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Curriculum Vitae

Education

Health Education and Health Promotion                                                                                 Ph.D.                2017

The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

 

Human Nutrition                                                                                                                        M.S.                  2013

The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL               

 

Business Administration and Marketing                                                                                B.S.                   2004

Methodist University, Fayetteville, NC  

Professional 
Experience

School of Nutrition and Food Sciences – Louisiana State University and Agricultural Center

Associate Professor Director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics                                               07/2024 to Present

Assistant Professor; Director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics                                              03/2018 to 06/2024

  • Leadership of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) to assure that ACEND accreditation standards, policies, and procedures are met; coordinate decisions regarding the admission and progress of undergraduate students in the program; implement ongoing assessments of the DPD program, including student learning outcomes and retention data

  • Instructor of Record for NFS 3025 – Professionalism in Dietetics; NFS 3116 – Community Nutrition

  • Certified Communication-Intensive (C-I) Instructor by LSU Communication Across the Curriculum (CxC)

  • Recruit and advise undergraduate and graduate students

  • Conduct and publish research and scholarly work

  • Serve as faculty advisor/mentor for the LSU Student Nutrition and Dietetics Association

​

Graduate Program Advisor                                                                                                                 01/2022 to Present

  • Recruit exceptionally qualified students for MS and Ph.D. programs of study

  • Chair of the SNFS Graduate Committee

  • Acts as liaison with the Faculty of Graduate Studies

  • Ensures that graduate students working on research theses and dissertations are matched with appropriate supervisors and supervisory committees

  • Compiles and coordinates information concerning deadlines, procedures, etc., and communicates these regularly to graduate students and faculty members

  • Ensures that faculty supervising or teaching graduate students are aware of and adhere to applicable policies and procedures

​

Department of Nutrition & Hospitality Management – The University of Alabama

 Graduate Teaching Assistant & Adjunct Assistant Professor                                                        08/2013 to 08/2018    

  • Online Instructor of Record for NHM 372 – Introduction to Food Service Management; NHM 454 – Experimental and Functional Foods; HES 310 – Issues in Human Environmental Sciences

  • Instructor of Record for NHM 395 – Introduction to Research in Food and Nutrition; NHM 441 – Nutrition Education; NHM 454 – Experimental and Functional Foods; NHM 464 – Supervised Practice in Community Nutrition (Coordinated Program rotation – created a supplemental lesson and project on grocery store tours that has assisted students in the rotation and in other community nutrition-related Coordinated Program activities.)

  • Teaching Assistant for NHM 250 – Principles of Food Preparation

  • Academic advisor to approximately 115 Freshman and Sophomore students      

 

Pickens County Medical Center Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation – Carrollton, AL

Lead Registered Dietitian                                                                                                                    08/2017 to 02/2018

  • Provision of Medical Nutrition Therapy counseling to individuals with the creation of nutrition care plans using the Nutrition Care Process to specify diet plans or goals for patients with varying medical diagnoses such as diabetes, COPD, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease

  • Creation and maintenance of all nutrition education materials for patients related to heart health, pulmonary health, diabetes, weight loss, and meal planning

 

​
Awards

  • LSU Foundation C-I Teaching and Service Excellence Award, April 2025

  • American Public Health Association, Breastfeeding Forum, Best Professional Abstract Award, 2022

  • NDEP Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award, Didactic Program, South Central Region, 2022

  • Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, High-Impact Author Award, 2022

  • Fellow of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, April 2022

  • Louisiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Outstanding Dietitian of the Year, 2021

  • Student Nutrition and Dietetics Association at LSU, Seniors’ Choice Faculty Member-of-the-Year, 2021

  • LSU Agriculture Student Association, Club Advisor of the Year (SNDA), 2020

  • Louisiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Emerging Dietetics Leader, 2020

  • LSU Love Purple Live Gold Awards, SNDA – Top Service/Volunteer Program, 2020

  • Methodist University Alumni Association, Distinguished Alumni Award, 2019

  • American Public Health Association, Food and Nutrition Section Fellowship, 2018

  • Alabama Dietetic Association Leadership Award & Scholarship Recipient, 2017

Peer Reviewed Publicatons

  1. Niroula, K. & McKinley, E.M. (2025). Approaching Breastfeeding Behavior Predictors Through Theory of Planned Behavior: Instrumentation and Validation of New Survey. The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing. 10.1097/JPN.0000000000000966, October 27, 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/JPN.0000000000000966

