Lori Cherok

Lori Cherok serves as the Director for the BS in Nutrition Science program and teaches courses in both the Nutrition Science and Dietitian Nutritionist programs. Cherok currently teaches the undergraduate and graduate-level medical nutrition therapy courses and co-teaches the nutrient metabolism course. She also serves as an faculty mentor for students. Cherok's specific areas of interest include medical nutrition therapy for individuals with gastrointestinal disease, critical illness and nutrition support. Cherok's clinical experience as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist includes working with patients undergoing treatment related to critical illness, organ transplantation, trauma, and gastrointestinal disease. Cherok is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Pittsburgh Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians in Nutrition Support Professional Practice Group, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and the Greater Pittsburgh Area Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. She served as the Continuing Education Approval Chair for the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation from 2021-2022, the Local Arrangements Co-Chair for the Pennsylvania Dietetic Association Annual Meeting Planning Committee in 2009-2010 and the Nominating Chair for the Pittsburgh Dietetic Association in 2007-2008.

Cherok received her B.S. in Applied Nutrition from the Pennsylvania State University and her M.S. in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Pittsburgh. Cherok earned her PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health in April 2018. Her dissertation was titled “Folate and Iron Status in Women of Childbearing Age after Bariatric Surgery”.