PhD Program in Nutrition at The University of Alabama

🍎Highlights from our Nutrition Symposium! The event featured inspiring speakers, engaging discussions, and outstanding poster presentations from our students and researchers.🔬

👏Congratulations to the PhD students recognized in the poster competition for their exceptional research:

🥇 First Place: Zhi Zheng (Mentor: Dr. Libo Tan)
Maternal Supplementation of Lutein Improved Retinal Vessel Morphology in the Neonatal Mice with Retinopathy of Prematurity.

🥈 Second Place: Sayma Alam (Mentor: Dr. Libo Tan)
Maternal Supplementation with a Biopolymer-Stabilized Lutein Emulsion Enhances Neonatal Lutein Bioavailability.

🥉 Third Place: Samantha Lin (Mentor: Dr. Lingyan Kong)
Physicochemical Changes and Non-Destructive Microwave Imaging for Internal Quality Assessment of Mango during Ripening.

We are proud to celebrate the innovative research and dedication of our students and faculty. Events like this highlight the collaboration, curiosity, and scientific discovery that continue to drive our nutrition community forward.🤩

Tomorrow! 🤩

As part of our Nutrition Grad Seminar Series, we welcomed Dr. Christine Ferguson, RD, CSG, on Friday, February 20, 2026. Her research on accessible nutrition and Parkinson’s disease sparked meaningful discussion on improving care through inclusive, evidence-based approaches. Thank you for an inspiring and impactful seminar!📚🤩

Mark your calendars!🗓️

🌟Join us for the 2nd Nutrition Research Symposium on March 6, 2026! This full-day event features invited speakers, student research presentations, and a poster competition. 🏆🎖️

Abstract submissions are open until February 27th. ⏱

Don’t miss the chance to connect, learn, and share your work with the nutrition research community.🔍🍎🍉

Congratulations to our newest PhD graduate, Khondoker Adeba Ferdous ! We are honored to be part of this journey.🎓🤩

🗓️ Application Reminder

Don’t miss your chance to apply for the PhD in Nutrition Sciences program — applications for the Fall 2026 cohort are due January 15! 📢

Learn more and start your application today at 👉 ches.ua.edu/nhm/phd-in-nutrition-sciences

🎄 Happy Holidays from our PhD program! ❄️

As the year comes to a close, we want to wish our students, faculty, alumni, and community a season filled with joy, rest, and gratitude. 💫

Our offices will be closed from December 22 through January 1 for the holiday break. We’ll reopen on January 2 and look forward to an exciting new year ahead! 🌟

Thank you for being part of our community — we’re grateful for your continued support and dedication to advancing the Nutrition field.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year! 🎁✨

🌟Congratulations to Dr. Caroline Brantley, a proud graduate of our PhD program! 🎓

Since completing her doctorate, she has been serving as the Chief Nutrition Officer at Fitomics, an organization dedicated to advancing human optimization through precision medicine and performance. In this role, she leads the nutrition strategy, interprets biometric data, and develops personalized programs that integrate scientific research with practical lifestyle applications to help individuals look, feel, and perform their best. 💪🌿

In addition to her work at Fitomics, Dr. Brantley teaches Nutrition within the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University, where she designs and instructs courses connecting evidence-based nutrition science to real-world practice. She is also playing a key role in developing a distance-based Master’s in Nutrition program, anticipated to launch in Fall 2026. 🎉

Her PhD training continues to shape her impact—strengthening her research, teaching, and leadership as she helps translate science into meaningful, sustainable health outcomes. 🌍✨

🦃 Happy Thanksgiving! 🍂

Today, we’re grateful for our incredible students, faculty, alumni, and community who continue to inspire and advance the field of Nutrition Sciences every day. Your dedication to learning, discovery, and improving lives makes a lasting impact. 💛

As we gather around the table, let’s celebrate nourishment, gratitude, and the connections that bring us together. Wishing everyone a warm, joyful, and healthy Thanksgiving! 🥧🍁

to Rebekah McGuire's successful doctoral defense this past summer. This accomplishment represents years of rigorous research, commitment, and perseverance.

Congratulations, Dr. McGuire! 🌟🎓

to Dylis Judith Godson’s doctoral defense this summer — an inspiring milestone marking years of dedication, research, and perseverance. Congratulations, Dr. Godson!🌟🎉🎓