Sjefke J.H.M. Allefs, PhD, Director Agrico Research (Bant, Netherlands)

Sjefke J.H.M. Allefs studied Plant Breeding at the Wageningen Agricultural University in the Netherlands and graduated in 1988; he received his PhD in 1995. In 1989 he carried out a civil service project at the former Foundation for Plant Breeding (SVP) in Wageningen on molecular marker techniques in wheat and potato. From 1990 to 1994 he carried out a research project for Agrico Research at the former DLO---Centre for Plant Breeding and Reproduction Research (CPRO---DLO) in Wageningen. The project aimed at developing screening methods suitable for breeding potato varieties with enhanced levels of resistance to Erwinia spp. In 1994, he was appointed as research scientist and breeder at the potato breeding station of Agrico Research in Bant, Noordoostpolder, the Netherlands. Since 1999, he has served as director of Agrico Research.

Agrico Research, a daughter company of the cooperative Agrico U.A., has as its main activity the breeding of new potato varieties. In its greenhouses, about 1000 crosses are made each year and 200.000 individual potato plants are raised from the botanic seed obtained. This first clonal generation is the starting point of variety selection on experimental fields in a series of nine successive years. Often, traits from primitive cultivated potatoes or even wild potato species are used. The most important goals of the breeding programme for new potato varieties are improvement of disease resistances, quality for fresh consumption and suitability for processing to French fries and precooked potato products.

Kristen Anderson Director of Nutrition Research, Food Science and Consumer science Barilla (Parma, Italy)

Kristen Anderson is Director of Nutrition Research, Food Science and Consumer Science for Barilla Group since January, 2010. She is responsible for the development of new global research platforms in nutrition and strategic raw materials, management of the external Nutrition Advisory Board, implementation of nutrition guidelines across the portfolio, understanding of sensory drivers to increase product acceptance, education of consumers via nutrition communications and enhancement of the wellbeing of the employees via social responsibility initiatives.

Before joining Barilla, Kristen held the position of General Manager of Global R&D for Coca Cola, based in Shanghai, China where she was responsible for product development for Asia and Global research and nutrition. She oversaw the building of the new Global Innovation and Technology Center in Shanghai. Before her role in China, she managed various R&D organizations in Australia, Germany and US for Kraft Foods.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Fiona Atkinson, Re s e a r c h M a n a g e r Sydney University GI Research Service (Sydney, Australia)

Fiona Atkinson is the research manager of the Sydney University Glycemic Index Research Service (SUGiRS, a commercial GI testing service for food manufacturers). She has a Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics and is currently undertaking a PhD on a part time basis at the University of Sydney focusing on how certain genes influence carbohydrate metabolism. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Glycemic Index Limited (a not---for---profit company which educates consumers about healthy low GI eating). Her research interests include the glycemic index of foods, glucose and insulin metabolism and the effects of diet on body composition.

Livia Augustin, PhD, Research Fellow Risk Factor Modification Centre St. Michael’s Hospital (Toronto, Canada)

Dr. Livia Augustin is a research fellow at the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. She was born in Toronto, grew up in Italy and returned to Canada where she completed her university studies, earning an MSc in nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto and a PhD in human nutrition at the University of Guelph.

Her major interest is in the investigation of the effect of dietary carbohydrate quality, i.e. the glycemic index, on chronic diseases including diabetes management and cancer prevention. Dr. Augustin started the investigations of the glycemic index in cancer risk in two research centres in Aviano and Milan (Italy). She has developed glycemic index databases in Italy, Greece and Canada which have been used in numerous epidemiological studies. She has been an invited speaker at international scientific meetings, at talks, universities and elementary schools. Dr. Augustin has over 40 scientific publications in peer--- reviewed scientific journals as well as chapters in international textbooks on carbohydrate metabolism and glycemic index. Dr. Augustin has conceived and co---organized the International Scientific Consensus Summit on the Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load and Glycemic Response.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Sara Baer-Sinnott, President Oldways (Boston, USA)

Sara has been an instrumental figure at Oldways since its early days, joining the staff in 1992. After serving for many years as Executive Vice President, she assumed the presidency of Oldways in May 2010 on the death of founder K. Dun Gifford. She now develops company strategy, oversees all Oldways projects and programs, and works closely with all members of the Oldways staff.

In her two decades at Oldways, Sara has been an integral part of Oldways’ growth and success. She has helped develop ground---breaking programs including the nonprofit’s Traditional Diet Pyramids; the Whole Grains Council; Healthy Pasta Meals; African Heritage and Health; High Five Children’s Cooking Curriculum; Oldways Nutrition Exchange and Supermarket Dietitian Symposium; the Oldways Vegetarian Network; Oldways Culinarias; and many others.

Before joining Oldways, Sara was the Special Projects Editor at Inc. Magazine and also worked for state and federal government agencies. She has a BE in economics from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and an MA in regional planning from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Alan W. Barclay, PhD, Head of Research/Chief Scientific Officer Australian Diabetes Council/GI Foundation (Sydney, Australia)

Alan Barclay graduated from Curtin University of Technology in Perth, Western Australia in 1993 with a distinction in nutrition and dietetics, then worked in clinical dietetics at a variety of hospitals and in private practice throughout Australia. He earned a PhD at the University of Sydney on the association between glycemic carbohydrate (glycemic index and glycemic load) and the risk of developing lifestyle---related diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. To date, he has had over 20 scientific papers published in scientific journals on this and related topics, and has presented this research at numerous conferences. He received a National Service Award from the Dietitians’ Association of Australia for his contributions to the dietetic profession.

Dr. Barclay has worked with the Glycemic Index Foundation since 1999, helping develop food criteria and categories to help their front---of---pack certification trademark become recognized as a symbol of healthy food choice; he is currently their Chief Scientific Officer. He has also worked for Diabetes Australia / Australian Diabetes Council since 1998, currently as Head of Research (part--- time), and prior to that as Research and Development Manager (full---time). An expert in nutrition communication, he is a member of the Editorial Board of Diabetes Australia’s / Australian Diabetes Council’s consumer magazines Conquest/Diabetes Connect, and their health professional magazine, Diabetes Management Journal, and has written a significant number of the association’s fact sheets and booklets on the nutritional management of diabetes over the last 15 years. Alan is also a senior spokesperson for the Dietitians Association of Australia.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Marta Angela Bianchi, MD, PhD, Nutrition Senior Manager Barilla (Parma, Italy)

Marta is responsible for Nutrition Research at Barilla. With her team, she leads research projects in collaboration with universities, for the validation of health benefits of Barilla food products/dietary patterns. Her focus has been largely on the metabolism of pasta, carbohydrates and the glycemic index. Marta is an advocate of the Mediterranean Diet: “I am passionate about promoting the Mediterranean Diet as the best diet for long---term health, and I truly believe this dietary model is the best reference for Barilla.” She is currently leading the Si.Mediterraneo project --- a large nutrition intervention (food and education---based) within Barilla which has already reached more than 2,500 employees.

