Lauren R. Sastre, PhD, RDN, LDN

Education

• B.S. Chemistry, Western Carolina University (2006)
• M.S. Nutrition Science, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2012)
• Post BS Certificate, Dietetic Internship, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2016)
• Ph.D., Nutrition Science, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2016)

Research Interests

• Primary/preventative care
• Chronic disease prevention and management
• Health disparities, underserved populations, social determinants of health (SDOH), food insecurity
• Healthcare policy

Dr. Sastre is the Director of the Farm to Clinic (F2C) Program, an initiative that focuses on addressing health disparities with under-served patient groups across various programs address both social determinants of heath (food insecurity, access to healthy food) as well as behavioral risk factors associated with chronic disease (e.g., diet, physical activity) that combined are estimated to comprise 70% of the causative factors for patient’s health outcomes.

Current Projects and Collaborations

• The Fresh Start program (Funded by The Duke Endowment 2021-2024) to provide a mobile culinary medicine, nutrition education, telehealth and produce Rx program for uninsured, rural patients with diabetes at partner North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics in eastern North Carolina.

• The HEALED Program (Healthy Easting and Active Lifestyle to Enhance Diabetes Management) provides fresh, healthy produce to low-income, uninsured patients seen at clinic members of the North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NCAFCC) in Eastern NC. Produce is obtained through collaboration with the Society for St. Andrews and Dr. Chyi Lyi Liang,  Kellogg Distinguished Professor, Department Agribusiness Econ Agriscience, College of Ag & Environ Sciences at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems- a partnership of North Carolina State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

• Healthy lifestyle programming called “Fresh Start” co-led by Dr. Bhibha Das in the Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Performance in addition to food support for NCAFCC patients.
• EOSA funded community engaged research project to examine farmer’s perceptions, interest and barriers to allow gleaning of their produce through the Society of St. Andrews (SoSA) a primary partner for Farm to Clinic. Results are intended to drive increased marketing and outreach of SoSA to farmers, understand perceptions around gleaning and food waste, as well as increase potential farmer partners for SoSA, which offers potential to increase fresh produce accessible for the F2C initiatives to connect fresh, healthy produce with patients.

Students interested in volunteering with F2C should reach out to Dr. Sastre at sastrel18@ecu.edu the program Assistant Director Brandon Stroud at stroudb15@students.ecu.edu to get connected with current volunteering/service and/or research opportunities.