2021 Faculty

Afra Bin Katta is a Specialist Clinical Dietitian and Head of Clinical Nutrition Department –Rashid Hospital; as well as founder member in Emirate Clinical Nutrition Society until date. She has extensive experience in intensive nutrition care of adult with critical care. She graduated from the University of Alexandria, Egypt with Master’s degree in Nutrition and public Health, and participated with different excellence projects in DHA under Clinical Nutrition Department., the biggest honor was win with Hamdan Bin Mohammed Award for Smart Government Best Public-Private Partnership Category. Dr Afra Bin Katta from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) said: “Visceral fat cells release fatty acids to the liver, pancreas, heart and other organs causing organ dysfunction, which in turn leads to insulin resistance higher levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases. It’s also associated with breast cancer and with infertility in men.”

Agnès Giboreau has a PhD in Food science and a MSc in Cognitive psychology. Her research activity aims at better understanding the pleasure of eating and its relation to health from both perceptual and behavioural perspectives. Her projects focus on meal experience in a multidisciplinary approach and rely on studies conducted in real situations. She is interested in better understanding consumer perception and behaviour in real eating contexts, such as school, nursing home, hospital restaurants. She develops knowledge showing the importance of considering the food, the individual and the environment perspectives together.On one hand, the research is conducted in the unique facilities of the Experimental restaurant, a Living Lab (labelled Enoll) where professional experts work together with scientists, contributing to food design and production as well as table design and service. On the other hand, research actions are conducted in institutions, nursing homes, school restaurants etc. in order to demonstrate how meal pleasure can contribute to health perspectives in various subjects. More generally, the Research Center of the Institut Paul Bocuse aims to produce, transmit and value original scientific knowledge and know-how to contribute to the improvement of the well-being of the populations, in all the contexts of food and hospitality, at all ages, worldwide. To this end, the research team conduct multidisciplinary works on socio-cultural, economic, cognitive and nutritional factors of the meal experience. The transfer from science to innovation is based on the cooperation of culinary and scientific experts to Marketing and R&D projects of the food, foodservice and hospitality sectors.

Food and Nutrition Science, College of Health Sciences, Showaikh, Kuwait.

Prof. Ahmed El-Beleidy was born in October 1955. Prof. El-Beleidy obtained his M.Sc. Pediatrics degree in May 1982, followed by MD Pediatrics 4 years later in May 1986, both from the Cairo University. -In 1996, Prof. El-Beleidy was appointed as Professor of Pediatrics, and later on as the Head of the Pediatric ICU of Cairo University New Children’s Hospital in 2011. In August 2013, Prof. El-Beleidy was elected as the Head of the Pediatric Department in Cairo University. He was holding this title till 31 July 2016, when he decided to quit administrative activities and focus on education. Currently, Prof. El-Beleidy is holding the post of Professor of Pediatrics at the Cairo University. Prof. El-Beleidy also shared the responsibility of the supervision and evaluation of more than 100 M.Sc. and MD theses, in different universities in Egypt.

Prof. Laviano currently works at department of clinical medicine Sapienza University, in Rome, Italy. • He is a member of many associations and societies, such as, a member of ESPEN, AAAS (AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE), a member New York Academy of sciences and a member of South African of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, Member, Editorial Advisory Board of Nutrition, Abstract reviewer of the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and many others. • Prof. Laviano has over 140 publications in peer-reviewed journals and has authored more than 50 book chapters and more than 200 abstracts presented at National & International congresses. • Prof. Laviano has delivered more than 200 invited lectures in both National and International events. • He is also one of the authors of the most recent 2016 ESPEN guidelines on Nutrition in Cancer patients, as well as the 2017 ESPEN expert group recommendations for action against cancer related malnutrition.

Asst. General Manager of a passionate team and administration that is tackling and leading the transformation in the Nutrition Sector at the Ministry of Health in response to the objectives of the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision.

Mr. Amjad Jarrar is currently Instructor at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nutrition and Health Department. His professional experience includes 24 years as an instructor in universities in Applied Science University, M’UTAH University-Jordan and in UAE University, more than 10 years as sport nutrition consultants at Aljazeera Sport Club, Abu Dhabi –UAE. He has published 25 articles in Peer Reviewed Journals. His research interests include sport nutrition, metabolic syndrome, Assessment of salt intakes and glycemic index. Mr. Jarrar, has a Master of Science degrees in Nutrition and Food from Jordan University. He is currently enrolled as a Ph.D. student at Faculty of Sport and Health Science, Oxford Brookes University, UK.

Anfal Moafaq, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of clinical nutrition and dietetic at The Applied Science Private University, faculty of pharmacy. Her primary research interests are obesity and diabetes among children and adolescent. she is currently exploring the effect of obesity during adolescent period on synaptic plasticity and cytoskeleton protein, and it is effect on brain health mainly learn memory and depression.

Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt, in 1984 with honors, and completed his Master’s Degree in Chest Diseases with a Critical Care sub-specialty in 1989. Following this, he gained his MRCP (Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians, UK) Diploma in 1997 and was awarded his Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP, London) in 2008. In 2012, gained his European Diploma in Intensive Care Medicine.

Professor of Food Science / University of Jordan since 1982 . B.S. / Food Science / Cornell University / USA/ 1974. M.S. / Cereal Chemistry and Technology/ North Dakota S U./USA/ 1977. Ph.D./ Food Science / Louisiana SU/ USA/ 1981. Chairman/ Dept. Nutrition and Food Technology / University of Jordan/ 1990-1993, 200-2001. Visiting Professor/ AUB/ Lebanon/ 1997-1998. Dean/ College of Allied Health Sciences/ Hashemite University/ Jordan/ 2001-2003. General Manager/ Founder: Agroindustries Incubator( Jordan Innovation Center) / University of Jordan. 2004-2011. Deputy General Secretary/ Higher council of Science and Technology/ Jordan 2007-2009. Visiting Professor/ AUM/ Jordan. Member: Sigma Xi, IFT, AACC, Agriculture Engineers Association and Food Science and Technology Society/ Jordan. Published 65 peer reviewed papers in Food Preservation, Cereal Chemistry, Nanotechnology , Oil Chemistry and natural products. Authored 10 books in areas of Food Science. Supervised 36 MS and 13 Ph.D students.