Marta’s main research interests are healthy dietary patterns, the Mediterranean diet, antioxidants, prebiotics and gut health, glycemic index and carbohydrates. She holds an MD in Molecular Biology from Parma University (IT) and a PhD in Human Nutrition from Parma University and Ulster University (UK).

Inger Björck, PhD, Professor of Applied Nutrition Managing Director, Antidiabetic Food Centre Lund University (Lund, Sweden)

Inger Björck is professor of applied nutrition at the Department of Applied nutrition and Food Chemistry, Lund University, Sweden. Her main research topics concern starch bioavailability in foods, evaluation of postprandial blood glucose and hormonal responses, and satiety, and how these parameters can be tailored by conscious choice of raw material and processing conditions. In addition to the GI concept, the concept of glycaemic profile has been introduced to depict the course of glycaemia also in the later postprandial phase, with potential impact on cognitive performance in the late post---prandial phase, and on glucose and lipid metabolism at a subsequent meal.

Dr. Björck’s recent research involves the influence of indigestible carbohydrates of a particular meal on glucose tolerance at subsequent meals – research that indicates possible product development possibilities for reducing disease risk factors and increasing long---term satiety. Other recent research links the release of satiety hormones and hormones involved in intestinal barrier function to gut fermentation of indigestible carbohydrates, providing new insights on gut microbiota. She is also researching specific protein fractions and/or specific amino acids to facilitate post---prandial glycaemic regulation and the extent to which various food features that modulate risk factors in the metabolic syndrome, also may affect measures of cognitive function. Dr. Björck’s scientific production includes about 330 items; she is represented on the ISI Highly Cited list. She has been involved in several EU projects, and engaged in writing of national and international consensus documents. She is Managing Director of a multi---disciplinary centre of excellence in research and innovation “Antidiabetic Food Centre” (www.afc.lu.se), a research consortium at Lund University.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Thomas W. Boileau, PhD, Senior Scientist General Mills (Minneapolis, USA)

As a Senior Scientist in the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition at General Mills, Inc., Dr. Boileau’s role is focused on global health and nutrition product innovation, with current research focuses on the health benefits of whole grains, dietary fiber and novel carbohydrates. Dr. Boileau has authored or co---authored over 30 original publications in peer--- reviewed research journals, reviews and book chapters on various nutrition topics and is an inventor on 5 patents internationally. Dr. Boileau has served on the industrial advisory board for the International Dietary Fibre Conference (2009, 2012) and the Vahouny Fiber Symposium (2010).

Before joining General Mills, as a Research Nutritionist for Procter and Gamble Pet Care, Dr. Boileau led the scientific development and commercialization of the Prostora™ canine probiotic supplement. Dr. Boileau received a B.A. in Biology and Chemistry from Greenville College, a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois Urbana---Champaign, and completed a post--- doctoral fellowship in Human Nutrition at The Ohio State University.

Jennie C. Brand-Miller, PhD, Professor Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise and Eating Disorders University of Sydney (Sydney, Australia)

Professor Jennie Brand---Miller (AM, PhD, FAIFST, FNSA, MAICD) holds a Personal Chair in Human Nutrition in the Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise and Eating Disorders and the School of Molecular Bioscience, at the University of Sydney. She studies food science and technology before obtaining a doctorate in nutrition at the University of New South Wales.

She is recognised around the world for her work on carbohydrates and the glycemic index (or GI) of foods, with almost 250 scientific publications. She received the 2003 Clunies Ross Medal for contributions to science and technology in Australia. Her books under the series title The New Glucose Revolution have made the GI a household word and sold over 3.5 million copies world wide in 12 languages. She is a past---President of the Nutrition Society of Australia, immediate---past Chair of the National Committee for Nutrition of the Australian Academy of Science, and President of the Glycemic Index Foundation Ltd, a not---for---profit company that administers a food symbol program for consumers in partnership with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (Australia). Jennie is the proud recipient of two Nucleus® bionic ears.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Furio Brighenti, DrPH, Professor of Human Nutrition Dept. of Food Science, University of Parma (Parma, Italy)

Educated as a Food Scientist at the faculty of Agricultural Sciences, and as a Public Health Nutritionist at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Furio Brighenti is currently professor of Human Nutrition at the department of Food Science, University of Parma.

His scientific career included post doc research fellowships at the INRA of Nantes (France) and at the Department of Nutritional Sciences of the University of Toronto (Canada), where he had the privilege to be trained by Professor David Jenkins on the concept of the Glycaemic Index of foods. These experiences oriented his research interest on the effect of foods on metabolism, including the now---emerging topic of food---gut microbiota interactions. His team is now deeply involved in unraveling the complex interlinks which exist between food polyphenols / dietary carbohydrates and intestinal microenvironment, to cast new light on the effects of whole grains and vegetable foods in preventing human disease. On these topics he also maintains a strict collaboration with the Italian sites of the EPIC study. Besides his academic activity, he served on the board that defined the last two editions of both the Italian Nutritional Guidelines, and the Italian DRVs (LARN). He is member of the Commission Scuola e Cibo (Food & School) of the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Scientific Research. He is the current President of the Italian Nutrition Society and member of different national and European public scientific boards dealing on foods, nutrition and nutritional education. He serves as Editor---in---Chief of the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition.

Anette E. Buyken, PhD, Research Associate Department of Nutritional Epidemiology University of Bonn (Bonn, Germany)

Anette Buyken is a Research Associate working with the DONALD Study at the University of Bonn. She received her Masters in Nutritional Science (1994) and her PhD in Nutritional Epidemiology (2001) from the University of Bonn. Other experience in the field of nutrition includes post- --doctorate work with Professor Jennie Brand---Miller at the University of Sydney, a position as Chief Scientific Officer of the International Task Force for Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease in Münster, Germany, and work as a research assistant with the German Diabetes Research Institute as well as at a hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Dr. Buyken’s major research focus is the prospective relevance of nutrition and growth characteristics for features of the metabolic syndrome in childhood and young adulthood (e.g. the role of early life factors and long---term relevance of carbohydrate nutrition). She is Deputy Editor of the British Journal of Nutrition, and her work has been widely published, with more than a hundred publications to her name, to date.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Antonio Ceriello, MD, Head of Research, Diabetes and CVD Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (Barcelona, Spain)

Professor Antonio Ceriello is Head of the Research Department on Diabetes and CVD at the Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain. Until 2006 he was Chair of Endocrinology and Director of the School of Specialty in Geriatrics at the University of Udine, Italy and from 2006 to 2009 Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Warwick, UK.

