Zach Conrad

Associate Professor

Office:: 109
Phone:: 757-221-2037
Email:: [[zsconrad]]

Area of Specialization:

Nutritional epidemiology and food systems

Background:

Dr. Conrad's research combines methods from data science, nutritional epidemiology, and food systems science to examine the complex interactions between diet quality, environmental sustainability, and affordability. Specifically, his research focuses on how population-level dietary changes affect cardiometabolic disease, greenhouse gas emissions, natural resource use, sustainable food production, and diet cost. He is the primary investigator for several research projects that address these issues at the local, regional, and national levels.

Education and Training:

Postdoctoral Research Scientist, US Department of Agriculture, 2016-2019
Postdoctoral Scholar, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, 2015-2016
PhD, Nutrition and Food Systems, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, 2015
MS, Public Health and Food Systems, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, 2010
MPH, Nutrition, School of Medicine, Tufts University, 2010
BA, Biology and Anthropology, Human Health and Food Systems, Trent University, 2007

Courses Taught:

Introduction to Nutrition (HHP130/KINE 350)
Nutrition in Health and Disease (HHP 332/KINE 354)
Nutrition Across the Lifecycle (HHP 331/KINE 357)
Population Nutrition, Policy, and Programs (PBHL 332/KINE 361)
Sustainable Food Systems and Diets (PBHL 331/KINE 362)

Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications:

*Student co-author

Kamalakantha, Tara;* Zavela, Catherine;* Johnson, LuAnn K; Caligiuri, Stephanie P.B.; Drewnowski, Adam; Conrad, Zach. (2026). Greater intake of pulses is associated with lower prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases among adults in the United States: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2018. Current Developments in Nutrition (in press).
Conrad, Zach. (2026). Should the Dietary Guidelines for Americans include sustainability? A critical perspective. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (in press).
Conrad, Zach; Leu, Matthias; Sarang, Rhea;* Lozina, Sarah;* DiStaso, Chloe;* Boston, Juan; Peterson, Tomalita; Roach, Beth; Tupponce, Tommy; Phillips, Jessica; Wiipongwii, Troy. (2026). Achieving Indigenous food sovereignty in the United States requires a strong Indigenous food business sector. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems (in press).
Conrad, Zach; Leu, Matthias; Wu, Songze;* Fulcher, Eli;* Keam, Brenna;* Kim, Min;* Kinsel, Dakota;* Lozina, Sarah;* DiStaso, Chloe;* Kun, Julia;* Boston, Juan; Peterson, Tomalita; Roach, Beth; Tupponce, Tommy; Phillips, Jessica; Wiipongwii, Troy. (2026). First-contact tribal nations in the eastern United States can produce some, but not all, of their food needs in a changing climate: a modelling study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 123:101174.