Dr. Deborah Olarte

Biography

Deborah Olarte is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at NYU Steinhardt. She received her PhD in Behavioral Nutrition and MS in Nutrition Public Health from Teachers College, Columbia University. As a registered dietitian, her research focuses on improving health and nutrition among children and adolescents through school-based nutrition initiatives. Specifically, her work examines the effects of universal free school meals in various locations, including California and Maine, and the role of teachers in promoting healthy eating. Olarte has presented her research at national and international forums and her work has been published in high-impact journals, including the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is also involved in several professional organizations, including serving as a co-fellow with the Nutrition Obesity Policy Research Evaluation Network (NOPREN) School Wellness Workgroup from 2021-2023. Moreover, she has held a leadership position in the Food Nutrition Section of the American Public Health Association. Prior to her role at NYU, she worked as a Research Associate and Lecturer at Merrimack College, where she focused on school wellness initiatives.

Research Interests

Experience