Professor Ceriello has published widely in the area of diabetes with over 300 original papers and several book chapters. He has been a consultant with the National Institutes of Health, U.S.A. for research on cardiovascular disease and type 1 diabetes and a member of the American Heart Association committee tasked with writing guidelines on “Acute Hyperglycemia and Acute Coronary Syndromes.” He recently chaired the IDF committee for the development and 2011 update of the “Guideline for Management of Postmeal Glucose” and currently is the President of the EASD Study Group on “Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases.” He also served as Review of the 2012 “European Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Clinical Practice.” From 2009 to 2012 he has been a member of the Board of IDF Europe and currently is the President Elect of the Associazione Medici Diabetologi (AMD). He also served as Associate Editor of “Diabetes Care” from 2003 to 2011, and currently serves as Associate Editor of “Diabetic Medicine” and as a member of the Editorial Board of “Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice” and “Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research”. Professor Ceriello’s awards include “Italian Annual Award for Young Researcher” (1984), “National Award for Research on the Pathophysiology of Diabetic Complications” (1990), “National Award Italian Society of Diabetology” (1998) and the “Camillo Golgi Prize” of the EASD (2004).

Vlad Chernenko, Fo u nde r a nd P r e s i de nt Meal Garden (Toronto, Canada)

Vlad Chernenko is a software architect and developer with an interest in nutrition. He is the founder and president of Meal Garden Inc. after 13 years of leading development of new innovative software products at Trapeze Group, a Constellation Software company.

Meal Garden provides a revolutionary internet---based meal planning service for modern families and individuals who wish to make healthy meal choices despite busy lifestyles. Meal Garden generates personalized meal plans based on restaurant meals and home cooking, provides healthy recipes and compiles shopping lists. Meal Garden provides tools to track dietary patterns and generates detailed nutritional analyses of meals, using CNF/USDA database, whether prepared at home or by partner restaurants. The goal of Meal Garden is to help achieve health targets and its services may be of particular use to clinicians both for implementing existing dietary practice guidelines as well as improving dietary adherence in clinical research settings.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Roberto Ciati, MSC, Scientific Relations & Sustainability Director Barilla (Parma, Italy)

Roberto Ciati received a degree in Chemistry from the University of Parma, followed by a masters in Food Chemistry and Technologies from the University of Parma.

He has worked at Barilla since 1986, in a series of positions of increasing responsibility. Starting out in Quality Control at Barilla’s pasta plant, he subsequently moved on to Manager of Quality Assurance, then Head of Ingredients Research and Manager of Barilla’s Central Labs and Sensory Investigation Unit. Prior to his current position he was Research Nutrition Manager for Barilla.

Alessandra Della Mura, Information Technology Nutrition Foundation of Italy (Milan, Italy)

Alessandra Della Mura has a degree in biology (with specialization in pathophysiology) at the Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Milan.

After five years’ experience in the field of local public administration as Counsellor and Chairman of the Committee on Youth in a Municipality, she worked as assistant to the Scientific Director at Dompè (an Italian pharmaceutical company). Since 2006, Alessandra has been working for the Nutrition Foundation of Italy (Milan), where she is responsible for administration, general affairs and information technology.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Cynthia Harriman, Director of Food and Nutrition Strategies Oldways (Boston, USA)

Cynthia Harriman came to Oldways in 2003 to help launch the Whole Grains Council, which has grown from six members to more than 350 under her stewardship. She managed the creation of standards and graphics for the Whole Grain Stamp, and helped it become a trusted symbol for aiding consumers in 41 countries to find whole grains. In 2012 Cynthia helped Oldways launch its new online program for supermarket dietitians, the Oldways Nutrition Exchange (ONE). ONE provides themed "Toolkits" of newsletter articles, recipes, cooking demos, activities and more, to dietitians working in supermarkets.

As Director of Food and Nutrition Strategies for Oldways, she has also been instrumental in crafting compelling nutrition communication messages for all Oldways programs, in planning international conferences, and reviewing and updating the scientific basis for Oldways’ work. In late 2010, she was named one of Baking Management’s twenty most influential people in the baking industry. Cynthia is the author of scores of magazine articles and five books, including the well---known Take Your Kids to Europe (a family travel guide now in its eighth edition) and Good Eats, a cookbook and nutrition guide for college students limited to six ingredients and two pans. She received her degree in French Culture and Language from .

Toine Hulshof, PhD, Nu t r i t i o n , S c i e n c e & I n n o v a t i o n M a n a g e r Kellogg Europe (Utrecht, Netherlands)

Toine Hulshof obtained his MSc in Human Nutrition from Wageningen University in the Netherlands in 1990. After graduation, he started his PhD research at Wageningen University on the impact of changes in macro---nutrient composition on feelings of appetite and food intake. He defended his PhD thesis ‘Fat and non---absorbable fat and the regulation of food intake’ successfully in 1994.

Since 1995 he has worked with Kellogg´s in different roles including “Nutrition Communication and Consumer Affairs Manager Benelux”, “Scientific and Regulatory Affairs for France and the Benelux”, “Corporate Affairs Manager Benelux”, “Regulatory and Public Affairs Manager Kellogg Europe” and “Nutrition, Science and Innovation Manager Kellogg Europe”. Currently he is “European Director Nutrition Science” and responsible for setting and executing the nutrition science strategy in Europe. Toine is also chairman of the Carbohydrate Task Force of ILSI (International Life Sciences Institute) Europe. Within this Task Force several glycemia & health related scientific topics have been covered in the past 10 years and results of those have been published in different international peer reviewed journals.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Alexandra Jenkins, PhD, RD, Di r e c t o r o f R e s e a r c h GI Labs (Toronto, Canada)

Dr. Jenkins’ research career started in 1979, in Oxford, where she was part of the research team that developed the concept of slow release carbohydrate and the Glycemic Index. She obtained her BSc from the University of Toronto and completed her PhD at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Jenkins’ major research focus has been the nutritional treatment of diabetes, including the Glycemic Index and its applications in diabetes, cirrhosis, hyperlipidemia. Her most recent research interest is the use of Salvia Hispanica L., a seed rich in omega---3 and soluble fibre, and its role in weight loss and maintenance when incorporated in the diet of individuals with type 2 diabetes. She has been an author or co---author on over 100 original publications in peer---reviewed journals, chapters and reviews. Dr. Jenkins has volunteered extensively for the Canadian Diabetes Association and is a member of the Ontario College of Dieticians, the American Society of Nutrition, and an elected fellow of the International College of Nutrition. In addition to her role as Director of Research at GI Labs, she is also a Senior Research Associate at the Risk Factor Modification Centre at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, where her research focuses on investigating the potential utility of nutraceuticals and functional foods in the treatment of diabetes.

