A Commitment to Future Leaders in Nutrition Science

Over decades of experience in academia and public service specializing in women’s and children’s health, including leadership posts within the National Institutes of Health, Yvonne Maddox was familiar with Tufts. She knew it as a leading university whose scholars regularly submitted important research grant applications. A 2019 conversation with Dariush Mozaffarian, then-dean of the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, sharpened her growing interest in the relationship of nutrition and health and sparked an ongoing dialogue.

“The more I learned about nutrition science, and Tufts’ leadership in that space, the more intrigued I became,” she said.

When Maddox retired from government service, she joined the advisory council of Tufts’ new Food is Medicine Institute.

These and other interactions reinforced Maddox’s belief that the Friedman School offered “the most effective, innovative programming in nutrition science.” Its mission also aligned with her own commitment to supporting maternal and child health and the goals of the recently created foundation that she, her siblings, and her husband, Charles, had established through the estate of her mother, Thomasine Aurelia Thornton Thompson, a community leader and entrepreneur, and the Maddox Family Trust.

“The T.A. Thornton Foundation is focused on assisting vulnerable individuals and communities, including increasing access to health and wellness,” said Maddox, foundation president and CEO. “I saw that Tufts could help us fulfill our goals in a new way by bringing the foundation into the nutrition science lane.”

A multiyear gift from the foundation created the T.A. Thornton Scholars Summer Research Experience, which enables undergraduates from a variety of institutions to work with Friedman School researchers. Scholars also receive career mentoring. The goal is to offer an experiential learning opportunity that informs students about careers in nutrition.

Reflecting the Friedman School’s cutting-edge, interdisciplinary work, the five scholars in 2025 studied sustainable food production and access, nutrition security, working conditions in global fisheries, and behavioral interventions to increase physical literacy and physical activity for life. Plans are underway for next year’s program.

“Nutrition science is much more than the food we eat,” said Friedman School Dean Christina Economos, NG96. “We hope this generous gift will inspire the best and brightest to consider a career in nutrition science so we can fill the pipeline with young professionals who are well prepared to succeed as the next generation of leaders and innovators.”