Lisa L. Sumlin completed her Ph.D. in nursing at The University of Texas at Austin. She received both the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Health/National Institute of Nursing Research (NIH/NINR) and the Minority Supplement Research grant.  Her area of interest focuses on the dietary practices of African American women with type 2 diabetes.  Dr. Sumlin used qualitative research methods, from a symbolic interactionist perspective, to increase the understanding of the cultural food practices of African-American women with type 2 diabetes. This information has provided her with the foundation necessary to develop dietary interventions that improve diabetes control for this population. Dr. Sumlin currently serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing at The University of Texas at Austin, where she adds to the worldwide body of nursing knowledge, theory, and research by developing future nurses.   

As an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Dr. Sumlin has 12 years of extensive experience in improving the lives of people with diabetes. She began her nursing career as a medical/surgical nurse helping patients with diabetes. After three years Dr. Sumlin became a diabetes educator.  She worked and trained with a Registered Dietician exclusively for several months to learn the dietary recommendations for those with diabetes.  She continues to work as an Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist in diabetes as well as serve as the Chief Health Officer for the Community Coalition for Health organization where she develops curriculum, educates, and empowers community members to lead healthy lives and fight lifestyle-related illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.