David J.A. Jenkins, MD, PhD, DSc Pr of e s s or a nd Ph y s i c i a n University of Toronto (Toronto, Canada)

Educated at Oxford University, Dr. Jenkins is currently a professor in both the Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, a staff physician in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism and the Director of the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center, St. Michael's Hospital. He has served on committees in Canada and the United States that have formulated nutritional guidelines for the treatment of diabetes and most recently recommendations for fibre and macronutrient intake for the general population under the new joint United States---Canada DRI system (RDAs) of the National Academy of Sciences (Washington, DC). His team was the first to define and explore the concept of the glycemic index of foods and demonstrate the breadth of metabolic effects of viscous soluble fiber, including blood glucose and cholesterol lowering. His studies on combining cholesterol lowering food components (dietary portfolio) have been recognized as creating an effective dietary alternative to drug therapy (statins) for many people and was the only dietary approach referenced in 2004 Guidelines update of the US National Cholesterol Education Program (ATP III) and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) guidelines for 2012. He has received many National and International awards in recognition of his contribution to nutrition research. He believes that diets have to be palatable and more readily available to encourage dietary adherence, equally they have to be environmentally sustainable.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Cyril W.C. Kendall, PhD, Re s e a r c h As s oc i a t e /A dj u nct P r o f . Univ. of Toronto / Univ. of Saskatchewan (Toronto, Canada)

Cyril Kendall is a Research Associate in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, and the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center, St. Michael's Hospital, as well as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan. He earned his Honors BS and graduate degrees, MS and PhD, at the University of Toronto; he also conducted research and received training at Purdue University and the Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati.

His primary research interest is the role of diet in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity) and the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals to control these disease states. Cyril has over 120 publications in peer---reviewed medical journals and has been invited to present at numerous international conferences. His studies on combining cholesterol lowering food components (dietary portfolio) are recognized as creating an effective dietary alternative to drug therapy (statins) for many people and were the only dietary approach referenced in the Current Guidelines of the US National Cholesterol Education Program (ATP III). He has also conducted much research on the role of healthy diets, including low glycemic index diets, in the control of type 2 diabetes. To make therapeutic diets more accessible, he has worked with the food industry to develop products for the supermarket with specific health attributes.

Carlo La Vecchia, MD, Ch i e f o f E p i d e m i o l o g y / P r o f e s s o r Mario Negri Institute / University of Milan (Milan, Italy)

Dr. La Vecchia received his medical degree from the University of Milan and a master of science degree in clinical epidemiology from Oxford University. He is recognized worldwide as a leading authority in cancer etiology and epidemiology. Presently, he is Chief of Epidemiology at the Mario Negri Institute in Milan, Italy and Professor of Epidemiology at the School of Medicine at the University of Milan. Dr. La Vecchia serves as an editor for numerous clinical and epidemiologic journals. He is among the most renowned and productive epidemiologists in the field with over 1,710 peer---reviewed papers in the literature and is among the most highly cited medical researchers in the world, according to ISIHighlyCited.com, the developer and publisher of the Science Citation Index. Dr. La Vecchia is an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt Medical Center and the Vanderbilt---Ingram Cancer Center and of Epidemiology at the University of Lausanne, CH.

Dr. La Vecchia is a temporary advisor at the International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC/WHO and at the World Health Organization in Geneva, and a registered journalist in Milan. He was Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health between 1996 and 2001. Dr. La Vecchia’s main fields of interest include cancer epidemiology and the risk related to diet, tobacco, oral contraceptive use and occupational or environmental exposure to toxic substances; and analysis of temporal trends and geographical distribution of mortality from cancer, cardiovascular diseases, perinatal and other selected conditions.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Graham Liney, Farmer / Chef Agrico / Willowvale Potatoes (Laggan, Australia)

Graham Liney has been highly involved during the process of testing, identifying and marketing the world’s first low G.I. potato, Carisma, over the past six years. He has co---ordinated the product development process between breeders Agrico NL, scientists, dieticians, nutritionists, growers and retailers in Australia to help successfully launch Carisma into the marketplace, and it is now sold in large volumes by Australia’s biggest grocery retailer, Coles Supermarkets.

With a diverse background in marketing and licensing, art and design, and after a 27---year career as a Chef at his own restaurant in country Australia, Graham has a perfect mix of skills to bring to bear on this low G.I. project, about which he is passionate. His interest and experience in food and nutrition have helped to discover ways in which Carisma potatoes can be handled during the cooking process to ensure the G.I. values are maintained, and his idea that Carisma potatoes can be cooked ‘al dente’ has proven to be correct. He says: “With the problem of diabetes increasing for populations worldwide, it was important to find a way that a nutritionally valuable staple food such as potatoes could remain ‘on the table’ for diabetics. It has been a fascinating journey working with the Agrico team and Australia’s G.I. Foundation to help establish and market this delicious, nutritious potato brand, Carisma. We are now taking it to the world, with contracts issued to growers here in Italy as well as in the U.S.A., India, China, South Africa, Bangladesh, and New Zealand after the very successful launch in Australia.”

Simin Liu, MD, ScD, Prof. of Epidemiology and Medicine Brown University (Providence, USA)

Dr. Simin Liu is an epidemiologist whose work unites molecular genetics, nutrition, physiology and clinical medicine. He earned his medical degree from Jinan University in China and master of public health and doctoral degrees in both epidemiology and nutrition from Harvard University. Dr. Liu also completed a fellowship in public health and preventive medicine in the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Dr. Liu is currently Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine at Brown University. He has also served as Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine at UCLA, where he was founding director of the Program on Genomics and Nutrition at the UCLA School of Public Health, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Inter-school Training Program in Metabolic Diseases and the Center for Metabolic Disease Prevention. Prior to joining the UCLA faculty, Dr. Liu served as Instructor, Assistant, and Associate Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women¹s Hospital in Boston, and Assistant and Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. He has served on international advisory committees including the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations addressing policy issues related to public health and nutrition.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Geoffrey Livesey, PhD, Di r e c t o r Independent Nutrition Logic (Wymondham, UK)

Dr. Livesey is an experienced nutritional biochemist applying his knowledge in research and consulting undertaken at various locations worldwide. Formerly with the Universities of Surrey, Keele, Oxford, and East Anglia in the United Kingdom, and associated with two of their University Hospitals (Radcliff at Oxford, and Norfolk and Norwich at East Anglia) he is now a Director of the consultancy firm Independent Nutrition Logic Ltd (UK).

He is well known for his contributions in energy and carbohydrate metabolism, and more widely contributed to nutrition and health with several roles: in experimental study of nutrition, nutrition methodology, critical–systematic and meta–analytical reviews in nutrition, contribution to expert bodies (WHO, FAO, IOM, LSRO, BNF, ILSI), advice to the food industry and to regulatory scientists, and research commissions from commercial and governmental organizations. He has over one hundred publications in science journals, books and reports with a high proportion as first author. He is currently a Registered Public Health Nutritionist with The Association for Nutrition, a full member of The Nutrition Societies in the UK and America, a Professional Member of Diabetes UK, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine.

