Katie Knappenberger joined Northwestern University Athletics as the Sports Dietitian in June of 2014 to build a performance nutrition program unlike any other in college athletics. Her mission is to empower athletes to use food to fuel athletic and academic success. She is responsible for team and staff education, meal planning, individual nutrition counseling and food and supplement security.

Knappenberger joins the Wildcats after serving for three years as an assistant professor and athletic trainer at Daytona State College in Daytona Beach, Fla. She earned her bachelor's degree in athletic training from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and her master's degree in nutrition with emphasis in sports dietetics from the University of Utah.

Knappenberger is a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, a Registered Dietitian and a Certified Athletic Trainer who is actively involved in the Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitians Association (CPSDA), the Sports Cardiovascular and Wellness Dietetic Practice Group (SCAN), the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA). In June of 2012, she presented "The Running Athlete: Evaluation, Rehabilitation and Performance Enhancement" at the National Athletic Trainers' Association Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposia. In March of 2014, she presented "Creative Sports Nutrition Solutions for the Athlete in Everyone" to the Volusia County Dietetics Association.

Knappenberger resides in Evanston with her husband Ryan. The two enjoy family fun, running, biking, farmers' markets and 90's alternative rock.