Who We Are
Department of Nutritional Sciences
There has never been a more exciting time to be a part of nutrition-based initiatives and research. From school lunches and gardens to the molecular basis of nutrition in cancer, obesity, immune response and development, our department covers the gamut of nutrition interests.
A crucial element of our mission is ensuring superlative scientists and students from all backgrounds and traditions feel welcome here.
Susie's Kitchen - Merging Science and Nutrition
Susie's Kitchen combines culinary skills with nutrition science to create a truly unique experience. Classes are for youth ages 9 to 17 and including nutrition/health basics, knife skills, kitchen safety, proper kitchen cleaning techniques, nad of course, cooking - all key concepts for budding chefs of all ages!
What We're Fundraising For
Funds for Susie's Kitchen will go towards the operational costs of hosting our summer camps. Behind the scenes, CPD Dietetics students and volunteers pour countless hours into curriculum planning, menu planning, and class demonstrations—all the activities that make Susie's Kitchen so impactful. Our last round of classes sold out, and your support helps us offer Susie's Kitchen to more kids interested in learning about health and wellness from the University of Texas at Austin.
Your Impact
Funds raised during the 40 for Forty campaign in 2023 went directly to support scholarships for our Susie's Kitchen summer camp. We enabled children in need to be a part of the camp and to experience what it is like to be on the UT campus. In addition, we brought a version of the Susie's Kitchen camp to the Del Valle Children's Clinic, which spread the reach of the camps even further.
Every donation helps us give more students the opportunity to participate in a fun, educational summer camp to get hands-on experience with food and cooking. Susie's Kitchen is an excellent opportunity for kids to engage with the food and nutrition knowledge they need to grow into healthy adults.
"My child learned so much and had so much fun in Susie's Kitchen cooking camp, from making simple and delicious meals to knife skills to how to clean a kitchen properly. He even learned about relaxation and stretching during they physical activity sessions. He has been inspired to think more about his health and to help in the kitchen, which is amazing!"