Rutgers School of Health Professions alumna Dr. Laura Matarese, Ph.D Nutrition ’07, has established a scholarship for doctoral students in the Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences.

An accomplished clinician, educator, mentor role model and recipient of the 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award, Dr. Matarese, Ph.D., RDN, LDN, CNSC, FADA, FASPEN, FAND, is a tenured professor at East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine. She has been an adjunct professor in the Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences since 2008.

Dr. Matarese said she didn’t realize how simple it was to make a difference for students through the establishment of a scholarship.

“It is a way of giving back that I never knew was within my reach. I really thought you had to be a billionaire to make an impact through philanthropy. I sincerely hope this first step on my part will result in others coming forward to donate,” she said.

“A scholarship, even a small one, could be one of many reasons why someone finishes a degree or not. Then when you consider the implications of that degree on society, the gift is even more important. For example, the person with that degree will likely go on to help others—maybe even cure cancer.”

The award will be called the Dr. Laura Matarese Doctoral Scholarship in Nutrition.

Dr. Matarese is internationally recognized for her contributions to clinical nutrition, having introduced new policies and procedures for nutrition interventions to optimize patient care for individuals with intestinal failure, HIV and those on parenteral and enteral nutrition.

She was recently tapped to work in COVID-19 research, and presented a lecture on the topic at a recent continuing education workshop hosted by SHP. She was named the school’s Distinguished Alumni for 2020.

For more information on how you can have an impact through philanthropy, reach out to Katie Mayfield at katie.mayfield@ruf.rutgers.edu or 848-932-7961.