Catherine A. Peterson

Catherine A. Peterson, R.D.N., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology at the University of Missouri and serves as Associate Director for Academic Affairs for the Division of Food, Nutrition, & Exercise Sciences in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources. She holds additional roles as Assistant Department Chair, Director of Undergraduate Studies, and serves on the Committee on Undergraduate Education and Honors Curriculum Committee.

Education

• Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• NIH Post-doctoral Trainee, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Research Focus

Dr. Peterson investigates dietary factors in disease prevention, specializing in vitamin D's role in modulating inflammation and the adipoinsular axis. Her lab employs observational studies, clinical trials, and animal models to explore:

• Vitamin D's impact on fetal origins of obesity
• Metabolic disease prevention mechanisms
• Bone mineralization dynamics (calcium/phytoestrogens)
• Anti-inflammatory functions of micronutrients

She previously served as Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs for the College of Human Environmental Sciences.

Awards and Recognition

• Distinguished Teacher Award (2014)

Academic Leadership

She advises graduate students and oversees undergraduate programs. Her research lab operates from 210 Gwynn Hall, focusing on obesity-related metabolic disorders. She teaches high-enrollment courses including NEP 1034 (Introduction to Human Nutrition) and NEP 2340 (Human Nutrition I), reaching over 1,000 students annually.