Prof. Ayesha Al Dhaheri is currently the Vice Dean for the College of Food and Agriculture at the United Arab Emirates University. Dr. Al Dhaheri is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer in the UCL Division of Medicine by the University College London (UCL), the Coordinator for MEFOODS and GULFOODS for FAO-Rome, and the President of Emirates Nutrition Association. Prof. Al Dhaheri also served as the Chairperson for the Nutrition and Health Department at UAEU from 2012-2017 and served as the Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre in Nutrition from 2012-2015, where she worked to promote greater awareness in the prevention and treatment of nutrition related diseases. Prof. Al Dhaheri has conducted significant research in nutrition and has experience as a consultant in major research/projects in her field with national and international agencies such as MOH, HAAD, WHO, FAO, ICCIDD. As well as, she has been recognized by the World Health Organization as a Regional Facilitator for the introduction and dissemination of the WHO growth curves since February 2007. Dr. Ayesha is currently involved in supervising PhD students in the Nutritional Sciences PhD Program and Master Degree students from UAE University and other international universities.

Dr. Balqees Al-Awadhi is an Assistant Professor at the college of health sciences at the Public Authority of Applied Education in Kuwait. She has achieved her MSc and PhD from the University of Reading, UK which has focused on personalized nutrition and the development of a web-based tool that delivers personalized nutritional advice. Dr Al-Awadhi is a Clinical Dietician and has worked with inpatients and outpatients across different areas of nutrition such as Diabetic, Pediatric, Maternity, Nephrology, Oncology, Surgical and amongst the morbidly Obese.

Dr. Basil Nasrallah has double qualifications; the American Board of Pediatrics from USA and certificate of completion of training (CCT) from the UK. He worked as a specialist registrar for 3 years in the pediatric allergy and respiratory departments in the Great North Children’s Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne. Dr. Nasrallah did his post graduate certificate in allergy and asthma from Imperial College London, UK. He is an active member of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI).

Beth Besecker, MD, MBA, Six Sigma Green Belt received her medical degree from The Medical College of Ohio and her MBA from Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. She completed her post-doctorate research fellowship and clinical fellowships at The Ohio State University Medical Center. She is board certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. Her research utilized zinc and other micronutrients to improve inflammatory balance and monocyte/macrophage phagocytosis of bacteria; she studied both acute lung injury and sepsis. After completing her training, she ran her own NIH-funded laboratory and her expertise spans bench, translational and clinical research. Dr. Besecker held several quality and patient safety positions at Ohio State including Vice Chair of Quality and Patient Safety for the Internal Medicine Department for over three years. Beth was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor before joining Abbott as the Director of Medical Affairs for US Adult Nutrition in 2020.

Training: MD (1997), medical doctorate (1998), Eberhard-Karls-Universität, Tübingen, Germany. Residency in pediatrics and training in Neonatology, University Hospitals Tübingen and Würzburg, Germany, with Prof. Dr. C.P. Speer (1999-2006). Research fellow with Prof. Dr. Alan H. Jobe, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Ohio, USA (1999-2001). Positions: Junior member of medical faculty, Würzburg (2006). Maastricht UMC+ (2006 to present): neonatologist and leader of experimental research group. PhD in 2007 and Professor for Experimental Perinatology since 2011. Since 2013 Director of Pediatric Research. Part-time position at the Institute of Women’s Health, University College London, United Kingdom from 2016-2018. Several national and international research awards e.g. young scientist of ESPR (2003) and Dutch Society for Pediatrics (2008). Chosen as a “top talent” by the faculty of medicine (2008). Management classes at INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France. Research interests: Microbiome in NEC and BPD, stem cell therapy, development of lung, gut, brain and immune system after preterm birth. Supervision of 25 completed PhDs, 325 peer-reviewed papers in international journals, 7 reviews in textbooks. Editor: Associated editor of Pediatric Research and Neonatology.

Bridget Cassady, PhD, RDN, LD is a doctorate-level research scientist and registered dietitian nutritionist at Abbott. She supports the global adult therapeutic nutrition business with an emphasis on critical care, ICU, and surgical patients. Prior to joining Abbott, Bridget worked in various roles in the global food and healthcare industry and brings a decade’s worth of experience in research and development to her current role. She is passionate about improving the standard of care in the aging population and works to highlight the importance of nutrition for older adults. Her expertise includes adult medical nutrition therapy, biochemistry and physiology, aging, and cognitive sciences. Bridget graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Winona State University in Cell and Molecular Biology. She earned her PhD through the Interdepartmental Nutrition Program and Ingestive Behaviors Research Center at Purdue University. Bridget completed her dietetic internship through Iowa State University.

Dr Carine Platat is currently associate professor at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). She got her Engineer diploma in agronomy, from the Top National School in Agronomy and Food Industries (Nancy, France). Then, she completed her MSc in Biology and Human Nutrition at the National Institute of Agronomy at Paris. In 2005, she obtained her PhD from the University Louis Pasteur (Strasbourg, France) in the field of clinical research. She investigated the interrelationships between dietary factors, physical activity and the metabolic syndrome in the adolescents. In her post-doctorate at the Pluri-disciplinary Institute Hubert Curien (Strasbourg, France), she studied the interaction between physical activity and lipid oxidation. Since she joined UAEU, Dr Carine Platat has been teaching, at undergraduate and graduate levels, various courses related to Macronutrients Nutrition and Metabolism, Sports Nutrition, Exercise and Health and Functional Food. She has been serving as member and chair, on innovation and educational assessment committees at the university and has been coordinating undergraduate and graduate programs in Nutritional Science. She is conducting research related to prevention and management of nutrition-related diseases, especially obesity and diabetes, targeting diet and physical activity. She joined the Emirates and Space Innovation Group in 2017 and conducts projects related to weightlessness, insulin resistance, exercise, bone metabolism and muscle-bone cross-talk, in collaboration with the Mohamed Bin Rashid Space Center at Dubai and the UAE Space Agency. She also pursues interest in using natural ingredients to develop functional food for human. She supervised near forty-five undergraduate and graduate students for their senior research project, MSc or PhD. Her research work has been published in international peer reviewed journals, including Nutrients, Frontiers in Nutrition, Food Chemistry, Maturitas, Biology and AJCN.

Dr. Carlos Lifschitz is a American Board of Pediatrics certified pediatric gastroenterologist and former Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. He currently is an Associate Physician at the Italian Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has served in the Council of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition as well as in the Editorial Board of the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition currently in the International Editorial Board of the journal Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. He is a member of the European and Latin American Societies for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition and former member of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. He is the author of 95 peer reviewed publications and 2 books.

