The Department of Nutrition and Health Science is committed to delivering exceptional educational experiences and advancing our respective disciplines through research and service to develop evidence-based practices that promote optimal health while respecting the unique qualities of diverse populations.
We depend on the generous support of community partners, alumni, and friends to augment the diverse, real-world opportunities to our students in the accredited undergraduate programs of Public Health, Dietetics, Radiography, and Respiratory Therapy. This fall we partnered with CSH to develop a health data analytics concentration for the data analytics undergraduate degree. At the graduate level, we deliver two MS programs, one in Nutrition and Dietetics which is enriched with an accredited Dietetic Internship. We are in year two of our new MS in Health Science, concentration in Biostatistics and Epidemiology. Our faculty also approved a new doctoral cognate this fall in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
Teaching in the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences continues to be loaded with high-impact practices, including immersive learning, research, study abroad opportunities, and considering diverse perspectives.
Take a look at some of the activities and students from the Public Health program:
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Additionally, our dietetics program continues to expand learning opportunities in the College of Health's simulation labs.
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The Department of Nutrition and Health Science has continued to expand their research activities, providing many undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities to be involved. Dr. Nimish Valvi is working with students on a Center for Disease Control (CDC) supported project. The “NACHO Lab” (led by Dr. Bryant Keirns) has continued their work studying risk for cardiometabolic diseases (like heart disease). Their group currently consists of six undergraduates and one graduate student majoring in Dietetics, Public Health, and Biology. Dr. Jean-Marie Place is pursuing scholarship in the area of child and maternal health, with the goal of improving health in Muncie and surrounding communities. Lastly, new faculty member Dr. Natalie Keirns launched the “BEACH Lab” in fall 2024, which includes undergraduate students in Nursing and a graduate student in Nutrition and Dietetics. Their group studies the intersection between psychosocial factors and risk for chronic diseases. Your support of the Department of Nutrition and Health Science will enable our research programs and laboratories to grow, providing important learning and professional development opportunities for students.
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Many of our graduate students in the Nutrition and Dietetics program find relevant work experiences across the university in areas such as Athletics, and the College of Health: Healthy Lifestyle Center, to help support themselves during the coursework phase of the Masters program. Your gifts to scholarships can help support these students during the internship phase of the program which does not allow outside employment.
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