Siega-Riz Named Distinguished Fellow of the American Society for Nutrition

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Dean Anna Maria Siega-Riz

Anna Maria Siega-Riz, professor of nutrition and epidemiology and dean of the School of Public Health and Health Sciences, has been named a Distinguished Fellow of the American Society for Nutrition (ASN).

Induction as a Distinguished Fellow of ASN (DFASN) is the highest honor bestowed by the Society, recognizing individuals for their significant contributions and outstanding lifetime achievements in the field of nutrition. She joins a class of 21 members who will be inducted during ASN’s annual flagship meeting, NUTRITION 2026, being held July 25-28, 2026, in National Harbor, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. Members of this year’s class join more than 500 other ASN Distinguished Fellows who have been recognized since the program began in 1952. 

“This is a huge milestone for me,” says Siega-Riz. “I have watched many of my former mentors and giants in the field become a fellow and it is an honor and humbling experience to know that I am now considered one of them. I am very grateful for all the opportunities given to me  over the years to make such an impact in the field of maternal and child health.”

Siega-Riz's research focuses on the first 1,000 days of life and understanding the influences of diet, nutrition and lifestyle on the short and long-term health of the mother and the child. She recently contributed to a new National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report on maternal heart risk, as well as chaired the committee that updated the report on Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy in 2023

Siega-Riz also leads UMass Amherst’s efforts on “Food as Medicine,” working closely with UMass Dining and faculty in nutrition, food science and nursing to improve health providers' knowledge and application of culinary skills and nutrition in their clinical practice to improve patient’s health as well as to empower communities to be more food secure. She is a co-organizer of the annual Healthcare Culinary Conference, held in conjunction with UMass Dining's annual Chef Culinary Conference in June.

Siega-Riz was appointed dean of the UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences in 2019 and re-appointed in 2024. Among her many honors during this period, she was named a 2025 Beacons for the Common Good Honoree by the Massachusetts Health Council.

About the American Society for Nutrition (ASN)

The American Society for Nutrition is the preeminent professional organization for scientists and clinicians around the world. Founded in 1928, the society brings together the top nutrition researchers, medical practitioners, policy makers and industry leaders to advance the science, education, and practice of nutrition, reaching more than 55 million people annually.