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Biography
Diane L. McKay, PhD, has spent her career helping people make sense of nutrition science—bringing clarity to nutrition education, antioxidants research, and the study of bioactive compounds and their role in lifelong health.
As Program Director and Assistant Professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, she leads the school’s Online Graduate Certificate Programs and teaches foundational nutrition science courses across Tufts’ campuses and online platforms. A member of the Tufts faculty since 2000, Dr. McKay has played a central role in expanding high‑quality online nutrition education and has been recognized repeatedly by students for her teaching excellence.
A former Scientist in the Antioxidants Research Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, her work focuses on antioxidants research and the role of nutrients and bioactive compounds in health promotion—particularly in aging adults—and on how chronic medication use may influence micronutrient needs. She has served as Principal Investigator or Co‑Investigator on numerous clinical nutrition studies supported by industry, commodity groups, and government partners, and has authored or co‑authored dozens of peer‑reviewed publications on topics including phytochemicals, multivitamin supplementation, whole grains, nuts, and herbal teas.
Beyond the lab and classroom, Dr. McKay is a trusted voice in public nutrition communication. She has served on editorial boards and scientific advisory committees, and her expertise has been featured in outlets such as the Tufts Health & Nutrition Newsletter, AARP, Consumer Reports, and The Atlantic.
