Ann M. Ferris, Ph.D., R.D.

Director, Center for Public Health and Health Policy
Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine
Academic Office Location:
University of Connecticut Health Center
Center for Public Health and Health Policy
99 Ash Street, 2nd Floor - Room 2022
East Hartford, CT 6108-MC 7160
Phone: 860-282-8537
Fax: 860-282-8514
Email: aferris@uchc.edu
Website(s): Ann M. Ferris, Ph.D., R.D.

While serving as the Director of the PhD Program, Dr. Ferris taught the core doctoral seminar in public health at the University of Connecticut from 2004-2010, two undergraduate service learning sections (NUSC 3180) as well as providing oversight to the Husky Nutrition service learning programs. While in the Department of Nutritional Sciences on the Storrs campus, she taught Nutritional Sciences 200, Nutrition and Development, a 100-student sophomore-level course (extensive use of web based resources, WebCT, experiential exercises, and cooperative learning used in the course), and Nutritional Sciences 314, Community Nutrition.

Education
DegreeInstitutionMajor
Ph.D.University of MassachusettsFood Science & Nutrition
M.S.University of MassachusettsFood Science & Nutrition
B.S.Simmons College Nutrition
CertificateAmerican International CollegeCommunity Organization

Post-Graduate Training
TrainingInstitutionSpecialty
Professional TrainingU.S. Department of AgricultureUSDA, ESCOP/ACOP Leadership Training Program

Awards
Name of Award/HonorAwarding Organization
AAUP University Service AwardAmerican Association of University Professors
Senior Faculty AwardGamma Sigma Delta
Phi Beta Kappa, Crown Zellerback Foundation ScholarPhi Kappa Phi

Dr. Ferris currently teaches the core doctoral seminar in public health at the University of Connecticut, two undergraduate service learning sections (NUSC 3180) as well provide oversight to the Husky Nutrition service learning programs. While in the Department of Nutritional Sciences on the Storrs campus, she taught Nutritional Sciences 200, Nutrition and Development, a 100-student sophomore-level course (extensive use of web based resources, WebCT, experiential exercises, and cooperative learning used in the course), and Nutritional Sciences 314, Community Nutrition.
For over 20 years Dr. Ferris’s research team has been dedicated to explaining, preventing, and treating the high occurrence of food related conditions, particularly childhood obesity and iron-deficiency anemia in underserved and poor families. Participatory research models frame the work of this group with communities, family, and health care and social service providers. Although most of their past and currently funded work supports the need for community and family based interventions grounded in theoretical models of behavior change, sustainability of newly acquired food behavior skills requires a supportive environment. Consequently, in the last five years, the group added new lines of research in food systems, particularly food access in corner stores and shaping the environment to promote healthy food selection in parallel with our education based interventions.

Journal Articles

Book Chapters

  • The peurperium and lactation
    Ferris, A.M. and E.A. Reece. (1999) Medicine of the Fetus and Its Mother 1653-1670
  • Postpartum management and lactation
    Ferris, A.M. and E.A. Reece. (1995) Diabetes in Pregnancy 429-37
  • Effect of olfactory deficits on nutritional status: Does age predict persons at risk
    Ferris, A.M. and V.B. Duffy. (1989) Nutrition and Chemical Senses in Aging: Recent Advances and Current Research Needs 113 123
  • Peripartum management and lactation
    Ferris, A.M. and E.A. Reece (1988) Diabetes in Pregnancy: Principles and Practice 623-633
  • Maternal Factors Affecting Lactation
    Allen, L.H., A.M. Ferris, and G.H. Pelto. (1986) Human Lactation 2, Maternal and Environmental Factors 51-60
  • Nutrition and taste and smell deficits; a risk factor or an adjustment
    Ferris, A.M., J.L. Schlitzer, and M.J. Schierberl. (1986) Clinical Measurement of Taste and Smell 264 278
  • Alpha tocopher¬ol, total lipid and linoleic acid contents of human milk at 2, 6, 12, and 16 weeks
    Lammi-Keefe, C.J., R.G. Jensen, R.M. Clark, and A.M. Ferris. (1985) Composition and Physiological Properties of Human Milk 241 245
  • Methods for the measurement of milk volume intake of the breast-fed infant
    Woolridge, M.W., N. Butte, K.G. Dewey, A.M. Ferris, C. Garza, and R.P. Keller (1985) Human Lactation, Milk Components, and Methodologies 5-21
  • Sampling milk for energy content
    Garza, C., M.W. Woolridge, N.F. Butte, A.M. Ferris, and C. Casey (1985) Human Lactation, Milk Components, and Methodologies 115-120
  • Popular issues in pediatric nutrition as the basis for a structured graduate seminar.
    Ferris, A.M. (1981) Directory of Teaching Innovations in Biology 1985

