The 2027 application is Now Open Until August 19, 2026!
ASPEN annually presents the Stanley J. Dudrick Research Scholar Award in recognition and support of an investigator who has shown significant achievements in research, is an ASPEN member, demonstrates exceptional research productivity, and the potential to continue to make contributions in the field of nutrition support therapy.
This award includes formal recognition at the ASPEN Nutrition Science and Practice Conference.
Eligibility
- ASPEN Members.
- Demonstration of exceptional research productivity and the potential to continue to contribute to the field of nutrition therapy.
- Mid-career investigators and ASPEN members who have an advanced degree (MD, PharmD, MS, PhD, or equivalent) and who have completed formal training in nutritional research/therapy within the past 10-15 years.
Application Process
- Complete the online application. (Career goals, current research, involvement in the research community, citations for 3 publications that characterize research by the applicant and that best represent their work).
- Letters of recommendation/nomination from colleagues and/or mentors are welcomed but not required.
- Submit a current Curriculum Vitae.
Awardee Opportunities and Responsibilities
- Attends the Dudrick Symposium at the ASPEN Nutrition Science and Practice Conference to be recognized as the winner.
- Organizes an educational symposium for the following year’s ASPEN Nutrition Science and Practice Conference, based on their research interests.
- Is strongly requested to author a summary manuscript of the proceedings of their Dudrick Symposium for submission to JPEN.
- Serves for two years on the Dudrick Selection Committee to assist in selection of future award recipients. This service involves reviewing and scoring applications annually.
Past Stanley J. Dudrick Research Scholar Award Recipients
2026 Recipient
Hassan S. Dashti, PhD, RD, FASPEN
Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
A message from Dr. Dashti
“I am deeply honored to receive the Stanley J. Dudrick Research Scholar Award. I would like to sincerely thank ASPEN and the Dudrick Committee for this recognition. Dr. Dudrick laid the foundation for clinical nutrition as an essential pillar of modern medicine, and his legacy inspires my research at the intersection of nutrition support and circadian biology. My research program examines how the timing of nutrition delivery influences metabolism, sleep, and recovery, with the goal of developing evidence-based, patient-centered strategies that enhance clinical outcomes and quality of life for individuals who depend on nutrition support.
This award is especially meaningful during a time when sustaining research support is increasingly challenging. I am deeply grateful to my mentors over the years, colleagues near and far, and trainees for their collaboration and encouragement, and to ASPEN for recognizing the importance of continued innovation in clinical nutrition research. I have recently learned the value of the patient voice in research and have embraced community-based participatory approaches that engage patients in every stage of the process, ensuring that the questions we ask and the solutions we develop are meaningful and relevant to their lived experiences. I am especially grateful to the Oley Foundation and the home nutrition support community, whose trust, partnership, and advocacy have been invaluable to advancing this work.
It is a privilege to carry forward Dr. Dudrick’s legacy and to build on the remarkable efforts of previous award recipients by advancing the science and practice of clinical nutrition.”
2025 Recipient
Carla Prado, PhD, RD, FCAHS
Distinguished Professor and Canada Research Chair in Integrative Nutrition, Body Composition, and Energy Metabolism; Director of the Human Nutrition Research Unit, University of Alberta, Canada
A message from Dr. Prado
“Thank you, ASPEN and the Dudrick Committee, for this incredible honor, which reflects the invaluable support and collaboration I have received from my trainees, peers, and mentors. I am deeply inspired by Dr. Dudrick’s legacy—a pioneer and visionary leader whose contributions increased recognition of clinical nutrition as a critical component of patient care, and its profound impact on improving health outcomes.
Building on this legacy, my research program is dedicated to evaluating the prevalence and relevance of abnormal body composition, and the role of effective nutrition therapy. A key focus of my work is determining the precise energy and protein requirements of patients with cancer to prevent or reverse muscle loss, thereby enhancing their health, quality of life, and survivorship.
In addition to research, I am deeply committed to promoting the importance of nutrition therapy to diverse audiences. I place a strong emphasis on knowledge translation and dissemination, striving to increase awareness and understanding of the essential role nutrition therapy plays in improving clinical care.”
