, associate professor of at the , has been elected vice president of the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB). The international organization represents nutrition educators, researchers and practitioners committed to advancing evidence-based nutrition education and health promotion worldwide.
Gray鈥檚 three-year leadership term began Aug. 1, 2025. She will serve as vice president through 2026, president-elect in 2027 and president in 2028.
鈥淚 joined the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior as a master鈥檚 student almost 20 years ago,鈥� Gray said. 鈥淧rofessionally, I feel honored and grateful that SNEB members have recognized my service and leadership over the years. Personally, I have met wonderful colleagues, mentors and friends through this society.鈥�
As vice president, Gray serves as a liaison between SNEB鈥檚 Board of Directors and its 11 divisions, supporting communication and professional development. In her second year, she will plan the organization鈥檚 annual conference and, as president, act as its spokesperson and guide major decision-making processes.
Founded in 1968, SNEB鈥檚 mission is to advance food and nutrition education research, practice and policy that promote equity and support public and planetary health. Gray said this work is vital in an era when misinformation about nutrition is rampant.
Nutrition education based on behavioral change theories is critical for disease prevention and health promotion, yet it鈥檚 often overlooked. Several leading causes of death in the U.S. are closely related to diet and lifestyle behaviors. Behaviorally focused, multicomponent nutrition interventions are essential to prevent and manage diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.
Dr. Heewon Gray
Gray also expressed concern about recent eliminations of national nutrition education programs tied to SNAP-Ed, saying they limit opportunities for individuals to learn and sustain healthy dietary habits. Through SNEB, she hopes to advocate for innovative ways to integrate nutrition education into existing infrastructures and develop new platforms for educators.
Looking ahead, Gray plans to focus on advocacy, collaboration and visibility for the nutrition and dietetics professions.
鈥淚 hope to support SNEB members in disseminating scientifically sound nutrition information and to foster greater collaboration across disciplines,鈥� she said. 鈥淚ntegrating nutrition education into programs such as Food is Medicine and culinary medicine is already gaining momentum, and I鈥檇 like to see SNEB at the forefront of advancing these efforts.鈥�
Gray also hopes to bring the SNEB annual conference to Tampa in 2027, providing an opportunity to showcase USF鈥檚 nutrition programs and community initiatives.
鈥淏y strengthening collaborations, expanding advocacy efforts and promoting evidence-based approaches, I hope to ensure that nutrition education remains central to disease prevention and health promotion,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to inspire the next generation of professionals, especially students and young researchers.鈥