Who We Are
Nutrition is a key component of health for everyone. What one eats plays a critical role in metabolism, weight maintenance, and the development of metabolic diseases. The Department of Nutritional Sciences examines the human organism from the molecular level – genes, metabolites, and cells – to the system level – individuals, families, and societies.
We work at the nexus of epidemiology, genetics, public health, cell biology, and medicine. Our faculty and students explore the interconnectedness of human systems, through basic and applied research. We then apply nutritional knowledge to improving the health and well-being of individuals of all ages, and our goal is to make nutrition knowledge accessible for all.
What We're Fundraising For
We are raising funds for two different initiatives. First, we hope to offer scholarships to children from underserved neighborhoods into our summer culinary camps. Children who participate in the camps learn basic kitchen practices, including safety and cleanliness, food chemistry and preparation, and following/developing recipes. In addition, children learn about healthy eating and the long-term effects of diet on health. They also participate in physical activity, with campers working with experts in the UT FIT program. The ultimate goal is to bring these kids to campus and, not only get them excited about nutrition but also inspire them to become UT students someday.
The second fundraising initiative is for the UT Nutrition Institute. Given the plethora of misinformation about nutrition on the internet, our goal is to make the University of Texas the go-to source for trustworthy nutrition information. The UTNI serves to connect the general and professional public to the latest nutrition research. Through the UTNI, we have created an informative, accessible, and reliable source of online nutrition information, and we want to expand these efforts with nutrition events that provide rich experiences that include both an educational and experiential component.
Your Impact
Donors' gifts will provide scholarships for underserved children and allow our summer camp program to provide a camp experience that has the potential to provide life-changing information about nutrition and health. Parents have reported that the children who have attended the camps develop an avid interest in nutrition and cooking. Mothers have reported that they are thrilled to find that their children make recommendations in the grocery store and participate in kitchen clean-up and food prep after attending the camp.
The opportunity for children to visit and work on the UT campus provides inspiration for their future educational goals. To date, the UTNI has offered a range of online learning experiences designed to educate the general public and clinical professionals, both of whom have found the experience invaluable. Participants have provided wonderful feedback and praise for the program, including:
"I loved this presentation, as I am not familiar with all the issues related to cancer and nutrition. The one thing I found most fascinating is that cachexia [muscle wasting] cannot be reversed. I guess we need to work hard with those patients who are at risk for cachexia"
"Hard to get much depth in 3-hour program.....but the combination of 2 speakers and presentation styles excellent! Speakers both knew their topics well! Overall well done! Thanks!"
"I thought it was fantastic. I'm starting the MS Nutrition program this Fall and this webinar made me really excited for the quality of program I am about to receive. I've sat through many, many webinars and this was really well done. One of the best."
Additional funds will expand the reach and impact of the UTNI.
