It feels good to be back in the office. Really good. I’ve missed it. Coming back together – seeing familiar faces, hearing the buzz in the hallways, and feeling that shared sense of purpose – has been a welcome reminder of why our work matters so much.
At the Office of Nutrition Research (ONR), our mission has never felt more important or timely. As a nation, we are facing an urgent nutrition-related health crisis. With your input and support, ONR wants to be part of the solution. We have a role to play in addressing diet-related diseases and improving the health of our country and the world. What we do – and how and why we do it – can make a difference.
Of course, the challenges we face in food, nutrition, and health are complex. So are the broader societal issues that touch every community. Rather than shying away from those complexities, we’re meeting them head-on with curiosity, compassion, and collaboration. That’s how progress happens: when science leads the way and people work together with purpose.
As I’ve written about before, the biology of nutrition is one of the most powerful forces shaping our health and well-being. It influences how we grow, think, and feel. It affects every cell and system in our bodies at every age and stage of life. From our first feeding to our later years, what we eat nourishes not just our bodies but also our minds and communities. Good nutrition fuels energy, resilience, and connection. These are things we could all use a little bit more of these days, especially as we move into the holiday season.
As a physician-scientist and Director of ONR, I’ve seen firsthand how nutrition transforms lives. I’ve also seen how science, government, and communities can come together to turn research into action that uplifts families and strengthens public health. And now that we’re back, we’re redoubling our efforts to address the public health challenges we all face.
Our Office’s goal is to better understand how the things we eat shape our health. We want to turn that knowledge into real-world solutions. Whether it’s uncovering food’s “dark matter” (the many chemical compounds in food that we have only partly – or not at all – identified and whose effects on human health are not well understood) or studying how the ways food is processed and packaged affect our health, we’re supporting the science and research that builds the evidence base to inform programs, practices, and policies.
Of course, science isn’t only about data; it’s also about people. I often think of a patient I met right after medical school, a young woman whose persistent fatigue turned out to be due to low levels of iron. Not only did this woman inspire me to learn more about the biology of iron, but she also helped me grasp the importance of assessment, context, and precision when diagnosing patients. We found that her iron deficiency wasn’t just because she didn’t eat enough food with iron; there were other contributing factors, as well. With targeted treatment and the right dietary guidance, she regained her energy. She even began volunteering at a local food pantry to teach others about healthy eating. Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of nutritional ecology. It also shows us that nutrition science has its greatest impact when it reaches people where they are and helps them live better every day. And it highlights the vital role dietitians play in turning nutritional knowledge into dietary action.
As we enter the holiday season – a time when food brings people together – remember that the work we do touches lives far beyond the National Institutes of Health. Every discovery, study, and collaboration helps strengthen the foundation for a healthier, more connected nation. From farm-to-school programs to nutrition education to community health initiatives, we’re part of a shared effort to make wellness a reality for everyone.
And that effort depends on trust: in science, in institutions, and in one another. In a world filled with conflicting messages about food, transparency and honesty matter more than ever. At ONR, we’re committed to communicating clearly about what we know, what we don’t, and what we’re still learning. When research reflects the diversity of the people it serves, and when scientists, providers, and communities listen to each other, trust grows. So does our collective capacity to build a healthier future.
Nutrition is a story of connection: between food and health, knowledge and action, science and society. And when we work together, guided by evidence and empathy, we do more than improve nutrition – we nourish hope.
As always, I welcome comments, feedback, and suggestions for new directions for nutrition science research. If you’re on LinkedIn, feel free to share your favorite healthy snack or recipe with me. I’m always looking to expand my cookbook! Until next time, please visit the ONR website to get office-related information, and consider signing up for ONR Updates to receive monthly emails (including the Drew’s Views blog and the ONR Director’s Updates newsletter).
Nutrition Is Who We Are!
Drew Bremer
November 20, 2025