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• Ph.D. in Nutrition, Mississippi State University
• M.S. in Nutrition with Minor in Sociology, Mississippi State University
• B.S. in Food Science and Human Nutrition with Minor in Spanish, University of Florida

• Community nutrition
• Nutrition in policy
• School nutrition
• Global issues in nutrition
• Social and cultural influences on food habits and nutrition status
• Curriculum development

Publications

Landry, M., Savoie-Roskos, M., Gray, V. B, et al. (2024). Food security as a basic need: College students need greater support from institutional administration. Journal of American College Health. 

Gray, V. B., Grijalva-Martinez, E.,* Zuniga, C.,* Buran, M., Stamper, N., Bianco, S. (2024). CalFresh Healthy Living implementation across eight universities: A qualitative process-focused evaluation. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

Barrack, M.T., Domino, S.,* Gray, V.B. et al. (2023). Support for inadvertent undereating in female adolescent athletes with clinical indicators of low energy availability. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. (26(6); 285-290.   

Coffey, A. B.,* Alai, N.,* Gray, V. B., Cotter, J. A. & Barrack, M. T. (2022.) Nutrition education curriculum promotes adolescent runners’ self-efficacy, knowledge, and intake of nutrient-rich carbohydrate foods, Journal of the American Nutrition Association, DOI:

Flores, C.,* Docherty, B.,* Bittner, M., Young, A., Gray, V., Blaine, R. E. (2022). Nutrition intervention at a summer camp for children with disabilities. California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Journal. 

Lin, S.,* Gray, V. B., Galvan, C., Ede, A., Rodriguez, A.,* Kenley, E. C.* (2021). Evaluation of a middle school program aimed at improving eating competence, body satisfaction, and personal and social responsibility. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 113 (4), 57-69.

Barrack, M.T., Gray, V.B., Olson, C.,* Richard, C., West, J*. (2021). Comparative analysis between a brief nutrition screening survey and validated food frequency questionnaire among physically active college students. Journal of the American College of Health. 

Matt, S. A.,* Barrack, M. T., Gray, V. B., et al. (2021). Adolescent endurance runners exhibit suboptimal energy availability and intakes of key nutrients. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, doi: 

Wood, K. L.,* Barrack, M T., Gray, V. B., et al. (2021). Cognitive dietary restraint score is associated with lower energy, carbohydrate, fat, and grain intake among female adolescent endurance runners. Eating Behaviors, 40. 

Gray, V. B., Byrd, S., Downey, L. (2021). Patterns of food availability and cost in SNAP-participating retail stores in Mississippi. Journal of Extension, 59(2), Article 4. .

Chiong, R.,* Gray, V. B., Roy, R. (2020). Development and evaluation of a family-based nutrition program rooted in food parenting literature. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 49(1), 67-83. DOI: 10.1111/fcsr.12375

Gray, V. B., Hardman, A., Byrd, S.  (2020). Qualitative evaluation of drivers of eating decisions among SNAP participants in Mississippi. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 52(8): 775-787. doi: 

Osterman, S.,* Gray, V. B., Loy, M., Coffey, A.,* Smallwood, K.,* Barrack, M. (2020). Prioritized dietary supplement information needs of 307 NCAA division I student athletes. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2020.01.007

Conference papers and abstracts

Gray, V., Muñoz, D., Morales, R., Liao, J., Castro, M. (2024). The Beach Kitchen at ºÚÁÏÍø: A policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) partner for reaching food-insecure college students with nutrition education. Journal of Trauma Informed Community Health, Nutrition, and Physical Activity, 2(1), 68-69. Presented as a poster at the CalFresh Healthy Living Forum, Garden Grove, CA. 

Chen, S., Gray, V. B., Heying, E, Landry, M. Impactful course activities and assignments and suggested improvements to food security-focused collegiate curriculum. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 55(7), S81. Poster presentation given at Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior Annual Conference. July 2023: Washington, D.C.

Cuite, C., Hagedorn-Hatfield, R., Zigmont, V., Chen, S., Gray, V. B. Beyond the classroom: Student experiences and confidence in addressing food insecurity. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 55(7), S94. Oral abstract presentation given at Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior Annual Conference. July 2023: Washington, D.C.

Duran, L.*, Min, V.*, Gray, V., Hagedorn-Hatfield, R., Rigor vs Grace: Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic in higher education nutrition programs. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 55(7S), 28. Poster presentation given at Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior Annual Conference. July 2023: Washington, D.C.

Patton-Lopez, M., Machado, S., Gray, V. B., Richards, R. Conceptualizations of Food Insecurity among Nutrition, Public Health, and Social Work Students. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 55(7S), 9. Poster presentation given at Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior Annual Conference. July 2023: Washington, D.C.

Richards, R., Qamar, Z., Hagedorn-Hatfield, R., Gray, V. B., Zigmont, V., Savoie-Roskos, M., Heying, E. Engaging the Next Generation in Professional Organizations: Where Are We? Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 55(7), 101. Poster presentation given at Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior Annual Conference. July 2023: Washington, D.C.