Abstracts

  • At-home sweetened beverage consumption in minority, low-income children and caretakers.
    Ferris, A.M., D.B. Wakefield, S. Wei, (2012) FASEB J.
  • Latino and African-American parents of preschool children differ in their feeding practices.
    Quesada, C., K.R. Lora, D.B. Wakefield, A.M. Ferris (2011) FASEB J. (25) 781.26
  • Parental perception of child’s weight affects child’s feeding practices.
    Lora, K. R., C. Quesada, D.B. Wakefield, A.M. Ferris. (2011) FASEB J. (25) 99.3
  • An information-motivation-behavioral skills model for child sweetened beverage consumption. (Abstract 678)
    Goodell, L.S., K.R. Amico, M.B. Pierce, and A.M. Ferris (2008) FASEB J
  • Body image perceptions, motivations, and models to achieve desired body size among overweight black preadolescent girls.
    Sawyer, V., M. B. Pierce, and A.M. Ferris (2007) FASEB J. (21) 359.7
  • Selection of beverages for young children: The decision process of low resource urban parents.
    Drake R.E., M.B. Pierce, L.S. Goodell, and A.M. Ferris (2007) FASEB J. (21) 671.16
  • The WHO’s child growth standards increase prevalence of overweight among young children compared to CDC’s growth chart.
    Goodell L.S., D.B. Wakefield,, and A.M. Ferris (2007) FASEB J. (21) 828.8
  • Black, overweight, preadolescent girls from inner-city, low resource families desire a smaller body-size to improve peer interactions and physical abilities.
    Pierce M.B., V. Sawyer, and A.M. Ferris (2006) J Am Diet Assoc Suppl 2 (106) A40
  • Parental perceptions of preschool overweight: a qualitative examination.
    Goodell L.S., M.B. Pierce, C.M. Bravo, and A.M. Ferris (2006) FASEB J. 4 (20) A128
  • Household participation in food benefit programs differentially affects iron status indicators in low-income preschoolers.
    Crowell, R.E., A.M. Ferris, R.J. Wood, and D. Wakefield (2005) FASEB J 5 (19) 967.7
  • Low knowledge of dietary iron sources among low-income caretakers of young children.
    Pierce M.B. and A.M. Ferris (2005) FASEB J. 4 (19) A1177
  • High juice drink consumption of low-income, inner city preschool children in Hartford CT negatively impacts diet quality. (Abstr. 501.3)
    Pierce M.B., J. L. Weinstein, V. Phillips, M. Arsenault, and A.M. Ferris (2004) FASEB J. 5 (18) A768
  • Iron deficiency is complicate by infection in low-income preschoolers.
    Crowell, R.E., R. J. Wood, D. Wakefield, and A.M. Ferris (2004) FASEB J. 5 (18) 359.13
  • Low iron bioavailability, low heme iron, and poor nutrient density in diets of children of low-income families residing in Hartford, CT
    Weinstein JL, Phillips V, Pierce MB, Crowell RE, Ferris AM (2003) FASEB J 4 (17) A728
  • Targeting hard-to-reach populations: application of a community-based approach. (Abstr. 269.3)
    Crowell R.E., Pierce M.B., and A. M. Ferris (2003) FASEB J. 4 (17) A375
  • Iron deficiency complicated by inflammation among poor preschoolers in Hartford, CT.
    Ferris, A.M., R. Crowell, and F. Rosales (2002) FASEB J. (16)
  • Undergraduate program (CUP) and community program collaborate for service-learning.
    Poehlitz, M., V. Duffy, and A.M. Ferris. (2002) J. Amer. Diet. Assoc. (102) A-58’
  • Association of food stamps with diagnosis of anemia in inner-city preschoolers from Hartford, CT. (Abstr. 761.3)
    Ferris, A.M., J.L. Peranick, M.B. Pierce, R. Pérez-Escamilla, and G. Burke. (2001) FASEB J. (15) A1000
  • Collaborative development of the Foodlinks bilingual website for food stamp recipients.
    Beeman, S.J. A.M. Ferris, C.C. Cantor, S.L. Schadt. M.J. Belyea, and S. Giovenale. (2000) J. Amer. Diet. Assoc. (100) A-51
  • Impact of beverage consumption on the diet quality of young children in Hartford, CT.
    Peranick, J.L., M.B. Pierce, R. Perez-Escamilla, and A.M. Ferris (2000) J. Amer. Diet. Assoc. (100 ) A-57
  • Influence of food stamps on the nutritional status of inner-city preschoolers from Hartford, CT. (Abstr 506.4)
    Perez-Escamilla, R. A.M. Ferris, L. Drake, L. Haldeman, J. Peranick, M. Campbell, D. Moran, Y.K. Peng, G. Burke, and B. Bernstein. (2000) FASEB J. (14) A370
  • Portion sizes consumed by inner-city Puerto-Rican preschoolers living in Hartford, CT. (Abstr370.4)
    Ferris, A. M J. Peranick, M. Pierce, R. Perez-Escamilla, R. J. de Leon, A. Bermudez-Millan, and R. Grajeda. (2000) FASEB J. (14) A534
  • Primary care provider views of anemia in a high-risk population.
    Crowell, R.E., M.B. Pierce, and A.M. Ferris (2000) J. Amer. Diet. Assoc. (100 ) A-13
  • The influence of self perceived nutrition problems and social integration on diet quality.
    Pierce, M., N. Sheehan, and A. M. Ferris. (1999) Proc. Exp. Biology.
  • Anemia among 18 to 36 month year-old children in Hartford, CT.
    Moran, D., A.M. Ferris, M. Campbell, R. Crowell, R. Pérez-Escamilla, H. Slivka, G. Burke, C. Orkin, B. Bernstein, and P. Joyce. (1999) Proc. Exp. Biology. A698
  • Impact of breast pumping on lactogenesis-II following Cesarean section.
    Chapman D., S. Young, A.M. Ferris, M. McLaren, C. Lammi-Keefe, and R. Pérez-Escamilla. (1999) Proc. Exp. Biology.
  • Predictors of obesity among inner-city Puerto-Rican children.
    Tanasescu, M., A. Ferris, D. Himmelgreen, N. Rodriguez, and R. Pérez-Escamilla. (1999) Proc. Exp. Biology.
  • Protocols for anemia management among inner-city clinicians: a qualitative study.
    Crowell, R., M. Pierce, S. Russell, and A.M. Ferris. (1999) Proc. Soc. Nutr. Educ.

