Bright spots
Sports Nutrition for Women has a long way to go, but don’t think there isn’t great research being done addressing the unique needs of active females.
Here are four women taking that research head-on. Meet them and read their publications: the work has valuable implications for active nutrition, from product formulation to individual client advice.
Work to Check Out
Abbie E. Smith-Ryan
Ph.D, CSCS*D, FACSM, FISSN, FNSCA
Abbie E. Smith-Ryan, Ph.D., CSCS*D, FACSM, FISSN, FNSCA is a Professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science, where she serves as the Director of the Applied Physiology Lab. She is also an affiliate faculty in the Departments of Nutrition and Allied Health Sciences. She is an active researcher in the field of body composition, metabolism, sport nutrition and exercise performance, with a special interest in female health, leading projects funded by the National Institutes of Health and International and National industry sponsored clinical trials.
Dr. Smith-Ryan contributes to the current body of scientific literature with over 170 peer-reviewed manuscripts, a number of scholastic books and book chapters, and international/national presentations. She is a leader in the field and has been recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as the Outstanding Sports Scientist of the Year (2022), Young Investigator of the Year (2015), and the Nutrition Researcher of the Year (2013). Dr. Smith-Ryan has a passion for improving the health and quality of life of others through evidence-based research.
Dana White
MS, RDN, ATC
Dana Angelo White, MS, RDN, ATC is the sports dietitian and associate clinical faculty in the department of Athletic Training and Sports Medicine at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. She is a member of the NATA-SHPG Alliance Committee and National NATA Liason to the the Sports and Human Performance Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Dana is also a registered dietitian nutritionist, certified athletic trainer, cookbook author, journalist, and nutrition and fitness consultant. She specializes in culinary nutrition, recipe development and sports nutrition.
Work to Check Out
Katie Hirsch
MS, RDN, ATC
Dr. Katie Hirsch is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Exercise Science at the University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health. Her research focuses on exercise and nutritional strategies to support body composition, muscle and protein metabolism, cardiometabolic health, and exercise performance, specifically as it applies to supporting female physiology and women’s health across the lifespan. Her most recent work focuses on lifestyle strategies to support female physiology across the lifespan, specifically, nutritional strategies to manage menstrual symptoms and exercise and nutrient timing for the promotion of cardiometabolic health, muscle maintenance, and healthy aging.
Dr. Hirsch completed postdoctoral research training in protein metabolism at the Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She completed her PhD in Human Movement Science and MA in Exercise Physiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and BS in Exercise Science at Truman State University. Dr. Hirsch is also a Certified Exercise Physiologist with the American College of Sports Medicine and Certified Sports Nutritionist with the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
Work to Check Out
Trisha VanDusseldorp
PhD, CSCS-D, FISSN
Dr. Trisha VanDusseldorp is the Director of Clinical Research at Bonafide Health, LLC, Adjunct Professor of Exercise Science at Jacksonville University, and the current President of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN). She earned her BS in Exercise Science from Southwest Minnesota State; MS in Human Performance – Applied Sport Science from the University of Wisconsin- LaCrosse; and Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from the University of New Mexico. Trisha has authored over 60 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 3 books chapters in the areas of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Science. Trisha currently supports Bonafide Health’s Clinical Research program which is focused on non-prescription solutions for women’s health, with a primary focus on menopause. Outside of Bonafide, Dr. VanDusseldorp continues to advise and work with students on sports nutrition research and contributes to ISSN position stands. She is also a Certified Sports Nutritionist (ISSN) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA).
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