Alumni

July 15, 2026 | Jessica McBride, PhD

Christopher Blesso Named Interim Department Head of Nutritional Sciences

Blesso brings a strong record of research, teaching, and student mentorship to this leadership role

Christopher Blesso

Christopher Blesso, Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR). (Jason Sheldon/UConn Photo)

Christopher Blesso ’12 (CAHNR), associate professor of nutritional sciences, has been named interim department head for the Department of Nutritional Sciences in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR), effective August 2026.

“Dr. Blesso’s commitment to excellence across teaching, research, and community engagement has made him a valued leader within our College,” says Kumar Venkitanarayanan, dean and director of CAHNR. “His collaborative approach, dedication to advancing nutritional sciences, and deep understanding of the department position him well to guide the Department of Nutritional Sciences during this transition.”

Blesso joined UConn in 2013 and was promoted to associate professor in 2019. His translational research program spans from fundamental laboratory studies to clinical trials, investigating how dietary factors and the gut microbiome interact to influence metabolic health.

In addition to his research accomplishments, Blesso has taught a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses in nutritional sciences and has mentored numerous graduate students. He received the received the University-wide Dr. Lynne Goodstein and Dr. Peter Langer Award for Honors Advising in 2017 and the CAHNR Teaching Award in 2022. Blesso also has served in multiple editorial leadership positions, including roles with The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, Atherosclerosis Plus, Nutrition Research, and Current Atherosclerosis Reports. He is a panel member for the National Dairy Council’s Nutrition Research Scientific Advisory Committee (NRSAC).

Blesso succeeds Ji-Young Lee, who has served as department head for the past seven years and will become chair of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Maryland.

“I am honored to serve as interim department head and to support the outstanding faculty, staff, and students who make our department such a vibrant community,” says Blesso. “I look forward to working collaboratively to advance our missions of research, teaching, and Extension outreach while building on the department’s many strengths.”

Follow UConn CAHNR on social media