Gray, V., Grijalva-Martinez, E.,* Zuniga, C.* Qualitative Evaluation of CalFresh Healthy Living Implementation Across Eight Universities. Poster presentation given at California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference. April 28, 2023: Long Beach, CA.

Gray, V., Muñoz, D., Castro, M., Liao, J., Morales, R. The Beach Kitchen at ºÚÁÏÍø: A Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) Partner for Reaching Food Insecure College Students With Nutrition Education. Poster presentation given at California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference. April 28, 2023: Long Beach, CA.

Docherty, B. D., Blaine, R. E., Gray, V. B., Gustin, L. Meal planning and preparation cooking intervention for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Poster presentation given at California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference. April 28, 2023: Long Beach, CA.

Docherty, B. D., Blaine, R. E., Gray, V. B., Gustin, L. Meal planning and preparation cooking intervention for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Poster presentation given at ºÚÁÏÍø College of Health and Human Services Week of Research. April 17, 2023: Long Beach, CA.

Gray, V., Byrd, S. B., Parmer, S. (2023). Today's Mom: HappyHealthy Baby: Transforming a traditional nutrition education curriculum into an online course for SNAP-Ed. Association of State SNAP-Ed Administrators Annual Conference, March 2023, online.

Grijalva-Martinez, E.,* Zuniga, C.,* Gray, V. B. Qualitative evaluation of CalFresh Healthy Living (SNAP-Ed) implementation across eight universities. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 122(10), A-127. Food and Nutrition Conference and Exposition 2022, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Orlando, FL.

Gray, V., Byrd, S. B., Parmer, S. (2022). Today's Mom: HappyHealthy Baby: Transforming a traditional nutrition education curriculum into an online course for SNAP-Ed. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 54(7), S12 - S13. Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior 2022, Atlanta, GA.

Gray, V., Purcell., C.,* Barrack, M. (2022). COVID-Related diet changes in a multiethnic sample of college students. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 54(7), S51. Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior 2022, Atlanta, GA.

Rubio, G.,* Johnson, M.,* Gray, V. (2022). Nutrition guidance to parents of infants: Pediatrician Perspectives. California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference, Oakland, CA.

McGowan, R.,* Blaine, R. E., Roy, R., Dayne, N., Gray, V.  (2022). Online course on solids introduction for new parents: A pilot study. California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference, Oakland, CA.

Takwa, R.,* Gray, V., Dihn, D.,* Barrack, M., (2021). Relationships between food insecurity and disordered eating among a multiethnic sample of university students. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 121(9), A-31. Food and Nutrition Conference and Exposition 2021, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, virtual conference.

Dihn, D.,* Gray, V., Takwa, R.,* Barrack, M., (2021). Demographic characteristics and eating patterns among an ethnically diverse sample of college students with food insecurity. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 121(9), A-89. Food and Nutrition Conference and Exposition 2021, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, virtual conference.

Gray, V. B., Jung, Y., Pattnaik, J., Dayne, N. Domino, S., Adel, H.* (2021). Parenting and snacks: A mixed methods study to guide intervention development. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 53(7s), P59. Poster presentation delivered at the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior Annual Meeting 2021, virtual conference.

Gray, V. B., Jung, Y., Pattnaik, J., Dayne, N. Adel, H.* (2021). Parenting and snacks: A mixed methods study to guide intervention development. ºÚÁÏÍø Week of Research, April 8, 2021.

Smallwood, K.,* McGowan, R.,* Chiong, R.,* Gawel, I.,* Blaine, R., Roy, R., Gray, V. (2021). Parental values, strategies, and perceived barriers during the introduction of solid foods: A qualitative study. California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference 2021, virtual conference.

Gray, V. B., Byrd, S., Downey, L.  Development of an Online Course: Today’s Mom: Happy Healthy Baby. Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators (ASNNA) 2021, virtual conference.

Belarde, C.,* Barrack, M. T., Gray, V. B., Blaine, R. E. Evaluating the concurrent validity of a web-based nutrition screening survey among pre-adolescent student athletes. Poster presentation delivered at the Southwest Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine, Virtual Conference, October 28, 2020.

Gray, V. B., Byrd, S. Fresh fruit and vegetable availability and cost in SNAP-participating retail stores in Mississippi: Differences by rurality. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 52(7S), S3. Oral presentation delivered at the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior Annual Meeting 2020, virtual conference. Doi: 

Gray, V. B., Byrd, S. Patterns of fresh fruit and vegetable availability and cost in SNAP-participating retail stores in Mississippi. Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators (ASNNA) 2020, Arlington, VA.

ºÚÁÏÍø President’s Award for Team Achievement, Basic Needs Team, 2023.

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award, Society of Nutrition Education, 2022.