Dr. von Ash is a social epidemiologist by training and her research centers on childhood obesity prevention. Specifically, Dr. Ash’s work has largely focused on racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities for childhood obesity and related risk factors. She examines how social, cultural, and environmental factors directly influence children’s energy balance behaviors. She also examines how these same factors indirectly impact children’s diet and activity by way of parenting practices. Dr. von Ash’s current research also focuses heavily on sleep as a risk factor for obesity. Her research is among the first to demonstrate that differences in sleep duration across race/ethnicity emerge within the first six months of life and cannot be fully explained by socioeconomic status. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, her work has expanded the literature on contextual influences of infant sleep. Dr. von Ash is also interested in intervention development, implementation, and evaluation as well as research in high-risk populations outside of the United States.​

Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity

Dr. von Ash teaches PHP 1101 World of Food: Personal to Global Perspectives on Nutrition, Agriculture and Policy.