Franca Marangoni, PhD, Research Director Nutrition Foundation of Italy (Milan, Italy)

Dr. Marangoni has a degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies, a Master’s in Communication and Health in Contemporary Media, a PhD in Pharmacology, and a PhD in Toxicology, all from the University of Milan. For 15 years, she was a Research Fellow at the Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan. Since 2004, she has been working for the Nutrition Foundation of Italy as Research Director, where she is in charge of NFI scientific communication, organization and coordination of research projects.

Her research interests and skills include: Correlation between diet, lifestyle (alcohol, cigarette smoking) and lipid metabolism, assessed by in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies; Eicosanoid pathway in various pathological conditions; Polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism in health and diseases in pediatric and adult populations; Effects of maternal dietary and lifestyle habits on infant polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism, growth and development; Glycaemic index of foods and impact on glucose metabolism, insulinaemia, inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, cytokines) and hormonal factors (ghrelin, leptin). She teaches at the Faculties of Pharmacy and Medicine; delivers many presentations at international congresses and training courses on nutrition and prevention for chemists and doctors; has more than 50 publications in International peer reviewed journals, as well as book chapters in international scientific collections and Italian monographs. Numerous contributions to scientific journals for chemists and physicians; collaborations with communication agencies; organization of scientific congresses. She likes applying her scientific knowledge to the practice of cooking.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Roberto Menta, MD, PhD, Nutrition Unit Head SOREMARTEC (Alba, Italy)

Roberto Menta earned a degree in medicine in 1981 and a PHD in Physiopathology of Metabolic Disorders in 1989. From 1981 to 1989, he worked at University Hospital of Parma in the Kidney transplant unit, while also serving as Professor in the post---graduate school of Nephrology in Toxicology and Physiology. In 1989 he left academia for the pharmaceutical industry, to work as Scientific Advisor for Hoechst Italia in the field of hospital supply. One year later he transferred to Behringwerke Italy as Medical Marketing Manager working on both clinical trials and post- --marketing surveillance trials. Since then, he has worked at Hoechst Headquarters in Frankfurt as International Product Manager for Cardiovascular Diseases, at the Swiss Serum and Vaccine Institute, and at Nutricia Italia S.p.A, where he was responsible for all scientific and regulatory matters.

As Head of the Nutrition Unit at SOREMARTEC since 2003, he evaluates their portfolio of products and performs studies on new materials and ingredients, as well as coordinating relationship with regulatory authorities and with Italian and European associations. Dr. Menta enjoys reading and studying history and philosophy.

Anna Miniotti, Congress & Editorial Activities Nutrition Foundation of Italy (Milan, Italy)

Anna has a degree in foreign literature from the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Turin and a 2---year specialization in PR at IULM University in Milan. Anna has more than 9 years experience working with several leading Italian PR agencies. She has specialized in the field of communication campaigns promoted by public organizations to raise awareness on issues of general public interest (e.g. Ministry of Health: campaign to fight AIDS --- 1987---92; Ministry of foreign affairs: information campaign encouraging Italian citizens residing abroad to vote: 1988---89).

In 1995, her expertise in communication brought her to work in a non--- profit foundation with offices in Milan and Houston, which specializes in educational activities for physicians, health care professionals and the public. In this position, for more than 10 years, Anna conducted educational campaigns targeted at the general population (Italian national campaigns on CV Risk: 2001---2003; Educational campaign on women’s health and menopause: 1995---1998), organized events such as the Italian edition of World Heart Day (2001--- 2005) and many others targeted at the medical profession such as symposia, meetings, courses in Italy and abroad, in Europe and in US. She also coordinated the editorial preparation of international scientific documents (European position paper on women’s health and menopause, 1998; position paper on women’s health and menopause in cooperation with the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, 2001). Since 2008, Anna has been working for the Nutrition Foundation of Italy (Milan), taking care of congresses and editorial activities.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Marina Panozzo, Quality Manager / R&D Rigoni di Asiago (Asiago, Italy)

Dr. Panozzo was born in Belgium, where she received a graduate degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Louvain La Neuve in 1984. In 1985 she received an equivalence degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Padua.

From 1985 to 1998 she worked in cancer research at the University of Padua Institute of Experimental Oncology of the Faculty of Medicine, working in collaboration with other Italian and foreign universities including the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Lausanne (Switzerland).

Dr. Panozzo has worked at Rigoni di Asiago since early 1998 on product research and development and as quality manager. She has also served as scientific advisor for research projects in collaboration with universities and external scientific partners.

Christine Pelkman, PhD, Senior Nutrition Scientist Ingredion (Bridgewater, USA)

Dr. Pelkman is a nutrition scientist with expertise in food intake control and the effects of dietary carbohydrates and fiber on human health. She completed a Bachelors degree in health studies and a Masters in health psychology at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. She earned a Ph.D. and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in nutrition at the Pennsylvania State University.

Prior to joining the food industry, Dr. Pelkman served as an assistant professor of nutrition at the State University of New York at Buffalo for seven years. She worked at Campbell Soup Co as a nutrition scientist and then joined Ingredion Inc., as a Senior Scientist. In her current position, Dr. Pelkman manages the clinical nutrition research program at Ingredion and is based in their R and D Headquarters in Bridgewater, NJ. She is a member of the American Society for Nutrition, the American Heart Association, the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior, and a fellow of the Obesity Society.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit François Péronnet, PhD Emeritus Professor Université de Montréal (Montréal, Canada)

Dr. François Péronnet is Emeritus Professor, Département de Kinésiologie, Université de Montréal in Canada, where he was Professor for about 30 years as well as Chairman for 12 years. Originally from France, he obtained a Ph.D. in Physiology from the Département de Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal in 1980. He was also Professor at the Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France, in the Laboratoire de Bioénergétique Fondamentale et Appliquée, in the mid ’90s.

Dr. Péronnet’s work is in Integrated physiology with a focus in exercise physiology, with more than 150 articles published over his career, as well as 20 book chapters and books, some of them directed to a general public. His more recent works deal with energy and substrate balance in humans during prolonged exercise but also after a meal, using indirect respiratory calorimetry combined with tracer techniques with an emphasis on the metabolic fate of ingested carbohydrate. He conducted some of the few studies performed using starch intrinsically labeled with 13C in man (and woman) and has been recently involved in experiments describing the relationships between changes in endogenous and exogenous glucose appearance and disappearance and the glycemic response with foods with different glycemic index.

