Elizabeth Ruder Headshot

Elizabeth Ruder

Associate Professor

Nutrition Program
College of Health Sciences and Technology
Program Director

585-475-2402
Office Location

Elizabeth Ruder

Associate Professor

Nutrition Program
College of Health Sciences and Technology
Program Director

Education

BS, Cornell University; Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University; MPH, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Bio

Dr. Ruder is an Associate Professor in the Wegmans School of Health and Nutrition at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Dr. Ruder was trained in the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program and has rich experience in both cancer prevention and training of health professionals, including as Director of Didactic Program in Dietetics at the University of Pittsburgh (2012-2015) and as an adjunct faculty member Master's Degree Program in Cancer Biology, Prevention and Control offered by the University of District of Columbia/Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.  Dr. Ruder's work in cancer prevention has been published in journals including Cancer Causes and Control, Carcinogenesis, and The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

585-475-2402

Personal Links
Areas of Expertise

Select Scholarship

Journal Paper
Ruder, Elizabeth H, et al. "Parent Food and Eating Behavior Assessments Predict Targeted Healthy Eating Index Components." Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 51. 6 (2019): 711-718. Print.
Ruder, Elizabeth H and Kaitlin Stack Whitney. "Inclusion of Individuals with Disabilities in Academy Diversity Initiatives." Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 119. 10 (2019): 1619-1620. Print.
Invited Article/Publication
Vescovi, Montana and Elizabeth H Ruder. "Keys to Running Successful Research Projects: All the Things They Never Teach You." Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. (2019). Print.
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Ruder, Elizabeth H. "Research for All! Engaging all dietetics undergraduates in original research." Nutrition and Dietetics Educators and Preceptors Eastern Meeting, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. Annapolis, MD. 5 Apr. 2019. Lecture.

Currently Teaching

NUTR-100
1 Credits
This course is an introduction to the professional roles and responsibilities as a dietitian/nutritionist with emphasis on careers, professional development and conduct. Dietetics practice, including the scope of the practice, the role functions of registered dietitians, and the education requirements for entry into practice will be explored and contrasted with complementary aspects for nutritionists and nutrition educators not credentialed as registered dietitians. The history of the profession of nutrition and dietetics will serve as a background for dietetics practice in today’s changing healthcare arena. Learning activities will consist of lecture, class discussion, assigned readings, and guest presentations by practicing Registered Dietitians and nutritionists.
NUTR-215
3 Credits
This is an introductory course in nutritional science concepts and application to current nutrition issues. This course covers the study of specific nutrients and their functions, the development of dietary standards and guides and how these standards are applied throughout the lifecycle. Students learn to analyze their own diets and develop strategies to make any necessary dietary changes for a lifetime of good health. Current health and nutrition problems and nutrition misinformation will be discussed. Online sections are asynchronous. Students are assessed by learning activities such as: weekly quizzes and discussion boards, homework assignments, and a final diet analysis project. In person sections are synchronous lectures and class discussions. Students are assessed by learning activities such as: exams, homework, assignments and final project analysis.
NUTR-333
3 Credits
Nutrition Education for Health Professionals is a 3-credit course focused on the theory and practice of providing nutrition information with specific focus on writing for nutrition communications. This course prepares students to provide effective nutrition education and counseling, and give effective presentations. The course highlights the role of technology in health and nutrition programs and the application of technology in health and nutrition program evaluation. Topics include communications methods, writing skills for the nutrition discipline, learner/ audience analysis, basic learning and behavior theory, developing counseling and training materials, as well as designing, making, and evaluating individual and group presentations using various approaches, including technology applications.
NUTR-497
1 Credits
Provides the student applying to Dietetic Internships a process to make the task manageable. Students are provided timelines and assignments to step them through the application process which includes a personal statement/letter of application, resume, letters of reference, portfolio, site visits and interviews. The Internship application process is accomplished through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS), and an independent centralized computer matching organization, D&D Digital (DND).
NUTR-550
3 Credits
Study of current nutrition issues and delivery of food and nutrition services in the community. The course is designed to allow senior level students to acquire skills necessary to deliver services in the public health and private sector markets.
NUTR-650
3 Credits
Study of current nutrition issues and delivery of food and nutrition services in the community. The course is designed to allow senior level and graduate students to acquire skills necessary to deliver services in the public health and private sector markets. Individual practicum in community facility is required and arranged by the instructor.
PUBL-790
1 - 6 Credits
The master's thesis in science, technology, and public policy requires the student to select a thesis topic, advisor and committee; prepare a written thesis proposal for approval by the faculty; present and defend the thesis before a thesis committee; and submit a bound copy of the thesis to the library and to the program chair.
WSHN-702
3 Credits
Dissemination and Implementation Science for Health and Well-being applies constructs practices, and values of dissemination and implementation sciences to health and well-being education activities. Strategies to foster translation of evidence-based practices to standard practice in public and private programs are applied in an experiential learning format.
WSHN-710
3 Credits
This course will explore health risk assessment and management, including determinants of population health; using epidemiological, clinical, and toxicological methods for identifying health hazards. Population health surveillance combined with methods of population health risk assessment will be considered regarding regulatory, economic, and technological approaches to population health risk management. Application of principles will be practiced through the examination of case studies.
WSHN-790
1 - 6 Credits
Application of writing and research skills and principles in an independent investigation of a focused problem under direction of thesis adviser. Components include review of literature, definition of research aims, data collection and analysis, interpretation and discussion of findings, preparation of written paper following specified guidelines and standards, and oral defense of thesis. Enrollment for 6 credits in one semester or as necessary over multiple semesters for a total of 6 credits.
WSHN-791
0 Credits
This course provides students additional semester to complete their thesis research, document and defense.
WSHN-797
3 Credits
Application of writing and research skills and principles in an independent investigation of a focused problem under direction of a project adviser. Preparation of a Project Report following specified guidelines and standards, and oral presentation of the key report components.