Dr. Sumathi Venkatesh is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Nutrition at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. With expertise in nutrition research and extension programs, she is committed to advancing public health through education and outreach, with a focus on improving dietary habits and health outcomes. She has contributed to the development and implementation of various health and nutrition program curricula and evaluation tools aimed at reducing preventable diseases in Texas, including those focused on chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Her work also includes programs on general nutrition, weight management, recipe development, hands-on cooking schools, physical activity, and worksite wellness initiatives. Sumathi has also trained extension educators and both adult and youth volunteers to effectively deliver these nutrition and health programs.
She holds a Ph.D. in Human Nutrition from Michigan State University, where she taught college courses, conducted community nutrition research, and evaluated federally funded Extension nutrition programs. Her professional interests include nutrition education, physical activity, chronic disease prevention and management, dietary acculturation, culinary medicine, curriculum development, and Extension outreach and delivery.
