Pamela Koch(Ed.D. ’00, Ed.M. ’97), Mary Swartz Rose Associate Professor of Nutrition and Education, was awarded the Helen Denning Ullrich Award for Lifetime Excellence in Nutrition Education at the 2026 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB) Annual Conference held this July in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions to the field of nutrition education throughout the course of their careers. Koch works to empower communities to foster a more equitable and sustainable food system through curriculum development, policy recommendations and creating resources for advocates.
“Our profession is rich — from understanding our global food system to cultural relevance and people’s lived experiences — [and] what we do through research, practice and policy enables people to navigate the challenges of the food environment and advocate for change,” said Koch, Faculty Director for the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy and Co-Director of the Center of Sustainable Futures, in her acceptance speech. “I cannot thank all of you enough, those of you who I have known well for years and those of you I’m just getting to meet. I’m so honored to be receiving this award.”
Koch joins an esteemed cohort of leaders in nutrition, including her colleagues and mentors, Isobel Contento, Mary Swartz Rose Professor Emerita of Nutrition and Education and the late Joan Dye Gussow (Ed.D. ’75, M.Ed. ’74), who also held the Rose professorship in her lifetime
“Pam Koch has dedicated her career [to] advancing nutrition education through research, teaching and community partnership. Her work has helped shape healthier schools, communities and food systems by emphasizing equity, experiential learning and the environments that influence food choices,” said Susan Stephenson-Martin, president of the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. “Through scholarship, mentorship and collaboration, she has inspired generations of students and professionals while advancing practical, evidence-based approaches that make healthy eating more accessible for all.”
Koch also received the 2026 SNEB’s President Award in recognition of her extraordinary leadership, mentorship and service to the Society. Throughout her career, Koch has held several leadership roles at SNEB, including a one-year term as president in 2020, and continues to be an active volunteer with the organization
Koch has played a key role in TC’s work at the forefront of nutrition education since joining the faculty in 2000. In 2006, Koch and Contento established the Tisch Food Center with the goal of translating cutting edge research on food and nutrition education into actionable resources for educators and policymakers. In the 20 years since, the Tisch Food Center has developed robust curricula for educators working with K-12 students; worked with NYC public officials to improve food and nutrition education in public schools; contributed to legislation to increase national nutrition requirements and established the Food Ed Coalition, a network of advocates, educators and key other stakeholders.
Recently, Koch was a critical contributor to the nutrition standards for NYC Public Schools, which provides practical guidance for integrating food and nutrition education into a variety of K-12 subjects.
Learn More
- Empowering Teachers to Implement Food and Nutrition Education
- TC Launches Program in Sustainability & Education
- Empowering Food Educators Through Policy and Preparation
- Creating Resources Uplifting Nutrition, Culture, and Health at Lunch
- An Online Nutrition Course That Entices Students to the Table
Published Tuesday, Sep 1, 2026
