Leadership Team

Elizabeth “Beth” Abbey is an Associate Professor in the Health Sciences Department at Whitworth University in Spokane, WA where she teaches courses in general nutrition, health & well-being, sport nutrition, and food systems. Her research interests are varied and have covered aspects of health and well-being in athletic and non-athletic populations. Beth served as the SCAN Chair-Elect (2020 – 2021) and as the SCAN SD-USA Subunit Director from 2016 – 2019. She earned a BS in Biology and a BA in Chemistry from Whitworth University, an MA in Exercise Physiology from The College of St. Scholastica, a PhD in Nutrition for Sport and Chronic Disease at Virginia Tech, and completed her dietetic internship at the Mayo School of Health Sciences. Beth grew up on a wheat farm and has been involved in promoting sustainable local food systems and environmental stewardship through her work as a founding member of the Spokane Food Policy Council and a member of the 350 Spokane Interfaith Committee. A long-time runner, Beth ran cross country and track at Whitworth and has been an assistant coach for the Pirates. She loves living in the Pacific Northwest with her husband Tim and two corgis, Bollo and Badger.

Lauri O Byerley, PhD, RDN, LDN, FAND, is currently an Associate Professor at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in the School of Medicine’s Physiology Department, where she teaches nutrition wellness to allied health professionals and our next generation of doctors. She is also a Professor at the American Public University System (APUS), where she teaches sports nutrition and develops nutrition curriculum for the Sports and Health Sciences program. Dr. Byerley received her BS in Food and Nutrition, Related Science from Iowa State University, MS in Nutritional Science from Purdue University, and PhD in Nutritional Science/Public Health with a minor in Biological Science from UCLA. In addition, she completed two post-doctoral fellowships, one at Stanford University and the other at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Recently, Lauri was inducted into Purdue University, Department of Nutrition’s Hall of Fame. As well, she has received several top university teaching awards from APUS.

Lauri’s current research focuses on the interaction of diet with the gut microbiome and its impact on metabolic processes within the body. She has more than 35 peer-reviewed articles from her original scientific research. Also, she has several nutrition-related publications and books written for the lay press. In addition, she has presented at local, state, and national meetings appeared on television and radio talk shows, and chaired events at several national meetings.

Lauri was Secretary and Chair of the Research Dietetic Practice Group along with several other appointed positions. In 2019, she was Symposium Director for SCAN. She is a member of the American Society of Nutrition, American Physiology Society, and Cachexia Society.

Lauri is married with a son and daughter and enjoys spending time with her family. Her most recent adventure was a raft trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. When not engaged with her family, you can find her biking or running, cooking, or volunteering for some local community group, such as Special Olympics.

Virgilia "Vigi" Zabala is an Extension educator with the University of Florida/IFAS Extension in Central Florida, where she provides nutrition education classes to the community. Her topics focus on general nutrition, food safety, and the prevention and management of diabetes and high blood pressure. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition with a concentration in dietetics at the University of Florida, her Master of Science in Public Health and Dietetic Internship through Johns Hopkins University, and her Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland. Vigi enjoys working with all age groups within the community and loves to spend time engaging in outdoor activities with her dog Baymax.

Dr. Kathleen Woolf is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at New York University. Her work focuses on the integrated relationship of lifestyle behaviors (e.g., nutrition and physical activity) to chronic diseases, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, and musculoskeletal & skin disorders. Her research also includes the assessment of nutrition and physical activity patterns (sedentary behaviors, physical inactivity, and physical activity) in healthy individuals (recreational/competitive athletes) and individuals with chronic disease. Kathleen Woolf has held leadership positions within the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at the local, state, and national level. She is an editorial board member of American College of Sports Medicine's Health and Fitness Journal and an Associate Editor for the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. Kathleen completed her undergraduate education at Arizona State University, focused in nutrition and dietetics. Next she completed a dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Her Master’s degree was completed in nutritional sciences through the School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles. Kathleen received her Ph.D. in an interdisciplinary program in exercise science from Arizona State University. She was the 2017 Excellence in Practice Award by the Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In her spare time, Kathleen enjoys exploring all that New York City has to offer, including museums, performing arts, parks, and diverse cuisines.

