Rutgers SHP - Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences

Rutgers SHP - Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences In 1995, Rutgers School of Health Professions introduced the first masters level program in New Jersey designed exclusively for Registered Dietitians (RD's).

Our clinical and preventive nutrition sciences programs offer exceptional education and research experiences for students that prepare them for careers as dietetic practitioners at all levels. The program provides a clinically challenging, rigorous graduate education in nutrition that may be completed online. This program is unique in regards to its distance education options and for advanced leve

l practice opportunities in clinical, community, public health and management settings. The MSCN is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence through an individualized advanced-level, clinically focused graduate degree program. The program instills an appreciation of lifelong learning, professional leadership, and service. It prepares graduates with the advanced knowledge, expanded skills, and intellectual maturity necessary to become progressive, innovative and inter-professional practitioners and leaders in the dynamic health care environment. In 2003, SHP opened the first clinical doctorate program (DCN) in Nutrition. This web-based program focuses on advanced clinical practice assuring that RD's remain integral members of the health care team in any practice setting. This program requires completion of a clinical doctorate residency and a research project. Strategic Vision of the Graduate Programs in Clinical Nutrition

The Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition (MSCN) and the Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition (DCN) Programs are models for advanced-level graduate study in clinical nutrition. The programs utilize a web-based platform to educate a diverse group of RD professionals to service the state, nation and communities abroad. Graduates are prepared with critical thinking and scientific skills needed for advanced-level clinical practice, management, research, and leadership roles to respond to the challenges of the 21st century. Graduates are consumers of research and scholarship, able to design, conduct, analyze, and publish scientifically sound research and other peer reviewed papers on evidence-based dietetics practice. The program instills an appreciation for interdisciplinary collaboration and education, provides "upskilling" opportunities to achieve expanded roles in health promotion, disease prevention, and intervention for a multi-cultural society.

Congratulations to Corey Hawes, DCN, PhD, RD, CSO, CNSC, FASPEN!The Rutgers School of Health Professions Department of C...
09/01/2026

Congratulations to Corey Hawes, DCN, PhD, RD, CSO, CNSC, FASPEN!

The Rutgers School of Health Professions Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences is proud to celebrate Dr. Corey Hawes, DCN alumnus and Adjunct Assistant Professor, on his newest publication in Nutrition in Clinical Practice “Seeing is believing: The evolving role of muscle ultrasound in comprehensive nutritional care of pediatric oncology patients—A case series”

Dr. Hawes and colleagues explore how muscle ultrasound may provide valuable information beyond traditional measures such as weight and BMI when assessing nutrition status in pediatric oncology. Their case series demonstrates how changes in muscle can sometimes tell a very different story than changes in body weight and may help dietitians individualize nutrition interventions.

Congratulations to Dr. Hawes and co-authors Vlad Călin Rădulescu, MD, and Senna Munnikhuysen, MD, on advancing research at the intersection of nutrition, body composition, and pediatric oncology!

🔗 DOI: 10.1002/ncp.70177

Join us in extending a warm welcome to the incoming Class of 2026 in the Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition...
09/01/2026

Join us in extending a warm welcome to the incoming Class of 2026 in the Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences!

Whether you are starting your journey in our innovative MSCN program to become a future RDN or advancing your expertise in our DCN program, we are absolutely thrilled to have you join our community.

Both of these exceptional programs are designed to equip you with the advanced scientific skills, clinical training, and evidence-based practice needed to lead in clinical nutrition, dietetics, and research. Wishing all of our MSCN and DCN students a successful and growth-filled academic year!

New Publication Alert!Congratulations to Dr. Tara Rebele, DCN alumna, on the publication of her new article in Breastfee...
08/18/2026

New Publication Alert!

Congratulations to Dr. Tara Rebele, DCN alumna, on the publication of her new article in Breastfeeding Medicine! Tara collaborated with DCPNS faculty Dr. Jane Ziegler and Dr. Melanie Newkirk on the narrative literature review:

How Does Targeted Human Milk Fortification Influence Body Composition and Growth in Preterm Infants?

This review examines an emerging approach to human milk fortification that individualizes it based on measured macronutrient content. Their work highlights important considerations for clinical practice and the need for additional research to better understand how individualized nutrition strategies may support growth and body composition in preterm infants.

