AMES, Iowa — A committee that will search for the director of the Nutrition and Wellness Research Center (NWRC) at Iowa State University has been named by Pamela White, dean of the College of Human Sciences. White has asked the committee to work toward getting a new director in place by Jan. 1, 2010.
Carla Peterson, professor in human development and family studies and associate dean for research and graduate education in the College of Human Sciences, will serve as chair of the committee. Other search committee members include:
- Nicci Port, support
- Susan Carpenter, animal science
- Helen Jensen, economics
- Ruth MacDonald, food science and human nutrition
- Phil Martin, kinesiology
- Lisa Nolan, veterinary medicine
- Mike Spurlock, food science and human nutrition, animal science
- Lynn Whisler, Mary Greeley Medical Center
“The new director of the NWRC will further the goals of the center by developing interdisciplinary groups who will obtain highly visible externally funded grants from agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and Health and Human Services,” said White.
"The NWRC is a new venture designed to provide an umbrella for interdisciplinary research in the broad spectrum of health promotion and disease prevention, encompassing the biological, physical and behavioral sciences,” said White.
As interim director of the NWRC, Diane Birt, distinguished professor in food science and human nutrition, has provided leadership for center since it opened in November 2007, with a four-way focus:
Foods to support healthy living, which encompasses development and/or identification of health-promoting foods as well as research that defines a food’s efficacy through human trials.
Research on health-promoting behaviors, which includes examining nutrition practices, physical activity, lifestyle and other factors that impact health.
Health policy development, which focuses on the creation, promotion, and implementation of government and local policies that affect health of persons, such as school-aged children.
Employee health promotion activities, which involves developing and evaluating programs to reduce chronic diseases through education and health-promotion practices.
