The Department of Nutrition Sciences Turns 101

In anticipation of the Department of Nutrition Sciences’ 101st Anniversary Event on October 27, Stella Volpe, PhD, RDN, ACSM-CEP, FACSM, professor and chair of the department, talks about its evolution and some of the exciting work that its faculty and staff are doing today. 

Q: Can you talk about some of the research that faculty and students in the department are doing right now?

Our faculty and students work on a variety of unique research projects. The following highlights of some of the research conducted in our department:

• Examining nutrition for cancer patients and their caregivers
• Using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to evaluate how food and motor learning activities effect the brain
• Developing educational materials for consumers stressing the concept of not washing raw poultry 
• Studying the effects of vitamin D and magnesium supplementation on cardiometabolic outcomes and bone mineral density
• Researching anti-obesity and anti-cancer effects of plant extracts, functional foods, herbal supplements, diet-gene interactions and micronutrient bioavailability 
• Determining infant and young child feeding and maternal nutrition in Tajikistan
• Evaluating research on various teaching methods on students’ nutrition counseling skills
• Evaluating how ecological changes within secondary schools can prevent obesity
• Using various methods of teaching within secondary schools to improve nutrition knowledge and behavior in students
• Assessing recreational through professional athletes’ fitness variables
• Developing a sports chew called Dragon Gel and coupling that with evidence-based practice to improve athletic performance in collegiate, professional and national team athletes
  
  

Q: The Department of Nutrition Sciences has seen a lot of change over the past 101 years. What about the department still holds true today? 

Over the years, the Department has had many different “homes” on campus, from the School of Domestic Science and Arts in 1914, to Nesbitt College of Design in 1974, to our current location within the College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP). Because we are housed within CNHP, we have amazing laboratories to support our research. We have been able to create the Center for Nutrition & Performance and have the freedom to develop different programs within our department, such as the Human Lactation Certificate program, so that we can flourish and grow.

Our name has changed, and we have added many new areas of study. However, the heart of our department is the passion of the students and faculty to help people be healthier through nutrition – through research, clinical, community, and food service practice, and through our service throughout the city of Philadelphia, state of Pennsylvania, nationally, and internationally.

Q: What can alumni expect at the 101st Anniversary Event on October 27?

Alumni can expect an evening of food and reconnecting with colleagues and friends. I am so excited for the 101st Anniversary Event and I invite you all to join us for the celebration in the Three Parkway Building, 1601 Cherry Street, from 5 to 7 p.m. We also will be giving tours of our research laboratories to those who wish to see them. I look forward to seeing you! Please stop by for all, or even just a portion of the evening!