Acadia School of Nutrition and Dietetics is very fortunate to have the following adjunct professors.

Lisa Duizer is currently Department Chair and an Associate Professor in the Food Science Department at the University of Guelph. Before this appointment in 2009, she was an Associate Professor in the School of Nutrition and Dietetics at Acadia University and prior to that a Senior Lecturer in Food Technology at Massey University in New Zealand.

Lisa is a sensory scientist and her research program examines the relations between perception of sensory properties of foods and the underlying mechanisms contributing to that perception. She currently holds an NSERC grant and is the principle investigator for two Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Rural Affairs projects. She is also a research associate in the Agri-Food for Healthy Aging research group, a group of researchers from the University of Waterloo and the University of Guelph who are involved in improving the diets of older adults in long term care homes.

Michelle is a highly motivated, experienced professional with 20 years experience in Dietetics and Health Care.  She is a competent manager who made a rapid progression to the Director level.  She is skilled in Human Resources, Union Relations, Financial Management, Operations and Strategic Planning.

Michelle has exceptional interpersonal skills, is an active listener, problem solver, collaborator, facilitator and leader. She is able to work with staff, executive, the Board and the community.

Michelle’s present position with Annapolis Valley Health is to provide strategic direction and leadership for the District Food and Nutrition Service Program.  She is responsible for recruitment, promotion and the development of staff and for the provision of high quality food service to AVH clients. She has developed and integrated Nutrition Services with Population Health Initiatives and has fostered the development of and promotion of evidence based practice of dietitians.  Michelle is a member of District Quality Council, ensuring quality initiatives are in line with the District Strategic Plan.  She’s the Lead for the Healthy Eating Initiative policy within Annapolis Valley Health and in collaboration with the Department of Health and Wellness.  She is involved at the provincial level with colleagues and other provincial committees.

Prior to her present position, Michelle worked as a District Manager responsible for Food and Nutrition Services and Diabetes Education at a number of sites, and she is experienced in out-patient nutrition counseling.

She was an Administrative Dietitian for seven years at Soldiers Memorial Hospital and prior to this experience, worked in a 23 bed acute care hospital which was downsized to a Community Health Centre. 

Michelle is a graduate of Acadia University and completed a Dietetic Internship at the Victoria General Hospital (now the QE II) in Halifax.  She has taken continuing education courses in Quality Management, Facilitation, Conflict Resolution, Communicating for Success, Appreciative Inquiry, and is a Leadership Champion through Leadership Development (Kouzes and Posner).

Michelle is a member of the Partnership Committee of the Acadia University Dietetic Internship Program and was recently appointed an Adjunct Professor in the School of Nutrition and Dietetics.