Congratulations to Dr. Rebele, Dr. Ziegler, and Dr. Newkirk on this important contribution to the neonatal nutrition literature!

Find the paper here: https://doi.org/10.1177/15568253261455519

We are thrilled to celebrate Dr. Becky Brody and Dr. Jason Stevens, faculty in the Rutgers School of Health Professions ...
08/15/2026

We are thrilled to celebrate Dr. Becky Brody and Dr. Jason Stevens, faculty in the Rutgers School of Health Professions Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences, and DCN alumna Dr. Anca Cunningham, whose publication was selected as the 2025 Best GEM by the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior!

Their award-winning paper, “Prairietown Regional Medical Center: An AI-Driven Simulation for Teaching Leadership and Change Management to Nutrition Graduate Students,” describes an innovative semester-long simulation that brings leadership and change management concepts to life for graduate nutrition students. Using AI-enhanced characters, realistic healthcare challenges, and an evolving simulated hospital environment, Prairietown Regional Medical Center provided students with opportunities to collaborate, problem-solve, make leadership decisions, and apply classroom concepts to real-world scenarios.

The JNEB Best GEM Award was recently recognized at the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior 2026 International Conference in Washington, DC.

🔗 Read the paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2025.04.003

Congratulations to DCN alumna Dr. Wendy Medunick on her recent publication!Dr. Medunick published her DCN research title...
08/11/2026

Congratulations to DCN alumna Dr. Wendy Medunick on her recent publication!

Dr. Medunick published her DCN research titled “Disability-Related Educational Content in Nutrition and Dietetic Programs: An Exploratory Study,” in the Journal of Dietetic Education. The study was conducted with DCPNS faculty mentors Dr. Allison Gomes, Dr. Joachim Sackey, Dr. Laura Byham-Gray, and Dr. Jane Ziegler.

This important research examined how accredited nutrition and dietetics programs across the United States prepare future Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) to provide care for people with disabilities. The findings highlight opportunities for nutrition and dietetics programs to strengthen disability-related education, expand faculty expertise and resources, and ensure future RDNs are prepared to provide inclusive, person-centered nutrition care for all.

Congratulations to Dr. Medunick and her faculty mentors on this meaningful contribution to dietetics education!

🔗 Read the article: https://doi.org/10.26890/goce7856

This summer, Shelby Fleming, Jade Fishman, and Kayla Creter, students in the Rutgers MSCN for Aspiring Dietitians progra...
08/08/2026

This summer, Shelby Fleming, Jade Fishman, and Kayla Creter, students in the Rutgers MSCN for Aspiring Dietitians program, completed an enriching Interprofessional Collaborative (IPC) rotation, working alongside faculty, students, and community partners across the Rutgers School of Health Professions.

Throughout the rotation, they experienced how collaborative care improves patient outcomes:

Student Head Injury Collaborative Clinic (SHICC): Working with PT, OT, and SLP faculty and students, they conducted Nutrition-Focused Physical Examinations and contributed to care plans for patients recovering from head injuries.

HOPE Clinic: Under the mentorship of DCPNS faculty and diabetes specialist Patrice Paolella, the students participated in diabetes management while collaborating with PA faculty and students to deliver patient-centered care.

Community Engagement: Partnering with the FOCUS Hispanic Center for Community Development and students from the SHP BS in Health Sciences program, they helped develop educational materials promoting nutrition and brain health.

Rutgers Health Food Pantry: The students supported food pantry operations and helped create a smoothie recipe featured during the July 28 food pantry event held as part of the Rutgers School of Health Professions' 50th Anniversary celebration.

Through these experiences, the students gained a deeper appreciation for the power of interprofessional teamwork and the critical role of nutrition in addressing healthcare access, food insecurity, chronic disease management, and overall community well-being.

🌽🥕 Building Community Through Food Access 💙❤️As part of the Rutgers School of Health Professions' 50th Anniversary celeb...
08/08/2026

🌽🥕 Building Community Through Food Access 💙❤️

As part of the Rutgers School of Health Professions' 50th Anniversary celebration, the Rutgers Health Food Pantry hosted a special outdoor food distribution on the MSB Plaza on July 28, bringing nutritious food, directly to our Rutgers Health campus.

The event made a tremendous impact:
383 individuals served including students, faculty, and staff
Approximately 4,500 pounds of food distributed!

