Professor
University of Southern Mississippi
Jennifer L. Lemacks, PhD, RD, LD, is Professor and Associate Dean for Research in the College of Nursing and Health Professions at The University of Southern Mississippi, where she also serves as founding Director of the Gulf South Center for Community-Engaged Health Research and Innovation. With over 15 years of experience in community-based participatory research, Dr. Lemacks has led and co-developed numerous federally funded initiatives to address cardiometabolic disparities, food insecurity, and health equity in the Deep South. Her work bridges academic and community sectors to advance culturally adapted, multilevel interventions that improve dietary behaviors and chronic disease outcomes among underserved populations. She has served in principal investigator or co-investigator roles on NIH and NSF funded awards, and is the co-founder and -director fo the Mississippi INBRE Community Engagement and Training Core. A registered dietitian, Dr. Lemacks integrates her clinical expertise with implementation science, student workforce development, and policy-relevant research. She maintains a track record of peer-reviewed publications and has been recognized for academic excellence and innovation.