Robert E. Anderson III

Rob is a postdoctoral fellow with the Global Food Research Program focused on understanding how food insecurity and physical activity interact to influence chronic disease risk as well as research that generates evidence to inform the design of more effective Food Is Medicine interventions. His work draws on a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods from clinical trial research to integrate longitudinal evidence with lived experience and support more responsive, human-centered intervention strategies.
Rob earned his PhD in Nutrition from the UNC-Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health where his dissertation examined the relationship between food insecurity and physical activity within a Food Is Medicine clinical trial. He also holds a master’s of science from the University of Kentucky, where his research explored metabolic compensation and compensatory feeding responses surrounding exercise.

In addition to his academic training, Rob has led statewide food systems collaborations, serving as Coordinator of the North Carolina Local Food Council’s Food Waste and Recovery Working Group, where he advanced cross-sector strategies to reduce food waste and improve food recovery across the state. He is also an active contributor to national policy efforts as a member of the Physical Activity Policy Research and Evaluation Network (PAPREN) Rural Hub and the workplace sector of the National Physical Activity Plan, supporting initiatives that strengthen environments for healthier, more active communities.

Food(s) I must have in my home is/are… peanut butter and rice cakes.

My favorite condiment/topping is… all the hot sauces.

When I’m in a time crunch, I love to make… protein pudding

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