KATHRYN STARR
1017 Virgie Street, Durham, NC 27705| 770-363-8312 | Kathryn.starr@dm.duke.edu
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS
Duke University Medical Center
Center for Aging and Human Development, Research Training Program
Postdoctoral Scholar
The University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Ph.D. in Foods and Nutrition
Dissertation: Obesity and its relationship with mental health, inappropriate
eating behaviors and food insecurity in congregate meal participants.
2012
2012
The University of Georgia Institute of Gerontology, Athens, GA
Graduate Certificate in Gerontology
2012
The American Dietetic Association
Registered Dietitian #R1057599
2009 to present
The University of Georgia, Athens, GA
M.S. in Foods and Nutrition and Dietetic Internship
Thesis: Improved physical function and physical activity in depressed and nondepressed older adults following a community-based intervention in Georgia
senior centers.
The University of Georgia, Athens, GA
B.S.Ed. in Exercise and Sports Science
Magna cum laude
2009
2006
HONORS AND AWARDS
Achievement Rewards for College Scientist (ARCS) Scholarship, Atlanta Chapter
Georgia Gerontology Society Graduate Scholarship
Glenn and Helen Burton Feeding the Hungry Scholarship, University of Georgia, Athens
Creswell Research Fund Scholarship, University of Georgia, Athens
Georgia Nutrition Council Student Presenter Award
Janette Smith Memorial Scholarship, American Dietetic Association Foundation
Hazel and Gene Franklin Scholarship, University of Georgia, Athens
Foods and Nutrition Graduate Student Organization, Vice- President
June and Bill Flatt Nutrition Excellence Graduate Scholarship
Family and Consumer Science Ambassador, University of Georgia, Athens
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, University of Georgia, Athens
Blue Key Honor Society, University of Georgia, Athens
January 2011
January 2011
January 2011
January 2011
January 2010
January 2010
January 2010
2009
January 2009
January 2006
January 2006
January 2006
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia
Graduate Research Assistant to Dr. Mary Ann Johnson
2008 to 2012
KATHRYN STARR
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Collected, organized, and analyzed data on heath disparities, obesity,
dietary intake and knowledge, physical activity, physical function,
medication management, food insecurity, eating behaviors, mental
health, and income in northeast Georgia’s congregate meal
participants. Analyzed data using SAS.
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Organized, conducted, and supervised data collection at senior centers
throughout northeast Georgia for five masters and doctoral level foods
and nutrition students.
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Prepared annual evaluations on northeast Georgia’s congregate meal
participants for Georgia’s Division of Aging Services.
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Live Well Georgia Website Webmaster (livewellagewell.info)
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Co-developed exercise guide, “Chair Exercises for Older Adults”
(http://www.livewellagewell.info/study/2007/12ChairExercisesUGA113006.pdf)
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TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Mercer University Physician Assistant Program
Guest Lecturer for Medical Nutrition in the Geriatric Population
2009 to 2012
Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia
Teaching and Lab Assistant to Dr. Jim Porter, Ecological Basis of Environmental Issues 1/1/2006
 Prepared laboratory and field equipment.
 Collaborated in the development of laboratory lectures, lab manual sessions, and quizzes.
 Presented introductory lectures and all laboratory lectures.
 Administered and graded exams and book reports.
 Guided undergraduate students through field and laboratory exercises.
 Assigned and graded weekly laboratory reports.
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Northeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging, Athens, GA
CDSMP Coordinator
2012
 Oversaw and implemented the Chronic Disease Self-Management
Program (CDSMP) in northeast Georgia and reached 170 workshop
completers to fulfill the ARRA grant requirements.
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Developed and administered a sustainability plan to ensure the
continuation of the CDSMP throughout northeast Georgia.
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Certified CDSMP Master and Lay Leader Trainer.
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Administered two Lay Leader Training Workshops that resulted in 15
additional Lay Leaders for northeast Georgia.