Lilian Nwora Shepherd is a board certified registered dietitian, diabetes educator and personal trainer known for her joyful personality while empowering everyday people to take the next step in their health and wellness journey. She earned a Bachelors in Sports Medicine from Rice University, and a Masters in Clinical Nutrition from UT Southwestern Medical Center. A long-time athlete, Lilian competed on the track & field team at Rice, and now is a fitness instructor and bodybuilding competitor.

She is the owner of LilianShepherd.com, where she is committed to empowering women to build healthy habits that are simple and sustainable. She has been a contributing writer for the Smoothie King blog, and has been featured in Stylist magazine, Runners World, CW 39 news, and Nike Dallas.

Lilian currently resides in the Dallas area with her husband and serves as a corporate Health Coach Dietitian for a large insurance carrier.

Lynn Cialdella Kam is a Research Dietitian at the Naval Health Research Center, where she leads the Food Utilization and Energy Laboratory (FUEL) team in the Warfighter Performance Department. Her research is focused on nutritional strategies to prevent injuries and illnesses, accelerate recovery from injuries and illnesses, and enhancing performance in warfighters under stress (i.e., sleep deprivation, cold stress, and energy deprivation). Lynn served as treasurer for SCAN from 2018-2020 and House of Delegate representative from 2020-2021. She received her PhD in Nutrition with minors in Exercise Physiology and Statistics from Oregon State University and has a Master’s in Exercise Physiology from the University of Texas at Austin and Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She has counseled athletes of all ages from the recreational to the professional level and experience in strategic planning for multinational companies. In her spare time, she enjoys modern dance, swimming, cooking, and spending time with her husband and their fur babies.

Carrie Hamady is a clinical professor in the department of Public and Allied Health as well as the coordinator of the Food and Nutrition Program and the Director of the Undergraduate Dietetics Program at Bowling Green State University. She teaches classes in clinical nutrition, lifecycle nutrition for the middle to later years, sports nutrition, and seminar classes for new and senior dietetics students. Carrie has an MS in Health Promotion and her EdD in Leadership Studies. Her interests are in clinical nutrition, sustainability, food insecurity, innovative teaching techniques in dietetics education, and informatics. She is the CPI- Chair for the Ohio Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and has served as the Membership Chair for the past two years. Carrie won the award for best innovation in dietetics education at FNCE, the Faculty Excellence Award for Community-Based Teaching at BGSU, the 2018 Ohio and North Central Region of NDEP Outstanding Dietetic Educator Award in the DPD Program category, the 2020 BGSU Mentoring Excellence Award, and the 2021 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Outstanding Faculty Award for Student Success. Carrie lives in northwest Ohio with her husband and has three kids. They enjoy camping and hiking.

As President/Owner of Storlietelling LLC, Jean designs and facilitates processes to enable creative collaboration in solving business challenges. She incorporates storytelling and story-based techniques to create highly engaging strategic planning, innovation, and team building sessions. She also offers virtual and live workshops that teach professionals how to create meaningful stories for their business communications and leadership. Jean was a founding member of SCAN and served in several leadership roles in the 1980s, including as Chair in 1987-88. After a long hiatus when she was raising her three kids and working at the General Mills Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition, she got involved in SCAN again in 2011 to work on the SCAN 30-year history project. Jean subsequently served on the Nominating Committee and then two terms as the SCAN Delegate to the Academy HOD from 2014-20. Jean will support the CV-Well DDG as the Leadership Cultivation Coordinator, helping to identify volunteers to execute key functions/projects and to develop the leadership pipeline. She lives in Minneapolis and loves hiking, biking, kayaking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, gardening, and camping.

