Work with thought leaders and academic experts in Nutrition and Dietetics

Greetings! I'm Michelle Murphy Niedziela (PhD), a dedicated professional with a background in behavioral neuroscience, neuropsychology, and consumer science. With a strong foothold in both academia and industry, I've cultivated a unique blend of expertise that merges the realms of science and market insights. <br> 📚 My academic journey started with a BS in psychology and neuroscience from Florida State University, then led me to Purdue University's IBRC (Ingestive Behavior Research Institute) program, where I earned a PhD and Masters in behavioral neuroscience and behavioral neurogenetics. 🔬 I embarked on my professional journey as a post-doctoral fellow at Monell Chemical Senses Center, contributing to industry-sponsored research on functional ingredients. This ignited my passion for bridging the gap between scientific innovation and practical application. And subsequently taking on the role of technical lead for flavor and fragrance innovation programs at Johnson & Johnson (now Kenvue), followed by impactful Global Sensory work at Mars Chocolate, where I spearheaded global sensory projects and optimized ingredient sourcing. 🚀 Presently, I proudly serve as the VP of Research & Innovation at HCD Research. In this dynamic role, I concentrate on fusing cutting-edge consumer neuroscience tools and emerging technologies with traditional market research methodologies, yielding comprehensive insights into consumer behavior. 🌐 Beyond my professional endeavors, I'm an ardent science advocate and active participant in the scientific community. My contributions extend to organizations such as SSP and ASTM (E18 and D37), where I've engaged for numerous years. I'm also a published author, with articles in peer-reviewed journals, enlightening book chapters, and a regular presence in trade journals and magazines. Furthermore, I co-host the illuminating podcast/vidcast series 'MindSet,' a platform where we delve into intriguing topics at the intersection of behavioral consumer science. 🔍 Let's connect and explore the infinite possibilities at the nexus of neuroscience, psychology, and consumer insights with a behavioral sciences framework.

Dr. Wanida Lewis is a highly educated and experienced food scientist with a passion for promoting sustainable food systems and improving global food security. She received her Ph.D. in Food Science from North Carolina State University in 2013, where she focused on the development of functional foods using plant-based ingredients. Prior to her Ph.D., she earned her M.S. in Chemistry (Analytical) from North Carolina Central University in 2008 and her B.S. in Chemistry from Saint Augustine's University in 2005. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Dr. Lewis has held various positions in both the private and public sectors, demonstrating her expertise in food science, program management, and international development. She is the Managing Director and Founder of Crescendo Foods, a company that provides food science consulting services to food businesses. She also serves as an Acceleration Services Advisor Consultant at KAIZEN COMPANY START-UP, where she advises start-ups on product development, supply chain management, and marketing strategies. In addition to her work in the private sector, Dr. Lewis has also been involved in various non-profit organizations, including ASASE Foundation and Environment360. She has also worked with the U.S. Department of State as a Foreign Affairs Officer and AAAS Policy Fellow, where she provided scientific advice and support for international food security initiatives. She also served as a Senior Economic Program Advisor for the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues at Tuvli LLC, where she focused on promoting economic empowerment for women through sustainable agriculture and food systems. Dr. Lewis's extensive experience in the food industry and her passion for promoting sustainable and equitable food systems make her a highly sought-after expert in her field. She continues to use her knowledge and expertise to drive positive change in the food industry and contribute to global efforts towards achieving food security for all.

My work has focused on how we can use data to support decisions to individualize monitoring to optimize human performance.  My work has demonstrated that a one size fits all approach is not the way to optimize performance in any setting.  My monitoring approach is one that utilizes a network physiology paradigm, which focuses on nonlinear dynamic interactions. In my athlete monitoring I focus on leveraging EMA and wearables; biological sampling and resistance exercise and conditioning prescribed to elicit a specific biological response.    Additionally, as a practitioner it is important to understand the limitations of athlete monitoring, which is another area research and practice has focused.  This is an important skillset that is currently being utilized by the in a project entitled “Integrating mHealth and Physical Function to Develop a Predictors of Injury and Optimal Performance Model in Special Military Operators “with the Rangers in the 3/75 Ranger Battalion.  This approach is one that quantifies factors such as dosage variables of training and lifestyle factors (sleep, nutrition, life stress).  Using this data, we are working on individualizing acute training sessions to optimize readiness and performance enhancement.   During my time at Syracuse University, I was the professor of record to teach the NSCA CSCS preparation course and lead the strength and conditioning program.  We were developing a master’s in exercise science and I was in the process of working on certification with the NSCA.  We also worked closely with athletics to secure strength and conditioning assistantships to allow for student funding.  I am currently on several NSCA committees, which include the Education and Women’s Committee (next certification cycle).    I am particularly adept at all phases of the athletic performance enhancement and these experiences have given me expertise in evidence based program design, linear and non-linear periodization, exercise endocrinology, resistance exercise physiology and acute and chronic training readiness and non-training parameters

