Mary-Jon Ludy recognized for supporting student research

Dr. Mary-Jon Ludy, assistant professor of food and nutrition, received the Undergraduate Faculty Mentor of the Year Award handed out each year by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (CURS) to outstanding faculty mentors based on student nominations. CURS supports and fosters undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activities across all disciplines.

Ludy is a forever Falcon! She graduated from BGSU with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics in 2002 and joined the faculty in 2011. She earned a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition from Tufts University, interned with a Vitamin A program in Nepal, conducted HIV research in Thailand, taught community development in Costa Rica, worked as an outpatient dietitian in Boston, and earned a Ph.D. from Purdue University.

Ludy’s overall research focus is energy balance through dietary manipulation. She is guided by a desire to conduct research that has practical application in real-life situations and involves students in the research process.

She is founding director of the Health, Wellness, and You Academic Learning Community, where first-year students (with the guidance of upperclassmen, graduate students, and faculty mentors) become researchers on their own health patterns and learn strategies for improving their self-care.

Since joining the BGSU faculty, Ludy has provided many students with their initial immersion into research. Her undergraduate research team has presented their work at regional (n=5), national (n=5), and international (n=1) conferences and published manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals (n=2). Her hope is that by promoting an early interest, understanding, and appreciation of research among future nutrition professionals, a ripple effect will occur – BGSU will be stronger, students’ lives will be richer, and the field will move forward.

A few words from the students who nominated Ludy:

“Dr. Ludy is an amazing mentor for all of her students. …I know we would have never completed our project without her support.”

“She continually went above and beyond her role as advisor. … Dr. Ludy has encouraged me to be ambitious and active in the field of dietetics, which has made a huge impact on my life.”

“Dr. Ludy is an amazing mentor, advisor, and teacher. She not only demonstrates excellence teaching her nutrition courses by actively engaging students, but conducts a multitude of student-run research projects.”

“Her outstanding mentorship led to me completing my Honor’s project as well as presenting my poster at several conferences. Without her help, I would not have had these experiences. … She deserves recognition for everything she has done, not only for me, but also for all the other students she has taken under her wing.”