Jeffrey Blumberg, PhD, FASN, FACN, CNS-S is Professor in the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and also serves as Senior Scientist in the Antioxidants Research Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. Dr. Blumberg’s research is focused on the biochemical basis for the role of antioxidant nutrients and their dietary requirements in promoting health and preventing disease during the aging process via changes in status of oxidative stress, glucoregulation, and inflammation. He has published more than 400 scientific articles and serves on the editorial boards of several scientific journals. Dr. Blumberg was included in the Thomson Reuters List of the World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds: 2015 (top 1% of cited researchers in his field from 2002 to 2014). In 2016, he was the recipient of the American Society for Nutrition Mary Swartz Rose Senior Investigator Award for outstanding research on the safety and efficacy of bioactive compounds for human health. Dr. Blumberg also participates in activities relevant to the incorporation of sound nutrition science into public health policy, and has served as a member of the US Surgeon General’s Workshop on Health Promotion and Aging, US Olympic Committee Sports Medicine Division, Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Consultation on Preparation and Use of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Food Advisory Committee, and other committees.

Lauren Clardy leverages 25 years of experience in the nutraceutical industry, specializing in functional ingredients, leading-edge bioactives, science-based nutraceuticals, and new technologies. She is Founder and President of NutriMarketing Group, and her company plays a strategic and tactical role in developing, planning, and implementing marketing and commercialization initiatives for market leaders and technology visionaries in the business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets.

Lauren Clardy offers core competencies in innovation, strategy, product development, and business intelligence, and helps companies turn new technologies and scientific breakthroughs into winning products and concepts. She is skilled at bridging emerging science from functional ingredients into consumer products, including regulatory, formulation, and commercial aspects. Her clients range from early-stage to market-leading multinationals.

Lauren Clardy has launched numerous companies onto the market to become successful new brands in the industry. She is a results-oriented leader known for her versatile skill set and ability to cultivate strategic partnerships. Lauren Clardy is a popular speaker for the nutraceutical market as an expert in innovation, and trends in the health and wellness industry. She functions as an advisor to several companies, serves on several boards, and is a principal advisory member of Nutrition Capital Network.

Lauren Clardy received her BSc in nutrition from the University of California, Davis, and has pursued postgraduate work in nutrition at Oregon State University in Corvalis.

Michael I. McBurney, PhD, FACN, is VP Science, Communications & Advocacy at DSM Nutritional Products, where he provides global leadership in developing, implementing, and executing nutrition science and communications strategies. Dr. McBurney is Adjunct Professor in the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University in Boston, MA, was founding Department Head of the Dept of Nutrition and Food Science at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX, and has held academic appointments at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and Michigan State University in East Lansing. He has published over 86 peer-reviewed papers, 10 book chapters, 36 proceedings and letters, 103 technical abstracts, and almost 1000 blog posts (www.TalkingNutrition.DSM.com).

Dr. Michael McBurney is an active volunteer with leadership experience in the American Society for Nutrition, Institute for Food Technologists, International Food Information Council, International Life Science Institute, Council for Responsible Nutrition, Canadian Nutrition Society, and New York Academy of Science. He served as Founding Advisory Board Member of the Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes within the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Dr. McBurney is an industry representative (nonvoting member) of the US Food and Drug Administration Food Advisory Committee. He chairs the Cornell University Division of Nutrition Sciences External Advisory Board and is a member of The National Association of Science Writers, Inc.

Dr. Michael McBurney received his BS in biology (ecology) from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, and his MS and PhD in nutrition from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. His accreditations include professional mediation (Texas Mediation Trainers Roundtable) and Executive Leadership I (IMD Business School).

Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, LD, has been the Director of the number-one health and wellness website for more than 13 years and, in 2016, was named Contributing Editor to Food & Nutrition Magazine of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy). In addition, Kathleen Zelman formerly served as Nutrition Expert for United HealthCare Services, Inc.’s Source4Women® from 2009 to 2017.

In 2016, Kathleen Zelman received one of the highest honors from the Academy—the Lenna Frances Cooper Memorial Lecture Award—in recognition of a distinguished career and remarkable contributions to the dietetics profession. In 2007, the Academy gave her the Media Excellence Award for her contribution and commitment to educating consumers about food and nutrition. In 2011, the American Society for Nutrition named Kathleen Zelman the recipient of the Nutrition Science Media Award for outstanding science and nutrition journalism. In 2012, the Institute of Food Technologists honored her with the Media Award for Excellence in Consumer Journalism. In 2014, Kathleen Zelman received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ.

Kathleen Zelman has extensive media experience, including cohosting a weekly radio program for 4 years, serving 12 years as a national spokesperson for the Academy, over a thousand print and television appearances, and co-authoring several books.

Kathleen Zelman is an invited speaker at professional meetings worldwide, including sharing the stage with First Lady Michelle Obama and US Dept of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at the launch of MyPlate. She has served as a judge for the James Beard Foundation Awards since 2009, and is also a member of the Health Professional Advisors to the Egg Nutrition Center, Share Our Strength advisory board, LEAD Network, and the Board of Directors of True Health Initiative.

Kathleen Zelman is active in local, state, and national dietetic associations, serving as Director at Large on the Academy’s Board of Directors, a Trustee of the Georgia Dietetic Foundation, and 2 terms on the Academy House of Delegates.

Kathleen Zelman received her MPH from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, and her BSc from Montclair State University.

Dr. Harkness is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a PhD in Nutrition from Case Western Reserve University. She leads Global Research & Development for Health & Wellbeing and Personal Care at Church & Dwight Co., Inc., the maker of vitafusion and L’il Critters gummy vitamin brands. She is a nutrition expert with over 30 years of experience in the field and is passionate about food and nutrition. Dr. Harkness specializes in health and wellness innovation, nutrition research, and communication.

Earlier in her career, Dr. Harkness was an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Nutrition at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland with a research focus on nutrients that are important in bone health. In addition, her career in science and clinical care has encompassed research and providing care for patients in adult and pediatric intensive care, adolescent medicine, gastroenterology, and surgical units.

She is currently an active member of several professional organizations, including the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Society of Nutrition, ILSI, and Council for Responsible Nutrition.

In her free time, Dr. Harkness enjoys cooking and running. She is a long time runner and marathoner.