Research


Contributions to Science

A complete list of my published work can be found in “My Bibliography” in the US National Library of Medicine

Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research

In my role as a faculty member I have mentored over 40 masters and doctoral thesis projects and support faculty with qualitative and mixed methods research. Select publications are listed here:

  • Byham-Gray, L, Peters, E, Rothpletz-Puglia, P., Patient-Centered Model for Protein-Energy Wasting: Stakeholder Deliberative Panels. J Ren Nutr. 2019 Aug 22. pii: S1051-2276(19)30225-0. doi: 10.1053/j.jrn.2019.06.001. [Epub ahead of print]

  • Zelig R, Jones VM, Touger-Decker R, Hoskin ER, Singer SR, Byham-Gray L, Rigassio Radler D, Rothpletz-Puglia P. Tooth Loss, the Eating Experience and Eating Related Quality of Life: Perceptions of Older Adults. Journal of Dental Research: Clinical and Translational Research (JDR CTR). 2019. E-published ahead of print 2/28/2019. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/2380084419827532

  • Boyd M, Gall S, Rothpletz-Puglia, P, Parrott JS, King C, Byham-Gray, L, Characteristics and Drivers of the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist’s Sustained Involvement in Clinical Research Activities: A Mixed Methods Study. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, June 2019 Online first, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2019.03.018

  • Ganzer H, Rothpletz-Puglia P, Byham-Gray L, Murphy BA, Touger-Decker R. The eating experience in long-term survivors of head and neck cancer: a mixed-methods study. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer. 2015; 23(11):3257-68.

Grant Support

Principal Investigator:

  • “Needs Assessment of Family Functioning around Food Related Behaviors” National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), a component of the National Institute of Health (NIH) under award number UL1TR003017. January 2020 – January 21. $10,000

  • “Developing Nutritional Research Capacity in Tanzania through Training, Mentorship and Technical Assistance” Rutgers Centers for Global Advancement and International Affairs, International Collaborative Research Grant for Tenure-track Faculty, March 2016-December 2017. $8000

  • NJ Department of Education, Memorandum of Agreement for Professional Services for Nutrition Curricula Evaluation, May 2013- November 2014. $124,845.

  • US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Office of Adolescent Health, National Resource Center for HIV/AIDS Prevention among Adolescents (APNRC), September 2011-August 31, 2014, TP2AH000020 $600,000.

  • US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources Administration, HIV/AIDS Bureau. National Training and Technical Assistance grant U69HA10551 9/01/2008-8/31/2011, $825,000

  • The Prevalence of Growth Abnormalities in Children and Youth with HIV Infection: A Needs Assessment in 2002. The American Dietetic Association, Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group, June 2002-June 2003 $5000

Co-Investigator or other - Research Grants

  • “A User-Centered Approach to the Development of a Diet Education Tool for Older Adults with Tooth Loss”, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. PI: Zelig, R. May 2019 – May 2021.

  • Dietary quality and cardiovascular disease risk factors among people with HIV in Selebe Phikwe, Botswana – A pilot study, Rutgers Global Health Institute, PI: Sackey, J, May 2019 – December 2020.

  • “Linking Symptoms to Protein-Energy Wasting in Hemodialysis.” Rutgers School of Health Professions, Dean’s Research Grant, June 2017 – May 2018. $35,000 PI: Laura Byham-Gray, PhD, RD, Co-Investigator

  • “Exploring the Associations between Dentition Status, Nutritional Status, and the Eating Experience in Older Adults – A Mixed Methods Study.” Sackler Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Early Career Scientist Grant, $43,190, R. Zelig PI, Qualitative research consultant

  • “Identifying Children at Risk for Severe Early Tooth Decay” Rutgers School of Health Professions, Dean’s Research Grant, June 2016 – April 2017, $35,000, PI: Jane Ziegler, DCN, RD. Co-Investigator

  • “Patient-Centered Approach to Exploring Protein-Energy Wasting in Dialysis”. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). L. Byham-Gray, PI, Co-Investigator: P. Rothpletz-Puglia. September 1, 2015-August 31, 2017. (1K18HS023434-01A1), $416, 888.96, Co-investigator

  • “The Etiological Role of Implicit Self-Stereotyping in Childhood Obesity.” Rutgers University, Newark Campus, Chancellor’s Seed Grant for New Initiatives. L.Rivera, PI. , Consultant: P. Rothpletz-Puglia, 7/1/2015-6/30/2017, $75,000. Consultant

  • “Defining and Validating Advanced-Level Practice in Clinical Nutrition Among Registered Dietitians.”R. Brody, PI. Byham-Gray, Co-Investigators: P. Rothpletz Puglia, R. Touger-Decker. May 2012 to July 2015. The Foundation of UMDNJ - $20,000, Co-investigator

Capacity Building

In addition to training and working with Rutgers students and faculty on qualitative and mixed methods projects I also worked with the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC) to develop qualitative research and systematic review research skills.

  • In the fall of 2016, I taught a semester long, online qualitative research course to the staff of the TFNC (n=20). The training resulted in a research protocol that was submitted by the TFNC for funding. “Exploring Maternal Perception and Attitude Toward the use of Micronutrient Powder (MNP) and Iron-Folic Acid Supplements During Pregnancy in Tanzania.”

  • Co-author on a Cochrane systematic review with meta-analysis. Eaton JC, Rothpletz-Puglia P, Dreker MR, Iannotti L, Lutter C, Kaganda J, Rayco-Solon P. Effectiveness of provision of animal-source foods for supporting optimal growth and development in children 6 to 59 months of age. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Feb 19;2:CD012818. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012818.pub2. [Epub ahead of print] Review. PubMed PMID: 30779870

Community-Participatory Research

In an earlier role at the Rutgers I was the principal investigator on several cooperative agreement grants. The following publications demonstrate my experience in working collaboratively with the community and to conduct qualitative and mixed methods research. Since the pediatric HIV incidence lowered so dramatically in the US, my interests expanded to include pediatric obesity, particularly with low-income, racial and ethnic minority populations I’ve served my entire career.

  • Building social networks for health promotion: Shout-out Health, New Jersey, 2011.Rothpletz-Puglia P, Jones VM, Storm DS, Parrott JS, O'Brien KA. Preventing chronic disease. 2013; 10:E147. http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2013/13_0018.htm

  • Routine prenatal HIV testing: women's concerns and their strategies for addressing concerns. Rothpletz-Puglia P, Storm D, Burr C, Samuels D. Maternal and child health journal. 2012; 16(2):464-9.

  • Rothpletz-Puglia P, Ziegler, J, Dance-Wilson, H. . Research Education and Models of Community Service Delivery. Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions, Annual Conference. Orlando, Florida 2013.

  • Volger S, Rigassio Radler D and Rothpletz-Puglia P. Early childhood obesity prevention efforts through a life course health development perspective: A scoping review. PLoS One. 2018; 13: e0209787.