North Vegas Times

University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) faculty members were recognized in March at the Nevada Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference.

Assistant Professor David St-Jules was honored as Nevada's 2022 Outstanding Dietitian of the Year, according to a press release from the university. St-Jules is a national leader in kidney disease at the university's College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources. 

"The award acknowledges St-Jules' distinguished contributions to his field, as well as his excellence and leadership in service, scholarship, and the promotion of Nevadans' nutritional well-being," the press release said.

"David's research aims to help establish science-based nutrition guidelines for people with chronic kidney disease," Jamie Benedict, Department of Nutrition chairman, said in the press release. "His work centers around managing the disease with diet. Given the increasing number of people worldwide who are at risk for kidney disease, the potential impact of his research is astounding."

Research by St-Jules has shown that the common recommendation for dialysis patients to avoid a high-potassium, plant-based diet has no scientific basis and may actually harm them, the press release noted. St-Jules' article on this topic, published in 2016, remains among the most important articles in the Journal of Renal Nutrition.

Another faculty member was recognized at the conference as well. Deborah Joakimson, an alumna of the college's undergraduate and graduate nutrition programs, was honored as the Nevada Recognized Dietetic Technician of the Year, according to the press release.

Shauna Tavcar, a nutrition student, was honored as the Nevada Outstanding Dietetic Student of the Year, the press release noted.