Excellence in Instruction Award - Robert T Jackson

Dr. Robert T. Jackson has been actively involved in teaching activities since joining the faculty of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science in December 1998. Dr. Jackson's teaching responsibilities include teaching six different courses, all of which he either developed alone or with other colleagues. Two of the courses are strictly undergraduate courses: Elements of Nutrition (NFSC 100) and Nutrition During the Lifecycle (NFSC 315). Two are upper level undergraduate courses that are also attended by graduate students: Nutritional Anthropology (NFSC 498) and International Nutrition (NFSC 425). The balance of his course inventory are graduate level courses: Nutritional Epidemiology and Research Methods for Community and International Nutrition (NFSC 675) and Graduate Course in International Nutrition (NFSC 678I). Elements of Nutrition has had an enrollment of 450 students per semester for the last several years. Nutrition During the Lifecycle has had an enrollment of 70-100 each semester. With such a heavy teaching load, Dr. Jackson's basic philosophy is that students need to be actively involved in the learning process. He shares his knowledge with great enthusiasm, convincing students that the learning process is worth an investment of time and effort. Dr. Jackson's teaching assistants have won Graduate TA Teaching Awards while working with him.

Dr. Jackson has also been active in advising graduate students. He is currently chairing committees for five Ph. D. students and has served as the major advisor for 10 masters-level students and two doctoral students who have already completed their degrees. Additionally several international scholars from Egypt, Lebanon, and Kuwait have worked for varying lengths of time with Dr. Jackson. Several of these visits led to papers being published.

Beyond teaching, Dr. Jackson is co-editor of "The Ecology of Food and Nutrition," an international scientific journal. He also serves as a regional associate editor of Nutrition Notes, the official newsletter for the American Society for Nutritional Sciences. He is active in seven professional societies and serves as a reviewer for national and international journals related to nutrition.