Muscle Matters: New Insights on the Interplay Between Nutrition, Inflammation & Metabolism

Joel Cramer, PhD, FNSCA, FACSM, FISSN, CSCS*D, NSCA-CPT*D

Senior Associate Dean, Academic and Faculty Affairs 
College of Health Professions and Sciences
University of Central Florida 
Orlando, FL, USA

Joel T. Cramer, PhD is the Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs in the College of Health Professions and Sciences at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando, Florida. Dr Cramer is also a Professor in the Division of Kinesiology at UCF. He completed his PhD in exercise physiology and nutrition at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. His research program in exercise physiology and nutrition studies the form and function of human skeletal muscle. Specifically, his laboratory uses in vivo human subject research models to study the applied physiology, metabolic, and neuromuscular mechanisms that explain changes in muscle strength, size, and function during periods of growth and development, aging and sarcopenia, resistance training, stretching, fatigue, recovery, and dietary supplementation. He uses evidence-based information on skeletal muscle to address contemporary problems, discover innovative methodologies, and translate findings to practitioners and consumers. 

Dr Cramer has published prolifically, having produced 231 peer-reviewed articles and several book chapters. In 2020, he received a Certificate of Recognition for Contributions to Students from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Teaching Council. He is a previous recipient of the William J. Kraemer Outstanding Sport Scientist of the Year Award and a Nutritional Research Award from the NSCA National Conference.

Philip J Atherton, PhD, AFHEA

Director, Centre of Metabolism, Ageing and Physiology (COMAP)
MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre of Excellence
University of Nottingham
Nottingham, Derby, UK

Dr Philip J. Atherton is Chair of Clinical, Metabolic, and Molecular Physiology at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom. He received a 1st Class BSc degree and a higher PhD degree (in 2005) focusing upon protein metabolism, myogenic signaling, and gene expression regulation in skeletal muscle from the University of Central Lancashire. His current research involves an expansive combining of detailed pre/clinical molecular physiology with the application of stable isotope methodologies and the integration of OMIC techniques to discover predictors of the mechanistic basis for and how to mitigate musculoskeletal declines in aging and myriad related diseases. Atherton, with a H-index of 57 and ~15000 citations, has published ~150 peer-reviewed articles and 6 invited book chapters. He is a senior editor for the journals Experimental Physiology, Applied Physiology, Nutrition & Metabolism, and Nutrients.

Ricardo Rueda, MD, PhD

Global Mobility & Metabolism Platform Leader 
Head, Scientific Affairs EURISA & MENAP 
Abbott Nutrition 
Granada, Spain

Dr Rueda currently leads the Strategic Research Group for Abbott Nutrition in Granada, working on early-stage research in collaboration with key investigators in Europe, mainly focused on the areas of Metabolism, Cognition, Immunity, Bone/Muscle Health, and Early Programming. Ricardo is an elected member of the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) and the Spanish Society of Research in Paediatric Nutrition and Feeding (SEINAP) and a Visiting Professor at the University of Granada.