Feon Cheng

Feon Cheng is an alumna of Penn State Nutritional Sciences’ doctoral program. She currently lives in California and works as a nutrition epidemiologist at the Hass Avocado Board's Avocado Nutrition Center.

Why did you pursue a degree from Penn State Nutritional Sciences?

I pursued my doctorate in Nutritional Sciences at Penn State because of its strong reputation in nutrition research. The program offered rigorous training in research methods and nutrition, which laid a solid foundation for my work in nutrition epidemiology. I was especially drawn to the collaborative, interdisciplinary environment, where faculty mentorship and peer support fostered both intellectual growth and professional development.

What impact are you seeking to make in your current position?

I currently work as a nutrition epidemiologist at the Avocado Nutrition Center, where I lead and collaborate on research exploring how avocado consumption relates to health outcomes across diverse populations. Much of my work involves analyzing large-scale existing datasets and prospective cohorts using rigorous epidemiologic methods.

A key focus of my research is translating high-quality nutrition science into practical insights to inform healthcare professionals and fellow researchers. Ultimately, my goal is to strengthen the evidence around whole foods—especially avocado—and their role in supporting health.

How did your degree lead to your current position?

My degree in nutritional sciences provided rigorous training in research methods, dietary assessment, and statistical analysis, which prepared me well for my current role as a nutrition epidemiologist.

One of the most valuable aspects of my experience at Penn State Nutritional Sciences was the rich professional network within the program, where I formed meaningful connections with faculty, fellow students, and collaborators. Many of these relationships have continued well beyond graduation and have led to ongoing research collaborations that I still draw on today.

What are the biggest opportunities and challenges in the field?

One of the biggest opportunities in nutrition today is the ability to leverage large, well-established datasets and advance analytical methods to better understand how diet influences health across diverse populations. This creates meaningful potential to generate evidence that is relevant and applicable to real life.

At the same time, one of the biggest challenges is translating complex and sometimes inconsistent findings into clear, trustworthy guidance. Nutrition is deeply interconnected with behavior, culture, and environment, which makes studying it inherently complex. Navigating this complexity while maintaining scientific rigor and public trust is both the field’s greatest challenge and its greatest opportunity.

What advice do you have for nutritional sciences student?

It is OK to take your time to explore and not have everything figured out right away. Some of the most rewarding moments in my career came from saying yes to opportunities that felt a little uncomfortable or unfamiliar at first. Try to surround yourself with mentors and peers who support you, challenge you, and make you excited about learning. Focus on building strong technical skills, but don’t forget how important communication and collaboration are along the way.

Most importantly, stay true to your values and scientific integrity; they will help guide you through uncertainty and toward a career you can truly feel good about.