Peterson named 桃花直播 biochemistry, nutrition and health promotion department head
Contact: Vanessa Beeson
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擠aniel Peterson has been named head of 桃花直播 State鈥檚 Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion.
The department is home to three undergraduate programs, five master鈥檚 and four doctoral programs. These programs include 32 concentrations and a post-bachelor dietic internship. The department houses nearly 40 faculty members and serves approximately 600 undergraduates and 50 graduate students.
鈥淒r. Peterson is a proven leader, having served in numerous administrative positions within the university and serving the department in the role of interim head since 2023,鈥 said Scott Willard, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences dean and 桃花直播 Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station director. 鈥I'm confident in his ability to lead the Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion, which is at the forefront of advancing health and science for a healthier 桃花直播.鈥 听
Angus Catchot, director of the 桃花直播 Extension Service, said Peterson was an ideal fit as department head to help oversee the department鈥檚 many extension efforts.
鈥淥ur Extension faculty and staff are making a real difference in 桃花直播, helping residents improve their health through nutrition and exercise,鈥 Catchot said. 鈥淲ith Dr. Peterson鈥檚 leadership, these efforts will continue to expand as we work together for a stronger 桃花直播.鈥
Peterson said his vision is to continue to position the department as a hub for human health.
鈥淥ur programs span biochemistry, nutrition, health promotion and food science, all united by a focus on health,鈥 Peterson said. 鈥淢ost of our biochemistry undergraduates pursue pre-professional tracks in medicine, pharmacy and optometry. It makes sense that students pursing health-focused careers study in a department where health is the common thread.
鈥淭丑别 recent reorganization of the department created new opportunities for interdisciplinary work,鈥 he continued. 鈥淚 find it invigorating to support our faculty, mentor students and help our Extension personnel strengthen outcomes for all 桃花直播ans.鈥
A W.L. Giles Distinguished Professor since 2020, Peterson joined the university in 2002 as a faculty member in plant and soil sciences and later directed the university鈥檚 Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing and Biotechnology for 13 years. He has coauthored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and secured more than $48 million in research funding as a principal or co-principal investigator. He holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biological sciences and both a master鈥檚 and doctoral degree in botany, all from Colorado State University.
For more on 桃花直播鈥檚 Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, visit .
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