IAPEN INDIA CORE GROUP : Digitization In Nutrition
About the IAPEN INDIA Digitization In Nutrition Core Group
Aim :
To build a unified digital ecosystem in nutrition practice that strengthens evidence-based practice, supports informed clinical decisions, and improves health outcomes.
Vision:
To lead the evolution of Digital Dietetics by empowering dietitians and doctors with intelligent, evidence-based, and integrated nutrition technologies that elevate patient care and improve health outcomes globally.
Mission:
- To equip dietitians and doctors with secure, intelligent digital tools and predictive markers that enhance assessment, diagnosis, intervention planning, and patient monitoring.
- To equip dietitians and doctors with secure, intelligent digital tools and predictive markers that enhance assessment, diagnosis, intervention planning, and patient monitoring.
- To bridge the gap between Nutritional Sciences and Artificial Intelligence to improve digital delivery for measurable improvements in patient outcomes.
Meet The Team:
Mentor
Dr. Manju P. George
PhD, RD, CDE, NET
Chief Dietitian - VPS Lakeshore Hospital, Kochi, Kerala
Professional experience- 20+ years (Clinical and industry exposure)
Doctorate in Food Science and Nutrition (2022), Certified Diabetes Educator (2021)
UGC NET qualified for Assistant Professor (2017), Registered Dietitian (2015), Academic Counselor- IGNOU, Certified Diabetes Educator
Completed FODMAP training for IBS- with Monash University (2023)
International Inspire awards 2022 for the ‘Most inspiring Clinical Nutritionist/ Dietitian’
Received Citation from Smt. Anandiben Patel, Honorable Governor of UP (September2022) at Avinashilingam Institute Coimbatore for winning IAPEN National award in February 2021.
National Quality award winner- 2021 (‘Excellence in dietetics informatics and digitization’) and 2023 (‘Excellence in Medical Nutrition Practice’) organized by IAPEN India association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition). District award 2025-for ‘Excellence in Public Health Nutrition’.
Best Employee award- Pharmexx India Pvt. Ltd (2008-2009), Best organizer & Best Employee award – British Biologicals- 2010-2011
Resource person for National/ International webinars and TOT campaigns
Memberships: IDA, NSI, IAPEN, ISPEN, HSAI, NetProFan Kochi, CNF Kerala, AEDAN
Columnist in various health-care magazines and newspapers
National and International publications: Journals (8) and book chapters (5)
Undertake Registered Dietitian (RD) internships and research initiatives
Chief Program Officer
Naaznin Husein
Co Founder and CEO of Shamrock Nutrascience Pvt. Ltd. (A nutrition Digital Health tech company).
- Founder – Freedom Wellness Management | National Executive Member – IDA (Ex-President, IDA Mumbai)
- Chief Nutrition Advisor, India Navy & Armed Forces (INS HAMLA)
- Chief Program officer Geriatric Nutrition Core Group IAPEN India
- Executive Member AAIRO
- Editorial Board-PFNDAI
- Nutritionist to Olympians, elite athletes & Bollywood personalities
- Head Nutritionist, India Rush Soccer Academy
- Advisor to leading corporates & elite Mumbai schools
- Chairperson – Nutrify Today (Dietetics)
- Core Team – FSSAI Eat Right Movement | Co-Convenor – NETPROFAN Maharashtra
- Chief Dietitian – The Yoga Institute, Santacruz
- Research focus: Lifestyle, Wellness, Exercise & Fitness
- Trustee – Equal Streets & Mumbai Car-Free Day
Member, Board of Studies – SVT, SNDT University
Member, QAQC Committee – Nirmala Niketan College of Home Science
Visiting Faculty – D.Y. Patil Institute
Training Board Member – Joint Services
Training Institute, INS Hamla Mentor for Interns & MSc Students (Thesis Guidance)
Program Officer
Michelle Britto
M.Sc. CDE, RD, UGC recognised Assistant Professor, Content Innovator, PhD Student
Senior Manager, Content – Shamrock Nutrascience Pvt. Ltd.