Dr. Everson A Nunes is a highly accomplished researcher and educator in the field of physiological sciences. He received his Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology with a focus on Physiological Sciences from Universidade Federal do Paraná in 2009, after completing a BSc in Human Nutrition and an MSc in Physiological Sciences. He also holds a specialization in Exercise Physiology and a BSc in Biological Sciences from Universidade Federal do Paraná. Dr. Nunes has a strong background in research, having completed two post-doctoral fellowships at McMaster University and Universidade Federal do Paraná. He has also held positions as an associate professor and assistant professor at Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. He has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals, and his research focuses on the effects of exercise and nutrition on physiological processes in the human body. In addition to his research, Dr. Nunes is also a dedicated educator. He has taught at various universities in Brazil, including Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Universidade Gama Filho, Faculdades Integradas Espírita, Pontificia Universidade Católica do Paraná, and Faculdade do Litoral Sul. He is known for his dynamic teaching style and his ability to engage students in complex physiological concepts. Dr. Nunes is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society for Nutrition, the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology, the Canadian Nutrition Society and the Brazilian Society of Physiology. He is also a regular speaker at national and international conferences, sharing his expertise and research findings with colleagues and students. Overall, Dr. Nunes is a highly qualified and experienced professional in physiological sciences, metabolism, cancer and nutrition. His dedication to research and education makes him a valuable asset to any institution.

As a technologist, designer, and creative problem-solver, I'm passionate about teaching people to embrace new technology and explore. I am the Chair of the Computer Science department at Judson University. Before my appointment, I served as an Associate Professor in the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). I teach courses in Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms, Software Design Patterns, Interactive Media, Usability, User Experience, and Augmented/Virtual Reality. I was the founding director of the Collab Lab, a hands-on, creative space for students and faculty to engage in collaborative work. My research efforts are directed in several areas: AI Supported Individualized Learning, Learner Experience Design, Technology for Online Assessment, Interactive Mobile Learning, and Computerized Sign Language Synthesis. I enjoy collaborating on projects involving cutting-edge technology and new applications.

·   Highly productive scientist with 13 years of multidisciplinary experience in toxicology, molecular nutrition, and aging/ disease biomarkers ·   Excellent communicator with proven record of advanced writing and presentation skills - manuscripts, conference presentations, and grants ·   Extensive experience in large study design, supervision and coordination, big data analysis, and management of junior scientists

Dr. Beck is a Clinical Psychologist who earned her doctorate in 2009 from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, CA. She completed her internship at the Sarah Reed Children’s Center in Erie, PA, and received postdoctoral training at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital in Baltimore, MD in the Center for Pediatric Weight Management and Healthy Living. She also earned her credential in School Psychology from La Sierra University in Riverside, CA, serving as a School Psychologist in the San Bernardino Unified School District in San Bernardino, CA, during 2007-2008. From 2010-2023, Dr. Beck practiced as a Pediatric Psychologist in the Weight Management Program at the Center for Children’s Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition at Children’s Mercy Kansas City. At Children’s Mercy, Dr. Beck worked with the Office of Equity and Diversity and was a Health Equity Advisor to her Division of Developmental and Behavioral Health and a DEI Champion with the Department of Pediatrics. She was promoted to Professor of Pediatrics in the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine in 2022. Her professional interests include health equity, weight bias/stigma, and the clinical implementation of yoga (she became a registered yoga teacher in 2016). She is currently serving as a Licensed Psychologist contracting with The Black Girl Doctor, an online boutique therapy practice prioritizing Black professional women. At the state and national levels, she is involved with the Missouri Psychological Association as the Diversity Board Officer, Federal Advocacy Coordinator, and Legislative Chair, the Society of Pediatric Psychology as the Division Advocacy Partner with APA, and the American Psychological Association, where she recently completed a fantastic year as a participant leader in the Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology. She has won several national awards for her advocacy and service.

