Woman reading a product label while shopping in grocery isle

Bringing Nutritional Science to Life

A revolution in personal and public health is coming. It comes from empowering consumers, families, patients, and workplaces with truly clear guidance for a healthier life.

Our Team

Director

Marissa Duswalt Epstein

is the Director of the University of Texas Nutrition Institute and Lecturer in the McCombs Business School and Department of Nutrition. Previously, Marissa led the Health Education, Engagement and Promotion department at Stanford Health Care, and prior, she was The White House Associate Director of the Let's Move! initiative working directly with Michelle Obama. She received her BS in Nutrition with Honors and became credentialed as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at the University of Texas at Austin. She earned her MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Professor

Dr. Margaret Briley

is a Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin. She completed her PhD degree at Texas Tech University in nutrition in the College of Agriculture. She was the first woman to graduate with a PhD degree from a College of Agriculture that was a non-land grant university in the United States. Dr. Briley is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian.

Assistant Professor of Instruction

Drew Hayes

is a Registered Dietitian and professionally trained chef. She received her BS and MA of Nutritional Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin. Her academic interests are food science, clinical adult nutrition, critical care, food and cooking.

Assistant Professor of Instruction

Ladia Hernandez

is an Assistant Professor of instructor at the University of Texas. She received her Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences and her M.S. in Nutritional Sciences/Combined Dietetic Internship through Texas Woman's University. She earned her B.S. in Food and Nutrition from Texas Tech University. Her academic interests include nutritional epidemiology, obesity, maternal and child health, and cancer prevention.

Assistant Professor of Instruction

Diane Papillion

is an Assistant Professor of Instructor at the University of Texas in the Nutritional Sciences Department. She is a Registered Dietitian and spent many years working in the field of public health nutrition before joining the faculty at the University of Texas. Her academic interests are community nutrition and sustainable foodservice systems.