Snelling Illustrator

Dr. Anastasia Snelling is a professor and Chair of the Department of Health Studies at American University. She has been a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a registered dietitian for over thirty years and a fellow in the American College of Nutrition. Dr. Snelling's book, Introduction to Health Promotion was released through Jossey Bass Publisher in 2014 and a secon edition released in 2023. 

She directs the Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities Lab that is rooted in a community engagement and equity model to increase the impact of policies and programs through a community-driven approach. This work is done in under-resourced neighborhoods in Washington, DC in collaboration with community leaders. Grounded in the Social Ecological Model, her work in schools and communities impacts different levels of influence that can improve the health and food environment, leading to improved health and weight status. By addressing the needs of the children and adults within the social, economic, and cultural contets she works with them to advance health of individuals and communities. 

Dr. Snelling has received over forty grants from federal and local government, non-profit food and health organizations and foundations. The outcomes of her research activities are presented at national and international conferences. She has over 100 publications and her work appears in many highly-regarded journals focusing on nutrition, public health, and school and community health. She has appeared in suhc media outlets as Education Week, the Washington Post, US World and News Report, and Fox Business News.