Linda Fergus

Fergus

Linda Fergus, PhD, RD, LDN

Assistant Professor, Didactive Program Director, DPD

Department of Human Sciences

lgf011@shsu.edu | 936-294-1245| MLHB 226

Bio

Dr. Linda Fergus worked as a leader in clinical dietetics and food service management for many years in Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee, and Louisiana.  She recently returned to Louisiana State University where she completed a Ph.D. in Nutrition and Food Sciences (2021).  Dr. Fergus’ clinical expertise includes the promotion of healthy nutrition behaviors in patients with eating disorders and chronic nutrition-related diseases.  She frequently lectures about the role of the dietitian in the treatment of patients with eating disorders to health professionals and students.  Other responsibilities include clinical nutrition management and patient food services in acute care hospitals and nursing homes. 

Using quantitative and qualitative research methods, Dr. Fergus studies nutrition interventions and social marketing campaign strategies to promote healthy eating.  To date, she has focused on behavioral economic strategies to decrease nutrition-related chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes.  She serves as a co-chair for the Webinar Committee of the Research Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Education

  • Ph.D., Nutrition and Food Sciences  (Concentration in Human Nutrition), Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana                               

  • MS, Nutrition and Food Science/Dietetic Internship, Texas Woman’s University/Houston VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas 

  • BS, Dietetics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana  

Areas of Expertise

  • Human Nutrition

  • Behavioral economics and nutrition

  • Eating Disorders

Selected Publications

  • Fergus L, Seals K, Holston D. Nutrition interventions in low-income rural and urban retail environments: a systematic review. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2021. .

  • Fergus L, Roberts R, Holston D. Healthy eating in low-income rural Louisiana parishes: formative research for future social marketing campaigns. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(9). .

  • Fergus L, Seals K, Holston D. P20 Effectiveness of nutrition interventions in low-income rural and urban retail environments: a systematic literature review. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2020;52(7): S24-S25. .