Associate Professor of
Anthropology
St. John's Hall Room 444G
(718) 990-5180
brentonb@stjohns.edu
Dr. Brenton was trained as a Biocultural Anthropologist with a
Ph. D. from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He is
currently an Associate Professor of Anthropology; St. John’s
College Faculty Coordinator for Academic Service-Learning and
Community-Based Research; Senior Technology Fellow, Center for
Teaching and Learning; Senior Research Fellow, Vincentian Center
for Church and Society; Co-Chair of the Rendu Roundtable on
Religion and Science; and serves as an Expert for the Permanent
Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations. His
primary research specialty is the anthropology of food and
health. Dr. Brenton's cross-cultural and global applied
research experience has included fieldwork in South America,
Southern and Eastern Africa, Western Europe, and among Native
American communities across the U.S. Some of his current
research ranges from the paradox of childhood hunger and obesity
among families living in poverty in New York City to childhood
malnutrition and food insecurity in the Ecuadorian Amazon.. Dr.
Brenton was a recent recipient of the St. John's University
Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship Award, in Recognition for
Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching; and The Academic
Service-Learning Faculty Award.