Gary D. Foster, PhD, is adjunct professor of Psychology in Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He currently is the Chief Science Officer at WW (formerly Weight Watchers). Dr. Foster, a clinical psychologist and obesity investigator, was previously the Founder and Director of the Center for Obesity Research and Education at Temple University in Philadelphia, where he was the Laura Carnell Professor of Medicine, Public Health and Psychology. Prior to Temple, he was a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine from 1993-2006. He has authored more than 200 scientific publications and three books on the etiology and treatment of obesity. In 2014, Dr. Foster was awarded the George A. Bray Founders Award by The Obesity Society, which recognizes significant contributions to advance the scientific or clinical basis for understanding or treating obesity, and for extensive involvement with the Society. 

Dr. Foster’s research interests include the prevention, behavioral determinants, treatments, and effects of obesity in adults and children. His current focus is on scalable, evidence-based approaches to obesity management. Dr. Foster earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Duquesne University, an MS in Psychology from University of Pennsylvania, and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Temple University.