Biography

Dr. Renee Walker received her Doctorate of Public Health (DrPH) in Behavioral and Community Health Sciences in June 2009 from the University of Pittsburgh. Renee also holds a MPH from Drexel University in Community Health and Prevention and a BA in Biology from Lake Forest College (Lake Forest, IL). Her research interests are in the roles of residential neighborhood context as a determinant of health, particularly the neighborhood food environment (types of food stores, types of food offered, affordability, etc.) and the implications for overweight and obesity. Renee’s previous health disparities research includes the use of qualitative methodologies to: 1. understand perceptions of diabetes self-management among residents of a low-income community in Philadelphia, and 2. explore facilitators and barriers to proper diet and nutrition among older African American participants in an exercise and nutrition program. Renee’s current research utilizes Concept Mapping to explore perceptions of factors that go into food buying practices among low-income, urban residents of two neighborhoods with different access to large chain supermarkets. Her research seeks to fill some of the gaps regarding our understanding of how neighborhood context is related to healthy eating practices. Renee is a Kellogg Health Scholar at the Harvard School of Public Health.