Jennifer Burris PhD, RD, CSSD, CNSC, CDCES is a Registered Dietitian and part-time faculty in Nutrition at California State University Channel Islands (Calabasas, CA), and New York University (Newy York, NY), and Saddleback College (Mission Viejo, CA). Jennifer’s research focuses on the integrated role of nutrition, physical activity, and chronic skin disease, particularly acne, to promote patient wellness. She has a passion for nutrition and is currently a Sports Nutrition Consultant for the Ventura County Fire department (Ventura County, CA), targeting the unique nutrition needs of first responders. Jennifer also has extensive experience as a clinical dietitian, previously focusing on acute care at the University of California, Irvine, long-term care for Dietitians of Orange County (California), and pediatric patient care within the Metabolic Disorders and Genetic Inborn Errors of Metabolism at Children’s Hospital Orange County, (California).

Dr. Karen Reznik Dolins has worked in private practice for over 30 years helping individuals and groups achieve their nutrition goals. She is guided by her commitment to integrating nutrition and physical activity for optimal performance and well-being. Specialty areas include:

• Nutrition strategies to improve athletic performance
• Body weight and composition
• Disordered eating/eating disorders
• Picky eating
• Medical nutrition therapy for those with medical needs

In addition to her private practice, Karen teaches graduate level sports nutrition at Teachers College Columbia University and New York University. Her extensive experience includes serving as the sports nutritionist for Iona College, Columbia University, and the NY Knicks. She has provided workshops for the Women’s NBA, NBA Player's Association and Cirque du Soleil as well as schools and numerous coaches’ clinics. She has authored numerous publications in professional and lay journals and presents at conferences nationwide.

Karen earned a BA in Biology from Washington University in St. Louis, an MA in Nutrition and Dietetics from NYU and a doctoral degree from Teachers College Columbia University in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology.

Karen was among the first to earn the credential of Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is a past Chair, Treasurer, and Membership Director of the Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness (SCAN) Dietetic Practice Group and is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine. She sits on the board of the MSUD Family Support Group and directs research efforts for this rare Inborn Error of Metabolism. She is also a board member of Meals on Wheels White Plains. Athletic pursuits include swimming, cycling, hiking, and scuba diving.

Ingrid Lofgren is a Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of Rhode Island. She teaches both food system sustainability and nutritional biochemistry at the undergraduate and graduate level. Ingrid’s research areas are assessing and decreasing risk for cardiovascular disease and helping students communicate their science. She earned a BS in Dietetics while doing the Coordinated Program at the University of Connecticut and an MPH at the University of Massachusetts with a concentration in Epidemiology. After being a research dietitian for the Women’s Health Initiative at the University of Massachusetts for five years, Ingrid went to the International Culinary Institute for Foreigners in Costigliole d’Asti to train as a chef. After completing the training and a stage at La Torre in Fiuggi, Italy, she returned to the University of Connecticut to earn her PhD in Nutrition. Ingrid did a “teaching post-doc” at the University of New Hampshire for three years before starting at the University of Rhode Island in 2007. Though the romance of owning her own restaurant died while having an excellent experience in cooking school and training at La Torre, Ingrid thoroughly enjoys cooking, eating, and trying every ice cream and donut shop that pops up with her family and friends!

Carol Sloan is a registered dietitian/nutritionist and consultant with expertise in food and nutrition communications and food service management. Carol is the Health Research Director for the California Walnut Commission where she leads project implementation and oversees active research studies internationally and domestically. Carol also collaborates with the public relations and marketing departments to translate this scientific research for broader audiences, including consumers and health professionals. She is also a freelance journalist specializing in delivering scientifically sound, realistic information all about food, nutrition and health. Carol currently provides a nutrition column for School News Roll Call and was nutrition editor for LA Parent Magazine for 20 years. She is nutrition consultant to several healthcare facilities in southern California and is a member of the Bayer Crop Science Leaders Engaged in Advancing Dialogue (L.E.A.D.) Initiative. Carol served two terms as a delegate to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She served on the Executive Board for the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is a member of many Academy Dietetic Practice Groups including Healthy Aging, Diabetes in Care and Education, Oncology, Research, Vegetarian, Food and Culinary and Dietitians in Business and Communications. She is currently the editor of the Nutrition Education for the Public DPG newsletter. She is a member of the American Society of Nutrition, The Obesity Society, the American Heart Association, Institute of Food Technologists and American Association of Diabetes Educators and received both the Excellence in Private Practice, Business & Communications Award and the Distinguished Service Award from the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Carol serves as a preceptor to the Individualized Supervised-Practice Pathway Program at California State University, San Bernardino and the Master’s Dietetic Internship at California State University, Long Beach and she is a member of the Dean’s Council for the Department of Agriculture at Cal Poly Pomona.

