Martha Belury, PhD, RD, studies how dietary fatty acids, flavonoids, and other bioactive food molecules target cellular phospholipids to impact energy metabolism and inflammation. With many students and collaborators, Dr. Belury has authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications and has sustained 30 years of research funding from organizations including the NIH, USDA, American Cancer Society, American Institute for Cancer Research, private industry, and agricultural commodity groups.

In 2011, Dr. Belury was elected Fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). In 2022, she was awarded the Ralph T. Holman Lifetime Achievement award by the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) and in 2024 received the annual achievement award from the Taiwan Nutrition Society. Dr. Belury served on the board of directors for the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) where she also served as President. 

In her spare time, Dr. Belury loves to spend time with her children and grandchildren. She likes to read and listen to stories and to music, and she enjoys biking, hiking, swimming, and sailing when time allows.

Kevin C. Maki, PhD, CLS, MNLA, FTOS, FAHA, is the Founder and Chief Scientist for Midwest Biomedical Research located in Chicago, Illinois. He specializes in the design and conduct of clinical studies in human nutrition, metabolism, and chronic disease risk factor management. Dr Maki is also Adjunct Professor and Dean’s Eminent Scholar in the Department of Applied Health Science at the Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, Indiana. He is a Master of the National Lipid Association, and a Fellow of The Obesity Society, the American Heart Association, and the American Society of Nutrition, as well as a certified Clinical Lipid Specialist. He is a past President of the National Lipid Association (2022-2023) and was the Co- Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Clinical Lipidology (Jul 2023-Jun 2026) and currently a Deputy Editor.

Dr. Maki has participated in more than 350 clinical trials and observational studies as an investigator, consultant, or statistician, and has published more than 450 scientific papers, books, and book chapters. He earned a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago’s School of Public Health, and an MS in Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiovascular Health from Benedictine University.

Carolyn Williams, PhD, RDN, is a leading culinary nutrition expert and 2018 James Beard Journalism Award winner who’s developed a knack for breaking down complex science into practical takeaways and tips for consumers. The author of the best-selling cookbook, “Meals That Heal: 100+ Everyday Anti-Inflammatory Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less,” Carolyn is a sought-after expert and speaker on anti-inflammatory eating and managing chronic inflammation through lifestyle, including the role it plays in chronic diseases, autoimmune conditions, women’s health, and mental health. She is also a co-creator and co-host of the top-rated podcast, “Happy Eating,” with episodes that explore the connection diet, lifestyle trends, and habits have on one’s mental wellness.

Carolyn is a tenured college professor at Shelton State Community College where she teaches culinary arts and nutrition courses. She serves as a nutrition subject matter expert for the international academic publisher, Cengage Learning, Inc., and is coauthor of the textbook “Nutrition Now: An Updated Approach to Food and Nutrition, 9th edition.”

Disclosures:

Martha Belury, PhD, RD, faculty for this educational event, is a speaker for National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, American Institute for Cancer Research, FoodFluence, and IAFNS. She has received funding, in-kind gifts, and grants from California Walnut Commission and United Soybean Board/Soy Nutrition Institute. She is on the board of trustees for the American Society for Nutrition Foundation, and she is an editor, scientific content, for McGraw-Hill.

Kevin C Maki, PhD, CLS, MNLA, FTOS, FAHA, faculty for this educational event, has received research grants from ACH Food Companies, General Mills, Hass Avocado Board, Hershey Company, Medifast, National Dairy Council, and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. He is a consultant and/or advisory board member for ACH Food Companies, Epogee, Medifast, National Mango Board, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and Roman Health Ventures, Inc.

Carolyn Williams, PhD, RD, faculty for this educational event, is a speaker for National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, and an independent contractor to the Dairy Alliance and Verde Farms. She is also a spokesperson for Verde Farms.