Connie S. Ruiz, Ph.D., RDN, LD



I earned my baccalaureate degree in education at Southwest Texas State, master’s degree in foods and nutrition at Kansas State and Ph.D. in nutrition at Texas A&M. My areas of expertise include overweight/obesity, maternal and infant nutrition and pediatric nutrition. I also enjoy teaching about micronutrients and nutrient metabolism. My practitioner experience as a dietitian/nutritionist has included long-term care, small critical-access hospitals, children and adults with special needs, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, hospice and home health. I joined the faculty at Lamar in 1976. I am married with four grown daughters and 13 grandchildren.