Alison Duncan is a Professor and Associate Director of Research at the Human Nutraceutical Research Unit, in the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph. Alison’s academic training is all in nutrition with an undergraduate degree in Applied Human Nutrition from the University of Guelph, training to become a Registered Dietitian at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, a M.Sc. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Minnesota. Her teaching and research relate to the biological effects of functional foods on chronic disease risk-related measures evaluated in human intervention studies, with a particular focus on the agri-food-health continuum. Alison currently serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Nutrition and as Vice President-Research and President-Elect for the Canadian Nutrition Society and was recently named a Fellow of the Dietitians of Canada.
The topic of work-life balance in an academic career has always been important and has been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. This interactive session will explore the components of work-life balance and how they can be optimized and contribute to a fulfilling life. Simone Lemieux and Alison Duncan will each share some introductory thoughts and this will be followed by an open discussion in which participants will share their thoughts and ideas to enable an optimal work-life balance in an academic career.