Monica Esquivel , PhD, RDN, CSSD
Associate ProfessorDepartment of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Work Phone: 808-956-8691 Personal Email: monicake@hawaii.edu
Research Interests
child health, food security, food access
Recent Publications
- Esquivel M, Higa A, Guidry A, Shelton C, Okihiro M. A Qualitative Study on the Motivators, Barriers and Supports to Participation in a Pediatric Produce Prescription Program in Hawai‘i. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022;19(24):16682. doi:10.3390/ijerph192416682
- Esquivel MK, Aflague TF, Yamanaka AB, et al. Children’s Dietary Intake by Early Care and Education Setting in the US Affiliated Pacific. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2023;0(0). doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2023.03.002
- Aflague TF, Esquivel MK, Hammond K, Delos Reyes B, Kaholokula JK. Traditional and new lifestyle interventions to prevent breast cancer recurrence (TANICA): a qualitative study. Support Care Cancer. 2023;31(4):218. doi:10.1007/s00520-023-07663-0
- Esquivel MK, Higa A, Hitchens M, Shelton C, Okihiro M. Keiki Produce Prescription (KPRx) Program Feasibility Study to Reduce Food Insecurity and Obesity Risk. Hawaii J Health Soc Welf. 2020;79(5 Suppl 1):44-49.
Recent Grants
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences- Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) P20, Integrative Center for Precision Nutrition and Human Health. Role: Research project leader/Junior investigator for community clinical trial- Keiki Produce Prescriptions
- Partners in Excellence for Leadership in MCH Nutrition. Health Resources & Services Administration- Maternal & Child Health, MCH Workforce Development (grant no T79MC00013)
- Traditional and New Lifestyle Interventions for Breast Cancer Prevention (TANICA). Pacific Island Partnership for Cancer Health Equity (National Cancer Institute, Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities, grant numbers U54CA143727 and U54CA143728 PIs Neal Palafox, Randall Holcombe, Rachael Leon Guerrero, Margaret Hattori-Uchima) Pre Pilot award
- Career Development Support for R21- like project, “Farmacy Pediatric Produce Prescription for Food Insecurity and Health Disparities.” Supported by Ola HAWAII infrastructure (NIH NIMHD U54MD007601 PIs Jerris Hedges and Norren Mokuau)
Current Graduate Students
- Brittany Gallardo- MS Nutritional Sciences RDN Concentration
- Michael Yanos- MS Nutritional Sciences RDN Concentration
- Andrea Cesarek- MS Nutritional Sciences RDN Concentration
- Bernice Delos Reyes- MS Nutritional Sciences, Lifestyle interventions for breast cancer risk reduction among Native Hawaiian, Filipino, and CHamoru women
- Hannah Shai- PhD Nutritional Sciences, Children's Healthy Living Program Food Systems Resiliency
- Cherese Shelton- PhD Nutritional Sciences, Nutrition Education for Keiki Produce Prescription Programs
- Michelle Lewis- PhD Nutritional Sciences, Breast milk sharing practices; benefits for breast cancer patients