Research Section Forum: Mentorship Roundtables: Candid Guidance for Nutrition Careers

Section Forum

Date & Time:

February 14, 2026

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM PT

Format:

In Person

Course level:

Beginner/Intermediate

Pediatric Content Included

session objectives:

What You'll Learn

Back by popular demand, the Mentorship Forum! ASPEN’s Research Committee and Research Section have partnered once again to develop a forum focused on mentorship that will benefit both the mentor and mentee and those in clinical and research roles.

This forum focuses on the continuous development of mentorship practice, exploring how it drives personal and professional growth. The session will cover innovative strategies for expanding impactful mentor-mentee relationships. Participants will learn about the best practices for building professional relationships, setting goals, and adapting mentorship styles to different stages of career development.

 

Key topics include:

Finding the Right Mentor and Establishing an Effective Mentorship Relationship:
– Identifying mentor fit
– Setting expectations and goals
– Communication strategies
– Navigating early challenges

Transitioning from Mentee to Mentor:
– Recognizing readiness to mentor
– Managing dual roles
– Navigating power dynamics
– Sustaining mentorship relationships

Attendees will leave with actionable insights and tools to enhance their mentorship practices and a deeper understanding of how mentorship can create long-term professional and personal success.

Topics & Presenters

Yimin Chen
PhD, RDN

Associate Professor of Nutrition, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Idaho

Moscow, ID
Charlene Compher
PhD, RD, LDN, FASPEN

Shearer Chair of Healthy Community Practices

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing

Professor of Nutrition Science; Director of Nutrition Programs

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing

Philadelphia, PA
Gail A.M. Cresci
PhD, RD, LD, FASPEN

Director of Nutrition Research, Center for Human Nutrition; Staff

Departments of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition and Inflammation & Immunity, Cleveland Clinic

Associate Professor

Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH
Carrie Earthman
PhD, RD

Professor, Nutrition, Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences

University of Delaware

Newark, DE
Praveen Goday
MBBS

Pediatric Gastroenterologist and Director of the Nutrition and Feeding Programs

Nationwide Children's Hospital

Clinical Professor of Pediatrics

The Ohio State University

Columbus, OH
Mary McCarthy
PhD, RN, FASPEN, FAAN

Nurse Scientist

Defense Health Agency

Tacoma, WA
Marina Mourtzakis
PhD

Professor and Associate Dean, Research

Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, University of Waterloo

Health University Research Chair

University of Waterloo

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Moderators:

Salvatore Carbone

PhD, RDN, FHFSA, FASPEN

Associate Professor and Director

Nutrition Program, EVMS School of Health Professions

Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders

Strelitz Diabetes Center, EVMS Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA

Corey J. Hawes

DCN, RD, CSO, CNSC, FASPEN

Clinical Assistant Professor & Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Dietitian

DanceBlue Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Kentucky, Kentucky Children's Hospital

Versailles, KY

Michele Nicolo

PhD, MS, RD, CDE, LDN

Assistant Professor

Department of Nutrition and Food Science, California State University Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA