Chapkin named American Society for Nutrition 2024 Fellow

Robert Chapkin, Ph.D., Allen Endowed Chair in Nutrition and Chronic Disease Prevention in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Nutrition, has been named a Fellow of the American Society for Nutrition, ASN.

Chapkin is one of 15 individuals who will be inducted into the ASN Class of 2024 Fellows. Induction as a Fellow of the Society is the highest accolade bestowed by ASN and honors individuals for their significant contributions and outstanding lifetime achievements in the field of nutrition.

“The recognition of Dr. Chapkin’s scholarly contributions to the nutrition field throughout his career at Texas A&M is highly deserving of his election as an ASN Fellow,” said David Threadgill, Ph.D., head of the Department of Nutrition.

Research in the Chapkin Lab focuses on dietary and microbial modulation for the prevention of cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases. Chapkin’s research has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health for the past 35 years. 

“I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with wonderful colleagues and students over the years,” said Chapkin. “Recognition by ASN makes me pause to reflect upon the many novel discoveries we have made over the three-plus decades. Thanks to all my mentors who helped me in my quest to create new knowledge.” 

Award recognizes Chapkin’s contributions to nutrition science 

The Class of 2024 Fellows will be honored on June 30 during ASN’s annual flagship meeting, NUTRITION 2024, which is being held in Chicago. 

“These individuals have devoted themselves to advancing our discipline and improving global health,” said Kevin Schalinske, Ph.D., ASN president. “Their work has paved the path for future generations of scientists, clinicians and scholars.”

Fellows are selected by ASN and the American Society for Nutrition Foundation. 

“The ASN Foundation extends heartfelt congratulations to the ASN Class of 2024 Fellows and expresses deep appreciation for their unwavering commitment to propelling our scientific domain and the society forward,” said Catherine Woteki, Ph.D., chair of the ASN Foundation Board of Trustees.

Award winning researcher and teacher

Chapkin, who holds a dual appointment in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, was also honored at last year’s ASN annual meeting when he was presented with the Mary Swartz Rose Senior Investigator Award.

The award is named in honor of the late Mary Swartz Rose, founder and president of what was formerly known as the American Institute of Nutrition. It recognizes an investigator whose scientific contributions advance the understanding of healthy dietary patterns. 

Chapkin was selected for his outstanding research on the safety and efficacy of bioactive compounds for human health. 

Among Chapkin’s numerous awards and honors for research is his recognition as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2018 for scientifically and socially distinguished efforts to advance science and its applications. 

He is a National Cancer Institute Outstanding Investigator Awardee, and he has received the National Nutrition Program Faculty Scholar Award from the PEW Foundation. Other awards granted to Chapkin by ASN include the Osborne and Mendel Award and the Bio-Serv Award in Experimental Animal Nutrition. Additionally, he has authored or co-authored more than 300 scientific research publications.

“Receipt of these prestigious awards and the resultant long-term support provided by the National Institute of Health has allowed me to take greater risks, be more adventurous in my lines of inquiry to perform highly novel science,” said Chapkin. “I am honored to be inducted as a Fellow of the American Society of Nutrition.”