The Gillings School’s Department of Nutrition is a global leader in research, training and public policy. As the only academic nutrition program in the United States located in both a school of public health and a school of medicine, we are uniquely positioned to engage in innovative approaches to move quickly from discovery to delivery. Our faculty expertise spans from molecule to society and capitalizes on interdisciplinary approaches to identify and deliver optimal nourishment for the planet and train the leaders of tomorrow. Our students and faculty share and benefit from an unusual breadth of scientific, research and policy expertise as we work to improve and enhance the public’s health through better nutrition throughout North Carolina and around the world.
Our Recent News
Distinguished Professor Alice Ammerman, DrPH was awarded the Atkinson Stern Award for Distinguished Public Service from The Obesity Society.
Over the past year, Dr. Ammerman has assisted a team of high school students from Raleigh, NC developing an app to help combat food insecurity. The app, called Pantry Patrol, is designed to help food banks track the expiration dates of supplies in their inventory and pinpoint where food waste occurs in their systems. In addition, Dr. Ammerman has started her own organization called Good Bowls, which sells healthy, hearty, frozen meals at subsidized prices. All of these efforts and more are why Dr. Ammerman is this year's recipient of the Atikinson Stern Award for Distinguished Public Service. Read More.
Recent News
Dr. Shu Wen Ng of the Department of Nutrition has been awarded a grant from Duke Endowment to explore the cost efficiency of food prescription programs. This study will provide vital information on whether or not these programs can be an effective solution to combating health inequities.
75th Anniversary Speaker Series
The Department of Nutrition is proud to celebrate 75 years of advancing the field of nutrition through education and research. To mark the occasion, we invite you to join us for our 75th Anniversary Speakers Series highlighting the many facets of nutrition. *All in-person events may be moved to a virtual setting depending on the status of the on-going Covid-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus Affects Everyone: The Department of Nutrition Responds
Kayla Ferro, an MPH student training to become a registered dietician, is co-founder and chief financial officer of the UNC chapter of Hearts for the Homeless International (H4H). She has played a significant role in establishing the first chapter of the nonprofit during her undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida, and when she came to North Carolina to pursue her master’s degree, she helped found a chapter at UNC that has quickly grown to become one of the largest in the organization.
She has been involved in creating partnerships with community organizations to offer health care services to people experiencing homelessness. Now, in this time of social distancing, she is also leading an effort to continue H4H’s mission by collecting sanitary supplies and materials to create homemade masks.
For information about returning to campus this fall, please visit the UNC Gillings Return to Campus Roadmap page.
Message from the Chair
Mission:
To improve and protect the public’s health through teaching, research and practices that foster optimal nutrition.
Vision:
To achieve optimal nutrition for all people around the globe.
Statement on Inclusive Excellence:
The Department of Nutrition calls on each of its students, faculty and staff to commit to nurturing an environment of inclusion, equity and belonging. We actively value diversity of perspectives and background, support the success of all members of our community, and affirm that we are strongest when we embrace diversity in all of its forms, including race, spirituality, sexuality, gender identity, culture, ability, age and socioeconomic status. The department and its members must first acknowledge that we have contributed to the crises of racism, inequities and health disparities through our policies, hiring practices, clinical practices, education and research. We now commit to listening and learning to address these crises through thoughtful and intentional action within our department.
It is only through commitment to anti-racism and inclusivity that we can achieve our mission – to improve and protect the public’s health through teaching, research and practices that foster optimal nutrition for all in our local communities and around the globe.
Interested in becoming a nutrition student?
- Look into our programs.
- Learn more about our research strengths.
- Fill out a Prospective Student Inquiry Form.
What are we talking about lately?
- Department Statement on Tenure Case of Nikole Hannah-Jones (PDF)
- Department Statement on Chauvin Verdict (PDF)
- Department Statement on Anti-Asian and Asian American Violence (PDF)
- Message from the Department of Nutrition leadership (PDF)
- Recent Work of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee (PDF)
- Department Statement on Racism (PDF)
- Department Statement on COVID-19 (PDF)
- Silent Sam Settlement – Department Perspective (PDF)
- Dean’s Response to Recent Incidents
- Department Response to Student Letter (PDF)
- Nutrition Student Letter Against Silent Sam Proposal (PDF)
- A statement on Silent Sam from the chairs of the Gillings School (PDF)
