Eleonora Gafton

Eleonora Gafton is an Associate Professor and Program Director of Whole Foods Cooking Labs in the Nutrition Department at Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH). She holds a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN), Master’s in Herbal Medicine, and certifications in health coaching and culinary instruction. Her research focuses on holistic approaches to digestive health, metabolic syndrome, and stress management. Gafton has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including roles as an executive chef in Romania and hotel management at Cornell University. She transitioned to integrative health due to personal health challenges, joining MUIH in 2010.

• Teaches courses like Whole Foods Cooking Labs, Sports Nutrition, and Culinary Herbs.
• Recipient of multiple awards for community service and innovation, including the 2022 James Truby Community Service Award.

Her professional narrative emphasizes blending culinary arts with evidence-based nutrition to address chronic conditions. She advocates for self-discovery through dietary and lifestyle changes, informed by herbal medicine and whole-food practices. Outside academia, she enjoys creating new dishes, exploring farmers' markets, and spending time in nature with her adopted dog, Nick.