Ariana M. Chao’s program of research is focused on the development and evaluation of innovative interventions for obesity and related eating behaviors that improve physical and mental health. Dr. Chao’s expertise includes lifestyle modification interventions, anti-obesity medications, binge-eating disorder, biobehavioral, psychological, and socioecological factors associated with obesity and binge-eating disorder, and social determinants of health. Dr. Chao is committed to mentoring and training students and clinicians at all levels.
Dr. Chao has over a decade of experience as a family nurse practitioner and currently is an obesity medicine nurse practitioner at the Healthful Eating, Activity, and Weight Program at Johns Hopkins Medicine. She has published over 100 articles. Her work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health as well as foundation and industry sponsors. Dr. Chao received her bachelor of science in nursing and master of science in nursing (family nurse practitioner) from Boston College. She earned her PhD in nursing science at Yale University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania.