Wagle, Ashwini R

Wagle, Ashwini

Professor and Department Chairperson 
Nutrition, Food Science and Packaging

Email

Preferred: ashwini.wagle@sjsu.edu

Telephone

Preferred: (408) 924-3100

Alternate: 408-924-3100

Education

  • Doctorate in Education (Ed.D), Specialization Educational Leadership, University of New England
  • Master of Science, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Licenses and Certificates

  • Registered Dietitian
  • Certificate of Training in Adult and Pediatric Obesity 2022-2027

Bio

Ashwini Wagle, Ed.D, MS, RD, FAND is Professor and Chair of the Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Packaging at San José State University (SJSU). She earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of New England and has over ten years of clinical experience as a Registered Dietitian, working in skilled nursing facilities and acute care hospitals throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Dr. Ashwini Wagle is a dedicated advocate for health equity, the reduction of health disparities, and the promotion of wellness both on the San Jose State University campus and in the broader community. She serves on advisory boards for organizations such as the South Asian Heart Center (SAHC) at El Camino Hospital, the Center for Healthy Aging in Multicultural Populations (CHAMP), Rise Against Hunger, and the Education Council of the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Her research explores the intersections of food, culture, and health, with particular focus on South Asian populations and their elevated risks for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease. She also examines food insecurity, hunger, and foodservice systems. A prolific researcher, Dr. Wagle has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and presented over 100 abstracts at professional conferences at various levels. She is the author of Carbohydrate Counting: Traditional South Asian Food Lists: For Management and Prevention of Diabetes Mellitus, a widely used educational guide adopted by healthcare professionals in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong. She has also created several culturally relevant nutrition tools for South Asian and Filipino communities.

Dr. Wagle was featured in the documentary “The Brown Heart”, which sheds light on the widespread but often overlooked issue of early, severe heart disease in South Asians. Her contributions have earned her multiple accolades, including being named a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In 2025, she received the “Excellence in Research” award from the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, following her 2016–2017 “Excellence in Education” award.

Now in her 22nd year at SJSU, Dr. Wagle remains committed to mentoring future nutrition professionals. Outside of academia, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and endurance sports—having completed more than 100 races, including half-marathons, triathlons, and relays—and continues to seek out new trails around the world.

Links