Deirdra Chester, PhD, RDN
Director, Office of the Chief Scientist
U.S. Department of Agriculture
What has had the greatest impact on your career path in nutrition?
The greatest impact on my career path in nutrition is a course I took in college, Man’s Food. This course changed my focus from medicine to nutrition. I always had a love of food; but this course intrigued me because it was the first time I saw the science of food. From there, I changed my major to nutrition and have never looked back. Once in the field, I had amazing mentors in the federal government, and this was where I could see a place for myself in a federal job. My work as a public servant has been so fulfilling. Each day is exciting because I know the work that I do impacts everyday Americans. I have been fortunate to have been mentored by amazing women in nutrition and science. The most rewarding part of my job is mentoring our next generation of scientists.
