ISU Nutrition and Dietetics Highlights

Sep 2021: Assistant Professor, Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, was invited to present the poster entitled "Anti-inflammatory Diet for Interstitial Cystitis (AID-IC): Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Cross-Over Trial at the International Urogynecological Association's 46th meeting. Professor Cynthia Blanton, PhD, RDN,  is a co-author on the poster.

Aug 2021: 2020 ISU graduates Madison Keller, MS, RDN, and Bridget Von Kahle, MS, RDN, were invited to present their Capstone research project at the National Institutes of Health, Food Insecurity, Neighborhood Food Environment, and Nutrition Health Disparities: State of Science Workshop to be held September 21-23, 2021. Madison and Bridget interviewed nearly 1,000 students between the main ISU campus and 3 satellite campuses. They found no difference between the campuses but found the food insecurity rate among ISU students was 42%.

Jul 2021: Professor Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, FAND, was invited to speak at the Global Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome Society's 6th annual meeting in August 2021. She will present initial findings of the Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Interstitial Cystitis (AID-IC) clinical trial. 

Jun 24-25: Anna Winnett, MS, a recent graduate of the ISU MS Nutrition/DI program presented her Capstone Research on the Perceived Benefits of Herbal Galactagogue use during Lactation Among Mothers Attending a Breastfeeding Support Group at Idaho Breastfeeding Coalition Annual Conference in June 2021.

Jun 16: Master of Nutrition graduate student Danielle  Basye, RDN, LD, RYT,  and a colleague from the Center for Change (Boise) were the featured presenters for the ECHO Idaho Eating Disorders June 2021 Continuing Education Program.  ECHO Idaho is an educational resource empowering healthcare professionals in Idaho’s remote or underserved communities to treat complex chronic diseases with specialist-level expertise.

Jun 11: The Jeannette Rowe Memorial Scholarship was awarded through Phi Upsilon Omicron to four students. Congratulations to Elisabeth Stephens, Shalissa Tomkinson, Robin Moreno, and Lizzy Rowden!

Jun 9: Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, presented at the Idaho Community Health Workers Association, "Say What? Health Literacy Training."

Jun 7: Professor Cynthia Blanton, PhD, RDN, presented the poster entitled "Anti-inflammatory Diet for Interstitial Cystitis (AID-IC): Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Cross-Over Trial to an international audience at the American Society for Nutrition's 2021 annual meeting. Assistant Professor, Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, is the study PI and a co-author on the poster.

May 27: Professor Cynthia Blanton was awarded a competitive grant from the California Table Grape Commission to conduct a research study title "Circadian Modulation of the Immune Response to Grape Consumption". 

May 11: Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon participated in virtual Congressional visits as a representative of the Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The ask? To support the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act.  This legislation will greatly expand Medicare reimbursement for nutrition services provided by RDNs.

Apr 30: MS in Nutrition graduate student Alexa Barney is investigating the effect of residing at high altitude on body mass index and lung functioning among patients with cystic fibrosis. She presented her preliminary findings along with Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon and Dr. Perry Brown (St Luke's Boise) at the Mountain West Cystic Fibrosis Coalition Investigator’s Meeting.

Mar 28: Rachel Krick, clinical preceptor at Terry Reilly Health Services in Nampa, was recognized by the Idaho Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics for outstanding service with the ISU dietetic interns and students for the academic year 2020-2021.

Mar 25: Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon co-presented on Produce-ing Powerful Partnerships to Optimize Patient Outcomes at the 2021 Virtual Forum for Migrant and Community Health.

Mar 18: Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon's article "Leveraging Telehealth for Delivery of Palliative Care to Remote Communities: A Rapid Review" was published in the Journal of Palliative Care. 

Mar 8: Recent graduate Abigail Mallory and student Elisabeth Stephens were honored with the 2021 Outstanding Dietetics Student Award by the Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  Abigail Mallory completed her Masters of Science in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship in December 2020. Elisabeth Stephens will graduate with her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics in Summer 2021.

