Dipti Dev

Website(s):
Dev Research and Extension Group

EAT Family Style

Dipti Dev Betti and Richard Robinson Associate Professor and Childhood Health Behaviors Extension Specialist

2013 Ph.D., Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
M.S., Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Mumbai
B.S., Dietetics, Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) University

"My research focuses on improving adult caregivers (parents and child care providers) feeding practices for preschool children (2-5 years) in their care. The goal of this research is to help children develop long-term healthful eating behaviors and prevent childhood obesity. I am also interested in developing low cost and easily implemented strategies using behavioral economics principles to encourage healthier meal choices in preschoolers. My Extension focus at UNL would be to develop and evaluate programs for educating families and child care providers regarding responsive feeding and healthful feeding strategies. I would like to use technology for developing and evaluating programming. I am also passionate about childhood obesity prevention policy research, including assessing, strengthening and providing support for Head Start, USDA's Child and Adult Care food Program nutrition regulations and child care quality rating systems. By focusing on Head Start and CACFP programs I hope to serve low income and minority children and their families at a higher obesity risk.

News articles featuring Dr. Dev:

  • Junior ARD Award goes to Dev
  • Dev recognized with National USDA/NIFA Extension Award
  • Dev, Fischer and Guerrero honored by IANR
  • Dev honored for unique contributions
  • Dev identifies barriers and strategies to engage parents about nutrition

    • Dr. Dev currently supervises student research in the following program areas:

    Learn more about
    Dipti Dev's Research and Extension Work Group

    Dipti Dev Researches Child Feeding Strategies

    Professional Highlights


    Honors and Recognition
    2022 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior Early Professional Achievement International Award for notable and novel contributions through leadership in the field of nutrition education and behavior during the early stages of her career2021 Early Childhood Child Care Training National Award category titled “Nebraska Go NAP SACC: An Impactful and Scalable Statewide Training Program for Improving the Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Childcare Settings” 2019 Early Childhood Child Care Training National Award for leading the development and implementation of "An Ecological Approach to (EAT) Family Style Dining: A Child Care Training Program to Improve Children's Healthier Food Choices" 2018 College-wide Emerging Scholar Research and Creative Award, College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln2018 Platinum ProjectAwardproject for leading the development of the Sensi-Plate in partnership with Raikes School.The Sensi-plate was selected for the platinum award out of 29 teams by the Raikes School of Computer Science Design Studio.2018, National Family Life and Human Development State Extension Specialist Early Achievement Award in 2017 by the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture2017, Dinsdale Family Faculty Award for outstanding teaching, research and outreach in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at University of Nebraska-Lincoln2017, Junior Faculty for Excellence in Research, Agricultural Research Division(ARD), University of Nebraska-Lincoln2017, Betti and Richard Robinson Professorship in Early Childhood Extension, University of Nebraska–Lincoln2016, Innovation to Team Programming Award, NE Extension2014, Fellow, Scholarly Enhancement Program, College of Education and Human Sciences University of Nebraska–Lincoln2014, David H. Baker Nutrition Scholar Award, Division of Nutritional Sciences Symposium University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign2013, Toshiro Nishida Research Award Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign2013, Poster Presentation Award 1st Place, Illinois Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Program symposium
    Experience
    2009-2013, Graduate Research Assistant: STRONG Kids Program (Trans-disciplinary research program from cell to society to prevent Childhood Obesity), University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign2012-2013, Research Scientist (Intern): International Regulatory Affairs, Abbott Nutrition2010-2011, Research Apprentice Program, PepsiCo and University of IL at Urbana Champaign2010-2011, Graduate Teaching Assistant: CPSC 440. Applied Statistical Methods, University of IL at Urbana Champaign
    Memberships
    Society for Nutrition Education and BehaviorAmerican Society for NutritionSociety for Research in Child DevelopmentInternational Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity