Faculty & Staff

• NFS 512 Medical Nutrition Therapy 1
• NFS 517 Medical Nutrition Therapy 2

• Nutrition and Environmental Contaminants
• Zinc and Copper Metabolism
• Leptin, Appetite Regulation, and Inflammation

• Nutrition education programs for communities affected by environmental contaminants

Dr. Lisa Gaetke has established a national and international reputation for her research in nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, and community nutrition as it relates to environmental contaminants. Her educational background in nutrition and foods is combined with credentialing and licensing as a registered dietitian. Her extensive experience in food product development and food styling for food photography for major food companies as well as her research and clinical trials in a medical setting support her current research success. Dr. Gaetke's recent scholarly activities focus on nutrition programs for victims of exposure to Superfund hazardous waste sites, zinc metabolism, and appetite regulation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Dr. Gaetke's publications include numerous refereed articles, abstracts, proceedings and two book chapters. She has won numerous awards for her research from such institutions as the American College of Nutrition, Ross Laboratories, Proctor and Gamble, and the University of Louisville. Dr. Gaetke has secured external funding for her research as part of UK's Superfund Research Program, in addition to funding for a human clinical study in UK's Chandler Hospital's former clinical research center.  

Her current instructional responsibilities include teaching all of the medical nutrition therapy courses as required by the accredited dietetic programs. Dr. Gaetke holds the rank of Professor and has an appointment in the Graduate Center for Nutritional Sciences. She has received one of the University's highest teaching honors with the University of Kentucky Alumni Association's Great Teacher Award, the former College of Human Environmental Sciences Outstanding Teacher Award twice, and Most Enthusiastic Teacher Award. She was honored as Outstanding Dietetic Educator by both the Kentucky Dietetic Association and Area V (national) American Dietetic Association.

On the UK campus, Dr. Gaetke has served in such leadership positions as the Faculty Senate; the College of Agriculture Advisory Committee on Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure; the College of Agriculture Faculty Council; the College Honors Development Committee; and Faculty Advisor for UK CARES. She is an active member of several professional organizations including the American Dietetic Association, the Kentucky Dietetic Association, the Bluegrass District Dietetics Association, and the American College of Nutrition. She is a member of Phi Upsilon Omicron.