Health, 9:714236. 

Bell CN, Thomas Tobin CS, Robles B, Spears EC, Thorpe RJ Jr. Familial Financial Assistance and Body Mass Index in Black College Graduates. Journal of Racial Ethnic Health Disparities, 9(5):1850-1860.

Inkelas M, Blair C, Furukawa D, Manuel VG, Malenfant JH, Martin E, Emeruwa I, Kuo TK, Arangua L, Robles B, Provost LP. Using Control Charts to Understand Community Variation in COVID-19. PLoS One, 16(4):e0248500.

D’Addario L, Kuo T, *Robles B. Do knowledge about sodium, health status by self-report, and having hypertension predict sodium consumption behaviors among Southern California hospital employees? Translational Behavioral Medicine, 11(6):1254-1263.

*Robles B, Ponce MJ, Thomas CS, Smith LV, Kuo T. Varying levels of depressive symptoms and lifestyle behaviors in a low income, urban population. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 44(2):212-221. 

2020

Caldwell J, Robles B, Tyree R, Fraser RW, Dumke KA, Kuo T. Does exposure to the Choose Water Campaign increase parental intentions to promote more water and less sugar-sweetened beverage consumption? American Journal of Health Promotion, 34(5):555-558. 

2019

*Robles B, Barragan N, Smith B, Kuo T. Lessons learned from implementing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education Small Corner Store Project in Los Angeles County. Preventive Medicine Reports, 16:100997. 

*Robles B, Thomas CT, Lai E, Kuo T. A geospatial landscape analysis of health, mental health, and stressful community contexts in Los Angeles County. Preventing Chronic Disease, 16:E150. Altmetric Score: 72

*Robles B, Jiang L, Prelip M, Nobari TZ, Wang A, Kuo T, Wang MC. Creating a typology of childhood obesity intervention strategies. Evaluation and the Health Professions, 43(2):131-134. 

*Robles B, Wright T, Caldwell J, Kuo T. Promoting congregant health in faith-based organizations across Los Angeles County, 2013-2016. Preventive Medicine Reports, 16:100963.

2018

Wang MC, Crespi CM, Jiang LH, Nobari T, Roper-Fingerhut H, Rauzon S, Robles B, Blocklin M, Davoudi M, Kuo T, MacLeod KE, Seto E, Whaley S, Prelip M. Developing an index of dose of exposure to early childhood obesity community interventions. Preventive Medicine. 111:135-141. 

Wickramasekaran RN, *Robles B, Dewey G, Kuo T. Evaluating the Potential Health and Revenue Outcomes of a 100% Healthy Vending Machine Nutrition Policy at a Large Agency in Los Angeles County, 2013-2015. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 24(3):215-224. 

2017

Dewey G, Wickramasekaran RN, Kuo T, *Robles B. Does Sodium Knowledge Affect Dietary Choices and Health Behaviors? Results From a Survey of Los Angeles County Residents. Preventing Chronic Disease, 14:E120. 

*Robles B, Upchurch D, Kuo T. Comparing Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use with or without Including Prayer as a Modality in a Local and Diverse United States Jurisdiction. Frontiers in Public Health, 5:56.

*Robles B, Kuo T. Predictors of public support for nutrition-focused policy, systems, and environmental change strategies in Los Angeles County, 2013. British Medical Journal Open, 7(1): e012654.

*Robles B, Sadegh-Nobari T, Montes C, Wang M, Kuo T. Dietary behaviors among public health center clients with access to electronic benefit transfer at farmers’ markets. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 117(1):58-68.

Liu J, Kuo T, Jiang L, Robles B, Whaley S. Food and drink consumption among 1-5-year-old Los Angeles County children from households receiving dual SNAP and WIC versus only WIC benefits. Public Health Nutrition, 20(14): 2478-2485. 

2016

Kuo T, Robles B, Trogdon J, Ferencik R, Simon P, Fielding JE. Framing the local context and estimating the health impact of CPPW obesity prevention strategies in Los Angeles County, 2010-2012. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 22(4):360-9. 

