Pamela Koch (Ed.D. ’00, Ed.M. ’97), the Mary Swartz Rose Associate Professor of Nutrition and Education, received the Helen Denning Ullrich Award for Lifetime Excellence in Nutrition Education at the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB) Annual Conference, held in July 2026 in Washington, D.C. This award is given to individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to nutrition education throughout their careers.

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In her acceptance speech, Koch emphasized the importance of the profession, stating, "Our profession is rich — from understanding our global food system to cultural relevance and people's lived experiences... [Research] enables people to navigate the challenges of the food environment and advocate for change." She is also the Faculty Director for the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy and Co-Director of the Center of Sustainable Futures.

Koch joins a distinguished group of leaders in nutrition, including mentors Isobel Contento and the late Joan Dye Gussow, both of whom have made notable contributions to the field.

Susan Stephenson-Martin, president of SNEB, praised Koch's career, noting, “Pam Koch has dedicated her career to advancing nutrition education through research, teaching, and community partnership. Her work has helped shape healthier schools, communities, and food systems by emphasizing equity and experiential learning.”

In addition to her lifetime achievement award, Koch received the SNEB President's Award for her exceptional leadership and service to the society. She has served in various leadership roles at SNEB, including a term as president in 2020, and remains an active volunteer.

Since joining the faculty in 2000, Koch has been instrumental in leading TC’s initiatives in nutrition education. In 2006, she collaborated with Contento to establish the Tisch Food Center, aimed at translating nutrition research into practical resources for educators and policymakers. Over the past two decades, the center has developed significant curricula for K-12 educators, collaborated with NYC officials to enhance public school nutrition education, influenced national nutrition legislation, and created the Food Ed Coalition, a network of advocates and educators.

Koch has also recently contributed to nutrition standards for NYC Public Schools, which provide guidance on incorporating food and nutrition education into K-12 curricula.