Dr Carole Wehbe Chidiac graduated as an M.D and completed a residency program in Family Medicine, from Saint Joseph University in Beirut, Lebanon, followed by different training in occupational medicine and school health. She completed an eating and weight disorders practitioner diploma accredited by BPS/UK in 2014, training in hospital management of eating disorders ED in Boston’s Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School in 2018. She is finishing as well a post graduate diploma in sports and exercise medicine from university of Wales UK. She is an active member/ speaker of The Middle East Eating Disorders Association MEEDA, National Centre for Eating Disorders, Uk, and International Academy for Eating Disorders AED. She is on the scientific committee of The International Conference for Eating Disorders 2022. Dr Carole has been involved in training health care professionals in ED triggers, complications and successful approaches, which led to her involvement in starting the first ED outpatient multidisciplinary team in the middle east at the American Center of Psychiatry and neurology in 2016 in Dubai, helping with the medical, psychological and nutritional management of eating, exercise and weight issues, the target being not only healthy living but more importantly a healthy relationship with food, exercise and body image. Having Practiced in Dubai, UAE, for the last 23 years, Dr Carole Wehbe Chidiac had the opportunity to see patients of all ages and different arab and asian nationalities among others. Having been a health consultant for many companies and schools, she witnessed the different factors affecting the wellbeing of students and employees and the often ineffective or even harmful approaches in schools and different workplaces (aviation and sports industries in particular) when it comes to health promotion. She has published many articles and conducted many workshops raising awareness for eating disorders, promoting a weight inclusive approach to health and fighting weight stigma and the diet culture. During the last year, she witnessed first hand the astonishing effects of COVID19 pandemic on eating and exercising in general, and on eating disorders in particular."

Dr. Dany Hamod has graduated from Medical School Kaunas Medical University,Lithuania. Completed Residency in Pediatrics: University of Balamand Lebanon. He is currently Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Balamand

Diala Shaheen is a sports nutritionist holding an MSc degree in Sports and Exercise Nutrition from Loughborough University, the United Kingdom. During her BSc in Human Nutrition from the University of British Columbia in Canada, Diala worked in multiple areas and different groups. She started with children and nutritional education in Vancouver city schools, moving to experience in weight-management, and then to the clinical setting with kidney & liver disease, diabetes, and pediatric cases. She then worked at Takween, the Center of Excellence for Brain Development, providing nutritional support for children dealing with neurological and psychological challenges including autism and seizures. In 2020, Diala perused a life-long interest and passion for sports and started the journey with athlete and teams’ nutrition at Loughborough University. Her research at Loughborough University is focused on exercise and its effects on appetite perceptions and food reward supervised by Dr. James King. She is also working with athletes of different sport backgrounds including Loughborough’s Lacrosse female team as well as Dingoes football club for youth based in London. She has also been running her freelance nutrition career including recipe development, menu consultations and a managing her nutrition blog ‘The Hummus Theory’ for four years now sharing practical nutritional advice and healthy recipes.

Dr Dimitrios Papandreou is currently a Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Assistant Dean for Research at Zayed University Abu Dhabi, UAE. He holds a Doctor of Medicine degree in Clinical Pediatric Nutrition from Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece and 2 Master’s degrees from Columbia University, New York, USA. He is also a Registered Dietitian licensed from USA since 1998. Dr Dimitrios has published 96 full research articles in peer reviewed international journals with a total citation index of 7800, h- index 25 and i10 index of 41 respectively.

Professor of Pediatrics and Head of Pediatric Clinical Nutrition Unit, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. He is one of the founders and a member of Master Clinical Nutrition Board of Ain Shams University. He was the president of the First, Second, Third and Fourth Scientific Congresses for Pediatric Pulmonology and Nutritional Disorders. He is the vice president of the Arabian Society of Pediatric Clinical Nutrition. He is a member of: - The Egyptian society of Pediatrics - Ain Shams society of Pediatrics - The clinical society of Faculty of Medicine, ASU - Egyptian society of preterm and neonatal care - The Arabian International Society of Nutrition & Gastroenterology and Infectious diseases."

Elisabeth De Waele is head of the 2021 newly created Department of Clinical Nutrition at Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel which unites medical doctors, dietitians, pharmacists and nurses who take care of hospitalized and ambulatory patients challenged by nutritional and metabolic issues. She is Medical Director of the Intensive Care Department and Associate Professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Erasmus Hogeschool Brussel teaching medical students, pharmacists and dietitians in training. Since 2018 she is Member of the Executive Board of the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. She is an active member of the Metabolism and Nutrition Section of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Member of the Faculty of the International Symposium on Intensive Care & Emergency Medicine. She graduated with great distinction from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in 2004, completed postgraduate training in general surgery in 2010 and became a certified Intensive Care Physician in 2012. In 2008 she obtained a Bachelor diploma in Clinical Nutrition (Odisee Graduate School). Her scientific work is focused on clinical research in metabolism and nutrition in critically ill, cancer and surgical patients and resulted in a PhD Thesis entitled “Energy Expenditure and Nutritional Therapy in Critically ill Patients” in 2015. She acts as a principal investigator in 9 studies and numerous times as a co-investigator. Professor De Waele has published 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals and has an extended experience in lecturing live and virtual at international and national symposia (over 100 performances) and also dedicates here time to communicate to a non-medical audience on different topics (more than 60 press contacts in 2020). She is member of ISICEM, ESICM, ESPEN, SIZ and reviewer for several high-end peer-reviewed medical journals. She forms a happy family with her husband who is a Gynecologist/Fertility specialist (MD, PhD) and their three children. The Golden pheasants in the garden brighten up their lives. Her core values are Humanity - Quality – Quantity. Electronic

Dr. Entesar is a Consultant Pediatric Nephrologist in Dubai Hospital and covering DHA pediatrics nephrology services as well as northern emirates in UAE as part of nephrology team in Dubai Hospital. She had obtained her MBBS degree from Jordan University Of Science and Technology in Jordan, has then done pediatrics residency in Dalhousie University in Halifax in Canada and obtained both American and Canadian board of Pediatrics in 2008 and 2009. She then completed her training in Pediatrics Nephrology at University Of Toronto at Sick Kids Hospital, Canada and obtained Canadian board of Pediatrics Nephrology in 2010. Dr Entesar has worked as a lecturer and examiner in Medical school in Sharjah University 2010-2012 and currently holding the same position in Dubai Medical College. Dr. Entesar is currently serving as Director of Arab board residency program-DHA, Chairperson of Standing Child Protection Committee, and Chairperson of University Student and Resident Research Committee. She is a member of several pediatrics and pediatrics nephrology boards nationally and internationally.

