Katie Merritt, MPH

Phone: (281) 639-4171 | Email: merrittkt@gmail.com | Website: merrittkt.com

A research program manager with 7+ years of proven success in leveraging theories and
market research methodologies to guide strategy and improve performance through data
transformation, visual reporting, and qualitative methods.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

Exceptional knowledge of evaluation concepts and market research methodologies,
including survey design, conducting focus groups, and scientific communication of findings
to varied audiences.
Experienced at transforming data from multiple data collection systems for synthesis.
Operational knowledge of ArcGIS, Tableau, and SAS data analysis tools.
Proficient in MS Office, Google Suite, Citrix platforms, and Zoom.
Excellent interpersonal & coaching skills.

EDUCATION
George Washington University, Washington, DC — August 2013 – January 2016
Master of Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
University of Colorado, Boulder, CO — January 2006 – August 2012
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology and Neuroscience; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

EXPERIENCE
Robert Half, San Ramon, CA – Public Relations Research and Data Manager
Identify workplace trends and topics for PR programs.
Coordinate surveys with the PR team and external survey vendors of workers and employers across North
America..
Develop key metrics for evaluating the success of PR and Corporate Communication programs.
Analyze Salesforce data for thought leadership content for press releases, white papers, and client
materials.

Wholesome Wave, Berkeley, CA — Research Program Manager

April 2015 - April 2018
Coordinated external research teams in large-scale, rigorous evaluations including a randomized controlled
trial in 14 states and predictive modeling analyses contributing to the conference abstracts and peer-
reviewed manuscripts.
Developed b2b tools including a fruit and vegetable prescription (FVRx) program evaluation toolkit and an
iOS data collection product to drive program participation and improve market research efforts for
customers.
Quantified quarterly and annual organizational key performance indicators including how many reached,
value of produce distributed, and changes in behavior due to programming using statistical software and
visualization tools.
Managed technical assistance contracts providing data collection support for statewide organizations
including monthly reports assessing participant trends and project goal progress for the year.
Food Institute, Washington, DC — Project Assistant
June 2014 - May 2015
Identified key stakeholders for speakers and attendees for a summit held at the George Washington
University on sustainability within the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015.
Katie Merritt, MPH
Phone: (281) 639-4171 | Email: merrittkt@gmail.com | Website: merrittkt.com
PUBLICATIONS
Ridberg, R, Bell, J, Merritt, K, Harris, D, Young, H, Tancredi, D (2018). A Pediatric Fruit and Vegetable
Prescription Program Increases Food Security in Low-Income Households. Journal of Nutrition
Education and Behavior. Advance online publication. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2018.08.003
Freedman, D, Hunt, A, Merritt, K, Shon, E, Pike, S (2017). Dissemination of Technology to Evaluate
Healthy Food Incentive Programs. American Journal of Preventative Medicine; 52(3S3).
Merritt, K, & Bachtell, R (2013). Initial D2 Dopamine Receptor Sensitivity Predicts Cocaine Sensitivity
and Reward in Rats. PLOS ONE, 8(11), e78258.
Hobson B1, Merritt K1, Bachtell R2 (2012). Stimulation of adenosine receptors in the nucleus
accumbens reverses the expression of cocaine sensitization and cross-sensitization to dopamine
D(2) receptors in rats. Neuropharmacology, 63(6), 1172-1181.

PRESENTATIONS
Freedman, D, Ngendahimana, D, Shon, E, Merritt, K, & Pon, J (2018). Predictors of Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program Use at Farmers' Markets with Produce Incentive Programming. Oral
presentation at the American Public Health Association 2018 Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
Freedman, D, Merritt, K, Shon, E, Jennings, E, Pon, J, Hunt, A (2016) Adoption of Technology to Evaluate
Nutrition Incentive Programs at Direct-to-Consumer Markets throughout the United States. Oral
Presentation at the American Public Health Association 2016 Annual Meeting, Denver, CO.
Karpyn, A, Hunt, A, Fillon, N, Tracy, T, Humphrey, L, Merritt, K, Xie, Y (2016) Incentivizing Produce
Purchases at Farmers Markets: Year 1 Results. Oral Presentation at the American Public Health
Association 2016 Annual Meeting, Denver, CO.
Evaluating Nutrition Incentive Programs’ Impact on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Access
Among SNAP Shoppers (2016), Panel at the American Public Health Association 2016 Annual Meeting,
Denver, CO. (Panel Organizer)

AWARDS
Distinguished Masters Level Scholar, Dept of Environmental and Occupational Health, 2015
Travel and Seed Grant, Clinton Global Initiative University Conference, 2015
Teaching Assistant, George Washington University, 2014-5
Individual Grant, Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, 2009
Research Assistant Grant, Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, 2008

FEATURED RESEARCH PROJECTS

Multi City Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FVRx) Program , Target. April 2017-March 2018.
The FVRx program aimed to change health and food security among 1000+ families at Targets and select
farmers markets. Across three cities, over $500,000 of incentives were spent on fruits and vegetables coupled
with nutrition counseling and cooking demonstrations. The evaluation included changes in fruit and vegetable
consumption, body fat, and participant focus groups and contributed to secondary research for publication.

Ladder for Growth: A National Network to Build Capacity and Test Innovative
Strategies for Healthy Food Incentives, U.S. Department of Agriculture. April 2015-March 2018.
Evaluated the implementation of 30+ distinct healthy food incentive programs matching food stamps in 400+
farmers’ markets using custom data collection software including a randomized controlled trial testing the
dose-response of incentive amounts on purchasing and fruit and vegetable consumption.