Considerations in the Design of Weight Loss Clinical Studies
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
3:15 – 4:15 p.m.
- Robert Bursey, Ph.D., President, Ajinomoto Corporate Services, LLC
- Kathy Musa-Veloso, Ph.D., Associate Director, Cantox HealthSciences International
Today, approximately two-thirds of the U.S. population is overweight or obese. Consumers seek functional food ingredients that can curb caloric intake or increase energy expenditures so as to shift energy balance in a negative direction. Food manufacturers, in response, have developed functional foods and have communicated the efficacy of those products through health claims or structure/function claims. This session will highlight factors that researchers must consider in the design of weight loss research studies, as well as innovative ideas and solutions for overcoming challenges.
About the Speakers:
Dr. Robert G. Bursey received his bachelor’s degree in biology/chemistry from North Georgia College, his master’s in human anatomy from the Medical College of Georgia, and his doctorate in nutritional biochemistry from Clemson University. He is president of Ajinomoto Corporate Services, LLC; a subsidiary of the Ajinomoto Co., Inc.; a multinational food, pharmaceutical, and fine chemical company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. He began his professional career as a faculty member at North Georgia College and Clemson University before assuming a position managing the Nutrition, Toxicology, and Health Program at Kraft Foods Company. He later joined the National Dairy Board as senior vice president of their Nutrition and Dairy Foods Research Program. In his current position, Dr. Bursey leads an organization that is responsible for the scientific, regulatory, and intellectual property affairs of Ajinomoto U.S.A., Inc., and represents the North American interests in those activities for the Tokyo-based Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
Dr. Musa-Veloso, an associate director within the Food & Nutrition Group at Cantox, assists both domestic and international clients with the preparation of regulatory strategies for food additives, foods that are generally recognized as safe, novel foods, natural health products, and dietary supplements. She is also involved in the preparation and review of clinical study protocols, and in pre-qualifying clinical research facilities prior to the placement of clinical studies with a Contract Research Organization. Dr. Musa-Veloso has authored several publications, and received her doctorate degree from the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto.