Maria Kaiafas Plant
- Associate Professor of Practice, Nutritional Sciences and Wellness
- Director, NSW Didactic Program in Dietetics
Biography
Dr. Plant has worked as a clinical dietitian for over 25 years. As a clinical dietitian she provided coverage for many units including Critical Care, Medical, Pediatrics, Oncology, and Surgical units. Her work experience also includes management of Clinical Nutrition and Diabetes Education Departments. Dr. Plant worked as pre-doctoral fellow and adjunct faculty at Rutgers School of Health Professions prior to accepting her UA position. During her time as a clinical dietitian and manager, Dr. Plant had the opportunity to oversee and mentor dietetic interns, entry level dietitians and student volunteers. Her passion for nutrition and higher education led her to her most current position as Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona Nutritional Sciences Program starting Fall of 2016. Dr. Plant obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University and a Master’s and Doctoral Degree in Clinical Nutrition from Rutgers, School of Health Professions. Dr. Plant has a particular interest and appreciation for online learning as both her Master’s and Doctoral Degrees were obtained through this exciting and engaging learning platform. In addition, some of her clinical interests include practice-based research, surgical nutrition, nutrition support, nutrition focused physical exam and malnutrition coding.
Degrees
- Doctor of Clinical Nutrition Nutrition
- Rutgers University, School of Health Professions, Newark, New Jersey, United States
- Validation of a Practice- Based Dietitian Research Involvement Survey
- M.S. Clinical Nutrition
- Rutgers University, School of Health Professions, Newark, New Jersey, United States
- The Impact of Medical Nutrition Therapy Provided by a Registered Dietitian on Nutrition Parameters and Functional Status in Weight Losing Cancer Patients
- B.S. Didactic Program
- Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, United States
Work Experience
- Tucson Cystic Fibrosis Adult Clinic (2017 - Ongoing)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2016 - Ongoing)
- Tucson Medical Center (2016 - 2017)
- Rutgers, School of Health Professions (2012 - 2017)
- Tucson Medical Center (2012 - 2016)
- Rutgers, School of Health Professions (2012 - 2013)
- Tucson Medical Center (2008 - 2012)
- St Mary's Hospital (2006 - 2008)
- Medical Center of Ocean County (2000 - 2004)
- Tucson Medical Center (1998 - 1999)
- Medical Center of Ocean County (1997 - 1998)
Awards
- Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Spring 2021
Interests
Research
Practice-Based ResearchOutcomes Research
Teaching
On-line learning Clinical NutritionEvidence-based practiceMalnutrition prevention and diagnosisSurgical Nutrition, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery ProgramsNutrition SupportRenal NutritionCystic Fibrosis
Courses
No activities entered.
Scholarly Contributions
Journals/Publications
- Plant, M. K., Byham-gray, L., Ziegler, J., & Marcus, A. F. (2015). Validation of the Practice-Based Dietitian Research Involvement Survey for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Clinical Practice. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 115(9), A62. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2015.06.223