Feb 4: MS of Nutrition/Dietetic Internship student Sydney Knight was selected to present in the ISU 3MT competition. Her research is exploring nutrition and health behaviors influenced by COVID-19 using the Information Motivation Behavior (IMB) health model.

Feb 1: Sports Dietitian, Natalie Christensen, was interviewed on the CEWT Talk Podcast about the ISU SCORE program.

Jan 27: Pocatello Dietitians' President and Clinical Assistant Professor Jen Reader organized a seminar entitled, Helping patients navigate the mental aspects of unhealthy eating habits.

Jan 18: Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, LD, FAND, kicked off recruitment for the AID-IC Pilot Study, which is evaluating the impact of an anti-inflammatory diet for helping to manage interstitial cystitis, a chronic, painful bladder condition.

Jan 15: Dr. Cynthia Blanton, RDN, LD, awarded ISU Seed Grant (no pun intended) for her research on the impact of hemp seed consumption on bone structure.

Dec 12, 2020. The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics graduated its first class of graduate students. Fourteen students earned an MS in Nutrition in the Dietetic Internship track. Woohoo!

Nov 11, 2020. The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Idaho State University will soon welcome home a familiar face. Dr. Patricia Z. Marincic has served as associate vice president for the Division of Health Sciences at Idaho State University and director of the ISU Meridian campus since 2017. She will return to the department of nutrition and dietetics as a tenured professor in January 2021.

Oct 23, 2020. Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon.MBA. RDN, FAND, was awarded a MW CTRN-IN pilot grant for her Anti-inflammatory Diet for Interstitial Cystitis (AID-IC) study.

Oct 12, 2020. Sports Dietitian Natalie Christensen was re-awarded the Smart Cooking on the Run (SCORE) Everday from Dairy West. This year, SCORE will bring together an interprofessional peak performance team to promote healthy eating among ISU collegiate athletes. Go Bengals! 

Aug 22, 2020. The ISU Beta Rho chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron National Honor Society received a national award for their Professional Project: Shining Our Light on Food Insecurity through Nutrition Education.

July 29, 2020. Char Byington, MEd, RDN LD,  Clinical Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, is the 2020 recipient of the Phi Upsilon Omicron Community Impact Grant.

Spring 2020. ISU Nutrition & Dietetics alumni Pauline Hannan was recently featured in Phi Upsilon Omicron National Honor Society's publication, The Candle.

Jun 24 2020. Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, FAND, was quoted in the article, Beyond the Intermittent Fasting Fad, published by WebMD Health News. 

Jun 15, 2020. Professor Cynthia Blanton, PhD and Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN co-published the manuscript, Effect of Morning vs.  Evening Turmeric Consumption on Urine Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Obese, Middle-Aged Adults in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Jun 1-3, 2020. The abstract entitled, "Timing of Turmeric Consumption and Oxidative Stress" was presented by Professor Cynthia Blaton, PhD at the American Society of Nutrition Annual Conference [virtual due to COVID-19]: June 2020.

May 27, 2020.  SCORE sports dietitian, Natalie Christensen, RDN, CSSD, LD, presented on mindful eating at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies seminar on Coping with COVID. SCORE is funded through Dairy West, the trade association working on behalf of the Idaho and Utah dairy farmers.

May 26, 2020. Five Students Win 2020 Lewis Family Morning Star Scholarships—Two graduate students: Natalie Christensen and Anna Winnett, and three undergraduate students: Michele Butikofer, Sydney Knight, and Kaylee Schoefer.

May 12, 2020. Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, LD, FAND, was recognized as the 2020 Outstanding Dietitian of the Year Award for Idaho.

May 10, 2020. Newly promoted to Clinical Associate Professor, Char Byington, MHE, RDN, takes the reigns as the Chair of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Apr 25, 2020. At the KDHS Virtual Research Day, graduate student Anna Winnet’s work on barriers to breastfeeding among minority mothers was featured. Barbara Gordon and Cynthia Blanton, PhD worked with her on this project.  Professor Gordon also presented a poster on leveraging telehealth for delivery of palliative care to rural communities along with four other ISU-Meridian faculty members.

