Biography

Dr. Grunewald was born in Tampa, Florida and completed his undergraduate degrees in dietetics and food science at Florida State University. In 2014, he attended the University of Georgia, completing both his master’s degree and dietetic internship. In 2020, Zach graduated from the University of Missouri with his doctorate in exercise physiology where his research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms by which obesity and diabetes contribute to cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction.

Dr. Grunewald specializes in the areas of obesity, diabetes, physiology and nutrition and has contributed 19 peer-reviewed publications and provided over 30 professional lectures to physicians, students, and academic professionals. Dr. Grunewald was selected as the #1 doctoral trainee in cardiovascular physiology in 2020 by the American Physiological Society given his extensive contributions to the field in cardiovascular science.

Currently, Dr. Grunewald serves as the metabolic and bariatric program coordinator at Emory Johns Creek Hospital located in Johns Creek, Georgia. Zach helps lead his hospital’s bariatric program which completes 250-350 bariatric procedures each year and supports 5 bariatric surgeons.

Zach is a co-author on three peer-reviewed manuscripts alongside his colleagues at the Emory Bariatric Center which have sought to improve patient and surgical outcomes. Recently, Dr. Grunewald was appointed as an adjunct-assistant professor of surgery within the Emory school of medicine to continue his academic pursuits with the Emory Bariatric Center and Emory University.