Department of Nutritional Scienes Shines at the CNS 2024!
Edmonton, Canada
The Department of Nutritional Sciences showcased its excellence at the esteemed Canadian Nutrition Society Conference, held in Edmonton from May 2nd to May 4th, 2024. This premier event, known for gathering top experts and professionals in the field of nutrition, witnessed a remarkable display of research, speaker sessions, and awards, with the department making significant contributions across various domains of nutritional science.
The conference commenced with a highlight as Dr. Thomas Wolever, Professor Emeritus, was honored with the prestigious CNS 2024 Khursheed Jeejeebhoy Award for his outstanding application of clinical nutrition research findings to clinical practice. Additionally, Dr. Vasanti Malik was recognized with the 2024 INMD / CNS – Early Career Researcher Partnership Prize, further underlining the department's dedication to cutting-edge research and practical applications.
Throughout the event, the Department of Nutritional Sciences was prominently featured in speaker sessions. Dr. Laura Chiavaroli, an Assistant Professor within the department, delivered a captivating presentation on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nutrition and its potential to shape the future of Nutrition Science. Meanwhile, Dr. John Sievenpiper, a distinguished Professor at DNS, took the stage as a keynote speaker in the session themed "Food as Medicine - Connecting with the Land," further emphasizing the department's leadership in the field.
In addition to faculty presentations, Annette Blais, a Master of Science candidate within the department, emerged as one of the standout speakers, contributing to the session on exploring the possibilities and impacts of a universal school lunch program, showcasing the department's commitment to addressing real-world nutrition challenges.
The graduate students of the department also made significant contributions through poster presentations and abstract submissions, exemplifying the department's dedication to nurturing the next generation of nutrition researchers. Notably, Caroline Middleton and Hayun Jeong from Dr. Mary L'Abbe's lab were finalists in the Nutrition Graduate Student and Trainee Award Oral Presentations. Middleton's presentation focused on evaluating the nutrition quality of Canadian long-term care menus, while Jeong explored the proportion of foods and beverages in the Canadian food supply that should be restricted from marketing to children, earning her the esteemed George Beaton Award for student work in Public Health Nutrition.
Gabrille Viscardi, representing the Chiavaroli lab, stood out as a finalist in the CNS Poster Awards for her research on identifying barriers to implementing a translational tool on the portfolio diet in high-risk communities. Additionally, Dr. Adam Metherel's MSc student, Ruxandra Rotarescu, clinched the 1st place in the CNS Poster Award competition for her groundbreaking research on Omega-3 PUFA synthesis, revealing higher-than-expected conversion rates of dietary ALA to whole-body DHA in male and female mice.
The Department of Nutritional Sciences' remarkable presence and accomplishments at the Canadian Nutrition Society Conference reaffirm its position as a leader in nutritional research and education, not only within Canada but also on the global stage. As it continues to advance knowledge and understanding in the field of nutrition, the department's contributions are poised to shape the future of nutritional science and promote public health worldwide.
