Charlene W. Compher, Ph.D., R.D., F.A.D.A., C.N.S.D.
- Assistant Professor of Nutrition Science, School of Nursing
Dr. Compher has an unusual background that integrates clinical dietetics, obesity and nutrition science. A native of Tennessee, Dr. Compher holds bachelors degrees in German and Mathematics from the University of Tennessee, a masters in nutrition science from Drexel University, and a PhD in Bioscience from Drexel University.
Dr. Compher’s research focuses on the impact of nutritional and medical factors in enhancing the absorption of nutrients in patients with severe short bowel syndrome. In addition, she has examined energy metabolism as it relates to clinical populations, including those with clinically severe obesity. Her current studies involve the development and evaluation of effective web-based communication systems to prevent weight regain after gastric bypass surgery in patients with clinically severe obesity, and include extensive examination of body composition and energy expenditure variables.
Dr. Compher is involved in numerous national and international nutrition societies. She has chaired the Abstract Review Committee of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) for several years and has led the Dietitians in Nutrition Support Dietetics Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association (ADA). She has been active in ASPEN and ADA since 1982. She has also been active with the North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO) since 1999.
Dr. Compher is Faculty Director for the Penn interschool Nutrition Minor. She also teaches “Obesity and Society,” an extremely popular course that showcases obesity researchers from 10 different academic disciplines and gives a soup to nuts description of the issues involved in the obesity epidemic.