The nutrition community is made up of individuals with diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas. This diversity is the fundamental strength of our professional society. Through this member spotlight series, we celebrate our diversity and the vast achievements made by our members in the field.
Meet Dr. Brian Lindshield, Professor and Associate School Director in the School of Health Sciences at Kansas State University and recently appointed Interim Editor in Chief of ASN’s open-access journal, Current Developments in Nutrition (CDN). In conversation with ASN Member Engagement Coordinator Sara Genell, Dr. Lindshield reflects on his long-standing connection to ASN and his vision for strengthening the publication experience for authors, reviewers, and readers.
Sara Genell: Thank you, Dr. Lindshield, for participating in this written interview. For those who have not yet met you, please introduce yourself and share what sparked your interest in nutrition.
Dr. Brian Lindshield: Thank you, Sara, for this opportunity! I have always been fascinated by micronutrients and other compounds, such as phytochemicals, that even when consumed in small amounts, can have an impact on health. I remember reading the newspaper in middle school and coming across early findings suggesting associations between lycopene and prostate cancer, chocolate and cardiovascular disease, and the French Paradox. Those stories grabbed my attention even as a young student and sparked a lasting interest in nutrition science.
Genell: You’ve been a member of ASN for over twenty years! How has ASN influenced your professional growth and scientific collaborations throughout your career?
Dr. Lindshield: I first joined ASN in graduate school, and it has been my home society since. I have been fortunate to have varying roles that have continued to build my skills, perspective, and experience. I have served as chair of the Diet and Cancer GEM, and co-chaired and chaired mini-symposia and symposia at ASN’s annual meeting. I have also served on the ASN Learning Library, Publications Committee, and the Membership Committee. Each of these experiences has expanded my network and deepened my engagement with the nutrition science community.
Genell: Congratulations on your recent appointment as Interim Editor in Chief of Current Developments in Nutrition! What does this new appointment mean to you?
Dr. Lindshield: It’s a tremendous honor and an exciting growth opportunity. It is also a chance to contribute to 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 advancing open access nutrition research.
Genell: You mentioned that Current Developments in Nutrition is an open access journal. What do you see as the journal’s unique role within the ASN journal portfolio and the broader nutrition science community?
Dr. Lindshield: Current Developments in Nutrition plays an important role in the ASN portfolio by publishing an extensive array of solid nutrition research in an open and efficient manner. As an open access journal, it also helps ensure that research findings are broadly accessible across the nutrition science community.
Genell: How do you hope Current Developments in Nutrition can continue to evolve to better support authors, reviewers, and readers?
Dr. Lindshield: I hope we can continue refining processes to better support authors, reviewers, and readers alike. I actually happened to submit a couple of manuscripts to Current Developments in Nutrition shortly before being approached about this opportunity, so I have recent experience from the author side that I plan to keep in mind as we think about the user experience.
Genell: I imagine your first-hand experience as a submitting author will come in hand as you step into this new role. Switching gears now, NUTRITION2026 is quickly approaching, and attendees will have the opportunity to connect with you! What are you most looking forward to about engaging with ASN Members and other researchers in person?
Dr. Lindshield: I look forward to meeting ASN Members and learning about the latest research. If attendees have ideas and feedback about Current Developments in Nutrition, I look forward to engaging with them directly.
Genell: What advice would you give to new attendees, or new members of ASN, who are looking to expand their networks and make meaningful connections at NUTRITION2026?
Dr. Lindshield: I would encourage people to get involved, even if it might seem small at first. My first ASN role was not a highly competitive one, but I learned from it and things built from there. If you had told me then that I would be moving into this role now, I am not sure I would have believed you.
Genell: What do you think makes in-person scientific meetings especially valuable in today’s digital world?
Dr. Lindshield: The unplanned interactions that occur at in-person scientific meetings are difficult to replicate in the digital world. For me, there really is not an equivalent. It is also fun and energizing to reconnect with friends and colleagues in person.
Genell: Thank you for your participation in this interview! Is there a message you would most like readers to take away from this conversation?
Dr. Lindshield: I am excited about this role and the opportunity to help lead and steward Current Developments in Nutrition! I am also looking forward to NUTRITION 2026 in Washington, DC, and the conversations ahead!
