Position Title
Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension
Education
- B.S., Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles
- Ph.D., Nutritional Biology, University of California, Davis
Research Interests
Dr. Smilowitz has a well-established research career investigating the role of diet on the gut microbiome across the lifespan, with a particular focus on clinical nutrition and lactation during the first 1,000 days—from pregnancy through early childhood. As a Cooperative Extension Specialist with a background in lactation education, she leads collaborative, community-engaged outreach programs that support infant feeding and deliver evidence-based education on lactation and breastfeeding. Through integrated research and extension efforts, her work addresses critical gaps in health, strengthens community capacity, and advances strategies to reduce chronic disease risk.
Dr. Smilowitz's lab, Outreach & Research for Innovative Advancements in Nutrition Extension (ORIANE), uses multidisciplinary, integrated approaches to improve community health by: (1) rigorously testing evidence-based dietary interventions; (2) developing engaging, multimedia nutrition and health education programs that empower families; and (3) delivering professional development and training in nutrition science for healthcare providers, community professionals, educators, and health advocates.
Selected Publications:
Please find a full list of publications on Jennifer T. Smilowitz' Google Scholar page