Cheryl Anderson

Cheryl Anderson is a Professor and Dean of the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science at the University of California San Diego. She holds the Hood Family Endowed Dean’s Chair in Public Health. Her academic journey includes degrees from Brown University (AB Public Health), the University of North Carolina (MPH), and the University of Washington (MS and PhD in Public Health).

Dr. Anderson’s research focuses on nutrition and chronic disease prevention, particularly in underserved populations. Her work spans observational epidemiology, clinical trials, and implementation science. Key areas include dietary patterns, sodium/potassium intake, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease progression, and behavioral interventions. She leads the UC San Diego Center of Excellence in Health Promotion and Equity.

Her articles from 2023-2021 highlight themes such as dietary interventions for dyslipidemia, ultraprocessed foods and kidney disease, and global cardiovascular health equity. Her research emphasizes translating evidence into actionable public health policies and clinical practices.

Awards include election to the National Academy of Medicine (2016) and leadership roles in the American Heart Association. She has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and led NIH-funded studies on cardiovascular disease prevention and kidney health. Her grants include the US Ten Day Seminar series on Cardiovascular Disease and the RESOLVE initiative to reduce cardiovascular deaths globally.

Dr. Anderson collaborates internationally, including studies in Cameroon and Peru on blood pressure management. She advocates for interdisciplinary approaches to address health disparities and promotes precision nutrition through NIH-funded research. Her work bridges academia and policy, aiming to improve population health outcomes.