Heather Rasmussen named interim chair of Nutrition and Health Sciences

10 Jan 2024     By Kelcey Buck

Associate professor Heather Rasmussen has been named interim chair of the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences in the College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

“I am excited to welcome Dr. Rasmussen as interim chairperson,” CEHS Acting Dean Nick Pace said. “She is an enthusiastic teacher, respected researcher and experienced dietetics program director with great passion for student learning. I’m grateful for her willingness to serve in this role to build upon the excellence and momentum in the department and across CEHS. As a three-time graduate of UNL, she’s poised to help us continue pursuing our Grand Visions around thriving young children, comprehensive health and well-being, and strong communities.” 

Rasmussen joined the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences in 2018, and currently serves as both associate professor and the program director for professional studies in dietetics. She coordinates all aspects of the dietetics internship, including working with preceptors and ensuring students gain the training and experiences needed to become registered dietitian nutritionists. 

“My longstanding connection with the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences has fostered a deep affinity for its programs, students, faculty and staff,” Rasmussen said. “I am excited to partner with trusted colleagues to collectively move the department forward.” 

Her research centers on how dietary intake impacts the gastrointestinal tract, including gut microbiota and intestinal permeability. Her interest lies specifically in how supplements such as prebiotics can modify both gastrointestinal symptoms and markers of intestinal health in humans. 

Rasmussen earned her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from Nebraska in 2001. She also earned both her master’s and Ph.D. from Nebraska in biochemical and molecular nutrition in 2005 and 2008, respectively. She was a postdoctoral researcher at Nebraska for one year before spending eight years as a faculty member in the Department of Clinical Nutrition at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. 

The Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences aims to enhance human health and well-being through discovery and application of scientific knowledge. The department offers undergraduate programs in hospitality, restaurant and tourism management; community health and wellness; nutrition, exercise and health science; and nutrition science. Graduate programs in NHS include master’s degrees in athletic training, and nutrition and health sciences, as well as Ph.D. programs in nutrition, and human sciences. To learn more about the department, visit https://cehs.unl.edu/nhs.