Lucia A. Leone
PhD
Research Topics
Environmental, community, organizational and behavioral interventions to improve nutrition, increase physical activity and encourage appropriate cancer screening; health disparities; food access and local food systems; obesity and cancer prevention.
Professional Summary
Lucia A. Leone, PhD is community-based researcher with a focus on addressing disparities in cancer and obesity prevention behaviors. Her research involves designing, implementing and evaluating multi-level and community-based interventions to increase access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity among underserved populations. Current research projects include: (1) development and evaluation of a mobile produce market (The Veggie Van) to bring fresh, local, affordable food to lower income and under-served communities; (2) working with the YMCA to develop an exercise program to increase exercise enjoyment among women with obesity; collaborating with the Mobile Safety Net Team in the University district to develop and evaluate a Buffalo Healthy Corner Store Initiative; and (4) understanding the grocery shopping experience of participants in the WIC program with a goal of addressing policy and retail-level changes to the program.
Education
- PhD, Nutrition Intervention and Policy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2010)
- BA, Health and Societies, University of Pennsylvania (2003)
Training
- Postdoctoral Fellow in Cancer Health Disparities, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2010-2013
- Predoctoral Fellow, Cancer Education and Control Program, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2007-2010
Professional Affiliations
- Buffalo and Erie County Food Policy Council
- International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
- Obesity Society
- Society for Behavioral Medicine