BSHS Coordinated Dietetics Program

Program Faculty

Joyce O’ Connor, DR. PH, RD: Program Director, Associate Professor

Dr. O’ Connor is a Registered Dietitian for over 25 years. She attended a CP undergraduate program at the State University of New York. The majority of her professional experience has been in the field of community nutrition. 

Dr. O’ Connor received her masters in Nutrition Education from New York University and completed her doctoral work in Public Health at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.  Prior to coming to UMDNJ, she worked at Staten Island University Hospital where she developed and implemented disease prevention and health promotion projects, which included employee wellness, a  walk in wellness center in the Mall and numerous health promotion programs for specific target population groups.  In addition, Dr. O’ Connor has taught nutrition and public health courses at the college level for over 22 years.  As a public health practitioner and educator she believes in the importance of incorporating positive health and nutrition habits into one's daily lifestyle.

Jane Barracato, MS, RD: Clinical Coordinator, Clinical Assistant Professor

Ms. Barracato is a Registered Dietitian for over 15 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition from the College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ and completed a dietetic internship at the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in East Orange, NJ. She continued to work at the VA Medical Center after completing the internship as a clinical dietitian working in many areas throughout the hospital. While working at the VA, she earned a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition from UMDNJ-SHRP. Ms. Barracato became a faculty member at SHRP in 1997 and the clinical coordinator for the CP program in 2001. During her faculty experience here at SHRP, she has taught other allied health professionals including physician’s assistants and dental hygienists. She strongly believes in the importance of teaching health professionals to incorporate nutrition in the total management of a patient.  

Edward A. Lemmo, Ph.D., RD, CDN: Assistant Professor

Dr. Lemmo has a B.S. in Chemistry from St. Francis College, NY, and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Nutritional Science from Rutgers University, NJ. He is a Registered Dietitian, and member of numerous professional organizations including American Dietetics Association, Institute of Food Technologists and American Chemical Society.
Dr. Lemmo is CEO of Lemmo Associates, a consulting company specializing in nutritional science. His career includes 30 years of broad experience in nutritional science, education, product development and scientific advisement to major corporations.
He is a Registered Dietitian, and member of numerous professional organizations including American Dietetics Association, Institute of Food Technologists and American Chemical Society. Dr. Lemmo has authored numerous publications including scientific journal papers, books and magazine articles.

Jane Ryan MS, RD: Clinical Instructor

Jane’s professional background includes leadership roles in the management of nutrition services in a variety of settings including: hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory centers, and school food services .Presently, Jane is the Corporate Director of Clinical Nutrition and Outpatient Diabetes Services for Virtua Health in New Jersey where she has been employed for the past twenty years. Jane has a B.S. degree in Dietetics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a M.S. degree in Business Management from the University of LaVerne in California. She is presently pursuing a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Capella University. 

Marcia Richards, BSHS, M Ed, DTR, RD: Clinical Instructor  

Marcia holds a BSHS in Coordinated Dietetics from the UMDNJ/SHRP Program.

She currently teaches Nutrition and Health Program Planning at Curry College Massachusetts in the Health Studies Program, where she holds the position of Senior Lecturer.  Marcia also works as a staff dietitian for Jordan Hospital  in Plymouth, MA and is also the Dietitian/Health Educator and Administrative Director for the ACCESS Program - Jordan Hospital's HIV/AIDS Program.

Michele Fisher, PhD, RD, LD: Clinical Assistant Professor

Michele C. Fisher, PhD, RD, LD is a food scientist and nutritionist with twenty-five years of experience in dietary assessment, recipe and menu development, technical writing, nutritional analysis, scientific lecturing and food product development.  She received her B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Food Science from Rutgers – The State University of New Jersey.  She is a registered dietitian and is currently licensed in Maryland. She was the co-editor of the Food, Nutraceuticals & Nutrition newsletter for 22 years with Dr. Paul Lachance.  Currently she is President of Food & Nutrition Enterprises, LLC a consulting company specializing in food, nutrition and new business development for consumer products.  Dr. Fisher has been an adjunct instructor in the Department of Food and Nutrition Science at Camden County College in Blackwood, NJ, the University of Maryland as well as UMDNJ.