Background,
Research, and Teaching Interests
Dr. Kathy Beerman was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the State University of New at Brockport, Department of Health Sciences. She relocated to Corvallis, Oregon to start graduate school at Oregon State University, where she earned her PhD. Now a professor of nutrition, Kathy teaches in the School of Molecular Biosciences at Washington State University. Prior to this, she was a faculty member in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition for 18 years. The author of several published articles, she specializes in research focusing on dietary practices of college students and the effects of isoflavones on health parameters (immune reponse, thyroid function, memory, and metabolic profile) in postmenopausal women. Dr. Beerman has also published several articles assessing the effectiveness of computer technology in the college classroom. She is a member of the American Society for Nutrition. Dr. Beerman teaches the introductory nutrition course for health majors, as well as courses in nutrition education and life cycle nutrition. Since joining the faculty at Washington State University in 1989, she has taught more than 15,000 students, and has been the recipient of several college and university teaching awards including the Burlington Northern Faculty Meritorious Achievement in Teaching Award, the R.M. Wade Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the WSU Mortar Board’s Distinguished Professor Award. In 2008, Dr. Beerman was awarded the Sahlin Faculty Excellence Award for Instruction. In addition, Dr. Beerman was inducted into the President’s Teaching Academy at Washington State University, which is composed of faculty members who provide leadership to strengthen undergraduate and graduate teaching and learning. Dr. Beerman’s years of teaching experience combined with her wide knowledge base in nutrition and health sciences has helped create an innovative introductory nutrition textbook, titled Nutritional Sciences: From Fundamentals to Food, with co-author Dr. Michelle McGuire. At home, Kathy enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, gardening, and running. She has completed 2 marathons and 10 half-marathons, and hopes to learn how to ride a bike and swim so that she can compete in a triathlon.