Courtesy: Belinda Vickerson PhotographySamara Sterling (PhD in Nutrition Sciences, 2017) has worked at The Peanut Institute, in Albany, Georgia, as the director of research and nutrition since 2018. The Institute supports research on the impact of peanuts and peanut products on human health. She shared that the Institute was formed in 1996 to advocate for healthy fats like those in peanuts because, for decades, people had been told to avoid high-fat foods.
Dr. Sterling is passionate about plant-based nutrition, and this position fits one of her core values – to empower people with the knowledge they need to make their own dietary decisions. We loved having the opportunity to catch up with her recently.
Tell us about what you do now as research director at The Peanut Institute. What does your day-to-day look like?
I direct scientific affairs, so I use evidence from the literature to craft research strategies. I manage grant reviews and regulatory processes, and I am involved in science communication. I also serve on multiple national and international boards. I travel a lot, do my own research, and have a lot of speaking engagements, so no two days are the same.
What do you find rewarding about your job, and what are you most proud of?
The thing I find most rewarding is being able to translate complex science into understandable language for non-scientific audiences. The general public often says that nutrition research is hard to understand, and results are conflicting, so it is really important that we use clear communication. I really enjoy being able to help people understand the science so that they can make their own decisions about what they eat.
Over the years, what have the biggest challenges been?
I serve on several boards, and one of the challenges throughout nutrition science, and really, all of science, is public uncertainty about scientific research. People need to understand the research and review process, so it is important that we find ways to communicate accurately about that process and the research results.
How much has your job evolved over the years?
Courtesy: Belinda Vickerson PhotographyI have always been an “outside of the box” type of person, and so I don’t really fit into any one place. My position was created when I joined the Institute, so I have been able to shape it into what it needs to be to meet the needs of our industry and to align with my passions and personal goals. I have a very well-rounded career.
In addition to the responsibilities I listed before, I started an organization called Veggie and Soul to conduct research in the community and to provide nutrition education. This meets some of the needs that exist in a rural environment like this. I live in rural Georgia, which is where approximately 50% of the U.S. peanuts are grown. It’s really great to be a part of this community and be able to do research and provide much needed resources.
I also teach as an adjunct instructor, I serve on the T. Colin Campbell’s Center for Nutrition Studies Medical Advisory Board, and I am involved in curriculum development with the Association for State and Public Health Nutritionists. I am busy, but it doesn’t always feel like work. I love to build things from the ground up, and these roles are all interconnected – they all contribute to my role at The Peanut Institute.
Has there been a pivotal point in the past that helped to shape your career?
I remember that when I was in the PhD program, I struggled sometimes to define what I wanted to do, which I know is common for a lot of students. One of my committee members recommended that I create a mission statement and vision board that would help me to solidify my goals and gain direction. That exercise really helped me to figure out what my core values are and think through how to shape my training and career to meet those values. It helped me to decide what to say yes and no to.
What advice would you give students who are currently in the program?
There was a group of us that used to study together, including Minsung, Yenni, and Josh. Each of us had moments when things were difficult, and we wondered whether we still loved nutrition. We would remind each other to think back to what drove us into the program in the first place. So I would say to students: remember that first love, create a mission statement and vision board that reflects your core values, and use this to gain perspective, keep you grounded, and overcome the challenges.
What are you most looking forward to in the next 10 – 20 years?
Being able to see where research is making an impact. As a member of several national and international boards, I can see the impact of the research we do on policies, guidelines, and regulations. It’s very rewarding to see the value of the work that we do day-to-day.
