Erin

R.

Hager

, PhD

I am a nutritional epidemiologist with specialized training in physical activity assessment. After 13 years as faculty in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, I was honored to join the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health as an Associate Professor in the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health in the Spring of 2022. I was promoted to Full Professor in 2025. I lead the STRONG Research Program (Striving to Reach Optimal Nutrition and Growth). Our mission is to promote children’s healthy growth and development where they live, work, and play through research on policies and programs for families, schools, and communities.

I incorporate individual-level strategies into the design and implementation of multi-level interventions to promote healthy eating, physical activity and food security that include policy, systems, and environment to enhance reach and impact. My research falls into 4 domains: 1) healthy eating and physical activity promotion in schools, (2) food and activity systems, (3) measures development, and (4) food security and food access. I have a strong history of grant funding (USDA, NIH, CDC, and foundations) and nearly 100 peer-reviewed publications in leading public health, nutrition, pediatric and other journals.

I am nationally recognized for translating my research into public health practice. I do this in large part through service at the national, local, and institutional levels. Much of my national service involves working with the CDC under NOPREN (Nutrition Obesity Policy Research and Evaluation Network) and PAPREN (Physical Activity Policy Research and Evaluation Network). I co-founded and co-chair of the NOPREN/PAPREN School Wellness working group. We host monthly webinars and develop products, including manuscripts and research/policy briefs. Locally, I became the chair of the Maryland State School Health Council in 2018 (elected position), wherein I convene experts and school district leaders to focus on sharing best practices in school health and legislative initiatives. I am an active member of the Baltimore City and Baltimore County Local School Health Councils (invited). In May 2020, I was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Baltimore County Board of Education (term ended in 2023). 

Finally, I am passionate about teaching and mentoring. I co-lead two courses with my long-time colleague, Dr. Susan Gross: Nutrition and Growth in Maternal and Child Health (380.744) and Nutrition Programs, Policy and Politics in the United States (380.740). I have mentored 100 trainees through a variety of degree programs and experiences. I have co-authored scientific publications with nearly half of my trainees, and all have finished their experience with a product (poster, report, practice guide, etc.). Finally, I am an active member of the PFRH education team and chair our Department’s Master’s degree programs.