2026 – Hassan S. Dashti, PhD, RD, FASPEN
2027 Symposium: Will be presented at the ASPEN 2027 Nutrition Science & Practice Conference
2025 – Carla Prado, PhD, RD, FCAHS
2026 Symposium: The Protein Hype: Are We Getting It Right in Aging, Obesity, and Chronic Disease?
2024 – Manpreet S. Mundi, MD, FASPEN
2025 Symposium: Lipids in Clinical Medicine: Is It Time for Fat to be Therapeutic?
2023 – Nikhil Pai, BSc, MD, CNSC, NASPGHAN-F, FAAP, FRCPC
2024 Symposium: Interactions Between Diet, Microbiome, and Host Physiology
2022 – Hannah G. Piper, MD, FRCSC, FACS
2023 Symposium: Nutrition Therapy in Pediatric Intestinal Failure: Food for a Healthy Gut
2021 – Jayshil J. Patel, MD
2022 Symposium: The Hidden (Gut) Dysfunction in Sepsis
2020 – Ajay Kumar Jain, MD, DNB
2021 Symposium: Advances in Preventing Parenteral Nutrition Associated Side Effects
2019 – Jose Mario Pimiento, MD
2020 Symposium: Expanding the Boundaries of Cancer Care through Nutritional Support
2018 – Gail A. Cresci, PhD, RD, LD, CNSC
2019 Symposium: Targeted Approaches for in Situ Gut Microbiome Manipulation Care (Small Peptides)
2016 – Paul William Wales, BSc, MD, MSc, FRCSC, FACS
2017 Symposium: Pediatric Intestinal Failure: Frontiers in Intestinal Adaptation
2015 – Nilesh Mehta, MD
2016 Symposium: Critical Care Nutrition – Lessons Learned and Future Directions
2014 – Carrie Earthman, PhD, RD
2015 Symposium: Lean Tissue and Protein in Health and Disease: Key Targets and Assessment Strategies. Faculty: Robert Wolfe, MD; Steven Heymsfield, MD; Carrie Earthman, PhD, RD
2013 – Peter F. Nichol, MD, PhD
2014 Symposium: Frontiers in Regenerating Intestine for Short Gut Syndrome. Faculty: Tracey Grikscheit, MD; Paolo DeCoppi, MD, PhD; Peter Nichol, MD, PhD
2012 – Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili, PhD, RN, CNSC
2013 Symposium: Revisiting Malnutrition in Older Adults. Faculty: Nadine Sahyoun, PhD, FADA, RD; William Evans, PhD; Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili, PhD, RN, CNSC
2011 – Mark Puder, MD, PhD
2012 Symposium: Omega 3 Fatty Acids: History, Metabolism, and Function. Faculty: Sheila Innis, PhD; Norman Salem, PhD; Aremis Simopoulos, MD; Mark Puder, MD, PhD
2010 – Tom Jaksic, MD, PhD
2011 Symposium: Evidenced-based Nutritional Therapy for the Critically Ill Child. Faculty: Christina Valentine, MD, RD; Nilesh Mehta, MD; Michael Agus, MD; Tom Jaksic, MD, PhD
2009 – David Driscoll, RPh, PhD
2010 Symposium: Advances in Parenteral Lipid Therapy. Faculty: Stanley J. Dudrick, MD; Bruce R. Bistrian, MD, PhD; David F. Driscoll, PhD; Mark Puder, MD, PhD
2008 – Paul Wischmeyer, MD
2009 Symposium: Micronutrients: New Information on Depletion and Supplementation in Nutrition Support Therapy. Faculty: Alan Shenkin, BSc, MB, ChB, PhD, FRCP (Glas, Lond), FRCPath; Craig McClain, MD; Thomas Ziegler, MD
*Thomas Ziegler, MD arranged the program.
2007 – Daniel H. Teitelbaum, MD
2008 Symposium: Cholestatic Injury – From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Interventions. Faculty: Thomas Tracy, Jr. MD; Daniel Teitelbaum, MD; Mark Puder, MD, PhD; Arlet Kurkchubasche, MD
2006 – William Scott Helton, MD
2007 Symposium: Effects of Parenteral Nutrition on the Gastrointestinal Mucosal Barrier. Faculty: W. Scott Helton, MD; John Alverdy, MD; Kenneth Kudsk, MD
2005 – Kelly Tappenden, PhD, RD
2006 Symposium: Topic: Stimuli Within the Intestinal Lumen: How These Factors Synergize to Enhance Digestive and Absorptive Capacity. Faculty: Tom Ziegler, MD; Harry Sax, MD; Kelly Tappenden, PhD, RD; Moderator: Dr. Dudrick
*1st Dudrick Symposium
2004 – No Award
2003 – Bettina Mittendorfer, PhD
2002 – Joseph Espat, MD
2001 – No Award
2000 – No Award
1999 – Harry Sax, MD
1998 – John Palombo, MD
1997 – Alan Buchman, MD, CNSP
1996 – Mary (Genie) Moore, PhD, RN
1995 – V. Suzanne Klimberg, MD
1994 – Yuman Fong, MD
1993 – Thomas R. Ziegler, MD, CNSP
1992 – Michael J. Murray, MD, PhD
1991 – Nancy Vinton, MD
1990 – Danny O. Jacobs, MD
1989 – Mark Koruda, MD
1988 – Rolando Rolandelli, MD, CNSP
1987 – Samuel Klein, MD
1986 – Michael Dahn, MD
1985 – John Miles, MD