Apr 23, 2020. Senior Dietetics major Sydney Knight and Cynthia Blanton, PhD, RDN, presented their findings of the study on assessing herb and spice intake at the ISU Virtual Undergraduate Research Day.

Apr 16, 2020. The innovative research of on validating an online herb and spice consumption tool, authored by Professor Cynthia Blanton, was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Apr 1, 2020. Research conducted by faculty and students was presented via the Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Virtual Meeting Poster Presentation:

• Barriers to Breastfeeding Among Minority Mothers was by Graduate Student Anna Winnet in concert with Barbara Gordon and Cynthia Blanton, PhD.
• Applying the MAP-IT Program Planning Model to a Community Nutrition Fair by Jenifer Reader.
• Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Programs: An Initial Evaluation by Graduate student Andrea Jeffery and Barbara Gordon. 

Mar 11, 2020. MS in Nutrition Graduate Student Danielle Basye, RD, LD, RYT, presents “Health at Every Size and Intuitive Eating:  Promoting Positive Health” at the ISU Positive Body Image Symposium.

Mar 5, 2020. Clinical Assistant Professor and President of the Pocatello Dietitians, Jenifer Reader, MEd, RDN, LD, was on hand as Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad declared March 11 Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day during a City Council Meeting.

Mar 5, 2020. Nutrition and Dietetics faculty, interns, and students educated the Pocatello community about nutrition at the ISU Health Fair.

Feb 11, 1010. Dr. Cynthia Blanton, RDN presented the New Knowledge Adventures class, "Nutrition and the Older Adult."

Feb 1, 2020. Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, LD, FAND, co-published, "Enhancing diversity in the nutrition and dietetics profession: The role of individuals with disabilities" in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and  Dietetics. 

Jan 25, 2020. Sports Dietitian Natalie Christensen, RDN, CSSD, LD, presented, "What Healthy Looks Like: Body Image and Nutrition" at the Assembly Learning & Event Center in Pocatello, ID.

Jan 15, 2020. The newly renovated Foods Lab officially opened, giving students in the nutrition and dietetics courses the opportunity to master equipment rivaling what they will later encounter in hospital kitchens and product development laboratories. 

Jan 1, 2020. Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, co-published, "Medical Nutrition Therapy for Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome—Does One Size Fit All? A Narrative Review on Dietary Treatment for Adolescents and Young Adults in Topics in Clinical Nutrition.

Dec 15, 2019. Clinical Assistant Professor Char Byington, MEd, RDN published the article, Beta Rho wins first place award for the professional project in Fall 2019 issue of The Candle: Journal of Phi Upsilon Omicron.

Dec 15, 2019. Clinical Assistant Professor Jenifer Reader, MHE, RDN, LD, published the article, Community impact grant in Fall 2019 issue of The Candle: Journal of Phi Upsilon Omicron.

Dec 6, 2019. Idaho State Journal publishes an op-ed by Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, LD, FAND, entitled "No worries, the alcohol burns off during cooking — but does it really?"

Dec 1, 2019. Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, LD, FAND, was invited to serve as an Evidence Based Practice Subject Matter Expert for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ House of Delegates. 

Nov. 23, 2019. Interprofessional Education and Practice: Survey of Students' Perceptions after Participating in an Interprofessional Evaluation Team, a report on the ongoing research Associate Professor Allisha Weeden, PhD, RDN, LD, conducts with ISU colleagues was presented at ASHA Convention 2019 hosted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Nov. 18, 2019. ISU Student Services opened a branch of Benny’s Pantry on the ISU Meridian campus this month. And, three MS in Nutrition students played a big role in the launch: Madison Keller, Andrea Jeffery, RDN, and Anna Winnett.

Oct 11, 2019. Clinical Assistant Professor, Kris Hilvers, MS, RDN, CNSC, LD, and ISU-Meridian graduate students participated in a Dairy West Farm tour, learning about taking milk from the farm to the cheese factory to patient tables.