Dr. Maurice O’ Sullivan is a sensory scientist and senior lecturer in food science working in the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, UCC. In the past Maurice has worked in the food industry as a sensory scientist and flavour chemist for Diageo Baileys and Guinness. He has worked as a food technologist and process/product development scientist for the processed foods sector in the 1990’s as well as more recently a product development consultant to the dairy, meat and beverage industries. He has a Ph.D. in Sensory and Consumer science from the Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark as well as MSc. and BSc. Degrees in Food Science and Technology from University College Cork (UCC). Currently Maurice works in the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork as a senior lecturer and sensory and product reformulation project coordinator on large scale multi-million euro research projects. For many years he has also managed the “Sensory Unit” at UCC working on sensory and flavour based projects involving a diverse selection of products. This sensory science based service (at UCC) includes testing the difference, affective and descriptive analysis of foods and beverages as well as assessing shelf-life and comparing sensory results to microbiological and analytical (instrumental, physic-chemical) data using multivariate data analysis (MVA). Sensory testing is critical for new product development/optimisation, ingredient substitution and devising appropriate packaging and comparing foods or beverages to competitor’s products. Again, the key to unlocking the hidden secrets of this multimodal data is with MVA (Multivariate Data Analysis). To date Maurice has secured significant research funding of €5,300,000 Gross, €3,843,329.30 to UCC. He has worked in the area of targeted ingredient (salt, fat, sugar) reduction in foods since 1997. The focus of this research has been reduction of negative ingredients linked to civilisation diseases (Diabetes, Obesity, Heart Disease, Anaemia) while maintaining sensory properties, but also improving nutritional quality of developed products. To date this research has produced numerous publications with many more in development. Other research areas include Cross Cultural Sensory Perception of Irish Dairy Products in Asia, Europe and North America as well as Foods for the Elderly, Packaging and Meat optimisation. Maurice has published more than 200 sensory or consumer research based articles (papers, book chapters, proceedings etc.).

Dr. Giuliana Noratto is a senior associate research scientist at Texas A&M AgriLife. She received her Ph.D. in food science and technology from Texas A&M University System, and her M.Sc. in food science and technology from Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina. She also holds a B.S. in food science and technology from Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina. Dr. Noratto’s research interests include food safety and quality, sensory science, and food processing.

Roshonda Jones is an experienced bioinformatics and computational biologist with a passion for exploring the complexities of life. She earned her Ph.D. in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology from University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2016, and went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship at USC, as well as a postdoctoral research fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Her research interests include machine learning and bioinformatics. She is committed to using her expertise to further scientific knowledge and advance the field.

Dr. Troy Smith is a distinguished figure in the intersection of cybercrime and online behaviours, with an impressive career in national security spanning over 15 years. His expertise has not only been instrumental in advancing research within these fields but has also significantly contributed to the development of strategic policies and frameworks at both national and international levels. His work is deeply rooted in understanding the complexities of cybercrime, cyberwarfare, and the psychological impacts of social media use, making him a pivotal contributor to initiatives aimed at enhancing digital and space domain collaboration across regions. With a solid foundation in cybercrime and the nuances of online behaviours, Dr. Smith's scholarly output includes a wealth of peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and presentations that explore the depths of intelligence, cybercrime victimization, terrorist activities in cyberspace, online behaviours and maladaptive social media use landscape. Dr. Smith's role extends beyond research; he is actively involved in shaping the future of cybersecurity education and policy-making. He has played a crucial role in committees focused on developing graduate programs in cybercrime, sector mapping, and establishing national occupational standards. His expertise has also been recognized in international circles, as evidenced by his participation in the Organization of American States Cybersecurity publication and his recent involvement in Working Group 7 of the CYBERSPACE project funded by the European Union. As a contributor to the peer review process for several international journals, including the International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, BMC Psychiatry, and Cyberpsychology, his insights have propelled forward the discourse on cybersecurity and online behaviour assessment. Dr. Smith's scholarly and professional achievements are further recognized through awards and participation in prestigious programs, such as the Executive MBA program in Spain and the EU Cyber Diplomacy Fellowship Programme. His extensive experience and ongoing contributions to cybersecurity and national security sectors underscore his standing as a leading expert and advocate for international collaboration and policy development in the fight against cybercrime. <br>