Riccardo Pina, General Manager, International Business Unit Enervit (Milan, Italy)

Riccardo Pina was born in Erba (CO) Italy in 1967. He received his degree in chemistry and pharmaceutical technology in 1993. Today he serves as General Manager, International Business Unit Enervit S.p.A.; Director of Zone Diet Europe; Managing Director Equipe Enervir Srl; Responsable of the Euroslimming Group, and Member of the Sport Foods Working Group, IDACE (Association of the Food Industries for Special Dietary Needs). He is also a member of the Board, Food Supplements, in National Association (AIIPA, Italian Food Industries Association), and a speaker at many national and international Scientific Congresses. He teaches university and post---graduate courses in the area of health care.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Andrea Poli, MD, Scientific Director Nutrition Foundation of Italy (Milan, Italy)

Dr. Andrea Poli earned a Degree in Medicine cum laude, from the University of Milan and a Specialization in Pharmacology cum laude, from the University of Milan.

In the past, Dr. Andrea Poli had a long---term collaboration with the Center for the Prevention and Therapy of Atherosclerosis and Dismetabolic Diseases, Niguarda "Cà Granda" Hospital, Milan. From 1986 to 1993, he was involved as Scientific Secretary in the Italian National Educational Program on Cholesterol Control. Currently, he is collaborating with the “Servizio di Epidemiologia e Farmacologia Preventiva” (SEFAP) of the Department of Pharmacological Sciences of the University of Milan; he is a member of the Review Board of the Istituto Autodisciplina Pubblicitaria, and Editor---in---chief of Nutrafoods, a peer---reviewed quarterly journal focusing on nutraceuticals,

From 1996 to 2001 Dr. Andrea Poli had teaching contracts with the University of Milan, for a series of lessons on clinical trials methodology and on nutrition and health. Now he has a position as Visiting Professor at the University of Parma, where he is responsible for a course on "Nutrition and Prevention of Degenerative Diseases". Since 1996 Dr. Poli has been the Scientific Director of NFI---Nutrition Foundation of Italy. His main scientific interests are in the area of lipoprotein disorders and atherosclerosis, population interventions in atherosclerosis prevention, and the study of the distribution of risk factors in the Italian population. He is the author of more than 50 PubMed referenced publications.

Cecilia Ranza, Journalist and Media Coordinator Nutrition Foundation of Italy (Milan, Italy)

Cecilia Ranza graduated in Pharmacy “magna cum laude” at Milan University in 1979. From 1976---1979, she attended the Neuropharma--- cology Unit directed by Prof. Marco Trabucchi and by Prof. Pier Franco Spano, (Institute of Pharmacology, chaired by Prof. Rodolfo Paoletti). After two years’ experience at the Regione Lombardia Press Bureau following the ICMESA Pollution (Dioxin) Incident in Seveso, she was accepted as a Junior at “Corriere Medico” (then edited by RCS---Corriere della Sera), the first italian newspaper for Family Doctors.

In 1985 she moved to the newly---formed “Il Giornale del Medico”, the first competitor of “Corriere Medico,” where she rose to the position of coordinator of the editorial staff (caporedattore) before leaving in 1996. From 1996---2000 she was a docent at the Master in Scientific Communication, held by the Institute of Pharmaco---logical Sciences (Milan University). In November 1999, she went back to Corriere Medico as Editorial Consultant of Special Project and, from Jan 2010 till Dec 2012, as Coordinator of Scientific Committee for the Continuous Medical Education (CME). In 2006 she coordinated a yearly program of CME video conferences for Family Doctors on Cardiovascular Prevention. Since 2007 she’s been a regular collaborator for the Italian newspaper “La Repubblica” (medical topics). Since January 2013 she has worked as Editorial Consultant to NFI.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Gabriele Riccardi, MD, Professor Federico II University (Naples, Italy)

A medical doctor and nutritionist, Gabriele Riccardi is Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases. He was President of the Società Italiana di Diabetologia (SID) from 2010---2012 and member of the Leadership Committee of the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism of the American Heart Association. He is Chief of the Diabetes Clinic and the Metabolic Ward of the University Hospital.

He has been involved in many multicenter research projects. From 2002 to 2005, he was chief of the Research Group on Body Weight Regulation, Insulin Sensitivity and Diabetes Risk of the European Community action plan on the Process for the Assessment of Scientific Support for Claims on Foods. Subsequently he was responsible for the long term intervention trial of the Healthgrain project. He is presently national coordinator of a research project on functional foods and chronic diseases. He serves on scientific committees of several Research Institutions; including the Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition, the Nutrition Foundation of Italy and the Antidiabetic Food Center of Lund University, Sweden. From 2009 to 2010 Dr Riccardi was involved in the Joint Committee of the European Society of Cardiology and the European Atherosclerosis Society for the Guidelines on Management of Dyslipidaemias and is presently member of the Consensus Panel on plant sterols of the European Atherosclerosis Society. He has collaborated with prestigious research groups all over the world and has been part of the editorial board of a number of scientific journals; from 2002 to 2007 he was Editor---in---Chief of Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. His research results have been published in the major international journals of nutrition, diabetology and metabolism.

Salwa Rizkalla, MSc, MD, DSc, Senior Researcher INSERM (Paris, France)

Salwa Rizkalla has 25 years experience studying the metabolic effects of starchy foods, with expertise in the manipulation of dietary lipids in animal models and in clinical studies; in glycaemic index studies; and in nutritional regulation of metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in obesity and diabetes. She received an MD (1972), and MSc in physiology (1978) from Cairo University, along with a DSc in physiology of human nutrition (1985) from the faculty of medicine Xavier Bichat, University of Paris. After working as a research associate, lecturer and then Professor in the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine at Cairo University, she moved to France, where she joined the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) U341 the Diabetes department, and began work at Hotel Dieu Hospital, Paris, as a researcher and then as a senior researcher.

More recently she joined the Centre of Research in Human Nutrition at INSERM and the ICAN Institute of Cardiometabolism & Nutrition, at Pitié---Salpêtrière, Paris in 2011, where she is responsible for the team dealing with nutrition and metabolism, and is engaged in research in the field of human nutrition, obesity and the control of hyperglycaemia in both clinical, experimental and molecular approaches. She is an active member of several diabetes and nutritional associations, an active speaker, and has published widely in the area of diabetes and nutrition with over 70 original papers in highly ranked journals.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Rosie Schwartz, RD, Consulting Dietitian, Author, Journalist Enlightened Eater (Toronto, Canada)

Rosie Schwartz, author of the best---selling book The Enlightened Eater’s Whole Foods Guide™ (Penguin USA), is a Toronto---based consulting dietitian---nutritionist. Besides conducting a private nutrition counseling practice, she is a columnist for a number of magazines including Parents Canada and Diabetes Dialogue, a magazine of the Canadian Diabetes Association. Her columns have also appeared in other publications including the National Post, the Ottawa Citizen, Montreal Gazette and 50Plus, where she won a number of magazine awards.