Ivana is a registered and Licensed Dietitian in the State of Ohio. Ivana completed her Dietetic Internship at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, concurrent with Master of Science in Nutrition at Case Western Reserve University. Currently, she is an Administrative Officer at the Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System. She has also worked at the VA as the Administrative Systems Dieitian and Clinical Dietitian, providing both outpatient and inpatient weight loss, Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Renal nutrition counseling. Additionally, Ivana has taught Human Nutrition at Ashland University and counseled individuals on weight loss in various capacities. Ivana enjoys meeting new people and is excited to get started having a fun time helping the group get to know one another!

Taylor Bloedon is an Associate Professor in the Kinesiology and Recreation Administration Department at Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA where she teaches general nutrition, sports nutrition, nutrition and health and holistic health and well-being. She received her BS in Psychology with an honors emphasis in social psychology from the University of Oregon, her M.S. in Nutrition and Food Management/Dietetics with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology at Oregon State University and her Ph.D. in Food and Nutrition Sciences with an emphasis in Exercise Science from the University of Maine. Her research interests include examining the integration of nutrition and movement strategies for improving and maintaining health, improving sports performance, as well as preventing and reducing chronic disease. Her current research focuses on a variety of dietary strategies and lifestyle-related behaviors that impact mental and physical health. Taylor enjoys collaborating with other educators and professionals and sharing information and resources to learn from each other as well as broaden the perspectives she brings to her students and to create a sense of community. When not in the classroom, Taylor loves being outside playing, exploring the ocean and the Redwoods, rock climbing, running, or having a spontaneous dance party with her husband and two kiddos.

Kavita Poddar worked as a dietitian in India, then came to the United States for higher education. She earned her PhD in nutrition from Virginia Tech and worked as a post-doc at Johns Hopkins before moving to Wisconsin. Kavita has lived in Wisconsin since 2011 and working at UW Health since 2013. She is trained in health promotion and disease prevention with emphasis on lifestyle changes that include dietary modifications in obese and type II diabetic individuals. She has strong skills sets in developing and designing, planning and implementing clinical trials in research setting. Additional skills include data management, analysis and manuscript development. She is experienced in providing advanced level care in clinical nutrition across different age group.

Erin Pover has been working as a Registered Dietitian since 2009, most recently at Highmark, Inc as a Wellness Coach. Erin received her B.S. and M.S. in Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition from the University of Pittsburgh. She has been active in the Pittsburgh Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, serving on the Board of Directors as the Past President, Membership Co-Chair, Nominating Chair, Mentoring Chair, and Career Guidance Co-Chair. She was also the Social Media Chair for the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Membership Recruitment and Retention Chair for the Weight Management DPG. Her professional interests include weight management and nutrition counseling and her personal interests include spending time with her family and running outdoors. Erin lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and two daughters.

Geeta Sikand is a national speaker, Director of Nutrition, Preventive Cardiology Program at University of California Irvine and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine (Cardiology Division). Geeta is a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) and a Fellow of the National Lipid Association (NLA). Ms. Sikand is a registered dietitian and a clinical lipid specialist.

Ms. Sikand serves as the Cardiovascular Nutrition Content Expert for the Academy’s Cardiovascular Health and Well-being dietetic practice group. Ms. Sikand is Co-Chair of the NLA Nutrition Task Force and coauthor of the “2015 NLA Recommnendations for the Management of Dyslipidemia.” Ms. Sikand serves on the NLA Board of Governors. Ms. Sikand is Co-chair of the NLA South Asian Work Group. Ms. Sikand’s area of research is in the area of dietary strategies for cardiovascular risk reduction and outcomes of medical nutrition therapy in the management of dyslipidemia and cardiometabolic risk factors including improvements in cholesterol, triglycerides, hypertension, BMI and A1c.