Oct 9, 2019. Assistant Professor, Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, LD, FAND, was selected to serve on the National Advisory Board for the PCORI grant, Comparison of Surgery and Medicine on the Impact of Diverticulitis (COSMID) Trial, being conducted at University of Washington.

Sep 27, 2019. Dr. Cynthia Blanton, RDN,  and Graduate Student Andrea Jeffery, RDN, co-presented with ISU dental hygiene faculty members, the program"Grins and Grub" during the Thomas Geriatric Conference held simultaneously at the Pocatello and Boise senior centers.

Sep 3, 2019. Dietetics major Sydney Hubbard received an undergraduate research grant for her study on potential dietary assessment methods for capturing spice and herb intake. Dr. Cynthia Blanton, RDN will serve as her faculty member.

Aug 15-17, 2019. Health Professional Student Perceptions of an Interprofessional Clinical Assessment and Staffing Experience, initial findings on the ongoing research that Associate Professor Allisha Weeden, PhD, RDN, LD, conducts with ISU colleagues was presented at 2019 International Symposium on Dental Hygiene in Brisbane, Australia.

Aug 4, 2019. The ISU Phi U chapter took the first place, national Professional Project Award for their work on the Nutrition Fair. Phi Upsilon is a scholastic honor society with more than 100,000 members that recognizes academic achievement among students in the field of family and consumer science.

Jul 30, 2019. Julianne Nguyen presented the findings of her study, Quantifying Herb and Spice Intake at the Idaho Conference of Undergraduate Research. Dr. Cynthia Blanton, RDN, served as Julianne's mentor for this groundbreaking research.

Jun 25, 2019. SCORE Dietitian Natalie Christensen, RDN, LD, became a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD). RDNs who serve as sports dietitians for at least 2,000 hours and who successfully pass a grueling, three-hour exam achieve this honor.

Jun 17, 2019. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recognized Barbara Gordon, RDN, LD, as a Fellow. This designation is awarded to RDNs who have consistently lived up to the Academy’s values of customer focus, integrity, innovation, and social responsibility.

Jun 1, 2019. Clinical Assistant Professor, Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, was elected Chair of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Research Dietetic Practice Group.

May 24, 2019. Dr. Cynthia Blanton, RDN and Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, were awarded pilot funding from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  The award is to investigate if the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant actions of spices are enhanced by consumption that synchronized to the circadian peak of inflammation/oxidative defense genes.

May 21, 2019. Winners of the KDHS Research Day Poster Competition included a team of Meridian-based Dietetic Interns. Their work on the effects of fermented dairy foods on bone health was guided by Clinical Assistant Professors Kris Hilvers, MS, RDN, and Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN.

May 15, 2019. Clinical Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, is part of a five-faculty team awarded an NCI Interprofessional Professional Education (iPEX) Project. Dr. Susan Travenier is the principal investigator of this palliative care initiative.

May 3, 2019. For the first time ever a nutrition science course will be offered as part of ISU’s Early College Program. In the Fall of 2019, Jerald Severe, PhD, a science teacher with West Jefferson High School in Terreton, Idaho, will be teaching the introductory course under the mentorship of Professor Cynthia Blanton, PhD, RDN.

May 2, 2019. Dietetics student Kaylee Schoefer was awarded the Margaret Jerome Sampson Scholarship from the National Educational Foundation of Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society. 

May 2, 2019. Clinical Assistant Professor, Jenifer Reader, MHE, RDN, was awarded the Geraldine Clewel fellowship from the National Educational Foundation of Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society. 

May 1, 2019. Rising seniors Michele Butikofer and Kaylee Schoefer received Jeannette Rowe Memorial Scholarships, which recognize outstanding members of the ISU chapter of the Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society.

May 1, 2019. Dietetic majors Kaylee Schoefer and Makayla Carpenter received Lewis Family Scholarships. This award recognizes their exceptional academic performance coupled with at least one other outstanding accomplishment.

Apr 30, 2019. Clinical Assistant Professor, Jenifer Reader, MEd, RDN, and ISU alumnus Mallory Summers, RDN, LD, lent their nutrition expertise to the Center for Tactile Athletic Performance’ s preventive health initiative.

