Areas of Expertise
Food and nutrition security
Mixed research methods
Cultural competence and language skills
Food Story
Crespo-Bellido’s principles and passion for the anti-hunger movement are inspired by the life and work of Monserrate Rodriguez Pinzon: her grandmother (Abuela). Growing up in Puerto Rico, Crespo-Bellido worked summers in her Abuela’s food truck, where you could get an overflowing plate of arroz, habichuelas y biftec for $3.50. If anyone handed her Abuela insufficient funds for a meal, she would serve them a plate of food; no questions asked. After Hurricane Maria’s passing, her obsessive focus on feeding everyone moved her to feed extended family and neighbors out of her home-kitchen for 38 days. She passed away from uncontrolled nutrition-related chronic diseases three months later due to an overwhelmed medical infrastructure unable to provide adequate care. In that final act, her Abuela exemplified the critical responsibility of preparing and supporting others in emergencies, especially when food distribution systems and food safety nets collapse. Deeply moved by the humanitarian crisis that occurred in September 2017 in Puerto Rico, it is Crespo-Bellido’s ultimate career goal to learn as much as she can about sustainable anti-hunger solutions for vulnerable communities within the United States, so she can return home and support local emergency management and food sovereignty initiatives having hands-on and policy-level expertise.
Academic History
Ph.D., Nutrition, Minor: Epidemiology, Oregon State University, 2020
Specialization: Nutritional Epidemiology
Dissertation: Food security and alternative food acquisition strategies among low-income U.S. households: A social-ecological approach
R.D.N., University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2015
B.S. , magna cum laude, Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico 2014
Professional Affiliations
Member, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Member, American Public Health Association (APHA)
Member, American Society of Nutrition (ASN)
Member, Social Marketing Association of North America (SMANA)