Message from the Incoming Chair 

Greetings Research DPG members!
I hope everyone is having a productive spring full of interesting research and new discoveries.  I would like to take the opportunity to introduce myself, as the Incoming Chair of the Research DPG. I am currently working for a clinical trials organization where I consult on drug development for clients ranging from very small biotechs to large pharmaceutical companies. Given the obesity and type 2 diabetes epidemics, there is much need for drug discovery in this area, and dietitians who develop nutritional education materials, assessment, and analysis tools for clinical trials on these compounds. I think this will be a growth industry for dietitians over the next few years.

As a former General Clinical Research Center Dietitian, I am so pleased to welcome our colleagues into the Translational Research Center sub-unit. We have had a tremendously successful year integrating this group of exceptional professionals into our group. With the support of Laurie Herraiz, RD and Cewin Chao, MS, RD, MBA, both members of the CTSA sub-unit, we hosted an exceptionally well attended session on High Fructose Corn Syrup which generates some of the most lively discussion at all of the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE).

As a relatively small DPG we are the unique position to develop more personal connections and contacts with all of our members. Over the next 12-18 months we will be moving in this direction. Updating the look and usability of the website, adding items to the newsletter that would be of interest to members, and developing a network for members all over the US where members can utilize the expertise of one another.

We have also been granted the ability to take on student members at a reduced rate. We hope that acquiring these members early in their career will lead to life-long membership in our DPG!  I am so excited about our many initiatives and welcome any other suggestions you might have. Please feel free to contact me any time Jeanene.fogli@i3research.com

Wishing you happy researching!

Jeanene