Anzman-Frasca Plays Key Role in Collaborative CIBR Launch
Stephanie Anzman-Frasca, PhD
Published June 13, 2019 This content is archived.
story based on news release by bert gambini
Stephanie Anzman-Frasca, PhD, assistant professor of pediatrics in the Division of Behavioral Medicine, has been at the forefront of research on trying to help children and adults make healthier food choices.
Her interest and knowledge in the subject helped lead to the launching of UB’s Center for Ingestive Behavior Research (CIBR), which aims to coordinate, promote and foster research in an area critical to maintaining proper health.
Concept Started at New Faculty Orientation
The idea for the CIBR began as an organized community of ingestive behavior researchers in 2015 when Anzman-Frasca and Ann-Marie Torregrossa, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences, met at an orientation for new university faculty members.
“As Stephanie and I were talking we realized how many people studied ingestive behavior on campus and thought we should get everyone together,” Torregrossa says.
The two — who now serve as the center’s associate directors — set up an initial meeting that included eight UB researchers. Torregrossa says they set three goals: establish a center, a research day and a training program.
This year they celebrated their fourth annual research day with more than 60 people in attendance.
‘Exciting Time’ for Ingestive Behavior Research
Anzman-Frasca say she’s proud of what the group has been able to accomplish.
“It’s exciting that just a few years since our first Ingestive Behavior Research Day in 2016 that UB’s CIBR has become a reality,” Anzman-Frasca says. “The center’s programs — including those supporting pilot research, student travel and our annual research day — will facilitate continued collaboration between UB’s ingestive behavior faculty and will accelerate the initial progress that came from the group’s early discussions.”
“It’s an exciting time to be an ingestive behavior researcher at UB,” she adds.
Researchers in 5 UB Schools are Involved
The CIBR is a multidisciplinary center that combines the expertise of researchers in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Nursing, Graduate School of Education and School of Public Health and Health Professions.
“I’m excited by the opportunity we have to make UB the premier center for ingestive behavior research,” says Derek Daniels, PhD, a professor in the Department of Psychology and director of the new center. “There are very few universities that can claim the number of people we have working on this topic. I think it puts us on the map as a great place to do this important work.”