Emma E. Laing
Clinical Prof.
Areas of expertise
Biochemistry and Cell BiologyPhysiologyClinical SciencesMedical PhysiologyPublic Health and Health ServicesNutrition and Dietetics
About
Emma Laing, Clinical Professor and Director of Dietetics within the Department of Nutritional Sciences, earned her PhD in Foods and Nutrition from the University of Georgia in 2003. Her research focuses on improving health and well-being using a variety of approaches. Her courses challenge diet culture and incorporate the effects of weight stigma on health. She has decades of experience using imaging techniques for assessment of bone and body composition and employing dietary and physical activity interventions to reduce the risk of chronic disease, including osteoporosis.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General
University of Georgia, GA, United States (2003)
Master of Science, Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General
University of Georgia, GA, United States (2000)
Bachelor of Science, Nutrition Sciences
University of Delaware, DE, United States (1996)
Awards and Honors
- Student Career Success Influencer Award 2024 (2025)
- Thank-a-Teacher Recognition 2025 (2025)
- Relentless Welcome Initiative Recognition 2025 (2025)
- Career Ambassador (2025)
- Career Advocate (2024)
- Student Career Success Influencer Award 2023 (2024)
- Career Champion (2024)
- Relentless Welcome Initiative Recognition 2024 (2024)
- Thank-a-Teacher Recognition 2024 (2024)
- UGA Teaching Academy Induction (2024)
- Lee Anne Seawell Faculty Recognition Award (2024)
- Student Career Success Influencer Award 2022 (2023)
- Student Career Development Recognition (2023)
- Thank-a-Teacher Recognition 2023 (2023)
- Student Engagement Award: Advisor of the Year (2023)
- Distinguished Alumni Award (2023)
- Outstanding Undergraduate Student Faculty Advisor (2023)
- Relentless Welcome Initiative Recognition (2023)
- Felton Jenkins, Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Awards (2023)
- Student Career Development Recognition (2022)
- Thank-a-Teacher Recognition (2022)
- Outstanding Undergraduate Faculty Advisor (2022)
- Research Communications Award (2022)
- Professional Award of Excellence (2022)
- National Media Spokesperson, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2022)
- Distinguished Alumni Award (2022)
- Fellow, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2021)
- Active Learning Fellow, UGA Center for Teaching and Learning (2021)
- Bill and June Flatt Outstanding Teacher of the Year, UGA College of FACS (2021)
- Creswell Mentoring Award (2020), UGA College of FACS Alumni Association (2021)
- Outstanding Dietitian of the Year, Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2021)
- Recipient (on behalf of the Student Dietetic Association), Student Organization Achievement and Recognition (SOAR) “Outstanding Campus Event” Award, UGA Center for Student Activities and Involvement (2021)
- Nominee, Flatt Outstanding Teacher of the Year, UGA College of FACS (2020)
- Creswell Award, UGA College of FACS Alumni Association (2020)
- Distinguished Service for Media Excellence, Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2020)
- Outstanding Dietitian of the Year, Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2020)
- Nominee (on behalf of the Student Dietetic Association), Student Organization Achievement and Recognition (SOAR) “Outstanding Campus Event” Award, UGA Center for Student Activities and Involvement (2019)
- Recipient of funds from the UGA Student/Faculty Enrichment Fund provided by the UGA Office of Vice President for Student Affairs to fund an out-of-class student/faculty gathering not associated with course material (2019)
- Nominee, Felton Jenkins, Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Awards, UGA Internal Review (2019)
- Nominee, Emily Quinn Puo Professional Achievement Award, UGA College of FACS Alumni Association (2019)
- Nominee, Outstanding Undergraduate Faculty Advisor Award (2018)
- Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award (2017)
- Mentioned in ‘Amazing Student’ biography (Annie Ladisic) (2017)
- Recipient, Student Career Development Recognition (2017)
- Outstanding Dietetic Educator Award (2017)
- Nominee, FACS Alumni Association Outstanding Service Award (2016)
- Recipient, Super Includer Diversity Award (2016)
- Recipient, Student Career Development Recognition (2016)
- Nominee, Creative Teaching Award (2016)
- Nominee, Graduate Faculty Diversity Award (2016)
- Mentioned in ‘Amazing Student’ biography (Nigel Brinson) (2016)
- Mentioned in ‘Amazing Student’ biography (Nadir Lalani) (2016)
- Recipient, Student Career Development Recognition (2015)
- Recipient, Teacher of the Week (2015)
- Recipient (2013)
- Nominee (2013)
- Nominee (2012)
- Recipient (2012)
- Nominee (2012)
- Recipient, President’s Poster Competition Award (Hill K.M.) (2011)
- Recipient, President’s Poster Competition Award (Ferira A.J.) (2011)
- Recipient, Provost’s Travel Funds (2010)
- Nominee, President’s Poster Award (Laing E.M.) (2010)
- Inductee, Blue Key National Honor Society (2003)
- Inductee, Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society (2001)
- Inductee, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (1999)
- Inductee, Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society (1998)
- Inductee, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership and Service Organization (1994)
- Inductee, Golden Key National Honor Society (1994)
- Inductee, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership and Service Organization (1994)
- Inductee, Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society (1993)
- Inductee, Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity (1993)
- Inductee, Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society (1993)
- Inductee, Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity (1993)
Courses
- NUTR 5900: Professional Development in Nutritional Sciences (Fall 2025)
- FYOS 1001: First-Year Odyssey Seminar (Fall 2025)
- NUTR 4500: Medical Nutrition Therapy I (Fall 2025)
- NUTR 6500: Medical Nutrition Therapy I (Fall 2025)
- NUTR 5910: Dietetics Practicum (Fall 2025)
- NUTR 4520: Clinical Nutrition Interventions (Spring 2026)
- NUTR 6520: Clinical Nutrition Interventions (Spring 2026)
- NUTR 4530: Medical Nutrition Therapy II (Spring 2026)
- NUTR 6530: Medical Nutrition Therapy II (Spring 2026)
- NUTR 5910: Dietetics Practicum (Spring 2026)
- NUTR 5900: Professional Development in Nutritional Sciences (Fall 2026)
- FYOS 1001: First-Year Odyssey Seminar (Fall 2026)
- NUTR 8530: Nutrition and Disease Processes I (Fall 2026)
- NUTR 4500: Medical Nutrition Therapy I (Fall 2026)
- NUTR 5910: Dietetics Practicum (Fall 2026)
- NUTR 6500: Medical Nutrition Therapy I (Fall 2026)
Scholarly Works
- In Response to “Toward Balanced Curricula: Advancing Nondiet and Weight-Neutral Education in Dietetics”, JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR, (2026).
- Incorporating Nondiet and Weight-Neutral Principles in a University Dietetics Curriculum, JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR, (2025).
- Incorporating Weight-Inclusive Approaches in Higher Education Curriculum for Future Nutrition and Dietetics Professionals, JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR, (2025).
- Reply to: Letter to the Editor in Response to “Weight-Inclusive Approaches to Nutrition and Dietetics: A Needed Paradigm Shift”, JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR, (2025).
- Incorporating Weight-Inclusive Approaches in Dietetics Education, Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, (2024).
Contact
Mailing Address
279 Dawson Hall
Athens, GA 30602
Shipping Address
279 Dawson Hall
Athens, GA 30602
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