Jacqueline A Vernarelli, Ph.D.
Office Location
Dr. Jacqueline Vernarelli is a nutrition scientist and public health nutritionist with expertise in dietary assessment, ingestive behavior, and translational epidemiology.
From 2018 - 2026 she served as Director for Research Education in the College of Health Professions at Sacred Heart University; she currently serves as MPH Program Director. Prior to Sacred Heart, she held academic appointments at Fairfield University and Penn State, where she was also a member of the Penn State Population Research Institute. In these roles, she is committed to advancing interdisciplinary research, mentoring future public health professionals, and fostering collaboration that improves population health outcomes.
In addition to her academic work, Dr. Vernarelli collaborates with organizations and community partners to address complex public health challenges through rigorous, evidence-based approaches. She professionally consults, and has served as an expert witness for various statistical and nutrition-related projects. Her scholarship and applied research contribute to a broader understanding of nutrition and health equity, supporting strategies that promote well-being across diverse populations.
Degrees & Certifications
- Post-doc, Food Science, Penn State University
- Post-doc, Nutritional Science, Penn State University
- Ph.D., Medical Nutrition Science, Boston University School of Medicine
- MS, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Georgetown University
- BA, Biochemistry, Skidmore College
- BA, Chemistry, Skidmore College
Teaching Responsibilities
- Research Methods for Population Health
- Public Health Nutrition
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics for Population Health Research
- Survey Data Analysis with SAS
- Nutrition Throughout the Lifespan
- Food, Nutrition & Society
Awards & Fellowships
- Outstanding Faculty - Final Four Finalist, Sacred Heart University 33rd Campus Life Leadership Awards
- Excellence in Scholarship - Sustained Body of Work; SHU Academic Affairs 2023 Annual Awards
- Sacred Heart University Research and Creativity Grant Award, 2019-2020 Cycle
- Faculty Mentor, 2nd Place – ASN Emerging Clinical Leader Award (for A. Cowan) 2017
- Faculty Mentor, 2nd Place – Scientista Best Undergraduate Research Award (for S. Sawicki) 2017
- Faculty Mentor, 4th Place – Scientista Best Undergraduate Research Award (for M. Zimmer) 2017
- American Society for Nutrition Translational Research Award Honoree, 2016
- Teaching Excellence Award, Penn State College of Health & Human Development 2012-2013
Research & Grants
Dr. Vernarelli's research focuses on the relationship between dietary patterns, lifestyle behaviors, and health outcomes. Her work emphasizes the development of evidence-based dietary recommendations, interventions, and public health policies that support health promotion and disease prevention. She has developed innovative methodological approaches for assessing dietary intake in complex population datasets, enabling more precise evaluation of the links between nutrition and health.
Selected Grants
- Principal Investigator, Public Health Scholarship Program to Strengthen the Emergency Preparedness Workforce. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Period: 2022-2025; extension through 2026. Award amount: $1.5 million.
- Principal Investigator, "Investigating the Relationship Between Dietary Energy Density and Fitness in US Children". SHU University Research & Creativity Award. Period: 2019-2020.
- Co-Investigator, "Is there a lead diet? Harnessing population-based evidence for translatable public health messages on lowering childhood lead exposure". Clinical and Translational Science Institute Pilot Studies Program (PI: K. Kordas). Period 2018-2019.
- Co-Investigator, “Translating Diet and Health Attributes of Egg Consumption to an Intervention Designed to Enhance Diet Quality of Low-Income Women” . The Egg Board. (PI: B. Lohse). Period: 2012-2014.
- Co-Investigator, “Dietary energy density, body size, and biomarkers related to cancer risk”. American Institute of Cancer Research (PI: T. Hartman). Period 2011-2013.
News & In the Media
Professor Vernarelli is quoted in the following:
- 6 Foods to Help Lower Blood Pressure Besides Pomegranate Juice: Health 4/10/26
- Connecticut nutritionists say there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to diet: The Norwalk Hour 3/28/26
- The Best Time to Eat an Apple for Blood Sugar and Energy: Health 2/9/26
- This Everyday Non-Alcoholic Drink Could Be Linked to Serious Liver Risk, Researchers Say: Food & Wine 2/11/26
- Do You Need More Vitamin D in Winter?: Time 1/30/26
- Now They’re Trying To Convince Us Butter Is Healthy — Should We Listen?: Huff Post 1/30/26
- 6 Supplements That Help You Stay Healthy Throughout the Winter: Verywell Health 1/3/26
- 6 Drinks That Fight Inflammation Naturally: Health 1/2/26
- Eating Nuts May Help Reduce Food Cravings, Promote Weight Management: Healthline 12/22/25
- 6 Drinks You Should Never Have on an Empty Stomach, According to Nutrition Experts: Real Simple 12/9/25
- Take Vitamin D at the Right Time, Try Ginger Tea for Blood Pressure—and 3 More Health Tips: Verywell Health 12/8/25
- 6 Foods to Support Blood Pressure That Aren't Pomegranate Juice: Health.com 12/5/25