As a Nutrition and Wellness Educator, Marilyn Csernus strives to help others improve their health and prevent or manage chronic illness through evidenced based programming. Specific areas of interest include healthy cooking, diabetes prevention and management, heart health and obesity prevention in both children and adults.

Csernus received a bachelor of science degree from Mississippi State University in Foods and Nutrition and a master of science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Human Nutrition and Foods. She is a registered dietitian and licensed dietitian nutritionist in the state of Illinois. Before joining extension, Csernus worked in acute care hospital settings providing individualized medical nutrition therapy as well as group and community nutrition and wellness programs. Recognizing the increasing numbers of individuals with diabetes and in an effort to be better prepared to help empower these individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary for better self- management, Csernus became a certified diabetes educator, through the National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Association of Diabetes Educators and the Illinois Dietetic Association. Interest and concern with the obesity epidemic led Csernus to obtain a Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Programs in health promotion, chronic disease prevention and management, and food preparation and safety are offered, targeting the needs of the local communities served. Csernus believes that most everyone has the potential to improve their well-being through healthier food choices and a more active lifestyle, given the proper knowledge and tools.

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