Dr. Eslam T. El-Baroudy is A.Professor and Consultant of Pediatrics at faculty of Medicine,Cairo University, currently, works at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), managed by Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi, UAE where he runs the Feeding Clinic and attends to children and babies with feeding difficulties, failure to thrive & nutritional behavioural disorders. Dr. El-Baroudy is a graduate of Cairo University where he obtained his Master degree (M.Sc.) and Doctorate of Medicine (M.D.) “Clinical Ph.D.” degree in General Paediatrics, also he obtained his Paediatric Fellowship from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (FRCPCH), London (UK). Dr. El-Baroudy is an International Member of the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) and he is an International board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC). Also he is an international instructor of the Paediatric Fundamentals Critical Care Support (PFCCS) course accredited by the American Society of Critical Care Medicine (ASCCM). In addition to his long experience dealing with feeding and nutritional problems, he has an interest in diagnosis and management of allergic and asthmatic patients and a special interest in renal diseases especially of the metabolic nature. Dr. El- Baroudy has published in all these aspects in reputable journals. Finally, Dr. Eslam ElBaroudy is the founder and President of the Annual International Paediatric Summit Congress (IPS)

Dr. Faisal A. Al-Sehli is a Doctor of pharmacy, graduated from UTHSC, USA and finished his specialized , Pediatrics/Neonatal residency program from Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital one of the best Seven children’s hospitals in USA, he is specialized in Neonatal/Pediatrics ICU clinical pharmacy in KING ABDULAZIZ MEDICAL CITY – RIYADH and he is holding a position of an Assistant professor in clinical pharmacy jointed to college of pharmacy and medicine, King Saud Bin Abdul-Aziz for Health Science University in Riyadh. He is holding a master degree and High Diploma in Health Systems and quality management from Liverpool University in collaboration of King Saud University for Health Science. He won the First place award for his research by leading his team in Neonatal ICU from Saudi National Patient Safety Award , 2018 for his innovated project which decreased the Neonates fractures from twenty cases per year to Zero. He is one of the leaders in innovation of new programs such as (Discharge Counseling, Neonatal Bone Health, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Strategic planning in education … etc.). He is holding a military rank as a Lieutenant colonel doctor in the Ministry of National Guard.

Dr Farah Naja is an associate professor in Nutrition Epidemiology, at the University of Sharjah. She earned her doctoral degree from University of Toronto, Canada. Dr Naja is leading an active research portfolio, with over 75 publications. Her research focus is to explore innovative approaches to study dietary intake, with a focus on the Mediterranean diet, its health and environmental impacts. Together with her team, she has launched the first mother and child nutrition cohort in the Middle East in Lebanon (MINA) and contributed to the launch of a similar cohort in the UAE (MISC). By researching research, Dr Naja has laid out the agenda for research in nutrition and NCD and in nutrition and breast cancer in the Arab world.

Registered Dietitian with 9+ years of progressive experience in the field of dietetics and nutrition research. Passionate about sports nutrition and the health benefits of exercise in disease management and outcome.

Ghedeir M. Alshammari has been working as an Associate professor and head of Department of Food Science and Nutrition, King Saud University, Riyadh KSA. His research team focus in the field of molecular nutrition and drug development for metabolic disorders. Obesity linked inflammation is the major burden to the society, he develops a combinational approach to regulate the inflammatory markers in adipose tissue. As part of his research, currently he establishes the scientific validation and mechanistic approaches of traditional values and myths in Saudi Arabia. In addition, he actively involved in international collaboration to develop a drug candidates for metabolic disorders (Scientific Reports (Nature)

Dr Hadeel Ghazzawi, is an associate professor in the University of Jordan, Nutrition and Food science department, school of agriculture (Amman). She joined the department in 2013 after obtaining her Nutritional science doctoral from Vienna University in Austria. Her medical master degree was obtained from Sheffield University, UK. She worked with ABBOTT as an educator in Jeddah 2002 then she moved to work as a nutritional consultant in Nutrition and Diet center in Jeddah in 2005. She joined the academic field in 2006 as a lecturer in AlKalamoon University in Syria. Dr Ghazzawi is teaching nutritional courses that focus on human nutrition through their life cycles from preconception to geriatric. She is also teaching sport nutrition in the three levels (Bachelor, master and Doctoral) in the department and in other private academy. Dr Ghazzawi is the accredited nutritional consultant of the Olympic preparation center for athletes in Jordan. She is also responsible for the area of Science in Applied Nutrition of the scientific committee of the Italian Society of Nutrition of Sport and Wellness S.I.N.S.eB. Her research work based on sport nutrition as well as functional nutritional components and published several papers. She concerns about the nutritional status of different levels of human cycle. She is supervising scientific projects that relate to sport nutrition, geriatric and sleeping pattern nutritional effects. She supervised more than 10 master thesis projects and Phds.

Hala Al-Otaibi is professor of community nutrition at the College of Agriculture and Food Science, King Faisal University. She is the vice dean for female students affaires, College of Agriculture and Food Science. Member in the local scientific advisory board (National Nutrition Committee), the leader of scientific team for assessing the nutritional status of community in the KSA (National Nutrition Committee). She is an associate member of many nutritional researches in cooperation with various universities in Saudi Arabia. Organized several meeting and chaired scientific sessions. She is a peer reviewer and member of advisory boards of scientific journals, and published numerous numbers of research. Her research interests include obesity, nutrition education, and chronic disease prevention. In addition, trained a large number of female students in nutrition department in different universities.

Dr. Haleama Al Sabbah is Associate Professor and former Chair of Health Sciences Department at Zayed University in UAE. She completed her PhD in Public Health Nutrition (PhD in Medical Sciences) in 2008 from the Faculty of Medicine, Gent University, Belgium. She awarded a doctoral scholarship from Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC). Her PhD study was part of the National Study of the Palestinian Health Behaviors in School-aged Children (HBSC-2004). Dr. Al Sabbah was a Fulbright Senior Visiting Scholar and did Post-Doctoral studies in Public Health and Nutrition at Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Center, Tufts University, Boston, USA from 2011 to 2012. She served as the director of Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, An-Najah University, Palestine from 2009 to 2013. Dr. Al Sabbah has published numerous number of articles in scientific journals and served as an editorial board member and reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Al Sabbah is regularly invited to both national and international conferences, courses and research studies in all over the world, including Europe, USA, Canada, West Africa and some Arab countries.

