1994 – 1999 Keynote Speakers

1999

George Beaton, PhD
Professor Emeritus, Nutritional Sciences
University of Toronto, Canada

Dr. Beaton’s research and theoretical studies have called into question many long held positions about the relations between intakes and nutrient needs of different populations.  Not only has be made fundamental contributions at the experimental level, but his theoretical analysis of requirement estimates and application constitutes a significant body of influential work in the nutrition field.

Dr. Beaton passed away in 2012 following a battle with cancer.

1998

Michael Clearfield, DO, FACOI
Professor and Chairman
Department of Medicine
UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth

Dr. Clearfield’s research interests have focused on preventative heart disease, cholesterol management and metabolism. He has authored over 130 manuscripts and abstracts and was the co-primary investigator for the Air Force/Texas Coronary Atherosclerosis Prevention Study, which at the time was the largest statin based primary prevention trial performed in the United States.

Dr. Clearfield has served on numerous professional committees and was the American Osteopathic Association’s representative to the National Cholesterol Education Program from 1995-2005.   Dr. Clearfield has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the1997 Internist of the Year from the American College of Osteopathic Internists.

He received his DO from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine after receiving his BS at Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania.

1997

James A. Pawelczyk, PhD
Assistant Professor of Physiology and Kinesiology
Noll Physiological Research Center
Pennsylvania State University

James A. Pawelczyk, PhD is a specialist in the area of cardiovascular adaptation and regulation in unusual environments.  His research focuses on neural and mechanical factors that affect rapidly responding blood pressure regulatory mechanisms.

He received his doctorate from University of North Texas under the direction of Peter B. Raven, PhD.  Since speaking at RAD, he served as Payload Specialist aboard the space shuttle flight “Neurolab” which launched April 17, 1998.

1996

John R. Dedman, PhD
Professor and Eminent Scholar
Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology
University of Cincinnati

John Dedman, PhD, received his doctorate from University of North Texas under mentorship of Ben Harris, PhD and performed post-graduate training at Baylor College of Medicine.

Considered one of the top biochemical physiologists in the country, Dr. Dedman’s research focuses on the mechanisms by which calcium regulates intracellular functions; in short, how calcium acts as a communication link within cells.

1995

Ronald W. Hart, PhD
National Center for Toxicological Research

Dr. Hart is an internationally recognized scientist and scholar, serving on the editorial boards of more than a dozen professional journals, author or co-author of over 450 scientific publications, and editor of six scientific volumes. Dr. Hart is credited with developing the first direct proof that DNA damage is causal in sunlight-induced cancer. He is internationally recognized for his pioneering work in aging, and his studies on nutrition and health.

1994

Robert Sanders Williams, MD
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
Dr. Williams performed his undergraduate work at Princeton University, graduating cum laude and received an MD from Duke University.  An internship and residency was completed as Massachusetts General Hospital.  He received a three-year cardiology fellowship at Duke University during which he completed post-doctoral research training in Biochemistry.

Internationally renowned for his pioneering work in molecular cardiology, Dr. Williams has focused his work on the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis using gene transfer and development biology techniques.  He is the author of more than one hundred peer-reviewed publications.