Attendees also enjoyed fresh smoothies. The smoothie recipe was developed by MSCN for Aspiring Dietitian students, giving them the opportunity to apply their nutrition knowledge in a meaningful, community-focused way.

As food access needs continue to evolve, the team is expanding outreach through mobile food distributions at the Medical Education Building in New Brunswick.

Upcoming MEB Mobile Pantry Events:
• August 11, 2026
• August 27, 2026
• September 10, 2026

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event such a success and for continuing to ensure that every member of our Rutgers Health community has access to nutritious food, practical nutrition education, and essential support.

The Rutgers Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences was proud to have faculty, students, and alumni pre...
07/31/2026

The Rutgers Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences was proud to have faculty, students, and alumni present their research at NUTRITION 2026, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition (ASN), held July 25–28 in National Harbor, Maryland.

Oral Presentation

Effects of Green Tea Extract Supplementation on Inflammatory Cytokines Among Postmenopausal Women with Overweight or Obesity
Presented by Dr. Anca M. Cunningham, DCN, MA, RDN, LDN, with co-authors Dr. Sue Shapses, Dr. Laura Byham-Gray, and Dr. Hamed Samavat.

Poster Presentation

Household Food Acquisition Sources and Mobile Health Intervention Effectiveness on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Rural Senegal

Presented by Halimat O. Oyeneye, MS, with co-authors Dr. Joachim Sackey and Dr. Shauna Downs.

Poster Presentation
How Low Energy Availability Undermines Physiological Well-Being in Resistance-Trained Adults: A Case Study.

Presented by Mary Kathryn Edwards, RD, MS, MBA, with co-authors Dr. Rebecca Brody and Dr. Anna Parker, DCN, RDN, CDCES.

We are incredibly proud of our faculty, students, and alumni for advancing nutrition science through impactful research and representing Rutgers on a national stage. Congratulations to all of our presenters!

This summer, DCN students Reilly Warren MS, RD, LD, CSG and Kayla Scherf MFCS, MSIHM, RDN, LDN attended the Rutgers Glob...
07/31/2026

This summer, DCN students Reilly Warren MS, RD, LD, CSG and Kayla Scherf MFCS, MSIHM, RDN, LDN attended the Rutgers Global's Food and Mediterranean Culture study abroad program in Greece (June 22–July 3, 2026).

The immersive program combines classroom learning with hands-on experiences, allowing students to explore the historical, cultural, culinary, and environmental aspects of the Mediterranean diet and food systems. From visiting local food producers and olive groves to learning alongside Greek students, participants gain a deeper understanding of how culture, sustainability, and nutrition intersect in promoting health.

Reilly shared: "The Greece study abroad program was absolutely amazing. The immersive learning with the Greek students was truly invaluable. I learned so much from this course, and getting to apply it all while I was there was the best. Getting to meet Kayla in person was so much fun! We both highly recommend this course to future students."

For Kayla, the experience inspired a broader view of nutrition practice:"It was amazing! I have been inspired to think outside of the clinical box. How can I incorporate more about food sustainability and the environment into practice? This experience really made me think about how I can do more for the community."

📸 Swipe to see Reilly and Kayla at an olive grove and the historic Panathenaic Stadium!

Congratulations to DCN alumna Dr. Rucha Modak, DCN, MPH, RD, on her publication in Nutrition in Clinical Practice!Dr. Mo...
07/30/2026

Congratulations to DCN alumna Dr. Rucha Modak, DCN, MPH, RD, on her publication in Nutrition in Clinical Practice!

Dr. Modak's research, "Development of a Liver Cirrhosis-Specific Nutrition-Focused Physical Examination Tool: A Modified Delphi Study," addresses an important gap in nutrition assessment for patients with liver cirrhosis. Working with a panel of expert registered dietitians, the study developed a disease-specific nutrition-focused physical examination (NFPE) tool designed to improve the identification of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in this complex patient population. The resulting evidence-based framework has the potential to enhance nutrition assessment and guide more targeted patient care.

This outstanding work was mentored by Rutgers Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences faculty Dr. Laura Byham-Gray, Dr. Alainn Bailey, Dr. Diane Rigassio Radler.

Congratulations to Dr. Modak and her mentors on this meaningful contribution to advancing clinical nutrition practice.

Read the article here: https://doi.org/10.1002/ncp.70159

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