Nutrition 2026: Research on the Cutting Edge
How the Friedman School community is showing up at ASN’s Nutrition 2026
NUTRITION 2026, the annual flagship meeting of theAmerican Society for Nutrition, will take place July 25–28 in National Harbor, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C
With presentations of over 1,650 scientific studies,NUTRITION 2026will feature new, unpublished research findings and lectures on AI-powered dietary tools, obesity and GLP-1 therapies, food additive regulation, and the future of dietary guidance
ASN is the preeminent professional organization for nutrition research scientists and clinicians around the world. Founded in 1928, the society brings together the top nutrition researchers, medical practitioners, policy makers and industry leaders to advance our knowledge and application of nutrition. ASN publishes four peer-reviewed journals and provides education and professional development opportunities to advance nutrition research, practice, and education. Since 2018, the American Society of Nutrition has presented NUTRITION, the leading global annual meeting for nutrition professionals.
Each year, Friedman School faculty, researchers, staff, and students take part in the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) annual meeting, presenting posters, participating in panel discussions, and leading seminars. Below is a list of the Friedman community members who will represent the school at this year’s conference
To help Friedman-affiliated attendees connect with colleagues and collaborators, the list is organized by date. It also serves as a reg Friedman School research throughout the conference’s busy schedule
Saturday, July 25
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Yutong Chen, MS, MPH (Presenting Author): “Data Harmonization, AI, and Implementation Science in Nutrition: A Case of Systematic Review of Country-Level Estimates of Sodium Intake and Reporting Practices” (Poster). Co-authors: Ruogu Li, Mingrui Wei, Yijie Cheng, Fan Chen, Zhongyao Li, Iris Park, Ken Kwan Ho Chui, Lynne M. Ausman, Elena N. Naumova
- Yarisbel Melo Herrera, PhD, RDN (Postdoctoral Scholar):“Nutrient Composition Analysis of a Produce Prescription Program in the Mississippi Delta” (Poster). Co-authors: Erin Hennessy, PhD MPH; Fang Fang Zhang, MD PhD; Daniel J. Schultz, MS RDN; Christina D. Economos, PhD
- Na Youn Lee (PhD Candidate), Jennifer Lee, Nirupa R. Matthan, Stefania Lamon-Fava, Xiang-Dong Wang:“Sexually Dimorphic Responses to the Precursor of Carotenoids 15-cis-Phytoene Feeding in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Mouse Model” (Poster)
- Na Youn Lee (PhD Candidate), Jennifer Lee, Nirupa R. Matthan, Stefania Lamon-Fava, Xiang-Dong Wang:“Dietary Tomato Powder Attenuates High-Refined Carbohydrate Diet-Induced Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in Mice” (Poster)
- Soyoung Lee, PhD Candidate (Presenting Author): “Proteins Linking Diet Quality to BMI” (Poster). Co-authors: Roby Joehanes, Tianxiao Huan, Chunyu Liu, Daniel Levy, Jiantao Ma
- Ian G. Moore, MS, MPH (Presenting Author): “Climate Significantly Impacts Serum Aflatoxin Concentrations for Women in Rural Uganda” (Poster). Co-authors: Erin Coughlan de Perez, Kyle F. Davis, Kenneth Chui, Shibani Ghosh
- Francesca Piccolo (Presenting Author):“How Does Participation Frequency at a Produce Distribution Program (PDP) Influence Fruit and Vegetable (F/V) Intake and Access?” (Poster). Co-authors: Manaali Vaidya, Esi Quaidoo, Sara Poggi Davis, Erik Wilson, Lydia McGinn, Arika Freeman-Gritter (New Entry Sustainable Farming Project),Michelle Snyder
- Marcia S. Rahman, MBA, RD, PhD Candidate (Presenting Author):“A Produce Rx Randomized Controlled Trial Increases Food Preparation Behaviors and Fruit and Vegetable Intake: Mixed-Methods Findings from Delta GREENS” (Poster). Co-authors: Erin Hennessy, Sara Folta, Daniel J. Schultz, Larissa Calancie, Sonya A. Grier, Christina D. Economos
- Lisa Troy, PhD (Presenting Author):“Farmers’ Market Program (FMP) Improves Access of Fruits and Vegetables (F/V): Application of Five Dimensions of Access” (Poster). Co-authors: Francesca Piccolo, Esi Quaidoo, Sara Poggi Davis and Erik Wilson(New Entry Sustainable Farming Project)
Sunday, July 26
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Alaa Alfudhail, Student (Presenting Author):“Effect of Skeletal Muscle FAT10 Inhibition on Body Weight and Systemic Metabolism” (Poster). Co-authors: Robin Wilson, Xiaotian Shen, Sophia Fernandes, Andrew Greenberg.This poster has been selected as a finalist to participate in the Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Poster Competition.