A professor at the Nutrition and Dietetics Programme, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) since year 2007. He joined this institution immediately after completing his PhD (Nutrition) at King’s College London, United Kingdom. He holds a Master Degree in Nutrition from UKM and Bachelor Degree in Nutrition and Community Health from UPM. He received extensive training on laboratory skills from the Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology Course at USM. The diversity of his education background contributed towards the creation of several interesting research related to nutrition and disease in Malaysia. Dr Hamid Jan initiated the first birth cohort in Malaysia named the USM Pregnancy Cohort Study which started in year 2009. This cohort was aimed at investigating the role of maternal nutrition, oxidative stress and adipokines in the development of obesity and diabetes. Preliminary findings of this study are available in several local and international journals. Currently, Prof Hamid is working on several intervention projects related to prevention of stunting in children. In addition to teaching undergraduate students, Dr Hamid has successfully graduated 7 PhD and 10 Master (MSc) students and currently supervising 10 PhD students on various research topics. Dr Hamid also works closely with the Ministry of Health Malaysia by being committee member of the Technical Working Group for Nutrition Guidelines (Children/Adults/Elderly) and other consultative activities. Dr Hamid is currently the Chairman Technical Working Group (Nutrition Research) for the Ministry of Health Malaysia. Dr Hamid is also the Scientific Committee Member of the International Life Sciences Institute-South East Asia.

Hanin is a clinical tutor and lab supervisor at the Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics since 2014. Interested in research area of Autism and community nutrition topics. Holds and bachelor’s degree on Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics from University of Sharjah.

Professor Harjinder Singh is the Director of the Riddet Institute (Centre of Research Excellence), Massey University, New Zealand. His research expertise includes dairy science and technology, functional foods, food colloids, structures, and nutrition. He has published over 350 research papers in international journals. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand and a Fellow of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology, and has received several international awards, including the Marschall Rhodia International Dairy Science Award, the William C. Haines Dairy Science Award (USA) and the New Zealand Prime Minister’s Science Prize.

Dr. Hasan (MD, MSc, PhD) is assistant professor with over 30 years of experience in medical sciences. His research focuses on adipocytokines, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and vitamin D. He is a member of two scientific research groups at the University of Sharjah: Metabolic syndrome and related disorders group and Nutrition and Food Research Group. He is a reviewer for scientific journals such as European journal of Endocrinology, Current Diabetes Reviews and BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care. He has over 50 publications in peer reviewed international scientific journals. Moreover, He is a lecturer at the University of Sharjah for more than twenty years, teaching in the field of physiology and pathophysiology. In the end, he is always being interested in working with national and International institutions.

Dr. Hussein Hassan is associate professor of Food Science and Technology. He received his BSc and MSc in Food Technology from the American University of Beirut and his PhD in Food Process Engineering from McGill University, Canada. Dr. Hassan’s research interests revolve around the area of non-microbial food safety, food toxicology, food processing, and food waste. Dr. Hassan’s research has been published and presented so far in more than 50 international journals and scientific meetings. In addition, Dr. Hassan is a senior expert and consultant with local and international entities, including the Lebanese Ministry of Economy, UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), USAID, Save the children, Mercy Corps, among others.

Bachelor's degree in Medicine and Surgery, Kasr Al-Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University -Master's degree in Pediatrics, Kasr Al-Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. She holds a doctorate from the College of Graduate Studies for Childhood Ain Shams University and the subject of the thesis was on adolescent obesity. She holds a diploma in therapeutic nutrition from the National Institute of Nutrition. ** Participated in many internationally published scientific research and international and local research projects in the field of nutrition for all ages. ** Supervised many master's and doctoral theses in the field of nutrition and obesity. ** Dr. Iman is a member of many scientific societies, including: Member of the American, European and Egyptian Obesity Study Societies. Member of the European and Egyptian Medical Nutrition Societies. Member of the Egyptian Society of Adolescent Medicine, the Arab Society of Nutrition and Health Guidance, and the Associations of Diabetes and Obesity in Children and Adults. ***** Participated in many local and international conferences in Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Holland, Italy, France, America, UAE and China. ***** I participated in giving lectures, establishing initiatives and launching medical campaigns and convoys in the field of health awareness about proper nutrition in many media, governmental and private bodies and institutions, pharmaceutical companies, sports and social clubs, schools and universities. Consultant doctor in many governmental and private clinical nutrition clinics and hospitals. - Principal researcher in a team from the National Research Center in applying for a patent for a new safe and natural adjuvant treatment for obesity - Holds courses for qualification and preparation of leaders in the field of scientific research Its goal is to spread nutritional health awareness in the Egyptian society and eliminate obesity for all members of the Egyptian family, especially young people, in a sound medical way and without side effects.

Dr. Sievenpiper is a Clinician Scientist who holds appointments as an Associate Professor in the Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Medicine and the Lifestyle Medicine Lead in the MD Program at the University of Toronto and a Staff Physician in the Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism and Scientist in the La Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St. Michael’s Hospital. Dr. Sievenpiper completed his MSc, PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowship training in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto. He completed his MD at St. Matthew’s University followed by Residency training in Medical Biochemistry at McMaster University leading to his certification as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCPC). He has established an internationally recognized research program focused on using randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews and meta-analyses to address questions of clinical and public health importance in relation to diet and cardiometabolic disease prevention with a particular interest in the role of sugars, carbohydrate quality, and plant-based dietary patterns. He is directly involved in knowledge translation with appointments to the nutrition guidelines’ committees of Diabetes Canada, European Association for the study of Diabetes (EASD), Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS), and Obesity Canada. He is the recipient of numerous awards including a CNS Young Investigator Award, PSI Foundation Graham Farquharson Knowledge Translation Fellowship, Diabetes Canada Clinician Scientist Award, Banting & Best Diabetes Centre Sun Life Financial New Investigator Award, and CIHR-INMD/CNS–New Investigator Partnership Prize. He has authored > 220 scientific papers and 17 book chapters.

Paediatric dietitian and research fellow at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London. A key investigator on clinical trials focusing on the influence of nutrition in early life on later health. Co-founder and director of TrimTots Community Interest Company formed to develop and deliver evidence-based interventions for prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. Vice Chair of the British Dietetic Association’s Paediatric Specialist Group and has a wide range of knowledge and experience gained from more than 20 years working with families and practitioners in the field of paediatric nutrition.

