Faculty & Staff Profiles
Assistant Profesor, Applied Health Science
Health Science Campus
Contact
As an academic and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), I am committed to being an approachable, inclusive, and understanding educator. My work as an RDN and board-certified Sports Dietitian has centered around nutrition education, helping hundreds of patients/clients/athletes improve their nutrition, health, and wellness. My passion for nutrition is rivaled only by my love for teaching and learning. For me, teaching is much more than the transmission of content material and testing understanding. Teaching is different from merely assessing prior knowledge and clarifying confusion. Teaching is about creating an environment conducive to learning, which encompasses authentic and often iterative experiences. I approach teaching the way I encourage my students to approach learning: embrace the challenge, reflect often, encourage feedback, collaborate with those who want to see you succeed, and create a final product that has value for others.
As Program Director and SoTL-based scholar, my primary goal is to enhance dietetics education. I am dedicated to creating conditions that can support students in becoming caring, compassionate, and effective dietitians, ensuring they are well-prepared for their future careers.
Education
- Bachelor's degree, Illinois State University
- Master's degree, Illinois State University
- PhD, University of New Hampshire
What prompted you to pursue your field?
At a young age, I realized that what you eat could profoundly impact your health, athletic performance, and overall well-being. Once I made this connection and started diving into the science through my formal education and training, I began to appreciate just how simple and yet incredibly complex nutrition can be. I want to help people learn the complex and embrace the simple.
What would you tell a student about why your field is exciting or important?
Nutrition misinformation might be at an all-time high. For a future RDN, this is undoubtedly a challenge, but it also indicates societies' high level of interest in food, nutrition, and health, presenting RDNs with endless opportunities. We can be the informed, evidence-based voice of reason and help people adopt healthy, realistic, and sustainable habits to improve their lives.
What called you to or attracted you to Loyola?
Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, I have always been very familiar with Loyola's outstanding reputation as an institution of higher education and a driver of social justice, rooted in the long-held traditions of community service and engagement. I'm honored to support Loyola's efforts in educating and training future dietetics professionals and healthcare leaders, helping instill values of cultural humility, curiosity, and critical reflection, all of which are necessary to spark change and innovation.
Publications
- Pietro, K. (2015). Optimizing protein in the older adult: Issues and considerations when applying the evidence. J. Lifestyle Med, 9(4), 266-271. doi:10.1177/1559827615578827
- Pietro, K., Jensen, A. M., Schumacher, J. R., & Anderson, J. W. (2014). Vitamin B12 intake is correlated to physical and mental improvements in multiple sclerosis-specific quality of life. Int J Adv Nutr Health Sci, 2, 98-108.
doi: 10.23953/cloud.ijanhs.152