- Coralie Knight, MS/MPH (Presenting Author):“Global Research Trends on Mobile Food Delivery Apps and Consumer Behavior in Urban Settings: A Bibliometric Analysis” (Poster). Co-author: Camila Sánchez-González, MS/MPH.
- Laura Lara-Castor, PhD (Presenting Author):“Cost-Effectiveness of a Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax Preventing Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Burdens in 175 Countries” (Poster). Co-authors: Fredrick Cudhea, Sean B. Cash, Simon Barquera, Meghan O’Hearn, Victoria Miller, Julia E. Reedy, Peilin Shi, Jianyi Zhang, Renata Micha, Dariush Mozaffarian
- Teresa Schwendler (Presenting Author): “Recommendations for timely global and national assessment of the healthiness of diets” (Poster). Co-authors: Edward Frongillo, Isabela Sattamini, Jennifer Coates (on behalf of the Healthy Diets Monitoring Initiative)
12:30 – 2:00 PM
- Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH (Speaker): “The Science Behind Dairy Fat – From Evolving Evidence to Evolving Practice: Dairy Foods and Cardiometabolic Health” (Sponsored Satellite Program, panel to follow)
2:30 – 4:00 PM
- Erin Hennessy, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor: “The AI Dietary Assessment Landscape: Promise, Tools, and the State of the Evidence” (Symposium – invited talk and panelist)
- Yue Zhan, PhD Candidate (Presenting Author):“Effects of Hybrid Food Assistance Programs on Child Nutrition: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” (Symposium – 3:15-3:25 pm) Co-authors: Naina Qayyum, Sean B. Cash, Harold Alderman, Mei Chung. This poster has been selected as a finalist to participate in the Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Poster Competition.
Monday, July 27
8:30 – 9:30 AM
- Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH (Chair/Speaker): “Food is Medicine: Evidence and Implementation in Healthcare Systems” (Symposium)
9:30 – 10:30 AM
- Yutong Chen (Presenting Author):“A Novel AI‑Guided Protocol for Assessing Longitudinal Cohort Suitability to Study Metabolic Health Outcomes in the Context of Ultra‑Processed Food Classifications” (Poster) Co-authors: Ana Beatriz Lopes, Iris Park, Annalouise O’Connor, Whitney Evans, Miguel Freitas, Stephanie de Vriese, Elena N. Naumova
- Erin Hennessy, PhD, MPH (Presenting Author):“Weight Loss in a Commercial Mobile Behavior Change Program With and Without Semaglutide Microdose: Protocol” (Poster). Co-authors: Larissa Calancie, Misha Eliasziw, Kelseanna Hollis-Hansen, Ryan M. Kane, Elena N. Naumova
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Cristina Moraga Franco, (Postdoctoral Scholar):“Understanding Frailty Through a Multilevel Lens: The Role of Socioeconomic, Neighborhood, and Food Environment Factors” (Poster Theater Flash Session 13)
12:30 – 2:00 PM
- Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH (Speaker):“Obesity & Sports Nutrition and Human Performance Joint GEM Forum – Evidence to Experience: Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Patient Perspectives on Obesity Medications” (Symposium)
Awards
The 2026 Class of Distinguished Fellows of ASN (DFASN)
This prestigious Fellowship (FASN) recognizes active leaders who have demonstrated sustained membership in the Society and who have made exceptional impacts through their work in nutrition research and/or translation
- Jennifer Coates, PhD
ASN Volunteer of the Year Award
- Sarah L. Booth, PhD
ASNF Pilot Grant for Early Career Members
- Cristina R. Moraga Franco, PhD
Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Poster Competition
Recognizes the very best research presented by students and young investigators during NUTRITION 2026
- Alaa Alfudhail, MS, HNRCA at Tufts University “Effect of Skeletal Muscle FAT10 Inhibition on Body Weight and Systemic Metabolism” (Finalist)
- Yue Zhan “Effects of Hybrid Food Assistance Programs on Child Nutrition: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” (Finalist)