Jérémie Lafraire est docteur en Sciences Cognitives et diplômé de l’Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris (Ulm). Après un cursus en philosophie des sciences cognitives, il a rejoint en 2014 le Centre de recherche de l’Institut Paul Bocuse. Jérémie Lafraire y est responsable du groupe de recherche en sciences cognitives appliquées à l’alimentation : il s’intéresse aux mécanismes cognitifs impliqués dans la relation entre l'homme et la nourriture, en particulier aux différentes représentations perceptives et conceptuelles des aliments. Les travaux récents de son équipe portent sur les facteurs cognitifs des rejets alimentaires chez l’enfant ou dans l’anorexie mentale mais également sur la perception multimodale du goût.

Kirk W. Kerr joined the Abbott Nutrition’s Health Economics and Outcomes Research team in June 2019. While at Abbott, Kirk has researched the impact of nutrition-focused Quality Improvement programs in inpatient, outpatient, and surgical care settings. Prior to joining Abbott, Kirk worked in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research researching the impact of FDA policies on drug development, drug prices, and patient access to medicines. While at FDA, he also provided economic support for FDA’s Generic Drug User Fee (GDUFA) and Biosimilar User Fee (BsUFA) negotiating teams. Kirk has a PhD and MA in Economics from Ohio State University, and BS and MA in Economics from the University of Missouri.

Dr. Leila holds a PhD in Nutrition and is a registered nutritionist with the UK Association for Nutrition. She has more than 20 years of experience in international nutrition, and she is an Associate Professor of Nutrition at the University of Sharjah. Prior to her current role, she led the INTERGROWTH-21st Project at the University of Oxford since 2008. Leila worked as a Nutrition Scientist at the IAEA in Vienna and as a Nutrition Technical Officer at the WHO. She assisted the adoption of the WHO MGRS new growth standards in different countries around the world. She is an Associate Editor for the International Journal of Food, Nutrition and Public Health. Her current research interests are human growth across populations, maternal and child health, nutrition throughout life, anthropometry, obesity, and dietary assessment.

Lily Stojanovska is Professor at the Department Dept of Nutrition and Health, within the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the United Arab Emirates University. She is also an Emeritus Professor at Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia and Honorary Professor at Universities in Thailand, Hong Kong and Macedonia. She is actively involved in nutritional research, teaching and supervising graduate students in areas of nutrition, women's health and prevention of chronic diseases through nutritional and complementary modalities. She has over 115 publications in international journals, 8 book chapters and co-authored 4 books. Since 2010 her achievements have been listed annually in Who is Who Internationally. She is a recipient of many awards including the Australian Honour Roll of Women as an international educator in women’s health.

Dr. Loai Eid is a Consultant Pediatric Nephrologist and Chief of Pediatric Nephrology Section at Dubai Hospital since 2016. Additionally, he is working as part time at different private hospitals in Dubai. He is the President of Emirates Pediatric Nephrology group SINCE 2017. Additionally, he is a council member of the Asian Pediatric Nephrology Association. Dr. Eid completed Pediatric Residency and Pediatric Nephrology Fellowship from the United States of America. American Board Certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Nephrology. He is serving as Adjunct Associate Professor at Dubai Medical College & Mohamed Bin Rashid University since 2014. He has published articles in well-known International journals. He has participated in several national and international conferences with presentations. He is actively involved in clinical research nationally and internationally. Dr. Eid awarded the higher education and research awards from “You Are Our Pride program” at Dubai Health Authority in 2017 & 2019, respectively. He has initiated all forms of renal replacement therapy among critically ill patients in the private sector in Dubai and established the 1st pediatric nephrology unit outside government hospitals.

Lynda O’Neill is a Senior Nutrition Scientist at Nestlé Research in Switzerland. In 2012 Lynda joined Nestlé Infant Nutrition R&D, based in the US, supporting the global Baby Food business. Lynda was the scientific lead for several projects on infant and young child feeding to ensure nutrient adequacy, including a study on the optimization of the infant diet via diet modelling. In 2019, Lynda joined Nestlé Institute of Health Science in Switzerland to continue working on dietary intake and modelling. Since 2020, she has been the country lead scientist in Nestlé for FITS/KNHS UAE. Lynda holds a PhD in Nutrition Science from University College Cork, Ireland, and postdoctoral experience at Ag Research in New Zealand and ENSBANA in France..

-Over 25 years of experience in Perinatal-Neonatal medicine. -Special interest in Neonatal Nutrition, Neonatal Sepsis, Quality Improvement Projects in NICU and Neonatal Resuscitation. -Moreover, he is chairing and co-chairing different hospital committees such as the “NICU Infection Control Task Force”, Antibiotics Stewardship committee, Disaster Steering committee and Baby Friendly Hospital Working Group. -Many Publications; journals and book chapter & Member of editorial boards of many Neonatal Journals.

Dr. Mike Possner has studied medicine in St. Peterburg and has worked in a pediatric University. He is the head of Scientific Department of the Nestlé Nutrition and since 2006 he is the Regional Medical Director of the Nestlé Nutrition Institute for Europe. Mike wrote his thesis about : Effects of Bifidobakterium lactis Bb12 supplementation on intestinal microbiota of preterm infants: a double-blind placebo controlled randomized study He supports clinical study or is personally involved in them. He is cooperating with several universities in Germany and research centres in Europe He is a recognised expert in the field of infant nutrition. Mike is also the president of the German dietetic manufacture association.

Dr. Mo’ez –Al-Islam Faris was born in Kuwait, and holds Jordanian citizenship. Dr. Faris got his three higher university degrees from the University of Jordan in the field of human nutrition. Recently, Dr. Faris has been completed Harvard Medical School/ Global Clinical Scholar Research Training (GCSRT) Program. Dr. Faris works now as an associate professor at the Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics/the University of Sharjah, with eighteen years’ experience in the academic field in four Arabian universities. Dr. Faris published more than 120 original research, review, and meta-analysis articles in scientific peer-reviewed journals, in addition to book chapters, and conference proceedings, and abstracts. Dr. Faris provided the community with public articles in popular magazines in different Arab countries. He is an author and co-author in a list of scientific and academic refereed books and participated in editing and reviewing several important Arabic books in nutrition. Recently, he had published his refereed scientific books on Nutrition and Cancer and Foods of the Holy Quran from a Modern Nutritional perspective. Dr. Faris holds the research Award of the University of Sharjah for the academic year 2021, the State Award for the Excellent Ph.D. Student from Jordan 2010, and The Best Ph.D. Dissertation Award at the University of Jordan in 2009. Dr. Faris presented in more than thirty local, regional and international conferences and workshops in the areas of human nutrition and dietetics, in addition to providing dozens of lectures in cultural and scientific societies, as well as attending different mass media. Dr. Faris is a member and a founder of several associations and professional societies and specialized committees, and a reviewer for many international journals.

