Virtual Reality and Nutrition Support featuring Travis Masterson, Ph.D.

Travis Masterson, Ph.D., is the Director of the Health, Ingestive Behavior, and Technology Laboratory and the Broadhurst Career Development Professor for the Study of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at The Pennsylvania State University. He earned his bachelor of science degree in exercise and wellness at Brigham Young University, followed by a master of science degree in health promotion also at Brigham Young University and doctoral degree in nutritional sciences at Pennsylvania State University where he also served as a USDA Childhood Obesity Prevention Fellow. Dr. Masterson is the recipient of numerous fellowships and grants, and his research focuses primarily on food cue reactivity and how our food environment shapes our food choices and eating behaviors. He uses a variety of novel technologies and methodologies to accomplish this goal, including Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), immersive virtual reality (VR), and ecological momentary assessment (EMA), a method of research which studies people’s thoughts and behaviors in their daily lives.   This episode is hosted by Christina M. Rollins, MBA, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND, CNSC and was recorded on 12/11/23.