  2. Niroula, K., Pradhananga, N., McKinley, E.M. (2025). A Holistic Guide to the Nutritional Management of Obesity. In: Mitra, A.K., Vanoh, D. (eds) Essentials of Clinical and Public Health Nutrition. Nutrition and Health. Humana, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-95373-6_2

  3. Kreilich, M. E., & McKinley, E.M. (2025). Qualitative Exploration of the State of Renal Education in the Greater Baton Rouge Area. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 125, Issue 10: A35.

  4. Rodriguez, A., Lewis, L.A., & McKinley, E.M. (2025). Food Security and Awareness of the Campus Health Environment: Investigating College Students' Perspectives. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 125, Issue 10: A75.

  5. Bosch, C. & McKinley, E.M. (2025). Emotions of Solitude and Exasperation Regarding Managing Dietary Limitations Among University Students. MSI Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (MSIJMR), Volume 2(Issue 8), 01–12.

  6. Pradhananga, N., Niroula, K., Enriquez, J.P., McKinley, E.M., and Houghtaling, B. (2025). Investigating access challenges, facilitators, and strategies for campus food pantry utilization among international students in the southeastern United States. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 57(6): 548-558.

  7. Niroula, K., & McKinley, E. (2024). Theory of Planned Behavior-Based Model Predicting Breastfeeding Intentions Among Childless Female Population in Louisiana. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 124(10), A98.

  8. Bosch, C., Niroula, K., & McKinley, E. (2024). The Impact of Dietary Restrictions on Emotional Well-being and College Life. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 124(10), A30.

  9. K Niroula & E McKinley. (2024). A Snapshot of Parameters Influencing Breastfeeding Intentions Among Childless Females: Basis for Future Education. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 56 (8), S14-S15.

  10. McKinley, E.M. (2024). An Exploratory Study of Pregnant Persons' Response to Patient-Centered Care in Louisiana Using Mind Genomics Cognitive Science. The Digest – publication of the Research Dietetic Practice Group, The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 58 (1), 1-9.

  11. McKinley, E.M. (2024). Pregnant Persons Desired Needs for Patient-Centered Care in Louisiana: A Mind Genomics Cognitive Science Analysis.  Psychology, 15, 607-618.

  12. McKinley, E.M. (2024). An Analysis of the Evolving Role of the RD within the Profession of Nutrition and Dietetics using Mind Genomics Cognitive Science. Universal Library of Medical and Health Sciences, 2(2), 19-23. https://doi.org/10.70315/uloap.ulmhs.2024.0202004

  13. McKinley, E.M. (2024). Spanish Translation and Validation of the Prenatal Rating of Efficacy in Preparation to Breastfeed (PREP to BF) Scale and Convergence With the English Version. Journal of Human Lactation, 40(1), 170-171.

  14. Bosch, C., Niroula, K., & McKinley, E.M. (2024). College Students with Medical Dietary Restrictions Face Financial and Personal Challenges Trying to Meet Nutritional Needs. Psychology, 15(1), 16-26.

  15. McKinley, E.M. (2023). Translation and Validation of the Spanish Language Prenatal Rating of Efficacy in Preparation to Breastfeed (PREP to BF) Scale and Convergence with the English Version. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 123(10), A25.

  16. Enriquez, J. P., Pradhananga, N., Niroula, K., McKinley, E.M., & Gollub, E. (2023). Critical Points and Complements of the Food Pantry According to Latin-American Ph. D. Students' Experiences: A Case Study. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 55(7), 35-36. 

  17. Pradhananga, N., Niroula, K., Enriquez, J. P., McKinley, E.M., & Houghtaling, B. (2023). Prevalence, Perceptions, and Recommendations for Addressing Student Food Insecurity: A Mixed-Methods Investigation. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 55(7), 39-39.

  18. Bosch, C., Niroula, K, & McKinley, E.M. (2023). Food-Sensitive College Students Less Likely to Adhere to Dietary Restrictions Despite High Incidence of GI Issues. Current Developments in Nutrition, 7(1), 100620.

