Ru is a Ph.D. candidate and a Registered Dietitian in Community Nutrition. She obtained her BS in Dietetics and MS in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her Master’s thesis work is published in The Journal of Nutrition and Current Developments in Nutrition. Her current research focuses on the effectiveness and implementation of nutrition interventions in the food pantry setting. Ru utilizes both quantitative and qualitative methods in her work, collaborating with a New York City food pantry to evaluate community-supported agriculture and produce prescription programs. Her research aims to make meaningful contributions to the field by addressing food insecurity and improving access to nutritious foods in underserved communities. In her spare time, Ru enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.