News & Events

Dr. Kathryn Dewy has been awarded the 2024-2025 UCD Emeriti/Emeritae Association’s Distinguished Emerita Award. This annual award honors outstanding scholarly work and/or University or professional service performed by a UC Davis Senate emeritus or emerita since their retirement.

Nutrition Alumni and Friends!

Join us for a virtual coffee chat with Nutrition Chair Gerardo Mackenzie!
Grab your favorite cozy beverage, spend some time to learn what’s new. Hear
about the department’s latest breakthroughs and the vital role our faculty
and students play in addressing today’s pressing issues. After a brief
presentation, Professor Mackenzie will open the floor to your questions,
followed by a raffle of fun swag to show your Aggie pride. Don’t miss this
opportunity to connect, engage, and support the future of nutrition science!

It’s mid-February and many New Year’s resolutions have already fizzled out, with research suggesting that about 80% don’t last past this point. Debbie Fetter, associate professor of teaching with the UC Davis Department of Nutrition, shares some practical tips to help make healthy habits last all year long. Fetter, who teaches the NUT 10 course, earned her Ph.D. in nutritional biology from UC Davis and provides strategies to help make healthy eating and exercise fun and sustainable.

Professor Fawaz Haj with the Department of Nutrition is set to moderate a panel on precision medicine for chronic metabolic diseases this week as part of a workshop series highlighting the innovative research between the U.S. and Kuwait. 

Kudos to Professor Haj on being part of these important discussions about the advancements in precision medicine! The event is Feb. 2-3 in Kuwait, details here: https://lnkd.in/gDWyqp-V

Joan Frank MS, RDN, FAND has been honored with the 2025 Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award for the Western US region by the Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors practice group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). This award recognizes the teaching, mentoring and leadership activities of faculty in ACEND-accredited dietetics education programs. One educator is selected from each of five program types within each geographic region. Award winners will be recognized at the annual meeting of dietetics educators in March 2025.

Decadent foods are a staple for many holiday meals, so how can everyone keep nutrition in mind while celebrating? Debbie Fetter ’12, Ph.D. ’18, an associate professor of teaching in the Department of Nutrition at UC Davis, shares healthy strategies for planning holiday meals.

I think that one of the biggest things I see people do is saving up for the holiday meal or restricting in preparation for a big holiday dinner. The best advice is to maintain your consistent regular routine. Eat your typical meals as you usually would. 

The Nigerian government has enacted a new industrial standard for bouillon which includes a provision for adding vital micronutrients. The new standard specifies the inclusion of iron, zinc, folic acid and vitamin B12 on a voluntary basis in nationally produced and imported bouillon cubes to reduce malnutrition and child mortality.

Source: https://ggnb.ucdavis.edu/

Authors: Henry Pao & Jessie Xu, UC Davis undergraduate nutrition majors

The 11th Annual Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology (GGNB) Research Symposium showcased a wide array of groundbreaking studies that push the boundaries of nutritional science. From food security to gut microbiome health, researchers presented innovative solutions to global and local nutritional challenges.

PARIS – Since taking the role of Director of Performance Nutrition within UC Davis Athletics, Rachael Mack has been committed to providing expert input while building meaningful and trusting connections with UC Davis student athletes.

Mack's ability to excel and be an asset for the Aggies comes partly from her time spent as a former lacrosse student athlete and Aggie alumni. It also comes from her time with USA Men's Water Polo, and just this past summer Mack spent her second summer Olympics with the team helping them take home a bronze medal.

After serving 15 productive years as Department Chair, Professor Francene Steinberg is transitioning leadership as Department Chair to Professor Gerardo Mackenzie. Dr. Steinberg has skillfully guided the Department through significant changes at UC Davis. For instance, she oversaw the recruitment of 10 new faculty members, revamped the Nutrition Sciences and Clinical Nutrition majors, and adeptly steered the Department through the challenges posed by the pandemic. 

Sometimes, all it takes to eat better is a little nudge in the right direction. A team of UC Davis researchers is working on a new smartphone app that makes it easier to eat healthy by recognizing what’s on your plate and offering personalized suggestions to improve your diet.

Link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF06666
Application Deadline: 11/3/2024

Food banks and food pantries are often the last line of defense against food insecurity. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly 13% of Americans faced food insecurity at some point in 2022. Hunger isn’t the only issue. Food must be nutritious to be beneficial. Lack of nutrients can lead to numerous chronic illnesses including cancer.

Associate Professor, Lauren Au, PhD, RDN has been awarded the mid-career award by the American Society for Nutrition Community and Public Health Nutrition Research Interest Section (CPHN RIS). This award is to recognize and honor the scholarly achievements of its members in nutrition research, policy and practice. Congratulations Dr. Au! 

For the full article, please see the post on the main site, posted June 11, 2024.

Debbie Fetter is one of five faculty members asked to speak at commencement ceremonies this weekend.

Debbie Fetter read the emailed invitation and couldn’t contain her joy. 

“I literally yelled and immediately called my husband,” she said.