Biography

Toni Gist is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign teaching classes that focus on the effects of nutrition and exercise on the body. She has been recognized locally and nationally for instructional design and teaching excellence. In 2023, she was awarded the UIUC Office of the Provost Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. She is always looking for unique challenges to help her students and the community. She authored a textbook in food science and is currently writing a nutrition textbook. Study abroad trips she led to Spain and Greece experientially demonstrated the link between lifestyle and health. TikToks on @OskeeBowWow highlight the UIUC campus, professor life, and nutrition information in a fun and campy way. And community schools enlisted Toni (with the aid of her students) to spearhead “healthy lunch challenge” and “walk across America” events featured in local media. Toni is a member of the Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership at UIUC and continues to infuse social and business entrepreneurship concepts into her courses. She is published in peer review journal articles showcasing her research focusing on food science, nutrition, and exercise physiology. She continues to thrive in her full-time position at her alma mater while enjoying the many additional opportunities consulting provides.