Apr 25, 2019.  Clinical Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, LD, presented "Is Functional Nutrition Ready for Prime Time?" at the Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting in Boise, ID.

Apr 25, 2019.  Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics awarded three ISUers with state-level Outstanding Dietetics Student Awards: Jacob Burger, BS; Jenna Bobroski, BS; and Shannlynn Spotted Elk.

Apr 25, 2019. Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics awarded ISU Dietetic Internship Preceptor Cheryl L. Jorgenson, RD, LD, CLE, with the state-level Outstanding Dietetics Student Award.  Jorgenson is a public health nutritionist with the Southwest and Central District Health Departments.

Apr 19, 2019.  Pocatello-based dietetic interns presented two posters at KDHS Research Day. One was titled The Science for Dietary Fiber in the Intervention for Patients with Gastrointestinal Disease Management. The other, Vitamin B-12 Status and Cognition in Older Adults. Clinical Assistant Professor Char Byington, MEd, RDN, was the faculty advisor for the group.

Apr 19, 2019. Dietetic student Julianne Nguyen and Dr. Cynthia Blanton presented the findings of their study, Quantifying Herb and Spice Intake at KDHS Research Day.

Apr 19, 2019.  Meridian-based dietetic interns present the poster,  Analysis of the Effects of Fermented Dairy Consumption on Adult Bone Health at KDHS Research Day.

Apr 19, 2019. Clinical Assistant Professor Jen Reader presented her research, Applying the MAP-IT Program Planning Model to a Community Nutrition Fair at KDHS Research Day.

Mar 31, 2019. Dietetics senior and Fort Hall career path intern Shannlyn Spotted Elk's article, "Diabetes Project Offers Tips to Reduce Food Waste" was published in the Sho-Ban News.

Mar 29, 2019. Clinical Assistant Professor Jen Reader presented her research, Applying the MAP-IT Program Planning Model to a Community Nutrition Fair at ISU Graduate Research Day. 

Mar 31, 2019. Dietetics senior and Fort Hall career path intern Shannlyn Spotted Elk's article, "Spring Into Action: Tips for Making Healthy Choices Year-Round" was published in the Sho-Ban News. 

Mar 28, 2019.  Clinical Assistant Professor Kris Hilvers, RDN, CNSD presented NFPE: Who, What, When, Why and How? at the Treasure Valley Dietitians' monthly meeting. 

Mar 20, 2019. Clinical Assistant Professor, Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, LD, is co-presented a webinar on "Interstitial Cystitis and Diet." The international audience of 170+ participants. The webinar was sponsored by the Interstitial Cystitis Association.

Mar 14, 2019. Clinical Assistant Professor Jenifer Reader, MHE, RDN, LD discussed special nutritional considerations for law enforcement with Law Enforcement Cadets at the ISU POST Academy.

Mar 14, 2019. Clinical Assistant Professor Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN  was one of 14 invited participants in Dairy West's Treasure Valley “Nourish Dialogues Dinner.” The dairy industry is hosting these gatherings across the country to spur food sustainability discussions among stakeholders from disparate industries.

Mar 8, 2019. Dietetics students, interns, and faculty participated in an Inter-Professional Education event that occurred simultaneously in Pocatello and Meridian via distance learning technology.  Associate Professor Allisha Weeden, PhD, RDN is a member of the IPE Committee that organized the event.

Mar 7, 2019. At this year's annual ISU Health Fair, Dietetic students and faculty gave food demos helping consumers to learn how to make easy, healthy options at home.

Mar 1, 2019. In celebration of National Nutrition Month, ISU Dietetic Programs' faculty collaborated with Pocatello Dietitians and  Phi Upsilon Omicron National Honor Society on a Nutrition Fair that drew 200 people. 

Feb 27, 2019. Dietetic students took part in the 8^th annual CommUniversity event, which featured more than 90 interactive booths with family activities, free food, and free T-shirts for children.

Feb 22, 2019. Clinical Assistant Professor Jenifer Reader, MHE, RDN created an online, interactive program on heart-healthy eating tips to employees at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies’ Health and Wellness Program.

