Current Roles
Shanshan Chen is an Associate Professor and a core faculty member in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science at Bastyr University California. She joined Bastyr in the Fall, 2016.
Education
- PhD in Public Health (Nutrition) from University of Massachusetts Amherst
- MS in Nutrition from University of Massachusetts Amherst
- MS in Maternal and Child Health from Anhui Medical University, China
- BS in Nursing from Anhui Medical University, China
Past Experience
Shanshan has been actively involved in nutrition and health promotion, community engagement and partnership development for over a decade. She also has hands-on experience developing cultural-sensitive nutrition education materials for different audiences. Between 2014 and 2016, she worked as a regional nutrition and health education specialist and the county program director at the University of Missouri Extension, being responsible for community nutrition education in five counties. She successfully integrated international nutrition content into the Gen-Ed Nutrition curriculum at university of Massachusetts Amherst while pursuing her graduate degrees. Between 2004-2006, she served as a full-time lecturer and undergraduate program director in the department for nursing at Anhui Medical University in China.
Interests
Shanshan strongly believes in the healing power of nature and the concept of whole-food nutrition. Her major interests are in community nutrition and immigrant health. She is also interested in learning about health risks among under-served populations and the development of effective nutrition education/intervention programs.
Teaching/Healing Philosophy
An educator should serve as a catalyst for the students to pursue their dreams and succeed in their lives.
Current Research
Food-related behaviors, added sugar intake, and chronic disease risks among American population.