Lisa D. Franzen-Castle, MS, RD, PhD

Assistant Professor, Extension Nutrition Specialist

Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave I, Scottsbluff, NE 69361
Phone: 308-632-1256; Fax: 308-632-1365
Email: lfranzen2@unl.edu

EDUCATION/DEGREES

• Doctor of Philosophy. 2009. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Major: Nutrition/ Minor: Anthropology
• Master of Science. 2006. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Major: Entomology
• Bachelor of Science. 2003. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Major: Dietetics/ Minor: Insect Science

AREAS OF INTEREST

Community nutrition and socio-cultural aspects of nutrition

AWARDS & HONORS

• Tobacco Settlement Funds. Food Access, Dietary Behavior, and Obesity among Hispanic Adults. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, $9651, 2010.
• Arnold E. Schaefer Memorial Scholarship. American Dietetic Association Foundation, 2008
• Guild of Natural Science Illustrators Annual Exhibition. Thistledown Velvet Ant, Dasymutilla gloriosa. Ink on Scratchboard. Ebling Library, University of Wisconsin-Madison, July 5-September 29, 2006
• Nevada Wheeler Fellowship. University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Nutrition and Health Sciences Dept.), 2005-2006

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS

• Nebraska Cooperative Extension Association (NCEA), 2009-Present
  • Public Relations Committee, 2010-Present
• American Dietetic Association (ADA), 2005-Present
• Nebraska Dietetic Association (NDA), 2005-Present
• The Honor Society of Phi Beta Delta, Alpha Phi Chapter, (Honor Society for International Scholars- those who have demonstrated high achievement in international study and activity) University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2005-Present
• Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture, 2002-Present

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Conducting applied research in nutrition education and nutritional behavioral changes for adults.

EXTENSION INTERESTS

Planning, marketing, teaching, conducting and evaluating educational programs and materials related to nutrition, health and wellness education for adults.

MAJOR PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Member of the NC1028 multi-state research group which focuses on promoting healthful eating to prevent excessive weight gain in young adults.

RECENT SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

• Franzen, L., and Smith, C. Food system access, shopping behavior, and influences on purchasing groceries in adult Hmong. American Journal of Health Promotion. 2010; 24(6):396-409.
• Franzen, L. and Smith, C. Differences in stature, BMI, and dietary practices between US born and newly immigrated Hmong children. Social Science and Medicine. 2009;69(3):442-450.
• Franzen, L., and Smith, C. Acculturation and environmental change impacts dietary habits among adult Hmong. Appetite. 2009;52(1):173-183.
• Franzen, L., Gutsche A., Heng-Moss T., Higley L., and Macedo, T. Physiological responses of wheat and barley to Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko) and bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Arthropod-Plant Interactions. 2008; 2:227-235.
• Franzen, L., Gutsche A., Heng-Moss, T., Higley, L., Sarath, G., and Burd, J. Physiological and biochemical responses of resistant and susceptible wheat to injury by Russian wheat aphid. Journal of Economic Entomology. 2007;100(5):1692-1703.
• Heng-Moss, T., Macedo, T., Franzen, L., Baxendale, F., Higley, L., and Sarath, G. Physiological responses of resistant and susceptible buffalograsses to Blissus Occiduus (Hemiptera: Blissidae) feeding. Journal of Economic Entomology. 2006;99(1):222–228.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

• International Research Experience. University of Sao Paulo, Jaboticabal, Brazil, May 2004
  • In cooperation with Dr. Odair Fernandes of Sao Paulo State University in Jaboticabal, Brazil, I worked with several other students in evaluating agricultural plant (maize, soybean, and tomato) response to insect injury in a tropical setting.