Amanda specializes in evaluation of California's SNAP-Ed Program (CalFresh Healthy Living). Her focus area is evaluation of comprehensive, school-based nutrition and physical activity interventions. 

Recent Peer-Reviewed Publications

• Linares A, Hewawitharana SC, Plank K, Rider CD, Woodward-Lopez G, Brown MW. Student and school characteristics modify the impact of SNAP-Ed on student dietary and physical activity outcomes. Public Health Nutrition, published online ahead of print, 27 Aug 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S136898002510092X
• Linares A, Baig R, Hewawitharana SC, Woodward-Lopez G, Brown MW. Dietary Effects of School-Based SNAP-Ed Education with and without Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change Strategies. Journal of Community Health, published online ahead of print, 19 August 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-025-01507-0
• Vasicsek R, Rider C, Pulvera R, Linares A, Kao J, Brown MW. Adoption of Nutrition and Physical Activity Best Practices in the Early Care and Education Setting: Examination of Differences Between Centers and Family Child Care Homes. Childhood Obesity, published online ahead of print, 10 Mar 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2024.0369
• Plank K, Linares A, Hewawitharana S, Woodward-Lopez G. Schools provided healthy meals even during COVID. California Agriculture, volume 77, number 3, 7 November 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0012
• Linares A, Plank K, Hewawitharana SC, Woodward-Lopez G. The impact of SNAP-Ed interventions on California students’ diet and physical activity during COVID-19. Public Health Nutrition, pages 1-28, 19 January 2023. DOI: https://10.1017/S1368980023000137
• Linares A, Harpainter P, Plank K, Woodward-Lopez G. Lessons Learned Recruiting Comparison Elementary Schools for Impact Evaluation of SNAP-Ed Interventions. The Journal of Extension, volume 60, issue 2, article 17, 16 June 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.60.02.17
• Rider CD, Kao J, Hewawitharana SC, Beker CM, Linares A, Woodward-Lopez G. Validity and Reliability of a Site-Level Assessment Questionnaire to Assess Nutrition and Physical Activity Practices in Schools. Childhood Obesity, 20 December 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2021.0148
• C Rider, Linares A, Kao J, Becker C, Woodward-Lopez G. Assessing Healthful Eating and Physical Activity Practices in Places Children Learn. Journal of Extension, 17 December 2020.