Dr. Kristen E. Okamoto earned her B.S. from Appalachian State University, her M.A. from University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and her Ph.D. from Ohio University.

Dr. Okamoto’s research seeks to better understand institutional narratives surrounding food consumption and embodied experiences. She privileges (auto)ethnographic and narrative methods in her research to elevate voices that are often decentered from dominant cultural conversations. Her research appears in multiple formats and outlets, including Health Communication, Journal of Applied Communication Research, and PBS documentary series.   

Dr. Okamoto teaches courses primarily in the organizational communication concentration including Business and Professional Communication and Leadership Communication. As a teacher, Dr. Okamoto strives to create inclusive environments where students are challenged in a safe space.

In her free time, Dr. Okamoto likes trying new restaurants, going to live shows, and spending time with her family, including her partner, daughter, and Beagle dog.