Nicole Vitale is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion at Florida Atlantic University. She earned her PhD at Florida International University in Dietetics and Nutrition with research focused on community nutrition education for teachers, children, and families. She received the “Outstanding Graduate” award in Spring 2024 for recognition of her innovative academic work. Dr. Vitale was awarded the NSF STEM Education Individual Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (STEMEdIPRF) to carry out work at the intersection of STEM education and nutrition science through the development of culturally affirming, at-home, co-cooking activities. These efforts aim to examine how at-home, collaborative cooking experience can shape children’s emotional connections to STEM, future career aspirations, and diet quality.