  19. McKinley, E.M. (2023). [Book Review] The Gut Microbiome: Bench to Table, V.C.H. Wu. CHOICE Connect. 61(2).

  20. McKinley, E.M. (2023). [Book Review] Diet Impacts on Brain and Mind, R. J. Stevenson. CHOICE Connect. 61(1).

  21. McKinley, E.M.  (2023). [Book Review] Anxious eaters: why we fall for fad diets, J. Chrzan and K. Cargill. CHOICE Connect, 60(9).

  22. McKinley, E.M.  (2023). [Book Review] Absent interests: on the abstraction of human and animal milks, S. Czerny. CHOICE Connect, 60(8).

  23. McKinley, E.M.  (2023). [Book Review] Food allergy advocacy:  parenting and the politics of care, D. Glabau. CHOICE Connect, 60(5).

  24. McKinley, E.M.  (2023). [Book Review] Healthy eating policy and political philosophy: a public reason approach, A. Barnhill & M. Bonotti. CHOICE Connect, 60(5).

  25. Shinn, L. M., Hinck, S., Jones, L., Goldberg, K., Paczosa, A. B., & McKinley, E.M. (2023). Salary Negotiation among Dietetics Professionals: Lived Experiences and a Three-Pronged Approach to Advancing Negotiation Skills and Confidence. Journal of Dietetic Education, 1(1), 6: 57-69.

  26. Niroula, K., McKinley, E.M., & Gollub, E. (2022). Validation and psychometric properties of breastfeeding attitude scale among a sample of childless adult females. International Journal of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science, 1(2), 59-78.

  27. McKinley, E.M. and Niroula, K. (2022). Testing and Validation of the Prenatal Rating of Efficacy in Preparation to Breastfeed Scale in a Postpartum Sample during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 122(9), A65.

  28. Urrutia-Alvarez, N., Theriot, A., & McKinley, E. M.  (2022). An Analysis of COVID-19 Lock-Down Panic Buying Motivators Among Undergraduate Students. Current Developments in Nutrition, 6(Supplement_1), 233-233.

  29. McKinley, E.M., Shinn, L., Hinck, S., Jones, L., Paczosa, A., & Goldberg, K. (2022). Skills, Satisfaction, and Future Recommendations for Salary and Benefit Negotiation Success Among Nutrition and Dietetics Professionals in the United States. Current Developments in Nutrition, 6(Supplement_1), 431-431.

  30. McKinley, E.M., & Niroula, K. (2022). Giving Birth During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Changes in Confusion, Anxiety, and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy from Pregnancy to Six-Weeks Postpartum. Current Developments in Nutrition, 6(Supplement_1), 689-689.

  31. McKinley, E.M.  (2022). [Book Review] White blood: a history of human milk, L.T. Weaver. CHOICE Connect, 59(7).

  32. McKinley, E.M.  (2021). Differences in the Perceived Understanding of Common Breastfeeding Misconceptions Among Adults Pursuing an Undergraduate College Degree. International Journal of Health Sciences, 9(1), 89-94.

  33. Theriot, A., Urrutia-Alvarez, N., and McKinley, E.M. (2021).  An Analysis of Pandemic Panic Buying Motivators among Undergraduate College Students using Mind Genomics Cognitive Science. Psychology, 12(9), 1457-1471.

  34. McKinley, E.M. & Scott, S.D. (2021). Staying “Together” During a Pandemic: The Inaugural Year of the Tiger-to-Tiger Peer Mentoring Program at Louisiana State University. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 121(10), A121.

  35. Goldberg, K., Hinck, S., Jones, L., McKinley, E.M., Paczosa, A., & Shinn, L. (2021). Evaluation of Negotiation Success and Skill Sets Among Nutrition and Dietetics Professionals in the United States. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 121(10), A138.

  36. McKinley, E.M., Niroula, K, and Toffoli, S. (2021). Assessment of Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy and Feelings of Concern and Confusion among Pregnant Persons during COVID-19 in the United States. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 121, 9 (Supplement 1), A-85.

  37. Niroula, K. & McKinley, E.M. (2021). Psychometric Properties of a New Breastfeeding Attitude Scale among a Sample of Childless Adult Females. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 121, 9 (Supplement 1), A-29.

  38. McKinley, E.M. Analysis of Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy and Anxiety Surrounding Giving Birth During COVID-19 Among Pregnant Women in the United States. (2021). Current Developments in Nutrition, 5(Supplement 2), 236-236.