Mohamed Saad is sports and exercise nutritionist from the kingdom of Bahrain, he is holding a master’s degree in sports and exercise nutrition. Mohamed is currently working as the head nutritionist for world’s number one Mixed Martial Arts ranking national team and KHK MMA team, as well as Alkhaldiya football club. He works with wide range of Olympic, professional and amateur athletes in different sports around the world.

Dr. Mona Hashim got her PhD in Human Nutrition from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia while her Masters degree from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon in field of Nutrition and Dietetics. Currently she works as lecturer in Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics/University of Sharjah with seventeen years of academia experience. Her research interest in early nutrition and its impact on adulthood obesity as well as pro inflammatory effects of dietary patterns and chronic diseases. Dr. Mona participated in many local and regional conferences and workshops in the areas of nutrition and dietetics. She is currently co-investigators in many research activities in University of Sharjah. She is member Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), United Arab Emirate Nutrition group and Lebanese Nutrition and Food sciences Society (LNAFS).

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Myriam has completed her PhD at the University of Sydney-School of Medicine and is currently Assistant Professor at the College of Natural and Health Sciences at Zayed University, UAE. Myriam’s research focuses on investigating the link between vitamin D and non communicable diseases and she has published several papers in reputable journals. Myriam is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian/Nutritionist. She completed her Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics at The University of Sydney. She started her career in Australia where she founded her own nutrition clinic specializing in Obesity and Diabetes management and offered nutrition and wellness counselling to individuals and corporations. She is an Accredited practicing Dietitian from the Dietitians Association of Australia.

Dr. Naguib earned his medical degree from Cairo University, Egypt. He completed his master’s degree from Ain Sham, University, Egypt and Degree of Doctor in Pediatrics from the same university. He also has a postgraduate diploma in diabetes from Leicester University, UK.

Dr. Nahla Hwalla is a professor of Human Nutrition at the American University of Beirut. She has also served as Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences for 11 years. For several decades, she has nurtured the discipline of nutrition and dietetics from an unknown specialty to a highly visible and sought-after field of study. She founded and presided the Lebanese Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has generated pioneering knowledge and published over 140 seminal articles on nutrition and diet related diseases predominantly obesity. She has received many awards including the Medallion Award from the US Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2019 and the Susan Bulkley Award for Excellence in Education from Purdue University. She was appointed a fellow of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) and received lately the 2017 regional TAKREEM Award for Excellence in Education, as well as the Research Award from the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research and the Lebanese parliament.

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Dr. Naser Ibrahim is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Food, Nutrition and Health at the UAEU. He completed his PhD degree in Human Nutritional Sciences at the University of Manitoba (UM), Canada (2015) and received a certificate in higher education teaching from the same university. He completed his Master’s degree in Nutrition and dietetics at the University of Toronto, Canada (2008), and his undergraduate degree in Public Health and Nutrition at the University of Garyounis, Libya (2002). He brings to this position extensive experience in teaching, animal studies, biomedical and Public Health Nutrition research. His research focuses on investigating the effects of kidney disease, dietary proteins and lipids on renal oxylipins metabolism and disease progression in animal models of kidney diseases. He has published extensively in leading academic journals and has spoken at academic conferences around the world. Before joining the UAEU, Dr. Ibrahim worked as a Research Associate and a Lecturer at the University of Manitoba for Five years and for the University of Ottawa for one year. His work at the Manitoba Centre for health policy (UM) provided him with excellent experience in community-based primary health care and patients’ engagement research. He received 18 National and International awards in recognition of his valuable contributions to nutrition and health services research. In 2017, He received the Patients and Public Engagement Award from the George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation and a teaching award from the UM, Canada. He was also nominated for the Distinguished Trainee Research Award in primary health care at the North American Primary Care Research group conference in Colorado Springs, US (2017). Dr. Ibrahim is a father of two beautiful kids, Sajed (11 years) and Camillia (9 years). Dr. Ibrahim likes to be around people, read, play soccer ball and enjoy quality time with friends and family.

• Dr. Nayef Bumaryoum • PhD, Msc, and Bs degrees from the USA • Faculty Member, College of Health Sciences. The Public Authority of Applied Education and Training – Kuwait 2006 – present • Senior Dietitian and Trainer. Administration of Food and Nutrition, Ministry of Health – Kuwait 1998 - 2004

Dr. Nigel Abraham, PhD, FIBMS, is Scientific Director and Lead Researcher for Cambridge Nutritional Sciences. He originally trained in pathology at St. Georges Medical School, London, and then went on to study immunology at the University of Surrey. He qualified for FIBMS in Haematology, MSc in Immunology for Disease Control, and PhD in Cellular Allergy & Allergic Mediators. As a specialist in allergy and food intolerance, he has been involved in extensive post doctorial research in the field of chemical mediators of allergic disease and IgG mediated inflammatory mechanisms. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science and lecturer at several universities.

Mrs. Nisreen Shehadeh obtains her BSc in Nutrition and Food Technology from University of Jordan in 2000. She joined Nutrition and Food technology Department in 2002 at the University of Jordan as teaching assistant until present. Mrs. Nisreen Shehadeh got her MSc degree in Food Science and Technology in 2020 with GPA 4 out of 4. She attended many international workshops in the field of sensory evaluation of olive oil, food safety and food quality management. She is a member of Jordanian Society of Sensory Evaluation of Food and Food Science and Technology Association. Mrs. Nisreen works as trainer in many topics related to Food Processing and Preservation for rural farmer.

Dr Rawand Rayyan holds a bachelor of science degree in Nutrition and Food Technology. She also holds a MBA with Quality management concentration (Six Sigma-Green Belt).

Salma Abu Qiyas is a clinical and laboratory instructor at the University of Sharjah. An honorary graduate of the university’s Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics program, She has been assisting in teaching and training students at the program for nearly 10 years. Her teaching experience focuses on acquainting students with the principles of the nutrition care process with emphasis on nutrition assessment and diagnosis. Her research interests include improving understanding of human behavior as it relates to health and nutrition education and the effects of community base- nutrition interventions on growth, health, and development throughout the life course.

