Nutrition, PhD

Upon graduation from the Ph.D. in Nutrition program, the graduates should be able to:

• Evaluate advanced knowledge in nutritional science and explain the biological mechanism underlying the relationship between nutrients, foods, diet patterns, and health.
• Critically evaluate the evidence base and advocate for the role of plant-based diets in promoting the health of the individual, population groups, and the planet.
• Apply analytical and fundamental concepts in nutritional epidemiology.
• Apply ethical standards to conduct a research study that addresses a nutrition problem, collect/abstract, analyze, and interpret the data, and report findings.
• Effectively communicate nutritional science, orally and in writing, to the scientific community and the public, to advance the field and to promote public health.
• Use best-practice modalities in pedagogy to deliver educational experiences in an academic setting.

• Assessment from required courses
• Comprehensive examination
• Dissertation proposal defense (qualifying examination)
• Dissertation manuscript: submission of two manuscripts from the dissertation to peer-reviewed journals. One manuscript published in peer-reviewed journal (from dissertation or non-dissertation).
• Oral defense of dissertation
• Teaching assistant
• Presentation at a scientific conference

Legacy of over 50+ Years of Research on Plant-Based and Sustainable Nutrition

The Loma Linda University School of Public Health has a rich history of plant-based nutrition research. We engage in interdisciplinary research across public health disciplines and the Basic Sciences. This collaborative way of working is how we continue to promote and build on our core legacy of vegetarian and plant-based nutrition. Some key studies include:

• Nutritional epidemiology studies relating plant-based diet patterns to health outcomes and longevity (the Adventist Health Study)
• Several clinical trials with plant foods (nuts and soy) intervention and health outcomes
• Environmental impact of plant-based diets compared to animal-inclusive diets.

Areas of curricular strength and research emphasis include: 

• Plant-based diets and the health of the individual, populations, and the planet
• Nutritional epidemiology
• Diet and chronic disease risk reduction 
• Community nutrition

Leading the conversation on plant-based nutrition

Guided by its Nutrition faculty, the School of Public Health hosts the International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition (ICVN), the premiere scientific conference on the health effects of plant-based diets held every 5 years. The conference is designed to provide a review of the accumulated findings, and introduce theoretical concepts, practical applications, and implications of vegetarian dietary practices for both the prevention of disease and the promotion of health, as well as for the furthering of research endeavors. The theme for the 7th ICVN was Plant foods for the health of people, populations and the planet.
 

As a part of the culminating experience, the student must have one publication in peer-reviewed journal (co-authorship or review article acceptable), submit two manuscripts from their dissertation research to peer reviewed journals, successfully defends dissertation, and submits a committee approved dissertation manuscript. Further details provided in the SPH Doctoral Handbook.

Those who may benefit from the program include individuals seeking careers in:

• Academia (teaching and research)
• Researcher in private industry, governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, research institutes
• Public health nutritionist
• Leadership role in academia and public health sector

In February 2018, we hosted the 7th International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition, on the campus of Loma Linda University. Since 1987, the congress has been held only every 5 years and is the premier scientific conference on the health effects of plant-based diets. It brings together international scientists, physicians, nutritionists, dietitians, and other health professionals to showcase the latest advances from basic science, epidemiology, and clinical trials in vegetarian nutrition. Proceedings for the 7th ICVN are underway.

Visit the 7th ICVN website.

You can learn more about our research by visiting, publichealth.llu.edu/research.