Leadership priorities include implementing the ASN 2028 strategic plan for ASN’s 100-year anniversary in 2028, and expanding knowledge, engagement and influence within the nutrition community to improve health around the world.
Rockville, MD – July 3, 2019 – The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) named Richard Mattes, MPH, PhD, RD as President for the 2019-2020 year, and his one-year term began on July 1, taking over for Dr. Catherine J. Field who remains on ASN’s Board of Directors.
Dr. Mattes outlined his priorities for the next year in a presentation to the full ASN Board, including the implementation of ASN 2028 by moving forward with initial operational plans and building momentum for future phases to bring ASN to our 100th Anniversary. Dr. Mattes’ agenda also includes the continued elevation of ASN’s four journals; expanding the translation of nutrition science to a wider audience; increasing partnerships and outreach to new stakeholders; rolling out broadened membership categories; and advocating for increased research funding for nutrition.
“It is my honor to serve the American Society for Nutrition, its members, and the scientific community for which this organization has advocated for over 90 years,” said Dr. Mattes. “ASN has always been an invaluable resource and a primary means for keeping current with the advancing science. We now have the opportunity to guide the discussion on nutrition topics and controversies through advocacy activities and organized efforts to define the state of the science as we prepare for ASN’s next century of leadership.”
Dr. Mattes is a Distinguished Professor of Nutrition Science at Purdue University, an Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine, and an Affiliated Scientist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center. He has served ASN as Associate Editor for The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, member of the Strategic Oversight Committee, and just finished his term as Vice President.
Dr. Mattes received his PhD in Human Nutrition from Cornell University and conducted post-doctoral studies at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the Monell Chemical Senses Center. He remained at Monell for 13 years progressing to full member. At Purdue University, Dr. Mattes is the Head of the Department of Public Health and Director of the Ingestive Behavior Research Center, and the Director of Purdue’s Public Health Graduate Program. He is also secretary of the Rose Marie Pangborn Sensory Science Scholarship Fund. Richard Mattes has been the principal investigator on National Institutes of Health grants continuously since 1984, and has authored of over 265 publications. He is one of the 20 nationally recognized health and nutrition experts appointed to serve on the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.
“The American Society for Nutrition is proud to add Dr. Richard Mattes to our long-standing tradition of great leaders. As our next President, Dr. Mattes will have the opportunity to build on a legacy of success that he helped create at ASN, establishing a vision for our future,” said ASN Chief Executive Officer John E. Courtney, PhD. “We are well positioned to roll out ASN 2028largely thanks to the leadership and guidance of Catherine J. Field, PhD, who drove consensus to bring the Vision 2028 strategic planning initiative across the finish line. Among many other initiatives, Dr. Field helped to redesign our membership categories to better support early career professionals at the critical phase of their career and expand engagement to the broader nutrition stakeholder community. The Board and the entire ASN community are grateful for her service.”
The American Society for Nutrition appoints a new president every year, with terms beginning in July. Candidates include the most highly respected professors, researchers, and clinicians, with rich backgrounds in generating new nutrition knowledge, community engagement, public policy advocacy, and academic leadership across a broad spectrum of nutritional science areas.
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