Welcome to Dr. Carlton Bessinger's Web Page!

R. Carlton Bessinger, PhD, RD Associate Professor of Human Nutrition

Dr. Bessinger with graduate student Neha Patel presenting bone

 mineral density research at a national conference

Dr. Carlton Bessinger has been teaching at Winthrop University since 1999. Prior to coming to Winthrop, Dr. Bessinger was an Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at Marywood University in Scranton, PA. He earned a Master of Science degree in Nutrition and a Master of Science degree in Exercise Science from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Ga. His PhD in Nutrition was completed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC. Dr. Bessinger’s areas of concentration were nutritional biochemistry and nutritional aspects of exercise. His research focus was on protein metabolism in pregnant and lactating women who were exercising during pregnancy and lactation. Dr. Bessinger is a registered dietitian and a member of the American  Dietetic Association and the South Carolina Dietetic Association. His teaching responsibilities at Winthrop include courses related to nutrition and metabolism, life cycle nutrition, and sports nutrition. Previously, Dr. Bessinger taught courses in the areas mentioned above as well as courses in exercise physiology. In addition to nutrition students, Dr. Bessinger has taught courses for exercise science/physical education and nursing students. Dr. Bessinger has published in refereed journals, and has made presentations at national, state, and regional meetings.