Zeisel awarded fellowship in American Society for Nutrition
April 27, 2017
Dr. Steve Zeisel
Steven Zeisel, MD, PhD, Kenan Distinguished Professor of nutrition and pediatrics at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and UNC School of Medicine, has been inducted into the American Society for Nutrition’s 2017 Class of Fellows.
Zeisel also is director of the UNC Nutrition Obesity Research Center and director of the UNC Nutrition Research Institute in Kannapolis, N.C.
Educated at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Philosophy), Harvard University (Medicine), and Yale University (medical residency), Zeisel joined the UNC faculty in 1990 as professor and chair of the nutrition department and as professor of pediatrics after serving on the faculty at Boston University.
He and his research team focus on the essential nutrient choline, exploring individual differences in nutrient metabolism by using approaches in nutrigenomics and metabolomics. His more than 270 publications address a variety of nutrition topics, especially related to the importance of choline to the developing brain.
“Steve has served the department and UNC in extraordinary ways throughout his career,” said Elizabeth Mayer-Davis, PhD, Cary C. Boshamer Distinguished Professor of nutrition and medicine and chair of the Department of Nutrition at the Gillings School. “He has generated truly groundbreaking work on the important nutrient choline and has facilitated remarkable advancements in nutrition science through his leadership, both administratively and as a mentor to many young scientists. I am grateful for his many contributions through his strong leadership of the NRI, his generous collaborations and service to our department, and his ongoing scientific leadership and mentorship of many members of our faculty. Steve is truly deserving of the high honor of being named a fellow of ASN, the premier scientific organization for nutrition.”
In 2005, the American Society for Nutritional Sciences (established in 1928), the American Society for Clinical Nutrition (established in 1961), and the Society for International Nutrition (established in 1996) merged to form the American Society for Nutrition. The professional organization now has more than 5,000 members worldwide.
Fellowship is the Society’s highest honor, offered to scientists who have had distinguished careers in the field of nutrition.
Zeisel was recognized during the ASN’s Scientific Sessions at Experimental Biology 2017, held April 22-26 in Chicago.
Gillings School of Global Public Health contact: David Pesci, director of communications, (919) 962-2600 or dpesci@unc.edu