Clinical Nutrition Expertise and Leadership
Registered Dietitian with +7 strong clinical nutrition background across hospitals and health-tech.
Develop evidence-based modules for diabetes, weight loss, heart health, and oncology.
Led production of 300+ exercise and educational videos for health programs.
Lead end-to-end content strategy for digital health platforms and patient education
Skilled in curriculum design, training, and developing learning resources.
Strong expertise in digital communication, content innovation, and program execution.
Strong background in nutrition research, case studies, and patient education.
Presented scientific posters and oral presentations at National and International conferences.
Academic Contributions
Assistant Professor teaching Clinical Nutrition, Human Nutrition, Diet Therapy, and Advanced Clinical Nutrition to UG & PG students.
Conducted skill-based practicals, bridge courses, and entrepreneurship training.
Guided graduate students for the Awiskar Awards
Research & Publications
Published 2 research papers (IJCRT, JETIR) with high impact factors.
Co-authored research on diabetes and nutrition for national conferences.
Awards & Recognitions
IAPEN Quality Award – Excellence in Clinical Nutrition (National level).
Multiple first prizes in content creation, nutrition quiz, poster presentations.
Copyright holder for a Pediatric Oncology educational board game.
Professional Memberships
Life Member – IAPEN, IDA, NSI (Mumbai Chapter)
Executive Members
Natalia Pereira
Qualification :
Registered Dietitian (RRD-026/15)
Clinical Nutrition (13yrs)
Quality Systems (Lean Six Sigma)
Digital Practice Development
Professional Background:
• Founder of My Food Plate providing evidence-based clinical and lifestyle nutrition programs.
• Head of Training and Quality at ReeWork + ReeCoach, guiding clinical workflows, knowledge content, training and product implementation.
• Former Head of Quality at HealthifyMe, trained 2,000+ coaches and strengthened service standards across operations.
• Former Assistant Manager Dietitian at Sir H.N. Reliance Hospital, therapeutic diet planning, documentation, health checkups, SOP design, quality audits. NABH ×3 | JCI ×1 | ISO ×2 | hospital nutrition automation initiatives.
• Clinical exposure at Breach Candy, KEM & Wadia Hospital in pediatric, antenatal, critical care and community nutrition.
• Corporate wellness projects including screenings, lifestyle programs and employee health improvement.
Core Expertise: Metabolic & diabetes management, gut & hormonal nutrition, weight & lifestyle disorder management, NCP documentation & clinical case workflows, habit behaviour change.
Strengths as EC Member: Balances clinical depth with product-first thinking, strong execution and a scale-focused mindset.
Ms. Naziya Shaikh
Registered Dietitian | HOD – Clinical Nutrition | Internal Auditor
• 20+ years of experience in Dietetics and 18+ years in Clinical Nutrition
Currently HOD – Clinical Nutrition & Internal Auditor
- Shamrock Nutra Science Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai
– Leading IT-integrated nutrition projects (Reework App)
– Developing clinical nutrition content for multiple medical conditions
– Handling FSSAI-aligned audits for nutraceuticals & food products
– Strengthening digital health ecosystems and quality frameworks
Former Assistant Manager – Dietetics
Dr. L. H. Hiranandani Hospital, Powai
– Expertise in Critical Care Nutrition (ICU)
– Internal Auditor for NABH & ISO
– Led clinical operations, patient care pathways & multidisciplinary collaborations
Mentor & Educator :
– Trained BSc, MSc & RD interns for over a decade
– Strong focus on evidence-based practice & professional development
Core Strengths
– Clinical nutrition leadership
– Regulatory auditing & compliance
– Digital health integration