Feb 15 & 22, 2019. Emeritus Professor Mary Dundas, PhD, FADA taught "What is in the Food You Eat?" for the New Knowledge Adventures program in Pocatello, ID. 

Feb 11, 2019. NEW MS in Nutrition graduate school application goes live!  Individuals apply for one of two tracks: Master of Science in Nutrition with Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) or MS in Nutrition.

Jan 22, 2019. ISU Dietetic Programs hosts Pocatello Dietitians continuing education program on Ketogenic Diets with featured speaker Emily Norbryhn, RD, CLT.

Jan 1, 2019. Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN co-published a study on patient perceptions on factors that cause and prevent kidney stones in the World Journal of Urology.

Dec 2018. Clinical Assistant Professor Jenifer Reader, MHE, RDN, LD, gave a "Vitamin C, Fruit, and Me" presentation to 4th graders and 2nd graders in Pocatello. 

Nov 28, 2018. Rick Tivis, MPH, Assistant Director, Idaho Center for Health Research and Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, LD, Director of Dietetic Programs, published an article in collaboration with St. Luke’s Cystic Fibrosis Clinic and Boise State. The article was title an “Evaluation of Food Insecurity in Adults and Children with Cystic Fibrosis: Community Case Study” in Frontiers in Public Health.

Nov 9, 2018. Clinical Assistant Professor Kris Hilvers, MS, RDN, LD, CNSC, presented "Let’s Get Physical: Nutrition Focused Physical Exam – the Foundation for Pressure Injury Risk Assessment" at the Idaho Pressure Ulcer Prevention Coalition.

Nov 1, 2018. Dietetics major Julianne Nguyen was awarded an ISU undergraduate research grant. She'll use the funding to pursue research entitled, Dietary Assessment Capturing Spice and Herb Intake: Validation of an Online Questionnaire." Dr. Cynthia Blanton, RDN will serve as her faculty mentor.

Oct 2018. Clinical Assistant Professor Jenifer Reader, MHE, RDN, LD, participated in the 2018 BPA/FCCLA Fall Leadership Conference. She presented on Interior Design. Reader also served as a judge for Iron Chef and Top Chef competitions for local high school students.

Oct 20, 2018. Char Byington, MEd, RDN, LD, and her colleagues were awarded “Outstanding Abstract” for their poster, "Strategic Planning Builds Bridges: " presented at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ annual meeting held in Washington, D.C.  

Oct 19, 2018. ISU graduate and Be Well Solutions Dietetic Intern, Andrea Jeffery, was a featured presenter at the  11th Annual ISU Senior Health and Wellness Symposium: Promoting the Health of Seniors in Boise.

Oct 2018. Clinical Assistant Professor Jenifer Reader, MHE, RDN, LD, gave "Vitamin C, Fruit, and Me" presentation to elementary school students (4th graders and 2nd graders). 

Oct 8, 2018. Clinical Assistant Professor Char Byington, MEd, RDN, LD discussed nutrition with the Parkinson's Support Group.

Sep 12, 2018. Rick Tivis, MPH, and Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, LD collaborated with Boise State and St. Luke’s on research about the prevalence of food insecurity among Idahoans with cystic fibrosis.

Aug 30, 2018. ISU's Jenifer Reader was elected as the President Elect of the Phi Upsilon Omicron National Honor Society.

Aug 25, 2018. Two ISU Dietetic Programs were awarded national reaccreditation for seven years. ACEND, the accreditation body, noted that ISU provides “quality dietetics education.”

Aug 25, 2018. Dietetic Programs announced organizational changes and new faculty appointments. Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, LD, is now Clinical Assistant Professor and Director, Dietetic Programs. Allisha Weeden, PhD, RDN, LD, assumed the role of the DPD Director. Jenifer Reader, MHE, RDN, LD, started as a full-time clinical assistant professor.  

June 20, 2018. Laura McKnight, MPH, RDN, LD, former director of dietetics program and clinical associate professor, became the first dean of the College of Health Professions.

