This concentration seeks to engage students in a unique experience with the goal of enhancing understanding of controversies in nutritional health and safety and providing excellent opportunities with experienced researchers and clinical scientists. Students will be able to identify areas in nutrition science for scholarly inquiry. The overall goal is to provide a scientific basis for the integration of nutrition and medicine in the maintenance of optimal health, in the prevention of specific diseases, and in the contribution to the clinical and behavioral management of specific conditions.

Curriculum

Students attend monthly meetings consisting of faculty and guest speakers, student presentations, and work-in-progress sessions on research projects. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: principles underlying the nutritional sciences, the roles of nutrition in the development and progression of specific diseases, application of nutritional counseling to promote optimal health and to prevent disease, examination of community factors affecting nutrition health, intersection of behavioral health and nutrition, and contributions of nutrition to the management of specific pathophysiological conditions.

This concentration requires a Capstone Project in the area of nutrition in medicine. Students are encouraged to participate in the RISE Summer Research Experience and to refine that project into their Capstone. This concentration offers a large variety of faculty research mentors for students, as well as opportunities to participate in research abroad.

Opportunities 

●        Learn about controversies and current issues in nutrition and health. Topics each year are focused on students’ interests and current public nutrition concerns

●        Work with outstanding leaders in nutrition research

●        Opportunities to participate in research abroad in Europe, China, India, Japan, and more

Examples of Student Scholarly Work 

“The Problematic Obesity Paradox: a Systematic Review”

“Serum Creatinine Levels Correlate with the Development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Male Rhesus Monkeys”

“An evaluation of Smile Club: A Backpack Food Assistance Program to Support Families with Food Insecurity”

Faculty Leadership

Barbara C. Hansen, PhD
Heewon Gray, PhD, RDN 
Diana Rancourt, PhD 
Hariom Yadav, PhD