Stoecker recognized with research award

Monday, October 23, 2017

Dr. Barbara Stoecker, OSU Regents Professor in nutritional sciences and Thoma Chair, received the Distinguished Research Award from her alma mater, the Kansas State University College of Human Ecology.

Stoecker, who earned a Bachelor of Science in home economics education at K-State in 1965, was honored during the college’s Celebration of Excellence on October 19.

The K-State College of Human Ecology’s Distinguished Research Award recognizes a graduate's significant contributions to humanity, K-State and his or her profession through research. Stoecker, a member of the OSU faculty since 1987, has spent her career investigating nutrients that positively affect human health, and her teaching and research have been nationally and internationally recognized.

Since 2006, much of Stoecker’s research has concentrated on the nutritional needs of the people of Ethiopia, and her studies have shown that zinc deficiencies may stunt the cognitive development of children. Her studies have gained wide recognition in Africa, and she has been instrumental in helping nations there develop curricula for graduate students.

Stoecker’s many honors include induction to the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 2016 for her contributions in the field of nutritional science.