Fowler Marketing Professor Named Presidential Research Faculty Fellow

SDSU marketing professor Iana Castro

San Diego State University marketing professor, Iana A. Castro, was recently named as a 2023 Presidential Research Faculty Fellow for her impactful research on consumer decision-making related to food choices and understanding and addressing food access challenges in underserved communities. Castro, who joined SDSU’s Fowler College of Business in 2011, was among seven SDSU faculty members receiving the fellowship, which recognizes academics for their outstanding research, scholarship and creative endeavors.

The Presidential Research Faculty Fellowships are sponsored by SDSU’s Division of Research and Innovation and selected by SDSU president Adela de la Torre. In addition to the recognition for her achievements, Castro received $25,000 to support future research activities.

In 2017, Castro developed and co-founded BrightSide Produce, a produce distribution model created to address the limitations of traditional distribution systems that result in limited access to healthy foods in smaller food stores, such as corner and convenience stores. BrightSide Produce increases access to affordable, fresh fruits and vegetables through weekly produce deliveries to over 25 partner stores located in underserved communities in San Diego County. 

Brightside Produce is delivered to a local corner store by an SDSU student.

The activities of the BrightSide Produce program have contributed to Castro’s research on understanding the barriers to healthy food access and characterizing and developing solutions for improving the food environment in underserved communities.  She has also published research on parent-child food decision-making and how the environment in retail settings influences consumer responses and behaviors.

“I am so honored to have been selected as a Presidential Research Faculty Fellow,” said Castro. “I am passionate about the work that I am doing. Everyone should have access to healthy food options in their communities and I hope that my ongoing work will have an impact on how we understand and address limited healthy food access in communities across the country.”  Castro says she plans to use the funding she received as part of the award to continue her work in this area. 

SDSU students stock the shelves with fresh produce at a National City corner store.

Castro was nominated for the Presidential Research Faculty Fellowship by George Belch, former interim Thomas and Evelyn Page Dean of the Fowler College of Business. “Dr. Castro has attained an outstanding scholarly research record and is a very deserving recipient of the Presidential Research Fellow Award,” he said. “Her research is in the areas of health promotion and behavior change, with a focus on decision making for food in retail environments. This stream of research has important implications for companies regarding in-store marketing and retailing practices and contributes to consumer well-being through healthier food choices. The BrightSide Produce program that she co-founded received an Innovations That Inspire award from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the accrediting body for business schools around the world, which is quite an honor and reflects the societal impact this program is having.” 

“Iana Castro was among a select number of outstanding faculty who were honored for their stellar research and creative academic achievements that provides a positive impact on society,” said Dan Moshavi, Thomas and Evelyn Page Dean of the Fowler College of Business. “We are incredibly proud of Iana for receiving this well-deserved recognition.”