Lona Sandon, PhD, MEd, RDN, LD, FAND is an Associate Professor and Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of Clinical Nutrition, and Program Director of the Master of Clinical Nutrition Coordinated Program. In addition to directing the program, Dr. Sandon teaches courses in nutrition in health promotion and disease prevention, sports nutrition, energy assessment and metabolism, dietary and anthropometric assessment, nutrition therapy of hypertension, nutrition communications in the media, and more. She is also a co-investigator on nutrition related clinical trials for hypertension and kidney stone formation. 

Dr. Sandon was recently recognized as a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FAND) for her many years of service and contributions to the profession. She is currently serving an elected three-year term as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) House of Delegates Director, 2021-2024.  Previously, Dr. Sandon served as the West-Central Regional Director of the Nutrition and Dietetics Educators and Preceptors for the Academy 2018-2020, House of Delegates representative from 2011 to 2017 and a national media spokesperson for the Academy from 2003 to 2012. 

Dr. Sandon received the 2022 School of Health Professions Professional Contributions Award, 2017 University of Texas Regent's Outstanding Teaching Award, 2017 UT Southwestern Academy of Teachers, Outstanding Teacher Award, and 2017 Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award from the Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors of the Academy. Dr. Sandon was named the 2005 Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year by the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (TAND) and received the 2006 Dallas Dietetic Association Excellence in Media Award and the 2007 Excellence in Media Award from the TAND. 

Dr. Sandon holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Health Education Studies with an emphasis in higher education and wellness programming from Texas Woman's University, Masters of Education in Education Technology from the University of Texas, Brownsville and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Minnesota. She completed a one-year dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics.

Dr. Sandon has a personal and professional interest in wellness, sports nutrition, exercise, and autoimmune inflammatory conditions. She is a certified fitness instructor by the American Council on Exercise and a Level III YogaFit instructor. She has over 25 years experience in leading fitness and wellness classes.