Dr. Janet Walberg Rankin
Professor, Virginia Tech University
“Fit Me, Fit Planet”

Dr. Rankin is currently an Associate Dean at the Graduate School and a Professor in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise at Virginia Tech.  She received her undergraduate training at Duke University and graduate degree from the University of California at Davis. 

Current research from her laboratory relates to an overarching goal to clarify the optimal nutritional strategies to reduce inflammation and related health complications in obesity and athletes.  Historically, she has done research related to nutrition and physical performance in athletes and the optimal diet for weight loss in obesity. She was on the writing team for the revision of the ACSM position stand on exercise and obesity and on the Institute of Medicine committee charged with making recommendations related to use of dietary supplements in military personnel. In addition to service as President of the Southeast Regional Chapter of American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), she has served the national organization, ACSM, as a Fellow, Vice President, Associate Editor for the organization’s official journal, a member or Chair on many national committees, and most recently as President of the organization in 2012-13. Her presidential initiative, ActivEarth, is dedicated to promoting active transportation through accessible and safe walking and biking options as a means to better health, environments, and sustainable economies.