Clara Melo Duarte

Clara is a FERN fellow who recently completed her bachelor’s degree in nutrition science at Lees-McRae College. Originally from Brazil, she came to the US to play varsity volleyball during her college years and supported the Appalachian State performance nutrition team, before conducting her undergraduate research about dietary acculturation influencing the mental load of international student-athletes. Clara is interested in research about behavioral nutrition and the factors that influence people’s food choices, understanding food environment consequences on physical and mental health. During her time at GFRP, she is assisting the doctoral student Maria Fernanda Parra-Murillo conducting research on food marketing influences on warning labels and food policy, while collaborating with other FERN fellows on UPFs prevalence in elementary schools. Clara believes that what people eat and the way they feel about food is one of the main influences in health and well-being, and she aspires to help people build a good relationship with food in her future career.

My family’s holiday favorite dish is… chicken fricassee – a delicious baked “casserole” mad with shredded chicken, corn cream, cheese and potato sticks.

My favorite condiment/topping is… fresh garlic and onions roasted before cooking any savory dish.

My favorite combination of food and drink is… açai smoothie + pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread).

My “go-to” comfort food is… grits with chicken.