Gase LN, Montes C, Robles B, Tyree R, Kuo T. Media outlet and consumer reactions to promotional activities of the Choose Health LA Restaurants program in Los Angeles County. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 22(3):231-244. 

2015

*Robles B, Blitstein JL, Lieberman AJ, Barragan NC, Gase LN, Kuo T. The relationship between amount of soda consumed and intention to reduce soda consumption among adults exposed to the “Sugar Pack” health marketing campaign. Public Health Nutrition, 18(14):2582-91. 

Gase LN, Barragan NC, Robles B, Leighs M, Kuo T. A mixed-methods evaluation of the “Choose Less, Weigh Less” portion size health marketing campaign in Los Angeles County. American Journal of Health Promotion, 29(6):e214-24. 

2014

*Robles B, Kuo T, Leighs M, Wang M, Simon P. Using population reach as a proxy metric for intervention impact to prioritize selection of obesity prevention strategies in Los Angeles County, USA, 2010-2012. American Journal of Public Health, 104(7):e14-9. 

Robles B, Smith LV, Ponce M, Piron J, Kuo T. The influence of gender and self-efficacy on healthy eating in a low-income urban population affected by structural changes to the food environment. Journal of Obesity, 2014:908391. 

Gase LN, McCarthy W, Robles B, Kuo T. Student receptivity to new school meal offerings: Assessing fruit and vegetable waste among middle school students in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Preventive Medicine, 67 Suppl 1:S28-33. 

Gase LN, Robles B, Barragan NC, Kuo T. Relationship between nutritional knowledge and the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages consumed in Los Angeles County. Health Education & Behavior, 41(4):431-9. Altmetric Score: 35

*Robles B, Frost S, Moore L, Harris CV, Bradlyn AS, Kuo T. Overweight and obesity among low-income women in rural West Virginia and urban Los Angeles County. Preventive Medicine, 67 Suppl 1:S34-9. 

Barragan NC, Robles B, Gase LN, Leighs MS, Bogert S, Simon PA, Kuo T. The “Sugar Pack” health marketing campaign in Los Angeles County, 2011-2012. Health Promotion Practice, 15(2):208-16. 

2013

Robles B, Wood M, Kimmons J, Kuo T. Comparison of nutrition standards and other recommended procurement practices for improving institutional food offerings in Los Angeles County, 2010-2012. Advances in Nutrition, 4(2):191-202. 

2020

*Robles B, Wood M, Wickramasekaran R, Kwan A, Reyes M, Kuo T. Developing and applying a mixed-methods evaluation framework to build the business case for healthy food procurement at the local level. SAGE Research Methods Cases (Medicine and Health). Note: SAGE Research Methods Cases are a peer-reviewed and award-winning digital teaching resource from SAGE Publishing.

Scientific Presentations

2011-present: Total=120 (Oral=54, Poster=64)

American Public Health Association Annual Conference, American Evaluation Association Annual Conference, American College Health Association Conference; Annual Research Meeting of the Academy Health, Art and Sciences of Health Promotion Annual Conference, Asociación de Economía de la Salud, Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Biennial Childhood Obesity Conference, European Public Health Association Conference, Jornada Científica CIBERESP 2023, Jornada Científica CIBERESP 2024, Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo; PLACE Matters: Working Together to Create Healthy Communities Conference, National Association of County and City Health Officials Annual Conference, Reunión Annual de la Sociedad de Epidemilogía, Scientific Session and Annual Meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Sciences, Society for Public Health Education Annual Conference, Southern California Public Health Association Annual Conference, University of Southern California Integrative Health Conference; Weight of the Nation Annual Conference.

Oral Presentation Examples:

Robles B, Saez M, Cabrera-León A, Sánchez-Cantalejo C, Barceló MA (2024). Socioeconomic inequalities in hunger among students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from Spain. European Health Economics Association Conference (EuHEA 2024): Vienna, Austria (July 1).

Robles B Saez M, Cabrera-León A, Sánchez-Cantalejo C, Barceló MA (2023). Temporal changes and socioeconomic disparities in mental health during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Asociación de Economía de la Salud [Spanish Health Economics Association]- Jornada Técnica: Girona, Girona. 2023 (Mar 22).