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Sudha Raj

Teaching Professor

Nutrition and Food Studies

Graduate Director

Nutrition and Food studies

Contact

315.443.5573 sraj@syr.edu

Organizational Unit

Links

Location

White Hall, #562
Syracuse, NY 13244

Biography

Dr. Raj is a Teaching Professor and Director of the Graduate Program in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at Syracuse University and a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Dr. Raj holds a B.Sc. degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Madras University and M.Sc. degree from Bombay University in India. She subsequently completed her M.S and PhD degrees in Nutrition Science from Syracuse University. Dr. Raj is interested in exploring the role of acculturative factors as they impact the health and well-being of Asian Indian immigrants specifically from India. Since 1994, she has developed dietetics related educational resources, written book chapters and given presentations highlighting the unique Asian Indian culture, food habits and role of food as delineated in the traditional medical system of Ayurveda. She was instrumental in developing and implementing one of the first pilot studies to investigate dietary acculturation patterns in Asian Indian immigrants in the U.S. Recently she was one of two academy members responsible for the inception of the Member interest group for Asian Indians in Dietetics. Dr. Raj is the current Chair for the Education Committee for the Global Member Interest group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Dr. Raj has been actively involved with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has served as Newsletter Editor, Chair for the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group and Chair for the Vegetarian Nutrition Evidence Analysis Group. She has also served as a committee member for the development of Standards of Practice for the Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine. Dr. Raj’s research and curricular development interests extend into the areas of vegetarian nutrition, integrative and functional nutrition and traditional food and medical systems such as Ayurveda. She is currently involved in the development of a Certificate of Advance Studies in Integrative and Functional Nutrition at Syracuse University.

Education

  • Ph.D., Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
  • M.S., Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, . Major: Nutrition Science
  • M.Sc., Bombay University, Bombay, . Major: Foods, Nutrition & Dietetics
  • B.Sc., Madras University, Madras, . Major: Nutrition and Dietetics

Specialization

  • Vegetarianism, cultural food practices, consequences of global nutrition transition

Teaching

Notable Courses

Food as medicine (now Integrated Food and nutrition therapy)
Vegetarian nutrition
Introduction to Integrative and Functional nutrition
Food, culture and the Environment
Introduction of an Interprofessional Education course for graduate students in Dietetics track.
South Asia- Food, Family, Culture and Healthcare systems.
Leadership and Management,

Presentations

  • Sudha RajDenine RogersClarissa RiveraQianhui (Jera) ZhangEnhancing Nutrition Through Cultural Adaptation- Perspectives and Realities in AAPI, Black, Latino & Asian Indian Communities [Oral Presentation]. Presented at Annual Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo, Nashville, TN, United States, 2025-10-12.
  • Sudha RajProtein deficiency in South Asia- The Nutrition Dialogues - Session 7 [Oral Presentation]. Presented at The Nutrition Dialogues, 2025-09-23.
  • Sudha Raj (2025). Integrative & Functional Medicine Approach to Manage Diabetes and co-morbidities [Oral Presentation]. Presented at NUTRIFEAST 2025- Policy, Principles and Practice of Nutrition. Symposium and Skills Development Workshop, Madras Medical College, Chennai, India, 2025-05-09.
  • Sudha Raj (2025). Trauma informed nutrition care- Food and nutrition issues addressing conflicts [Oral Presentation]. Presented at A Five-Day Virtual International Faculty Development Program on *NARRATIVES OF CHANGE: STORYTELLING FOR INCLUSIVE FUTURES, Virtual, 2025-02-07.
  • Nanci S GuestReed A MangelsSudha RajExploring the Rewards and Challenges of Vegetarian Diets: A Fresh Look at the Academy’s Position [Oral Presentation]. Presented at Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo, Minneapolis, MN, 2024-10-06.
  • Sudha RajRe-thinking Dietary Diversity in Food Systems that include Wild Edibles [Oral Presentation]. Presented at International Congress of Nutrition and Dietetics, Toronto, Canada, 2024-06-13.
  • Sudha RajAsian Indian dietary practices [Panel]. Presented at Food and Culture class at Case Western University Nutrition department, Cleveland, 2023-11-20.
  • Sudha RajEating for the Brain [Oral Presentation]. Presented at Continuing education workshop, Albany, 2023-11-02.
  • Sudha RajMatthew LandryNanci GuestKatelyn SenkusRoman PawlakDeepa HanduMary RozgaRelationships between vegetarian and vegan diets and incidence of cardiovascular disease in the general population: An umbrella review of systematic reviews. [Poster]. Presented at Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo, Denver, 2023-10-08.
  • Sudha RajMary RozgaKatelyn SenkusMatthew LandryNanci GuestRelationship between vegetarian or vegan dietary patterns and BMI in the general population: An umbrella review of systematic reviews [Poster]. Presented at American Society of Nutrition, Boston, 2023-07-22.

Active Service

Professional Service

  • Nutrition Science Mentor, Physical medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist VA Hospital, Syracuse, NY, Nutrition Science Mentor for Dr. G. Henderson.
  • Reviewer/Referee, American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine and Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems (active since: 2014)
  • Reviewer/Referee, Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine (active since: 2014)
  • Reviewer/Referee, BMC Public Health (active since: 2014)
  • Reviewer/Referee, Diabetes care and Education Practice Group newsletter (active since: 2014)
  • Reviewer/Referee, International Journal of Pediatrics (active since: 2014)
  • Reviewer/Referee, Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (active since: 2014)
  • Reviewer/Referee, Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (active since: 2014)
  • Reviewer/Referee, Nutrients (active since: 2014)
  • Reviewer/Referee, Patient Education and Counseling (active since: 2014)
  • Reviewer/Referee, PLoS ONE (active since: 2014)

Honors, Awards, and Recognition

  • Evan Weissman Memorial Faculty of the Year Award for Teaching Excellence, Falk College, Syracuse University
  • Medallion Award, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (received: 2024)
  • 2023-2024 Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Teaching Recognition Award for Continuing Excellence, Syracuse University
  • 2023 Indian in Nutrition and Dietetics (INDMIG) Excellence in Service and Leadership award, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine (DIFM-DPG) “Excellence in Service” award (received: 2018)
  • Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine (DIFM-DPG) “Excellence in Practice” Award (received: 2013)
  • Vegetarian Nutrition (VN DPG) “Excellence in Service” Award (received: 2013)
  • Faculty of the Year award, College of Human Ecology

Memberships

  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • American Society of Nutrition

Recent Media Mentions:

  • How to become a Vegetarian or simply eat more plants (22 May 2024)

Organizational Unit

Links

Location

White Hall, #562
Syracuse, NY 13244