  39. Niroula, K. & McKinley, E.M. (2021). A Snapshot of Breastfeeding Knowledge, Attitude, and Intention of Childless Female College Students in Louisiana: A Basis for Future Education Plans. Current Developments in Nutrition, 5(Supplement 2), 985-985.

  40. McKinley, E.M. (2021). College Students’ Perceptions of the Safety of Marijuana and Cannabidiol Use While Breastfeeding. Scholarly Journal of Food and Nutrition, 3(5), 430-434.

  41. McKinley, E. M., Knol, L. L., Turner, L. W., Burnham, J. J., Graettinger, K. R., Hernandez-Reif, M., & Leeper, J. D. (2021). Enhancing Patient-Provider Breastfeeding Conversations: Breastfeeding Intention and Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-efficacy among a Sample of Pregnant Women. Southern Medical Journal, 114(4), 223-230.

  42. Niroula, K., McKinley, E., Gollub, E., & Tuuri, G. (2020). Differences in Breastfeeding Knowledge, Attitudes, and Intention among Childless, Adult Female Undergraduate and Graduate Students. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120(9), A78.

  43. McKinley, E.M. (2020). Validation of a New Instrument to Measure Breastfeeding Understanding Among Adults. Current Developments in Nutrition, 7(Supp 2), 241-241.

  44. Davis S.A., Knol L.L., Crowe-White K.M., Turner L.W., McKinley E.M. (2020). Homemade Infant Formula Recipes May Contain Harmful Ingredients: A Quantitative Content Analysis of Blogs. Public Health Nutrition, 23(8), 1334-1339.

  45. McKinley, E.M. (2020). Survey piloting and data collection for measurement scale validation among pregnant women attending in-clinic obstetrics appointments. SAGE Research Methods Cases. 

  46. McKinley, E.M. (2020). [Book Review] Vegetarianism and veganism: a reference handbook, D.E. Newton. CHOICE Connect, 57(7).

  47. Carrera Arcia, H.G. and McKinley, E.M. (2019). Assessment of Differences in Breastfeeding Knowledge and Comfort with Breastfeeding in Public among College Students from Varying Countries of Origin. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 119(10) Supplement: A140-A140.

  48. Knol L.L., Robb C.A., McKinley E.M., Wood M.R. (2019). Very Low Food Security Status is Related to Lower Cooking Self-Efficacy and Less Frequent Food Preparation Behaviors Among College Students.  Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 51(3): 357-363.

  49. McKinley, E. M., Knol, L. L., Turner, L. W., Burnham, J. J., Graettinger, K. R., Hernandez-Reif, M., & Leeper, J. D. (2019). The Prenatal Rating of Efficacy in Preparation to Breastfeed Scale: A New Measurement Instrument for Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-efficacy. Journal of Human Lactation, 35(1): 21-31.

  50. Knol L.L., Robb C.A., McKinley E.M., Wood M.R. (2018). Food Insecurity is Related to Financial Aid Debt among College Students. Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences. 110 (4): 35-41.

  51. McKinley, E. M., Knol, L. L., Turner, L. W., Burnham, J. J., Graettinger, K. R., Hernandez-Reif, M., & Leeper, J. D. (2018). Validation of an Instrument to Measure Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-efficacy. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 118(9) Supplement: A79-A79.

  52. McKinley, E.M. and Turner, L.W. (2017). Increasing Breastfeeding Rates among African American Women Participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children: Application of the Social Cognitive Theory. Journal of Children and Poverty. 23(1); 95-118.

  53. Guilford, K., McKinley, E.M., and Turner, L.W. (2017). Breast Cancer Knowledge, Beliefs, and Screening Behaviors of College Women: Application of the Health Belief Model.  American Journal of Health Education: Special Issue on College Health.  48(4); 256-263.

  54. Knol L.L., Robb C.A., McKinley E.M., Wood M.R. (2017). Food Insecurity, Self-rated Health, and Obesity among College Students.  American Journal of Health Education: Special Issue on College Health. 48(4); 248-255.

  55. McKinley, E.M. and Turner, L.W. (2017). Increasing Breastfeeding Initiation among Low-Income, African American Women: Theory-Based Strategies for Health Care Professionals. Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society. 114(6); 134-136.

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