As a regular contributor to television and radio, she is also often interviewed for her perspective on nutrition on national news programs. As well, she has conducted workshops on nutrition for audiences on both on land at sea at venues in both Canada and the U.S. as well as on board cruise ships sailing in the Mediterranean. On her website at rosieschwartz.com she shares her perspective on healthy eating with consumers, health professionals and the world at large.

John L. Sievenpiper, MD, PhD, Researcher / resident Physician St. Michael’s Hospital / McMaster Univ. (Ontario, Canada)

Dr. Sievenpiper completed an MSc and PhD in Nutritional Sciences at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto under Prof. Vladimir Vuksan, then completed a 4 year Doctor of Medicine (MD) at St. Matthew’s University, School of Medicine with clinical rotations across England and Scotland. He resumed his research training from 2007---2009 with a Postdoctoral Fellowship under Prof. David JA Jenkins at the University of Toronto, which included work on several large dietary trials as well as the development of a systematic review and meta---analysis working group. He is currently the Knowledge Synthesis Lead of the Toronto 3D Knowledge Synthesis and Clinical Trials unit at St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto and a Resident Physician in the department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at McMaster University. His research interests are focused on using meta---analytical techniques and randomized trials to investigate the effect of diet on cardiometabolic risk. He holds several grants including 2 Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) grants. Dr. Sievenpiper has been appointed to the Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee for Nutrition Therapy of both the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) and European Association for the study of Diabetes (EASD), as well as the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) writing panel for a scientific statement on the metabolic and nutritional effects of fructose, sucrose and high fructose corn syrup. He has authored 65 scientific papers, 8 book chapters, 99 abstracts, and 18 successful grant applications and his work has been cited a total of 1039 times for an h--- index of 18.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Vittorio Silano, Professor of Health Legislation University of Rome Tor Vergata (Rome, Italy)

Vittorio Silano has a Degree in Chemistry (University of Naples) and a Teaching Qualification in Applied Biochemistry (University of Rome). Before coming to the University of Rome, he worked at the Ministry of Health of Italy as Head of the Department of Innovation (2005---2008); Head of Department for Human Health Protection, Veterinary Public Health and International Relations (2000---2005); Director General for International Relations and Community Policies (1998---2000); Director General for Medicines Evaluation and Pharmacovigilance, (1996–1998), for “Prevention and Drugs” (1995–1996), for Food Safety and Nutrition (1989–1995); and at the Ministry of Environment, for “Environmental Pollution Prevention and Reclamation” (1986– 1989). From 1968 to 1986, he was a member of the scientific staff of the National Institute of Health and Director of its Toxicology Laboratory. He has written about 250 papers and books, and has been a member of the editorial board of several scientific journals. He was Chairman of the EFSA Scientific Committee (2003---12) and since 2012 a member of the CONTAM panel. He also participated in the work of the EEC Scientific Committee for Food as a member (1979–81), vice---chairman (1982---84), and chairman (1985---87). In 1996 he was a member of the Scientific Committee for Medicines Evaluation of the EMEA and he has worked for WHO/Euro as a consultant in toxicology. He was chairman of the OECD Expert Group (1982---84) to define criteria to set priorities among existing chemicals for health purpose and, in 1985, as the chairman of the meeting on hazard assessment. He has also served on committees on flavorings (1979---83) and on cosmetics (1983---86) for the Council of Europe.

Cesare Sirtori, MD, PhD, Professor of Pharmacology University of Milan (Milan, Italy)

Professor Cesare Sirtori has had a distinguished career as a Clinical Pharmacologist, after earning a degree in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Milan and a PhD in Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Kansas. He is Board certified in Cardiology. In 1972 he founded, in Milan, one of the first centers for the study of metabolic diseases with a high atherosclerosis risk. The University Center for Dyslipidemias is one of the world’s largest lipid clinics and a leading center for clinical research in the field of hyperlipoproteinemias, thrombosis and non-invasive monitoring of vascular lesions.

At the University of Milan, he has served as professor of chemotherapy (1980---88), professor of clinical pharmacology (1990-present) and Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy (2006---12). He is the author of over 600 scientific publications, with more than 350 in prestigious international biomedical journals, covering topics including: the description and characterization of the first mutant of human apolipoprotein (Apo A---lMilano), which was recently demonstrated to be of possible use in the treatment of vascular disease; the definition of clinical activity and mechanism of action of a soy protein diet in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia; original data on the mechanism of action of many hypolipidemic compounds from the fibrate probucol; and the first observations on the activity of metformin in the treatment of insulin resistance syndrome. Professor Sirtori has made significant contributions in the field of clinical pharmacology, including kinetics of anti---diabetic biguanides; kinetics and mechanism of action of various compounds (celiprolol, ribavirin, Acipimox, etc.) with detection of the first P---450 polymorphism (now CYP2D6) with phenformin; activity of different oral contraceptives on the P---450 system, and of hypolipidemic agents on platelet aggregation/fibrinolysis. Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Stephan Theis, PhD, Senior Manager of Nutrition Science BENEO Institute (Obrigheim/Pflaz, Germany)

Dr. Stephan Theis is senior manager of nutrition science at BENEO--- Institute. His responsibilities include the research activities on the nutritional benefits of BENEO’s functional carbohydrate ingredients worldwide. Stephan joined the Research, Development & Services Department of the company in 2001.

He graduated with a diploma in Nutrition Science from the University of Giessen, Germany (1997) and obtained a PhD (Dr. rer. nat) from the Technical University of Munich (2002). Stephan is also member of the German and American Nutrition Societies and several Committees of the International Life Science Institute (ILSI) in Europe and North America. He has been involved in international scientific committees and collaborative research activities in the field of nutrition physiology, functional food science and carbohydrates including the ILSI Europe coordinated PASSCLAIM project and the dietary carbohydrate task force.

Antonia Trichopoulou, MD, PhD, Professor and Director WHO Collaborating Centre for Food & Nutrition Policies University of Athens Medical School (Athens, Greece)

Antonia Trichopoulou, MD, PhD, Professor and Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Food and Nutrition Policies at the Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has served as president of the Federation of the European Nutrition Societies (FENS) and as chairperson or key member of numerous Greek, European Commission and World Health Organization Committees. She has received numerous honors and awards and was decorated by the President of the Greek Republic with the Golden Cross of Honor for her work in nutrition and public health. In 2011, she received the Federation

nutritionist career”. of European Nutrition Societies (FENS) Award for her “outstanding

Dr Trichopoulou has published more than 400 papers in international scientific journals and her work is widely cited. Her scientific work has focused on public health nutrition and nutrition epidemiology, with emphasis on the health effects of the Mediterranean diet and traditional foods. In the early 2000s she took the lead in creating the Hellenic Health Foundation, a non---profit organization, which is dedicated to serving public health and undertaking quality research concerning health determinants, including diet.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Kathy Usic, Re l a t i on s h i p s & N u t r i t i on M a n a g er Glycemic Index Foundation (Sydn e y, A u s tra lia )

Kathy Usic is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with over 30 years’ experience in nutrition marketing and public health. She holds a Bachelor of Education and Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics. Kathy is currently the Relationships & Nutrition Manager for the Glycemic Index Foundation. The Glycemic Index Foundation (GIF) is a not---for---profit organisation owned by the University of Sydney and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (Australia). It is committed to promoting and contributing to the prevention and management of overweight/obesity, diabetes and other chronic lifestyle---related conditions, through healthy low---GI diets.