Conference Papers

  • Evaluating Parental Perceptions of University Students as Agents of Education. Abstract nr 248953.
    Ferris A (2011)
  • Evaluating Parental Perceptions of University Students as Agents of Education. Abstract nr 7.
    Ferris A (2011)
  • Evaluating the Role of Teachers Beyond Gatekeeping in School-Based Health Interventions. Abstract nr 9.
    Ferris A (2011)
  • How food lighting can change adolescent healthful choices of food.
    Ferris A (2011)
  • Effectiveness of an IMB-based intervention for reducing sweetened beverage consumption in pre-school children.
    Ferris A (2010)
  • Effectiveness of an IMB-based intervention for reducing sweetened beverage consumption in pre-school children.
    Ferris A (2009)
  • Mass mailings to food stamp recipients: less bang for the buck.
    Ferris A (2006)
  • Culturally-linked prevention practices and remedies for anemia are employed by low-income caretakers of young children in Hartford, CT.
    Ferris A (2003)
  • Inner city families and service providers differ relative to understanding of and approach to early childhood anemia.
    Ferris A (2003)
  • Taking it to the streets: ethonography's role in nutrition education.
    Ferris A (2003)
  • Collaborative development of the Foodlinks website for food stamp recipients.
    Ferris A (2001)
  • Food stamp recipients and nutrition educators differ with respect to development of the Foodlinks website.
    Ferris A (2001)
  • Husky Nutrition - Using a needs assessment to facilitate community and institutional change.
    Ferris A (2001)
  • Management of a regional FNP program for the elderly: An innovative partnership for value added nutrition programming.
    Ferris A (2001)
  • Service learning in FSNEP programs.
    Ferris A (2001)
  • The role of home based activities in influencing children's vegetable preference.
    Ferris A (2001)
  • An interdisciplinary approach to assessing anemia as a marker of public health in a low income, urban population.
    Ferris A (2000)
  • Inherent complexities in the identification and management of anemia in a low-income urban population.
    Ferris A (2000)
  • Influence of food stamps on the nutritional status of inner-city preschoolers from Hartford, CT who receive WIC benefits
    Peréz-Escamilla R, Ferris AM, Drake L, Haldeman L, Peranick J, Campbell M, Moran D, Peng Y, Burke G, Bernstein B (1999)
  • The Connecticut Family Nutrition Program for infants, toddlers, and children (FNP-IT): A local nutrition education program coalition that works.
    Ferris A (1999)

Letters

  • Cholesterol levels in lactating women.
    Jensen, R.G., A.M. Ferris, and C.J. Lammi-Keefe (1990) J. Amer. Med. Assoc. (262) 2092-2093
  • Hypocholesterolemic human milk
    Jensen RG, Ferris AM, Lammi-Keefe CJ, Stewart CA, DelSavio GC (1990) J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1 (10) 148-50

Newsletters

  • Poor diet quality, obesity, and food insecurity prevalent among Hartford Latino preschoolers.
    Pérez-Escamilla, R., D. Himmelgreen, and A.M. Ferris (1997) American Anthropology Association Newsletter

Other

  • The Economic Impact of Prevention
    Benson BL, Storey E, Huntington CG, Eberle MU, Ferris AM (2008) Report prepared for the Connecticut General Assembly
  • Principles for evaluating Universal Health Care proposals
    Trestman R, Eberle M, Benson B, De Bernando R, Huntington C, Ferris AM, Storey E (2006) Report prepared for the Connecticut General Assembly
  • Safety survey of elementary school playgrounds in Hartford
    Poehlitz PM, Ferris AM, Burke G and Nutritional Sciences 281 students (2001) University of Connecticut Family Nutrition Program, Technical Report #3, Storrs
  • Community nutritional problems among latino children in Hartford
    Perez-Escamilla R, Himmelgreen D, Ferris AM (1997) Connecticut Family Nutrition Program. Technical Report #1, Storrs and Hartford, CT

Reviews