Claudia Sealey-Potts

Claudia Sealey-Potts, PhD, RD, LDN, FAND, serves as Professor and Director of the Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition (DCN) program within the Department of Nutrition Sciences and Health Behavior at the School of Health Professions, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Her academic leadership focuses on developing advanced clinical nutrition practitioners through curriculum innovation and community-engaged scholarship.

Her educational foundation includes:

• Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science from Auburn University
• Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Science from Auburn University
• PhD in Nutrition and Food Science from Auburn University

Dr. Sealey-Potts' research program targets nutrition-related chronic disease disparities in underserved populations, with particular emphasis on hypertension, cardiometabolic disorders, obesity, diabetes, and NAFLD among African American communities. Her parallel work in brain health investigates nutritional approaches for dementia and Alzheimer's patients, including specialized education tools for caregivers. She implements community-based participatory research (CBPR) methodologies to ensure culturally responsive interventions and sustainable community partnerships.

Analysis of her recent publications (2020-2024) reveals consistent thematic focus on dementia care interventions, hypertension management in Black women, evidence-based dietetics practice implementation, and community-based wellness programs. Her work demonstrates methodological diversity including mixed-methods studies, faith-based interventions, and school wellness initiatives, all targeting health equity through nutrition-focused solutions.

Her community engagement excellence has been formally recognized through:

• Community Engaged Scholarship Award (2021)
• Community Engaged Research (CER) Scholarship Award (2022)
• Nancy Sawyer Health Access Award (2023)

Within the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dr. Sealey-Potts contributes as Delegate in the House of Delegates, ACEND Program Reviewer, Awards Chair for Nutrition Education for the Public-DPG, and Nominating Chair for the First Coast Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Her teaching portfolio spans nutrition science, metabolism, research methodology, clinical nutrition, and community nutrition applications, directly informing her DCN program leadership.