May 7, 2019.  Clinical Assistant Professor, Char Byington, MEd, RDN, LD presented a Food Preservation Class for the Master Gardeners for the University of Idaho Extension - Fort Hall.

April 20, 2018. ISU alumna Chelsea Schoenfelder (BS '12, MPH '13) was recognized as Idaho's Young Dietitian of the Year by the Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.   

April 19, 2018. ISU Dietetic Interns presented posters at Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting.

April 17, 2018. Barbara Gordon, MBA, RDN, LD, co-presented on “Health Heroes: An Integrated Diabetes Education Program” at the Idaho Integrated Behavioral Health Conference.

April 4, 2018. Three ISU students were recognized with 2018 Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Outstanding Dietetic Student Awards.

March 4, 2018. Professor Cynthia Blanton, PhD, RDN, presented a poster session at the 2018 Keystone Symposia Conference: Manipulation of the Gut Microbiota for Metabolic Health, held in Banff, Alberta, CA.

January 29, 2018. Professor Cynthia Blanton, PhD, RDN, published research on probiotics in Nutrients journal. Supplements of probiotic and whole grape powder did not improve bone architecture in an animal model.

October 23, 2017. Associate Professor Allisha Weeden, PhD, RDN, LD, and two dietetic students conducted research on improving the nutrition of chocolate by adding white bean flour. They presented a poster of their research findings at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ national Food and Nutrition Conference and Exhibition (FNCE) in fall 2017.

October 22, 2017. Professor and Associate Vice President Patricia Marincic, PhD, RDN, CLE, spoke at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting. Her presentation was titled, Retrospective Chart Reviews: Practice to Publication to Policy.

June 15, 2017. Clinical Assistant Professor Char Byington, MEd, RDN, LD, was recognized this month as a nutrition expert in Idaho Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in Action.

March 30, 2017. Clinical Associate Professor Laura McKnight, MPH, RDN, LD, was recognized as the 2017 Outstanding Dietetic Educator for a Didactic Program in Dietetics by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Fall 2016.  Two Dietetic Programs faculty co-published in a national journal. The findings of a study conducted by Professor Cynthia Blanton, PhD, RDN, and Clinical Associate Professor Laura McKnight, MPH, RDN, LD, were published in the Fall 2016 issue of the Journal of Allied Health. The study found that weight bias is prevalent in health professions students at Idaho State University.

September 30, 2016. Professor Cynthia Blanton, PhD, RDN, presented on Nutrition and Circadian Rhythms at the 9th Annual Thomas Geriatric Health Symposium. This meeting was sponsored by the ISU Office of Continuing Education and Workforce Training.

April 22, 2016. Associate Professor Allisha Weeden, PhD, RDN, LD, presented two posters at 2016 Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting. The first was titled, Comparison of Nutrient Content and Side Item Options of Children’s Menus at Popular Fast Food Restaurants.  The second Lower Calorie Menu Items Offered at Casual Dining Restaurants Cost More than Traditional Menu Items.

April 22, 2016. Clinical Associate Professor Laura McKnight, MPH, RDN, LD, presented a poster at 2016 Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting. The poster was titled Professional Development Opportunities for Dietetics Students at Idaho State University through a Campus Food Pantry.

April 21, 2016. SCORE^SM Dietitian Natalie Christensen, RDN, LD, presented at 2016 Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting. Her presentation was titled, Growing Strong through Performance Nutrition: How Sports Nutrition Gives That Competitive Edge!

April 4, 2016. Research conducted by Professor Cynthia Blanton, PhD, RDN, was published in FASEB, the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. At the same meeting, Dr. Blanton and her co-authors also reported their findings that enriching diets with blueberries and/or probiotics does not appear to control blood pressure rats with hypertension.

March 21, 2016. SCORE^SM Dietitian Natalie Christensen, RDN, LD, was featured in the news article, Idaho Celebrates National Nutrition Month.

February 8, 2016. ISU Injury Prevention for the Weekend Warrior and SCORE^SM Dietitian Natalie Christensen, RDN, LD, was featured in Idaho State Journal.