If you would like to work with the expert faculty in Winthrop's online M.S. in Human Nutrition, learn more today by contacting a program manager toll-free at 833/257-1704 or requesting more information.
Online Master of Science in Human Nutrition Faculty
Ashley Licata, Ph.D., RD, CSSD
Dr. Ashley Licata is an assistant professor in the Department of Human Nutrition at Winthrop. She earned a Ph.D. in Nutrition Sciences from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and investigated the effects of nutrition timing and protein intake on athletes' body composition. Licata is a Registered Dietitian licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina and a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics (CSSD). She currently teaches Sports Nutrition, Nutrition Counseling and Practice, Global and Public Health Nutrition and Research Methods. Licata's research interests are sports nutrition, disordered eating and food security.
Licata has worked as a Registered Dietitian for six years. She served as the first Director of Sports Nutrition for the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Athletics Department for three years. She also has experience working in private practice.
Duha Hamed, Ph.D.
Dr. Duha Hamed has been an Assistant Professor at Winthrop University since 2016. She earned a Ph.D. in Statistics from Central Michigan University and a master's degree in mathematics. Hamed loves teaching mathematics, statistics and helping students overcome math anxiety. Her primary research interest is the study of generalized statistical distributions. In particular, her doctoral research was about discovering new generalized families of the Pareto distribution using the T-X{Y} family framework. In addition to her fascination with statistical distributions, Hamed enjoys running and reading.
Hope Lima, Ph.D., RDN, LRD, IBCLC
Dr. Hope Lima is an assistant professor, graduate director, and director of the Certificate in Medical Lactation at Winthrop University.
Lima earned her Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry in 2018. She is an IBCLC and a Registered Dietitian nutritionist. At Winthrop University, Lima teaches in the Department of Human Nutrition as the graduate director and oversees the Certificate in Medical Lactation. Lima’s research focuses on helping mothers to reach their infant feeding goals, improving access to human milk, and analyzing the nutritional content of human milk.
Lima has five years of teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She previously taught biology at Central Carolina Community College. For three years, Lima provided private in-home lactation and nutrition support services for families and spent five years volunteering in non-profit management for both the North and South Carolina Breastfeeding Coalitions. Lima was a 2019 Commission on Dietetic Registration Faculty Fellow and the 2018–2020 South Carolina Alternate Representative for the Appalachian Breastfeeding Network.
Lima received her Ph.D. from North Carolina State University.
Jessie Hoffman, Ph.D., RD
Dr. Jessie Hoffman is a Registered Dietitian, assistant professor and researcher in the field of human nutrition. Her dietetic and research expertise is in gastrointestinal conditions and the gut microbiome. Additionally, Hoffman is passionate about scientific and nutritional science communication and does so regularly through social media. From breaking down nutrition science to busting myths prevalent in today's society, she strives to empower individuals both inside and outside of the classroom to become responsible consumers and experts on their bodies.
Leslie T. Van Horn
At Winthrop University, Leslie T. Van Horn is the dietetic internship coordinator and instructor of Medical Nutrition Therapy, Orientation to Nutrition & Dietetics and Nutrition Education Theory & Practice.
After completing her master’s and dietetic internship at Winthrop University, Van Horn initially taught as an adjunct instructor until she accepted her first dietitian position as a full-time inpatient, clinical registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). She later transferred within the hospital system to a community wellness role serving the YMCA of Cabarrus County, N.C., where she provided group nutrition and wellness programming, individual nutrition counseling and other community presentations and events. She acted as a preceptor for dietetic students and interns in both positions, which allowed her to recognize her passion for teaching and mentorship, which ultimately led to her full-time teaching position at Winthrop.
Van Horn is pursuing a Doctorate of Clinical Nutrition through the University of North Florida, where she is now a doctoral candidate. Her dissertation research is evaluating the use and knowledge of evidence-based practices among RDNs. Her research interests focus on contributing to the advancement of nutrition through the continued evaluation of nutrition and dietetics education, RDN practices and evidence-based dietetics practices.
Wanda M. Koszewski, Ph.D.
Dr. Wanda M. Koszewski is an associate professor and department chair in Human Nutrition at Winthrop University. She is a Registered Dietitian nutritionist and a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Koszewski earned a Ph.D. in Food and Nutrition from Kansas State University.
This year she is serving on the ACEND®️ Board and the CP Program Rep-Elect. Koszewski's area of expertise is nutrition education, and her research is focused on food insecurity and resiliency.