STARKVILLE, Miss. -- A familiar face to the Mississippi State University Extension Service is returning as its new health specialist.
Mary Nelson Robertson rejoined MSU Extension in her new role on Aug. 16. She was most recently an assistant professor in the MSU School of Human Sciences, where she taught in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and conducted research for the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, or MAFES.
Prior to joining the MSU faculty, Robertson led MSU Extension’s PReventing Opioid Misuse In the SouthEast, also known as the PROMISE Initiative, in addition to other programs addressing mental health awareness in the agricultural community. Her research interests include farm stress prevention, farm family well-being and food insecurity.
Robertson said she is looking forward to reconnecting with MSU Extension family, health and wellness agents, specialists and the communities they serve across the state.
“Extension is how MSU shares knowledge in ways that matter, and I am honored to be part of that work again,” she said. “I look forward to doing my small part to help make Mississippi healthier, day by day. I also plan to apply the experience gained through my time with MAFES to my outreach work, helping to bridge the gap between evidence and practice in meaningful, community-based ways.”
Robertson holds two degrees in nutrition and health promotion from the University of Alabama and a doctorate in human development and family science from MSU. She is also a certified health education specialist by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.
“Dr. Robertson has been instrumental in MSU Extension’s efforts to address Mississippians’ most pressing health-related challenges,” said Teresa Gammill, MSU Extension associate director and family, health and wellness lead. “Her previous experience with us along with her dedication to research and instructional background make her well suited for this vital position.”
Robertson replaces David Buys, who left the role in 2024 to become associate provost for health sciences at MSU-Meridian before he was named interim head of that campus.
