Faculty

The faculty members in the Department of Clinical Nutrition are dedicated to bringing students a superb educational experience. You’ll learn with nationally recognized professionals who are directly involved in patient care in UT Southwestern hospitals and clinics and active in collaborative research through the Center for Human Nutrition and other campus departments.

Scott M. Grundy, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Medical School: M.D., Baylor College of Medicine, 1960
Graduate School: Ph.D, Rockefeller University, 1968
Interests: Cholesterol metabolism, nutrition, atherosclerosis

Jo Ann S. Carson, Ph.D., R.D.
Professor and Program Director, Master of Clinical Nutrition–Coordinated Program
Program Director, Master of Clinical Nutrition–Health Professionals Track
Graduate School: Ph.D., R.D., University of Texas, 2000
Interests: Nutrition and cancer, weight control, nutrition education

Deborah Clegg, Ph.D., R.D.
Associate Professor and Program Director, Master of Clinical Nutrition–Health Professionals Track
Graduate School: Ph.D., R.D., University of Georgia, 2000
Interests: Diabetes, obesity, hormones, energy balance

Cindy Cunningham, M.S., R.D.
Assistant Professor
Graduate School: M.S., R.D., Purdue University at Indianapolis, 1972
Interests: Pediatric nutrition, inborn errors of metabolism

Lora Day, M.S., R.D.
Clinical Instructor
Graduate School: M.A., R.D., University of Texas, Austin, 1987
Interests: Nutrition support, gastrointestinal disorders

Angela Griffin, M.S., R.D.
Clinical Instructor
Graduate School: M.S., R.D., University of Central Arkansas, 1977
Interests: Culinary arts and food service management 

Bernadette Latson, M.S., R.D.
Assistant Professor
Graduate School: M.S., R.D., University of Florida, 1981
Interests: Geriatric nutrition, diabetes

Linda Michalsky, Ph.D., R.D.
Assistant Professor
Graduate School: Ph.D., R.D., University of Texas, Austin, 2002
Interests: Pediatrics, obesity prevention, nutrition education, psychiatric disorders

Elizabeth Parks, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Graduate School: Ph.D., University of California-Davis, 1995
Interests: Fatty acid and triglyceride metabolism, obesity and fatty liver, cholesterol synthesis, liver and intestinal physiology

Susan Rodder, M.S., R.D.
Clinical Instructor
Graduate School: M.S., R.D., Texas Women's University, 1991
Interests: Hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity

Lona Sandon, M.Ed., R.D.
Assistant Professor
Graduate School: M.Ed., R.D., University of Texas: Brownsville, 2002
Interests: Wellness/sports nutrition, fitness, instructional technology

Gloria Lena Vega, Ph.D.
Professor
Dr. Scott M. Grundy Distinguished Professorship in Human Nutrition
Graduate School: Ph.D., Louisiana State University Medical Center, 1979
Interests: Biochemistry of atherosclerosis, clinical nutrition, primary and secondary hyperlipidemia