H.J. Heinz Company announced that Idamarie Laquatra, Ph.D., R.D., L.D.N., has been named director of Global Nutrition and will be located at the company's headquarters offices in Pittsburgh. Laquatra had served as a long-time Heinz consultant in the area of nutrition. She replaces David Yeung, Ph.D., who retired April 30.

Laquatra earned her graduate degrees in nutrition from The Pennsylvania State University. A licensed registered dietitian, she has experience in the clinical, academic and business fields. In addition, Laquatra has extensive training in nutrition counseling, has conducted research in this area, and has authored and co-authored articles in peer-reviewed journals and chapters in texts. Prior to earning her advanced degrees, she worked as a clinical dietitian in the hospital and nursing home settings.

After completing her doctorate, Laquatra became a postdoctoral fellow in Preventive Cardiology at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. In addition to her postdoctoral studies, she served as adjunct faculty at Montclair State University in Upper Montclair, N.J. Her food industry experience includes eight years at H.J. Heinz Company, first as nutritionist for Heinz USA and then as manager of nutrition for Weight Watchers Food Company. She joined Diet Center Inc., in 1992 as vice president of scientific affairs and training. In 1995, Laquatra began her own nutrition consulting business, contracting with clients in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors.

An active member of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), Laquatra served as president of the Pittsburgh Dietetic Association, was elected Pennsylvania delegate, and was appointed chair of the Advisory Committee of ADA's Food and Nutrition Conference and Exhibition in 2002. The Pennsylvania Dietetic Association presented her the Keystone Award in 1998 and the Outstanding Dietitian of Pennsylvania award in 2002.