Previous Coffee Hour Recordings
Christine McCullum-Gomez, PhD, RDN, a Researcher, Consultant, and Communicator, who is setting global standards in Colombia.
Learn insights on becoming a global dietitian.
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She is a co-principal investigator of a study assessing university students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding sustainable food systems, the results of which will be used to develop educational materials for university students. She is also a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition. Additionally, she serves as the Country Representative for the International Affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (IAAND) in Colombia. She is also the past Chair of the Global Member Interest Group (GMIG) in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Finally, she has assisted in the development of food and environmental standards for the United Nations. Indeed, she wears many hats!
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Join IAAND as Member, discussing questions about being an International Dietitian.
We shared exclusive insights on:
The benefits of joining IAAND
Global networking opportunities
Professional development resources and eventsHow Sri Lanka Established its Dietetic Association with Amal Firouse & Dr. Varsha T.
Guests: Amal Firouse & Dr. Varsha Tarvady
Host Panel: IAAND Leadership Team Members
Moderator: Vilasi Venkatachalam
Fathima Amal Zaffroon Firouse is the current President of the Dietitians’ Association of Sri Lanka and a co-editor at the Asian Young Dietitians Network. Amal has been a Registered Dietitian with over 17 years of clinical, research, and educational experience in medical nutrition therapy and critical care. Her expertise lies in developing and implementing therapeutic diets for various conditions, advancing nutrition care standards, and actively contributing to nutrition science through research publications and conference presentations. She has been the Dietitian in charge of Asiri Surgical Hospital, Colombo, since 2013. Her many roles include being a Visiting Lecturer at Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, teaching Medical Nutrition Therapy, Diet and Disease, and Practical Dietetics. She has also served as Dietetic Preceptor for Intern Dietitians in Sri Lanka since 2009. Her ongoing research studies focus on the prevalence of IBS and the Impact of the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) on IBS-like Symptom Severity in Sri Lankan undergraduates, as well as irritable bowel syndrome-like Symptoms and Dietary Habits in endometriosis patients, aiming towards improved management.
Dr. Varsha Tarvady is the patron of the Sri Lankan Dietetic Association and an honorary member. She shepherded its inception. She is the founder of the Indian Institute of Nutritional Sciences and the past president and current secretary of the International Affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Her goal is to elevate the profession through training, advocacy, and collaboration.
March was about licensure for global dietitians
December 2024
The December IAAND Coffee Hour was hosted by Vilasa and featured interviews with Kuda Lamin-Bangura who discussed her career journey with highlights on public health nutrition and policy work in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Kenya prior to her current position with National Dairy Council. Our other panelist Maria Bovill, IAAND Newsletter Editor, provided her perspective on her public health work in refugee camps on the border or Thailand and Myanmar. Dr Varsha provided insights from similar camps in India.. Click on the image to watch the recording.
The November 2nd IAAND Coffee Hour was hosted by Vilasi and featured interviews with Dr Ahlam El Skikieri, IAAND Past President,who discussed her work with the Academy on Diversity and current work on Harmonizing International Dietetics Education. Our other panelist, Susan March, IAAND Sponsorship Relations Chair shared her career journey. And Maria Bovill, IAAND Newsletter Editor, was introduced and will continue on the next IAAND Coffee Hour as a panelist.
The November AAND Coffee Hour was hosted by Vilasa and featured interviews with Kuda Lamin-Bangura who discussed her career journey with highlights on public health nutrition and policy work in Zimbabwe and Malawi prior to her current position with National Dairy Council. Our other panelist Maria Bovill, IAAND Newsletter Editor, provided her perspective on her public health work in refugee camps on the border or Thailand and Dr Varsha provided insights from similar camps in India.