Dr. Penny M. Kris-Etherton, PhD, RD, FAHA

Penny M. Kris-Etherton, PhD, RD, FAHA, is a registered dietitian and nutritional sciences researcher based at Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania, recognised internationally for work in cardiovascular nutrition and dietary fats. She is appointed as Evan Pugh University Professor of Nutritional Sciences, Emerita.

She retired from Pennsylvania State University on 31 July 2023 after more than 44 years on its nutritional sciences faculty. Recognition for this work includes the Supelco AOCS Research Award.

Dietetics combines the science of nutrition with the practical business of helping people change what they eat, in clinics, in communities and through research. Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton contributes to the field through cardiovascular nutrition and dietary fats.

Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton Specialty And Institution Summary

• Full Name And Credentials: Penny M. Kris-Etherton, PhD, RD, FAHA
• Profession: Registered dietitian and nutritional sciences researcher
• Field Of Focus: Cardiovascular nutrition and dietary fats
• Current Position: Evan Pugh University Professor of Nutritional Sciences, Emerita
• Institution: Pennsylvania State University
• Location: University Park, Pennsylvania
• Sees Patients: No, this specialist works in research and education
• Previous Appointments: Retired from Pennsylvania State University on 31 July 2023 after more than 44 years on its nutritional sciences faculty

Academic And Professional Credentials Of Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton

The qualifications below are drawn from the institutional, professional body and publisher sources listed at the end of this profile.

• Undergraduate: BS in medical dietetics, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1971
• Graduate Degree: MS in nutrition, Case Western Reserve University
• Dietetic Internship: Veterans Administration Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio
• Doctorate: PhD in human nutrition, University of Minnesota, 1991
• Professional Registration: Registered Dietitian; Fellow of the American Heart Association

Main Areas Of Knowledge For Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton

Published professional sources describe the work of Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton as centred on:

• Dietary fats and blood cholesterol
• Nuts, dark chocolate and cardiovascular risk factors
• Dietary patterns for cardiometabolic disease prevention
• Translation of evidence into dietary guidelines
• Dietetics education and training

Appointments And Leadership Roles Of Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton

• Evan Pugh University Professor of Nutritional Sciences, Penn State’s highest faculty honour, conferred 2020
• Distinguished Professor of Nutrition, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Penn State, from 1979
• Former didactic programme and dietetics director at Penn State
• Member of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
• Member of the Second Adult Treatment Panel of the National Cholesterol Education Program
• Member of the Dietary Reference Intakes for Macronutrients Committee of the National Academies
• Member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Past Chair of the American Heart Association Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health and of its Nutrition Committee
• Served on the writing group for the 2021 American Heart Association dietary recommendations
• Past President of the National Lipid Association

Notable Achievements Of Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton

• Appointed an Evan Pugh University Professor in 2020, Pennsylvania State University’s highest faculty honour, held by only 73 faculty since 1960
• Supelco AOCS Research Award, 2022, for original research in fats, oils and lipid biochemistry
• Distinguished Achievement Award, American Heart Association Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health, 2022
• Robert I. Levy Memorial Lecturer, American Heart Association, 2021
• Copher Memorial Award, 2007
• Monsen Award for Outstanding Research Literature, 2005
• Foundation Award for Excellence in Research, American Dietetic Association, 1998
• Lederle Award for Human Nutrition Research, American Society for Nutritional Sciences, 1991
• Distinguished Alumna, Rochester Institute of Technology, 2017
• Author of more than 300 peer-reviewed papers, 30 book chapters and four books
• The Penny M. Kris-Etherton Doctoral Award Fund was established in her name in 2020

Institution And Country Where Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton Works

Pennsylvania State University

University Park, Pennsylvania. This is an academic and research base rather than a patient clinic. Enquiries about research, teaching or media are handled by the institution rather than by this directory.

Why Cardiovascular Nutrition Matters For Everyday Eating

Cardiovascular nutrition studies how diet affects blood pressure, blood cholesterol and the risk of heart attack and stroke. Landmark feeding trials in this field established that cutting sodium and following a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and low fat dairy lowers blood pressure measurably, and that replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat improves the blood lipid profile. Guidance from this work sits behind most national heart health dietary advice.

Related Cardiovascular Nutrition Specialists

If you are comparing specialists, these profiles cover closely related areas of nutrition:

• Dr. Lawrence Appel, diet and blood pressure at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Dr. Emilio Ros, Mediterranean diet research at Hospital Clinic of Barcelona and the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute
• Dr. Evangeline Mantzioris, Mediterranean diet and sports nutrition at Adelaide University, formerly the University of South Australia
• Dr. Miguel Angel Martinez-Gonzalez, Mediterranean diet research at University of Navarra and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Browse the full dietitian and nutritionist directory for more specialists.

Working With Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton On Research Or Education

This specialist does not offer individual consultations. Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton works in research, teaching and public health nutrition. Research, teaching and media enquiries go to Pennsylvania State University directly. For personal dietary advice, see a dietitian or nutritionist registered in your own country, or use the enquiry button on this page and we will point you towards a practising specialist in the directory.

Quick Answers About Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton

Where is Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton based?

Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton works at Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania.

Does Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton see patients?

No. Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton works in research, teaching and public health rather than individual consultations, and does not offer private appointments. For one to one dietary advice, see a registered dietitian or nutritionist licensed in your own country.

What did Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton study?

PhD in human nutrition, University of Minnesota, 1991. Full training details appear in the education section above.

What are the qualifications of Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton?

Penny M. Kris-Etherton, PhD, RD, FAHA. Full credentials are listed above.

What position does Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton hold?

Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton is Evan Pugh University Professor of Nutritional Sciences, Emerita, based at Pennsylvania State University.

What is Cardiovascular Nutrition?

Cardiovascular Nutrition is the area of nutrition science concerned with cardiovascular nutrition and dietary fats. Specialists working in it, including Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton, study how diet relates to health and translate those findings into guidance.

Source List For Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton

• Penn State College of Health and Human Development faculty profile
• Penn State announcement of her retirement
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Accuracy And Review Of This Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton Profile

This profile was compiled from the public professional sources listed above, including university faculty pages, professional register and society records, journal author statements and publisher biographies. Qualifications, appointments and awards were checked against at least two independent sources where available. Last reviewed on 30 October 2026.

Update note: Retired from Pennsylvania State University on 31 July 2023 after more than 44 years on its nutritional sciences faculty.

Found something out of date? Contact the Find MD Health editorial team and we will review the entry.

Important Disclaimer About Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton

Information only, not medical or dietary advice, and not a listing for appointments. For individual guidance, see a registered dietitian or your own doctor.