Sheryl C. Cates

Expertise

Food Safety
Nutrition Education
Health Communication
Survey Research Methods

Biography

Sheryl Cates leads research studies to design and evaluate food safety education programs, evaluate nutrition education programs, and assess consumer response to alternative product labeling features. She has expertise in instrument development; cognitive interviewing; survey design and administration for mail, telephone, Internet, and field surveys; qualitative research methods including in-depth interviews and focus groups; survey data analysis; and program evaluation. She has conducted research to design and evaluate government campaigns to improve food safety practices, evaluate nutrition education programs offered through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, evaluate a new nutrition education program that promotes eating nutrient-dense foods, assess consumers' handling practices for refrigerated ready-to-eat foods, evaluate materials for a social marketing campaign to promote food thermometer use, assess consumer use and understanding of labeling features for meat and poultry products, and evaluate the effectiveness of a fish consumption advisory. Ms. Cates has presented her research findings at numerous professional conferences and she has published in numerous journals.

Education

BA, Business Administration, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Selected Publications

Cates, S.C., Kosa, K.M., Karns, S., Godwin, S.L., Speller-Henderson, L., Harrison, R., & Draughon, F.A. (2009). Food safety knowledge and practices among older adults: Identifying causes and solutions for risky behaviors. Journal of Nutrition For the Elderly, 28 (2):112-126.

Cates, S.C., Muth, M.K., Karns, S.A., Penne, M.A., Stone, C.N., Harrison, J.E., & Radke, V.J. (2009). Certified Kitchen Managers: Do They Improve Restaurant Inspection Outcomes? Journal of Food Protection, 72 (2):384-391.

Viator, C.L., Cates, S.C., Karns, S.A., & Muth, M.K. (Dec 2008). Adoption of interventions to improve food safety at meat and poultry processing plants in the United States. Food Protection Trends, 28 (12):917-927.

Kosa, K.M., Cates, S.C., Karns, S., Godwin, S.L., & Chambers, D. (July 2007). Consumer home refrigeration practices: Results of a web-based survey. Journal of Food Protection, 70 (7):1640-1649.

Cates, S.C., Kosa, K.M., Karns, S.A., Godwin, S., & Chambers, D. (July 2007). Consumer storage practices for refrigerated ready-to-eat foods: Results of a web-enabled survey. Food Protection Trends, 27 (7):530-543.

Cates, S.C., Kosa, K.M., Moore, C.M., Jaykus, L.A., Ten Eyck, T.A., & Cowen, P. (July 2007). Listeriosis prevention for older adults: effective messages and delivery methods. Educational Gerontology , 33 (7):587-606.

Cates, S.C., Kosa, K., Ten-Ecyk, T., Jaykus, L.A., Moore, C., & Cowen, P. (November, 2006). Older adults’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding listeriosis prevention. Food Protection Trends, 26 (11):774-785.

Cates, S.C., Morales, R.A., Karns, S.A., Jaykus, L.A., Kosa, K.M., Teneyck, T., Moore, C.M., & Cowen, P. (2006). Consumer knowledge, storage, and handling practices regarding Listeria in frankfurters and deli meats: Results of a web-based survey. Journal of Food Protection, 69 (7):1630-1639.

Patil, S.R., Cates, S., & Morales, R. (2005). Consumer Food Safety Knowledge, Practices, and Demographic Differences: Findings from a Meta-Analysis. Journal of Food Protection, 68 (9):1884-1894.

Cates, S.C., Carter-Young, H., Conley, S., & O'Brien, B. (2004). Pregnant Women and Listeriosis: Preferred Educational Messages and Delivery Mechanisms. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 36 (3):121-127.

View all publications by Sheryl C. Cates…