My research bridges nutrition and developmental science to explore how eating emerges in infancy and early childhood. I am interested in examining how developmental trajectories are shaped through the dynamic interplay of biological, social, emotional, and cognitive domains. I also investigate the role caregivers play in supporting eating development and aim to inform strategies that help families foster healthy, developmentally appropriate feeding relationships.    

Presentations

Grosskopf, B. & Ontai, L. (2025, May 1-3). Self-determination theory: A framework to assess influences on diet quality in preschool-aged children [poster]. Society for Research of Child Development 2025 Biennial Meeting, Minneapolis, MN.