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Elizabeth Droke leads the Diet and Mental Health Research Group at SDSU. The focus of this group is to understand the role diet plays in mental health, particularly of young adults. Of particular interest is the role of omega-3 fatty acids in decreasing the risk and as part of an integrative treatment approach for depression and anxiety.
Areas of Focus/Current Research Projects
Undergraduate and Graduate Research Assistants working in the group are involved in all stages of the research process, thus gaining valuable research experience that is beneficial when applying to professional schools, internships or Ph.D. programs or completing an undergraduate capstone research project. Some examples of projects that undergraduate and graduate students have been involved in include:
- Determining the level of awareness, knowledge, intake and status of omega-3 fatty acids in young adults attending a university.
- Determining the availability of good sources of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA on the SDSU campus.
- A survey assessing the correlation among omega-3 fatty acids, mental health and sleep in college students.
Getting Involved
Interested in joining the Diet and Mental Health research group? Apply through the link on the Graduate School webpage and indicate your interest in working with us. Funded graduate students work between 10-20 hours and receive a monthly stipend in addition to tuition remission.
If you are an undergraduate student interested in gaining research experience, please contact us for potential opportunities.