• University professor, clinician and researcher in the field of Pediatric nutrition with more than 30 years of exceptional record, experience and contributions in teaching nutrition knowledge and skills to medical students and health care professionals as well as applying such expertise for the welfare of patients. • Awarded Ain Shams University award for distinguished papers published in international journals in the year 2008. Activities and Achievements • Founder and Head of the Nutrition Rehabilitation Unit Children’s Hospital, 1997 till 2010, in collaboration with various specialized clinics in the children’s hospital Ain Shams University to provide specific nutritional rehabilitation protocols., • Teaching nutrition and clinical nutrition courses for under and postgraduates, Diploma and Master degree in pediatric department faculty of medicine and Institute of childhood studies Ain Shams University. • Supervision of more than 300 master degree and PHD thesis in Pediatrics; mainly in the field of clinical nutrition and nutritional disorders, with 25 international publications. • Instructor of clinical nutrition therapy diploma in AUC. • Founder of clinical nutrition rehabilitation unit, EL GALAA Military Hospital. • Board member in Middle East allergy guidelines • Board member in Egyptian complementary feeding guidelines. • Board member in Egyptian Consensus for CMPA. • Projects in collaboration with 57357 hospitals, NAMRU-3, institute of child health and national health center.

Dr Suha Noufal, is a healthcare practitioner, specializing as a Dietician, in United Arab Emirates

Susan B. Roberts, Ph.D., is internationally renowned for her work related to weight regulation and obesity that combines nutrition science and behavioral interventions. Dr. Roberts is currently a Senior Scientist and Director of the Energy Metabolism Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. She also holds positions as Professor of Nutrition at Tufts University, Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts School of Medicine and scientific staff member in Pediatrics at the Tufts Medical Center. Dr. Roberts has published over 250 research papers on energy regulation and obesity in research journals including the New England Journal of Medicine and JAMA and has an h-index of 63. She is the recipient of prestigious awards in the field of nutrition including the 2016 W. O. Atwater Lecturer, the only federal award for nutrition, and the 2009 E.V. McCollum award of the American Society for Nutrition. Dr. Roberts’ work is widely quoted by national and international media including the New York Times, CNN, NBC, and ABC. She has also served on several national and international advisory committees for dietary recommendations including the National Academies of Sciences Dietary Reference Intake panel, and was one of 14 scientists working with the National Academies of Sciences to address a mandate by congress to review and improve the process of developing Dietary Guidelines for Americans. She is also a founding member of the International Obesity Consortium that includes scientists from Brazil, China, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kuwait, Finland, India, and Italy who are dedicated to developing effective interventions for obesity worldwide. Dr. Roberts did her graduate work at the University of Cambridge, U.K. and her postdoctoral training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, before moving to Tufts University to start her research career.

Dr Taif Al Sarraj has > 20 years experiences in healthcare management and leadership, clinical practices, clinical researches, training and education, public health contribution and awareness programs. Dr Al Sarraj grew her leadership capacity in healthcare through continues education, hands-on practices, and leadership competencies development. She is a Fellow candidate of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Dr Al Sarraj had successfully led clinical support services as well as operation activities and services. She had significantly contributed to the growth and development of many of clinical and operational services. Dr Al Sarraj is the recipient of The Abu Dhabi Medical Distinguish Award presented by HAAD in 2011; The SEHA Nursing & Allied Health leadership Award presented by SEHA in 2013; The Emirates Women Award presented by Dubai Quality Group in 2012, The UAE Rare Diseases Society Excellence Award presented by UAE Genetic Diseases Association in 2017; The Shaikh Rashid Award for Academic Superiority presented by The UAE Culture & Scientific Association, twice in 2011 and 1997; and many other organizational awards and certificates of appreciation for her significant contribution to the development, growth and success of healthcare in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Dr Taif Al Sarraj holds a PhD degree from the University of Connecticut in 2009 and a Master Degree from the University of Arizona in 1997. Her research interests are in the area of pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome and diabetes complications, including the effect of dietary intervention on glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation markers and vascular complications. Dr Al Sarraj research was considered the first dietary intervention clinical study on adult Emiratis for the treatment of Metabolic Syndrome in the UAE. Publications of results were published in several international journals such as The Journal of Nutrition, the Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases Journal, and The Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders Journal.

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Nutrition during the first thousand days, the period from conception to two years of age, is critical for a child’s growth and development. Poor nutrition during this period can lead to poor health outcomes which can persist into adult life. Exclusive breastfeeding until six months, with continued breastfeeding out to 2 years and beyond, is best. However, at around six months of age breastmilk alone does not provide enough nutrition for the child and foods other than breast milk are needed. Among parents, there is often confusion about what foods are best and when they should be introduced. This confusion arises from family advice, confusing messages in the media, and nutrition experts who keep changing their advice. The purpose of this talk is to provide the latest scientific evidence of what, when and how to guide parents on introducing food to their child. The seminar will include: 1. The importance of including iron rich foods as first foods. 2. Exposing children to a variety of foods to encourage acceptance of different flavours. 3. The importance of continuing to breastfeed, and if formula is to be used choosing an age-appropriate formula. 4. Increasing the texture of foods from pureed to lumpy textures as the child is ready, to encourage proper chewing and swallowing reflexes. 5. Not adding salt or sugar to infant foods and watching out commercially prepared foods that are high in sugars. What to look for on the nutrition label. 6. Giving whole fruits rather than fruit juice. 7. Avoiding discretionary foods 8. Avoiding whole nuts and similar hard foods to avoid the risk of choking. 9. New advice to give foods that are common allergies (eggs, nuts, and seeds) early to reduce allergy risk especially in families with a history of food allergy. 10. The need for additional micronutrients such as vitamins B12 and D either as drops or form fortified foods The ultimate goal in introducing solids is to have the child eating the same foods as the rest of the family by one year of age. Finally, the urgent need for data about what children under two are eating. A need that is being met by the Dubai Feeding and Infant Toddler Study   Bios-sketch Professor Green trained in Canada and received his PhD in 1997 from the University of Guelph. He is a trained dietitian. After completing his PhD, he spent 8 years at the University of Otago (NZ) followed by 8 years at The University of British Columbia where he rose to the rank of professor. In 2016 he moved to take up a position in Adelaide at the nascent South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute as Principal Nutritionist in the Women and Kid’s theme. His primary interest is nutrition during the first 1000 days. Professor Green has over 170 publications and has carried out studies around micronutrient supplementation and infant and young child feeding practices in over 15 countries, including both high and low-income countries. He has contributed to policy at both the national and international level.