The nutrition community is made up of individuals with diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas. This diversity is the main strength of our professional society. Through this member attention serieswe celebrate our diversity and the great achievements of our members in the field.
With Dr. Brian LindschildProfessor and Director of School at Kansas State University School of Health Sciences and recently appointed Interim Editor-in-Chief of ASN’s Accessible Journal, Current developments in nutrition (CDN). In conversation with ASN Membership Engagement Coordinator Sarah Genall, Dr. Lindschild reflects on her long association with ASN and her vision to strengthen the publishing experience for authors, reviewers, and readers.
Sara Genal: Thank you, Dr. Lindschild, for participating in this written interview. For those who haven’t met you yet, please introduce yourself and share what sparked your interest in food.
Dr. Brian Lindschild: Thank you, Sara, for this opportunity! I have always been interested in micronutrients and other compounds, such as phytochemicals, that can affect health even when consumed in small amounts. I remember reading the paper in high school and finding early references to links between lycopene and prostate cancer, chocolate and cardiovascular disease, and the French paradox. Those stories captured my attention even as a young student and sparked a lifelong interest in food science.
general: You have been a member of ASN for over twenty years! How has ASN influenced your professional development and research collaborations throughout your career?
Dr. Lindschild: I first joined ASN in graduate school and it has been my home community ever since. I have been fortunate to have a variety of roles that continue to expand my skills, perspective and experience. I served as GEM Diet and Cancer Chair and co-chaired the ASN Annual Meeting and chaired mini-symposia and symposia. I have also served on the ASN Academic Library, Publications Committee, and Membership Committee. Each of these experiences broadened my network and deepened my connection to the food science community.
general: Congratulations recent appointment as interim editor-in-chief of Current Developments in Nutrition! What does this new appointment mean for you?
Dr. Lindschild: This is a great honor and an exciting opportunity for growth. It’s also an opportunity to contribute and leave a legacy through the work I do in this role. This is especially meaningful because Current developments in nutrition has become an important platform for promoting open access food research.
general: You mentioned that Current Development in Nutrition is an open access journal. What do you see as the journal’s unique role in ASN’s journal portfolio and the broader food science community?
Dr. Lindschild: Current Advances in Nutrition plays an important role in the ASN portfolio by publishing a number of solid food studies in a transparent and efficient manner. As an open access journal, it also helps ensure broad access to the food science community.
general: How do you hope Current Development in Nutrition can evolve to better support authors, reviewers, and readers?
Dr. Lindschild: I hope we can improve processes to better support authors, reviewers, and readers. I actually submitted a few manuscripts to it by accident Current developments in nutrition I recently applied for this opportunity, so I have a new experience from the author that I plan to keep in mind when thinking about user experience.
general: I imagine your first experience as a featured author will come when you step into this new role. Now shifting gears, FOOD 2026 It’s coming up soon and participants will have a chance to contact you! What do you look forward to most about interacting with ASN Members and other researchers?
Dr. Lindschild: I look forward to meeting ASN members and learning about the latest research. If the audience has any thoughts and opinions about it Current developments in nutritionI look forward to interacting with them directly.
general: What advice would you give to new participants or new ASN members who want to expand their networks and make meaningful connections at NUTRITION2026?
Dr. Lindschild: I would encourage people to try even if it seems small at first. My first ASN role was not a very competitive one, but I learned from it and what I built from there. If you had told me then that I would be moving into this role now, I’m not sure I would have believed you.
general: What do you think makes in-person scientific meetings valuable in today’s digital world?
Dr. Lindschild: The planned interactions that occur in in-person scientific meetings are difficult to replicate in the digital world. For me, there really is no equivalent. It is also fun and powerful to connect with friends and colleagues in person.
general: Thanks for participating in this interview! Is there a message you most want readers to take away from this conversation?
Dr. Lindschild: I am excited about this role and the opportunity to help lead and manage Current developments in nutrition! I am also looking forward to NUTRITION 2026 in Washington, DC and the upcoming talks!
