Saima Hasnin

Saima Hasnin

From
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Degree Pursuing
Doctor of Philosophy in Child Development/Early Childhood Education
Expected Date of Graduation
Summer 2021
Current Research Focus
  • Role of theory-driven contextual factors, policies and environments in influencing preschool children’s dietary behavior in childcare settings.
Skills Acquired
  • Conducting translational research, nutrition education, research design, methodology, data analysis, manuscript development, grant writing, reviewing manuscript, interdisciplinary collaborations
  • Software: SPSS, R, Qualtrics, Mendley, Food Processor Nutrition Analysis Software, DistillerSR
  • Methodology: Dietary Observation in Childcare Centers (DOCC), Fruit and vegetable acceptance by picture method with preschool children, Mealtime observation and coding, Reliability and validity analysis of tools, Survey methodology
  • Interdisciplinary collaborations and partnership with key state stakeholders including Nebraska Department of Education
Professional Membership or Affiliation
  • Student Leader at Nutrition and Obesity Network Policy Research and Evaluation group (NOPREN), Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Healthy Eating Research: https://nopren.org/about-nopren/.
  • Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior
  • Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and School (NAECR) Student Researcher Group
  • National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) Reviewer
Future Goals

To work as a data scientist and methodologist with international organizations and researchers. I am passionate about reducing health disparities while serving children and improving child health.

How project experience will help you achieve your future career goals.
  • By acquiring in-depth subject knowledge and practical experience by conducting translational research and data analysis
  • By thinking critically and developing professional skills to conduct systematic review and interdisciplinary collaborative research works
Top three strengths that contribute to the project.
  • Data analysis
  • Research methodology
  • International experience.
Publications

Rida, Z., C. Burger, D. A. Dev, J. Smith, and S. Hasnin. 2018. Assessment of nutrition knowledge of childcare providers regarding the implementation of the 2017 CACFP meal pattern update. American Journal of Health Education, 49(6), 384-394.

Rida, Z., Hall, E., Hasnin, S., Coffey, J., & Dev, D.A. (2019). The perception of school food-service professionals on the implementation of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010: a mixed-methods study. Manuscript accepted in the Journal of Public Health Nutrition.

Elrakaiby, M., Hasnin, S., & Dev, D.A. 'Read for Nutrition' program improves preschool children's vegetable preference and consumption in child care. Manuscript submitted in the Health Education & Behavior.

Hasnin, S., Dev, D.A., & Tovar, A. Participation in the CACFP ensures availability but not intake of nutritious foods in preschool children in childcare. Manuscript in review Journal of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Presentations

Hasnin, S., and D. A. Dev. 2018, April. Are Nebraska children meeting nutritional recommendations in childcare? Poster presented at the 2018 Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools (CYFS) summit on research in early childhood, Lincoln, NE.

Heath, K., S. Hasnin, and Z. Rida. 2018, April. Perceptions of school salad bars: Influencing fruit and vegetable consumption in high school students in Lincoln. Poster presented at the 2018 Nebraska Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (NAND) Annual Conference and Meeting, Lincoln, NE.

Coffey, J., Z. Rida, E. Hulse, and S. Hasnin. 2018, April. Farm to Preschool Implementation: An assessment of Nebraska childcare programs. Poster presented at the 2018 Nebraska Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (NAND) Annual Conference and Meeting, Lincoln, NE.

Hasnin, S., and S. E. Smith. 2018, March. Farm to Early Care Education in Nebraska: Data Reported from Nebraska Department of Education Survey. Oral presentation at the Mountain Plains State Agency Farm to Child Nutrition Programs Online Conference, Denver, CO.

Fun Fact
I like to cook healthy traditional foods and invite friends to my home.