Middle Georgia Area Agency on Aging, Macon, GA
Congregate and home delivered meals Dietitian
 Ensured congregate and home delivered meal vendors provided
nutritionally balanced meals that met one-third of the daily
Recommended Dietary Allowance, as set by the National Research
Council.
January 2010 to January
January 2010 to present
KATHRYN STARR
Northeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging, Athens, GA
Wellness Coordinator
 Ensured congregate meal vendors provided nutritionally balanced
meals that met one-third of the daily Recommended Dietary
Allowance, as set by the National Research Council.
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Provided monthly nutrition education and physical activity exercises to
older adults in 13 senior centers throughout northeast Georgia.
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Screed for nutritional risk in older adults using the Nutritional
Screening Initiatives (NSI) and provided nutritional counseling as
needed.
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Coordinated and administered the National Association of Farmer’s
Market Nutrition Program, reaching 500+ older adults throughout
northeast Georgia.
Cooper Aerobic Center, Dallas, TX
Personal Trainer
 Developed exercise programs to improve muscle imbalance for
individuals with arthritis, osteoporosis, and fibromyalgia.
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2009 to 2010
2007
Coordinated and implemented exercise classes for individuals with
Parkinson’s disease.
PUBLICATIONS
Porter KN and Johnson MA. Obesity is more strongly associated with inappropriate
eating behaviors than with mental health in older adults receiving congregate meals.
J Nutr Gerontol Geriatr. 2011;30:403-15.
Porter KN, Fischer JG, Johnson MA. Improved physical function and physical activity in older
adults following a community-based intervention: Relationships with a history of depression.
Maturitas. 2011;70(3):290-4.
Porter KN. Understanding older adults’ caloric needs and how to achieve them. JAA. 2011:3:24-33.
Brewer DW, Catlett CS, Porter KN, et al. Food insecurity-obesity paradox in
Georgia senior centers. J Nutr Elder. 2010;29(2):150-69.
Johnson MA, Kimlin MG, Porter KN. Vitamin D and injury prevention.
Am J Lifestyle Med. 2010;4(1):21-4.
RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
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“Influence of long-term exercise training followed by a diet/exercise weight-loss intervention on body
composition and metabolic variables in subjects with pre-diabetes.” Experimental Biology 2013, Boston,
MA.
“Dietary Characteristics Associated with Abdominal Obesity in Congregate Meal Programs.” Experimental
Biology 2012, San Diego, CA.
“Obesity In the Older Adult Population: The Relationship between Abnormal Eating Behaviors and Obesity
in Georgia’s Congregate Meal Participants.” Invited Lecture: Georgia Gerontology Society Conference,
Athens, GA.
KATHRYN STARR
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“Eating Behaviors, Mental Health, and Obesity in Congregate Meal Participants in Georgia.” Experimental
Biology 2011, Washington D.C.
“Eating Behaviors, Mental Health, and Abdominal Obesity in Older Georgian’s Participating in Congregate
Meal Programs.” American Society in Nutrition Advances and Controversies in Clinical Nutrition 2011, San
Francisco, CA.
“Obesity, Abnormal Eating Behaviors, and Food Insecurity: The Challenges of Older Adults in Congregate
Meal Programs.” Gerontology Student Mentoring Conference 2010, Birmingham, AL.
“The Effects of a Nutrition and Wellness Program on depression in Older Adults in Georgia Senior Centers.”
Georgia Dietetic Association 2010, Atlanta, GA.
“Feeling Fit and Fabulous at Any Age.” Invited Lecture: Georgia Gerontology Society, 2009.
“The Need for Health Promotion Intervention Programs in Georgia Senior Centers. Georgia Dietetic
Association 2008, Atlanta, Ga.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Gerontological Society of America
Georgia Gerontology Society
American Society of Nutrition
Northeast Georgia Dietetic Association
American Dietetic Association
2012
2011 to present
2010 to present
2009 to present
2008 to present