Jana Ponce, PhD, RD, LMNT

Doctor of Nutrition and Dietetics Program Director
Assistant Professor

Send Email

Dr. Ponce is an Assistant Professor and the director of the Doctor of Nutrition and Dietetics program. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and completed her dietetic internship at Mayo Clinic Rochester in 2012, going on to receive her Master of Science degree (2017) and PhD (2021) from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Dr. Ponce is also an instructor in the Master of Medical Nutrition program and has an active research agenda focused on the impact of malnutrition and nutrition interventions on clinical outcomes and the resolution of inflammation in disease states.

Education

PhD, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 2021. Program: Patient-Oriented Research
MS, Medical Nutrition, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 2017
Certificate of Dietetic Internship Completion, Mayo School of Health Sciences, Rochester, Minnesota, 2012
BS, Dietetics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2011

Research interests

Dr. Ponce’s experience as a trained clinical dietitian has motivated her research agenda which focuses on translational approaches to prevent or attenuate illness through the use of nutrition therapy and the advancement of nutrition intervention in clinical practice. Specific research interests include the impact of nutrition interventions on clinical outcomes and nutritional approaches to resolving acute and chronic inflammation.

Honors and Awards

2024, Harry M. Vars Award, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
2022, Significance in Research for Junior Faculty, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Allied Health Professions