The Prevention Research Center (PRC) at Tulane University has announced the appointment of Dr. Diego Rose as the new director of that program. Dr. Rose is an associate professor and head of the nutrition section in the department of community health sciences at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. He received a doctorate in agricultural economics and a master’s degree in public health nutrition from the University of California, Berkley.

Dr. Rose has over 20 years of experience in the area of applied food and nutrition research. He has directed a local agency WIC nutrition program in rural California as well as led federal research on food assistance policy and nutrition education at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He currently directs three major nationally funded projects examining how the availability of food impacts diet and is driven by consumer economics.

"I am very enthusiastic about the opportunity to lead the Tulane University PRC," Dr. Rose said. "My future colleagues at the center are really top-notch, and I look forward to working with them on interesting research and applied projects so that every Louisiana family has the chance to make healthy food choices."

Tulane’s PRC is one of 33 centers nationally funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its focus is on the impact of the physical and social environment on rates of overweight and obesity among adults and children. During the PRC’s next five-year grant cycle starting in September 2009, the center will begin a new research project addressing access to healthy food and its influence on weight status.

Dr. Rose replaces Dr. Thomas Farley who was recently named commissioner of health in New York City.