– Departmental operations & quality improvement
Certifications & Education :
– PG Diploma in Clinical Nutrition
– PG Diploma in Food Safety & Quality Management
– CDE | CSN | CCCN
Mrs. Shruti Patel
Qualification– PhD Scholar, Merit Holder in M.Sc. Food and Nutrition, Certified in Critical Care, Diabetic Educator(NDEP), Sports Nutrition Course (ASNFS), Paediatric Nutrition, Nutrigenomics, Digital Marketing (Google), UX Design (pursuing from Coursera Google)
Designation – Founder of “Fine Fettle NutriCare CentreTM”& Fine Fettle Digital Marketing for Dietitians and Attached with Phoenix Rheumatology Clinic, Area ReeCoach at ReeWork
Work Experience – Total experience of 19+ years as a Consulting Dietitian with Corporates(Claris, Xcleris, Biocare, Via media, MSD, Aprica, Cadilla, Just for Hearts, HealthifyMe, ReeWork) as well as Government sector (NFHS-3 project), completed RD internship from Sterling Hospital (July to December 2021)
Achievements-
- Papers published in various renowned journals- Indian Journal of Ecology 2008, Food and Nutrition Bulletin 2006, Indian Journal of natural products and Resources (IJNPR) 2007, Environment and Ecology 2012
- Life member of IDA, IAPEN & NSI, NetProFan
- Co-Convenor of NetProFan Ahmedabad Chapter.
- Active Elected member as Joint Secretary of IDA Gujarat Chapter, & Treasurer IAPEN Ahmedabad
- Main organizing committee member and Finance Head for IDACON19 held in Ahmedabad, Editor Nutriwaves Newsletter of IDA Gujarat Chapter (2024-2025), Contributed as Chairperson and Speaker at multiple national and state-level conferences, webinars, seminars, and workshops.
Dr. Kavita Bakshi
PG Diploma in Public Relations, PG Diploma in Dietetics, MSc, PhD (Food & Nutrition)
- Faculty in the Department of Dietetics,WTERI for Post graduate students, with 30 yrs of experience.
- Freelancer in clinical practice since 30 yrs
- Research guide for MSc DFSM-IGNOU
- Certified Diabetes Educator
- Organized more than 120 diet exhibitions for public awareness programs at various platforms like hospitals, industries, societies, corporates and participates in various health camps for diet counseling to the masses, and Community.
- Conducts Nutrition Education program for rural and urban community and school children through Radio, videos, You tube and TV Talks
- Published several articles in national and international journals on : Obesity, Diabetes, Bone Mineral Density etc and nutrition awareness write-ups in newspaper, newsletters and magazines.
- Author of the book “Dietitians READY RECKONER” edition 1,2 & 3.
- Under FSSAI’s Eat Right India flagship program have co-authored the book “Eat Right Thalis of India.” and core member in receipe book of Indeginious food healthy receipes.
- Contributed chapter on Drug and Nutrient interaction in IAPEN Nutrition care process(First Edition)·
- Convenor of Indian Dietetic Association - Nagpur Chapter
- Co-convener Netprofan –Nagpur chapter.
- Treasurer IAPEN -Nagpur chapter
Dt. Anuja Phalle
Senior Research Fellow, PhD Scholar, Clinical Nutritionist, Pune
Current Affiliation: Senior Research Fellow & PhD Scholar- Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, Symbiosis School of Culinary Arts & Nutritional Sciences, Symbiosis International University, Pune. National Executive Committee Member: Digitization in Nutrition Practice Core Group, India Association for Parenteral And Enteral Nutrition (IAPEN-INDIA).>
Qualification: PhD Scholar & Senior Research Fellow; NET Certified; MSc. Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics; Certified Diabetes Educator and Clinical Nutritionist.
Publications :
1. Phalle, A., & Gokhale, D. (2025). Navigating next-gen nutrition care using artificial intelligence-assisted dietary assessment tools—a scoping review of potential applications. Frontiers in Nutrition, 12, 1518466.