Ms. Sikand has been honored with many national and state awards including the 2020 NLA’s 2020 President’s Service Award, Academy’s 2020 Excellence in Weight Management Outcomes Research Award and the Academy’s 2019 Medallion Award. She was honored for her leadership, public policy and community service and for her medical nutrition therapy outcomes research for patients with dyslipidemia and cardiometabolic risk factors. In 2019 Ms. Sikand received the Academy’s Excellence in Cardiovascular Practice Award, Academy’s 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indians in Nutrition and Dietetics Member Interest Group, 2013 Academy’s Distinguished Service Award, 2001 Mary Huddleson Award for making the highest research contribution to the dietetics profession At the state level, Ms. Sikand was the recipient of the California Academy’s 2019 Dolores Nyhus Outstanding Dietitian of the Year Award, and the 1997 California Academy’s Excellence in Outcomes Research Award.

Bailee Sawyer, PhD, RD, LD is the first time Director of Nutrition Sciences and Assistant Professor at Tarleton State University, in Stephenville/Ft. Worth TX for Fall 2021. Sawyer completed her PhD in Exercise Science and Nutrition at North Dakota State University (NDSU) with a dissertation titled, Barriers and Strategies to Optimize Diabetes Management in Emerging Adults with Type 1 Diabetes. Sawyer has been a dietitian for five years and during 2020-2021 was a clinical dietitian at Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo TX. During her doctorate work at NDSU, Sawyer served as a research dietitian on the Healthy Aging Research Team who focused muscle quality and strength with animal-based protein intake. In her spare time, Sawyer enjoys spending time with her horses, running and yoga.

Grace Derocha is a registered dietitian and a certified diabetes care educator and specialist. She has over 22 year of experience as a dietitian. She loves helping others learn how to live a healthier and happier lifestyle. She is passionate about educating others about nutrition, fitness, health, wellness and well-being, while guiding them through attainable behavioral changes. Grace was born and raised in Michigan. Mrs. Derocha attended Michigan State University and earned two bachelors of science degrees in psychology and dietetics. Later she earned her MBA from Wayne State University. Grace is a National Spokesperson for The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and currently resides in Metro Detroit, Michigan. She is a wife, mommy of two, a puppy mom, Spartan, and avid Detroit sports fan. She loves music, dancing, food, cooking, shopping, reading, and smiling.

Liz Kiertscher is passionate about health and wellness. As a Certified Wellness Program Coordinator, she currently works as the Coordinator of Employee Wellness and Nutrition for Garland ISD developing wellness programming and initiatives for Garland ISD’s employees. She has worked in health and wellness for over nine years, previously as a health risk management consultant. Liz has a bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in Exercise and Sports Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University. Liz is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian as well as a Certified Personal Trainer with experience in the gym setting and as a clinical inpatient and outpatient hospital dietitian. She likes to share her passion for nutrition and wellness with others and has been an adjunct professor teaching nutrition at Dallas College for ten years. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, camping and crafting.

Satya S. Jonnalagadda, PhD, MBA, RDN, is the Vice President of Scientific and Clinical Affairs at Medifast. Satya has more than 20 years of experience in nutrition, has held various roles in global research and development for Novartis Nutrition Corporation, General Mills, Kerry Ingredients, Abbott Nutrition, was an Associate Professor of Nutrition at Georgia State University and a Clinical Dietitian and is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. Satya has more than 50 peer reviewed publications in key scientific journals, has contributed to several book chapters and has presented at scientific and professional conferences. Satya has conducted pre-clinical, epidemiological and human intervention nutrition research studies to examine impact of different dietary components on key health and nutrition biomarkers and outcomes. Satya is an active member of several scientific organizations, such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Society for Nutrition, and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.