Geetha Thangiah
Professor
gthangi@clemson.edu
Biosketch
Dr. Geetha Thangiah is a tenured Professor in the Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences within the College of Agriculture Forestry, and Life Sciences at Clemson University since August 2025. Prior to joining Clemson, she was an Alumni Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Auburn University. Dr. Thangiah has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed abstracts and manuscripts, and her work has been presented at over 125 national and regional conferences. She is an active member of several professional associations including the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, and the Boshell Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Research Program. In addition, she serves as an ad hoc grant reviewer for National Institutes of Health and Diabetes UK.
Research
Obesity is a growing public health challenge, with rising rates among both adults and children worldwide. The problem is especially severe in underserved minority populations, where low literacy and limited income further increase health risks. Children with obesity face a heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, sleep apnea, and significant social and psychological challenges. Dr. Thangiah’s research focuses on identifying and understanding the multifactorial contributors to childhood obesity in underserved populations. Her lab examines behavioral patterns, parental beliefs, sleep habits, biological mechanisms, epigenetic modifications, and gut microbiota factors that are often influenced by socioeconomic status and contribute to obesity risk. The long-term goal of her work is to improve health outcomes among minority populations by developing targeted interventions that extend beyond the traditional healthcare setting, with the aim of reducing obesity prevalence and its associated health consequences.
Publications can be found at this link – My Bibliography – NCBI
Citations can be found at this link – Thangiah Geetha – Google Scholar