Julie Hess, PhD, is a Research Nutritionist at the Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Dr. Hess’s research is centered on identifying and evaluating strategies to help Americans meet recommendations for healthy eating. Her work involves investigating how American diets currently align with dietary guidance and recognizing and addressing barriers to following recommendations, including dietary restrictions and dietary and cultural preferences. Before joining the GFHNRC, Dr. Hess served as Vice President of Scientific Affairs for the National Dairy Council in Chicago, IL. Dr. Hess received Bachelor of Arts degrees in French and English from the University of Texas at Austin and earned a doctoral degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Minnesota.