Kathy W. Hosig

Kathy W. Hosig is a Professor and Director of the Center for Public Health Practice and Research (CPHPR) at Virginia Tech's Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. She holds academic appointments in the Department of Population Health Sciences and serves as an Extension Specialist and State Program Leader for Health with Virginia Cooperative Extension. Her research focuses on community-based participatory approaches to address public health issues, particularly diabetes education and nutrition interventions targeting underserved populations. Dr. Hosig has over 30 years of experience in interdisciplinary collaborations with community organizations, academic institutions, and governmental agencies.

Education includes a PhD in Foods and Nutrition from Purdue University (1992), an MPH in Public Health Leadership from UNC Chapel Hill (2001), and a BS in Human Nutrition from Virginia Tech (1985). She is a Registered Dietitian with certifications since 1985.

Key professional roles include leadership in developing the CPHPR, which fosters partnerships to advance public health practice. Her work emphasizes culturally tailored interventions for African American, Hispanic, and Malaysian communities. She has led federally-funded projects on college student health behaviors and sustainable food systems, including the '100-Mile Diet' initiative. Dr. Hosig also contributed to Virginia's local school wellness policies and the Dining with Diabetes program.

Her research portfolio includes over 35 peer-reviewed publications focusing on nutrition interventions, dietary patterns in young adults, and the impact of university environments on health behaviors. She has presented at national conferences including the American Public Health Association meetings and Society for Nutrition Education.

Current initiatives include opioid epidemic response programs through community-academic partnerships and expanding diabetes education through Cooperative Extension's Balanced Living with Diabetes program. She mentors students and professionals in public health practice and research methodologies.