Kathy previously held senior positions at several FMCG companies including George Weston Foods, Campbell Arnott’s and Goodman Fielder and has lectured on Nutrition and Health Studies at the University of Sydney. Kathy has also provided consultancy services to the Dietitians Association of Australia as Senior Policy Officer and support to the Marketing team. As Executive Officer of the NSW School Canteen Association, she was responsible for the development and implementation of the first national nutrient guidelines for the sale of foods in school canteens; as Project Officer for the National Heart Foundation Officer, she was involved in the inception of one of Australia’s first food endorsement programs – The Tick Food Program. Prior to her dietetics career Kathy worked as a secondary and tertiary teacher in Food Studies and Physical Education and established a successful café and catering business.

Sophie Vinoy, PhD, Nutrition Research Manager Mondelez International (Saclay, France)

Sophie Vinoy obtained her PhD in human physiology from the French Paris University of Life Science and Health. After a stage in adaptive physiology, she joined the nutrition research department of Danone, leading their metabolism team. She then moved to the global nutrition department of Kraft Foods/Mondelez as nutrition research group leader. She and her team launched several international research programs in collaboration with academic teams.

Her primary interest is the impact of postprandial metabolism on disease prevention involving low grade inflammation and satiety. Her main publications are on carbohydrate metabolism, specifically investigating the health issues of starch digestibility.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Kathy Wiemer, MS, RD, Director/Fellow General Mills Bell Institute (Minneapolis, USA)

Kathy has been employed at General Mills for nearly 35 years and is currently a Director/Fellow, Regulatory and Issues Management, of the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition. She is responsible for ensuring that General Mills' products comply with existing government and corporate nutrition regulations and policies and provides guidance to key company stakeholders. She leads the development of Corporate positions and comments to government regulatory agencies on nutrition topics and serves as a liaison with these agencies, trade associations and health professional organizations. She has been honored to receive two General Mills Champion’s Awards.

Kathy serves on the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) Nutrition, Health & Labeling Committee and on the Board of Directors of the Wheat Foods Council and is past chair of both. She is currently a member of AACCI (American Association of Cereal Chemists International) and its Nutrition Division. Kathy co---chairs the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Carbohydrates/Sugars committee. She serves on several International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Nutrition Science Committees. Kathy is a Registered Dietitian and a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and the Dietitians in Business and Communications practice group. Kathy received her BS Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Iowa State University and completed her Master's in Human Nutrition at the University of Nebraska. Her area of research was iron bioavailability. Kathy co---edited the book Iron Fortification of Foods, and has coauthored several scientific papers.

Walter Willett, MD, DrPH, Frederick John Stare Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition Chair, Department of Nutrition Harvard School of Public Health (Boston, USA)

Dr. Walter Willett is Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition and Chairman of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He studied food science at Michigan State University, and graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School before obtaining a Doctorate in Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Willett has focused much of his work over the last 30 years on the development of methods, using both questionnaire and biochemical approaches, to study the effects of diet on the occurrence of major diseases. He has applied these methods starting in 1980 in the Nurses’ Health Studies I and II and the Health Professionals Follow---up Study. Together, these cohorts that include nearly 300,000 men and women with repeated dietary assessments are providing the most detailed information on the long---term health consequences of food choices.

Dr. Willett has published over 1,500 articles, primarily on lifestyle risk factors for heart disease and cancer, and has written the textbook, Nutritional Epidemiology. He also has three books for the general public: the best---seller Eat, Drink and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating; Eat, Drink, and Weigh Less, co---authored with Mollie Katzen; and most recently, The Fertility Diet, co---authored with Jorge Chavarro and Pat Skerrett. Dr. Willett is the most cited nutritionist internationally, and is among the five most cited persons in all fields of clinical science. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and the recipient of many national and international awards for his research. Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit Rhonda Witwer, MBA Se n i or Bu s i n e s s D e v e l o p m e n t M a n a g e r o f N u t r i t i o n Ingredion (Bridgewater, USA)

Rhonda Witwer is the Senior Business Development Manager of Nutrition for National Starch Food Innovation, based in Bridgewater, New Jersey. She manages Hi---maize® resistant starch and Hi---maize® whole grain flour for the North American market for Ingredion Incorporated and was responsible for building recognition for natural resistant starch’s important health benefits in glycemic health, and weight control within the food industry and health professional communities. She has also translated more than 400 published studies supporting Hi---maize resistant starch into understandable, credible marketing messages being used by numerous Hi---maize co---branding partners.

Ms. Witwer has more than two decades of experience in marketing bioactive ingredients and has written numerous articles and expert market reports on the market opportunities for bioactive ingredients. A graduate of Butler University with a BS in Chemistry, she received her MBA in Marketing from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Thomas M.S. Wolever, MD, PhD, Pr of e s s or University of Toronto (Toronto, Canada)

Thomas Wolever obtained a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Oxford University, UK in 1980, a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Toronto in 1986 and a Doctorate in Medicine from Oxford University in 1993. His current position is Professor and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto. He also has the following cross appointments: Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto; Scientist, Keenan Research Centre of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto; Member, Active Medical Staff, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto; and Member, Consulting Medical Staff, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto. His research interests are the effects of dietary carbohydrates on human physiology and metabolism. He is, perhaps, most well known for work on the glycaemic index which was first developed in conjunction with Dr. David Jenkins and other collaborators, while he was a medical student. He has written or co---authored over 300 papers in peer---reviewed scientific journals, and also authored a book entitled: The Glycaemic Index: A Physiological Classification of Dietary Carbohydrate published in 2006 by CABI (www.cabi.org). In 1997 he founded GI Testing, Inc. to provide confidential GI testing services to industry. To cope with the high demand for GI testing and to enable a wider range of clinical research services to be provided, Glycemic Index Laboratories, Inc. (www.gilabs.com) was formed in 2004; he is President of this corporation. More important than anything else, he is married with 3 children aged 24, 22 and 16 years; he also enjoys orienteering, cycling and recorder playing.

Glycemic Index, Load, and Response Summit