Texas A&M Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Evidence Center names first associate director

The Texas A&M Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Evidence Center has named Maureen Spill, Ph.D., as its first associate director.

Spill joined the Evidence Center as the program lead for nutrition and health in 2021 and brings vast expertise in nutrition research and evidence synthesis to the position.

“I’m honored and excited to continue to support the Evidence Center in the new role of associate director,” Spill said. “With the Evidence Center’s commitment to groundbreaking evidence synthesis and research, I’m eager to contribute to our scientific programs and ensure that we continue to provide high-quality, objective and transparent evidence-based scientific reviews and analyses for national and international governments as well as policy and public health organizations.”

Spill brings nutrition expertise to position

Spill has contributed to the dietary guidelines for Americans, among other important nutrition initiatives. She was an analyst for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion Nutrition Evidence Systematic Review, or NESR team, from 2014-2022. She also led systematic reviews used to inform the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 and 2020-2025 editions. Her interest is in advancing review methodology and tools.

Prior to her work with NESR, Spill was a senior research associate on the Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods team at Pew Charitable Trusts, a post-doctorate fellow in the Laboratory of Human Ingestive Behavior at Penn State University, and a senior researcher at Campbell’s Soup Co. in Sydney, Australia.

“Dr. Spill has more than 20 years of experience in food and nutrition research with 10 years in systematic review and synthesis,” said Amanda MacFarlane, Ph.D., director of the Evidence Center. “She is an expert in systematic review methodology, a savvy project manager and has a keen eye for quality and detail. These characteristics will serve the Evidence Center well as she takes on the role of associate director. I can’t imagine a better person for this role.”

Evidence Center guides health practices, principles

Created in 2021, the Texas A&M Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Evidence Center’s mission is to produce transparent and reproducible evidence reviews and syntheses assessing the effectiveness of agri-food policies, practice and guidance related to agricultural, environmental, human and economic health. The Evidence Center advances methods, knowledge and practice, as well as promotes the harmonization of methods, metrics and standards of evidence, to ensure policymakers have the key information needed to inform evidence-based policies.