Student Spotlight: Ruyu Liu

January 27, 2025
Ruyu Liu is a doctoral candidate in nutrition with a focus on community nutrition from Liuzhou, China. She earned her bachelor of science in dietetics and master of science in nutritional sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and now studies interventions to promote and sustain healthful dietary behaviors among those affected by poverty under the guidance of Roger Figueroa at Cornell.
What is your area of research and why is it important?
My research seeks to answer two questions. One, how do we design interventions that can effectively promote and sustain healthful dietary behaviors among those affected by poverty; and two, what does it take to successfully implement such interventions in the real world? In the U.S., over $1 trillion is spent annually for treating diet-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Populations affected by poverty are disproportionately affected by these diseases. Therefore, solutions to address these health disparities are urgently needed.
What are the larger implications of this research?
My current research examines the effectiveness and implementation of food pantry-based programs that provide nutrition education and fresh fruits and vegetables to individuals with diet-related chronic diseases and low income in South Bronx and East Harlem, NY. This research offers insights into improving access to healthful foods and the potential of leveraging community-based organizations, such as food pantries, to reach underserved communities. Additionally, my findings contribute to the emerging “Food Is Medicine” movement, supported by the Department of Health and Human Services, highlighting practical considerations for implementing these interventions and informing federal investment priorities.
What have you gained by participating in the NextGen Professors Program?
The NextGen Professors Program provided me with a community of supportive and driven scholars who share similar career aspirations. I appreciate the diversity of the community in terms of disciplines and career stages. For example, I was grateful for the advice on writing my dissertation that I received from a postdoctoral scholar. I also appreciate the professional development opportunities provided by NextGen. During a Power Mentoring Lunch, I gained actionable insights on productive writing, the faculty job negotiation process, and self-advocacy in the academy.
How has this program been helpful in working toward your professional goals?
My professional goal is to become a tenure-track faculty member at an R1 university. I believe the best way to grow in the academy is to receive feedback. The NextGen Professors Program has been helpful in that it provides me with opportunities to receive feedback from scholars in diverse disciplines and career stages. This encourages me to think about my research and job application materials from various perspectives. Conversely, I have the opportunity to practice giving actionable and constructive feedback to others.
What are your hobbies or interests outside of your research or scholarship?
I enjoy long-distance running. My proudest achievements in running are the ability to resist negative self-talk and run long distances without music. Another outdoor activity I love is hiking. I enjoyed hiking the Adirondacks, Catskills, and all the lovely hikes around Ithaca. Of course, national parks are always calling my name. I also enjoy board games, with a particular love for creativity-based games such as Pictionary, Dixit, and Charades (as opposed to Catan).
Why did you choose Cornell to pursue your degree?
I chose Cornell because of the individualized training provided by the Division of Nutritional Sciences (DNS) and the wide range of resources on campus. Aside from a few required courses, students in DNS can customize their curriculum based on their research interests. I have benefited from this structure by taking classes in sociology, public policy, and business administration, which have been instrumental in my research practice. I was also drawn to resources such as the Cornell Statistical Consulting Unit and the Qualitative and Interpretive Research Institute for additional training outside my field.