2. Phalle, A., & Gokhale, D. (2025). Maternal and fetal outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus: a narrative review of dietary interventions.Frontiers in Global Women's Health, 6, 1510260.
3. Vasgare, H., Gokhale, D., Phalle, A. et al. Assessing the magnitude and lifestyle determinants of food addiction in young adults. Eat Weight Disord 30, 43 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-025-01752-1.
4. Gokhale, D., Phalle, A., Kaskar, S. et al. Exploring awareness, consumption, key barriers, and enablers of plant-based meat alternatives among Indian youth. Discov Food 5, 124 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00378-7
5. Devi, P., Gokhale, D., & Phalle, A. (2024). Snacking pattern among IT professionals from Pune, India. Nutrition & Food Science, 54(4), 703-717.
Book Chapter: Chapter 15. Initiation, Maintenance, and Progression of Enteral Feed, Textbook of Critical Care Nutrition, Jaypee publications, ISBN:9789356963153, 161-171
Ms Sapna Kamdar
Practising Dietitian & Nutrition Consultant (M.Sc).
CDE. UGC NET-SET qualified lecturer. CDE.
FODMAP certified & Renal Specialist
- With 20 years of experience, she is currently practising as a freelance Clinical Dietitian & Founder of Health Optima.
- Nutrition Consultant (Food analysis & Employee wellness), TajSATS, Mumbai
- Core Founding Team, Reework, Shamrock Nutrascience, Mumbai
- Senior Renal Dietitian at Lakhani Kidney Care, Ghatkopar.
- Former Recipe Curator and Nutritionist with the late Mrs Tarla Dalal.
- Former visiting faculty at Dr. B.M.N. College of Home Science.
- IAPEN State-level Excellence Award Winner, Freelance Category, 2023
- National award winner for Best M.Sc. Research, Best Student Award, Excellence in Diabetes practice (CDE) Award, “Rangoli Award” and “Women’s Achiever Award”.
- Certificate of Appreciation as an alumna of Dr. BMN College of Home Science, Matunga, Mumbai
- Lifetime member of IDA (L-724) and lifetime associate member of GMA.
- Lifetime member of IAPEN, SAPEN and Renal Core Committee Executive Member (social media), IAPEN, India.
Apeksha Thakkar
Chief Dietitian | Founder – APT Diet Solutions |
Certified Diabetes Educator
Professional Summary :
Clinical Dietitian & Certified Diabetes
Educator with 20+ years of experience.
ABDM–HPR registered; Low FODMAP Certified (Monash University, 2025).
Awarded Outstanding Diabetes Educator (2023).
Strong experience in digital health tools, algorithms & nutraceutical R&D.
Skilled in nutrigenomics and evidence-based program design.
Core Expertise :
Onco-Nutrition, Diabetes & Endocrine, Gut Health
Obesity & Bariatric | Women’s Health | Pediatric & Developmental Nutrition
Cardiometabolic & Renal | Corporate Wellness | Sports Nutrition
Nutrigenomics | Digital Nutrition Platforms
Professional Experience :
APT Diet Solutions (2019–Present) – Founder & Chief Dietitian
Shamrock Nutrasciences (2023–Present) – Project Lead, Reework App Algorithm
Healthcare Confidential (2025–Present) – Product Researcher for Ayurvedic/Nutraceuticals
Crisp Minds (2023–Present) – Pediatric Nutrition Expert
Writer for Gujarati Midday, New Indian Express, Apollo Health, GRD Protein & others
Education & Certifications :
PG Diploma & BSc in Nutrition (Rank Holder & Distinction), Certified Diabetes Educator (NDEP), Translational Nutrigenomics (ION), Onco/Bariatric/Renal Nutrition training, FSSC 22000 Internal Auditor, Low FODMAP Certification (Monash)
Awards & Leadership
Outstanding Diabetes Educator (2023)
Speaker & Corporate Wellness Consultant
Lead Clinical Dietitian with 6,000+ LinkedIn community