Meet the 2023-2024 IND MIG Executive Committee & Leadership Team

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Chair

Prabhdeep Sandha, PhD, RDN

Originally from Jalandhar, (Punjab, India), Prabhdeep now resides with her family in Denver, CO. In her role as an Assistant Professor of Nutrition, Prabhdeep teaches in the undergraduate and graduate program housed in the Department of Nutrition, College of Health and Applied Sciences, Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) in Denver, CO. She also recently (Summer 2023) accepted a new position as the Graduate Program Director at MSU Denver, where she is tasked to manage a fast growing nutrition and dietetics graduate program. She is passionate about community nutrition, maternal-child nutrition, nutrition policy, and research & statistics. She completed her Ph.D. in Nutrition Policy with Interdisciplinary Graduate Minor in Applied Statistics at the University of Mississippi. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Punjab Agricultural University, India. In addition to her degrees, Dr. Sandha has held several professional positions related to her field since 2016. These positions include Graduate Instructor at the University of Mississippi; Doctoral Graduate Assistant, Institute of Child Nutrition; Graduate Research Assistant, Office of Food and Nutrition Security; Clinical Dietitian and Nutrition consultant at 1) Satyam Hospital and Shivam IVF center, 2) Apex Hospital, and 3) Twat’cha Skin center and aesthetic clinic, India; Product fortification and developer, Industrial consultants and Laboratories, India.

An award-winning academics, who was awarded a few accolades listed here: Commission on Dietetics Registration Faculty Fellowship Award (2021); IND MIG Outstanding Student Award (2020); Class Marshal for University of Mississippi Doctoral (Class of 2020); Best Research Poster Award, School Nutrition Research and Best Practices Showcase, School Nutrition Association (2019); Kathleen Stitt Award, School Nutrition Foundation, (2019); Second place, 3 Minute Thesis competition in the Doctoral category, The University of Mississippi (2018); Initiated, Honors society of Phi Kappa Phi (2018); Mead Johnson Nutrition/Research DPG award for research, First place, Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo, Washington, DC (2018); Outstanding Graduate Student Award, Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management, School of Applied Sciences, the University of Mississippi (2018); University Gold medal for batch 2012-16, Punjab Agricultural University, University Convocation (2018).

Fun quirk: She loves to go out for a run, loves to cook, dance, paint, and enjoys listening to Punjabi music! Don’t hesitate to reach her out at prabhdeepsandha@gmail.com.

Chair-Elect

Raksha Shah

Raksha Shah is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a passion for merging the worlds of nutrition and pharmaceutical biotechnology.

In her pivot to the pharma biotech industry, Raksha recognized the potential to make a broader impact on health outcomes. Leveraging her deep understanding of nutrition and her expertise in the field, she embarked on a new journey to explore the intersection of science, medicine, and nutrition. This transition allowed her to contribute her knowledge to the development and advancement of innovative therapies and interventions that positively impact patient wellbeing.

As a highly regarded RDN, Raksha has dedicated her career to empowering individuals to make informed nutrition options for optimal health. With a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice, she has provided personalized nutrition coaching and guidance to countless clients, helping them achieve their wellness goals and live a nourished, flourishing life.

Raksha's is an accomplished author, she has published in renowned scientific journals along with as group of renowned contributors. Her publications have delved into diverse topics, including the role of nutrition in chronic disease prevention, novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of Osteoporosis (NJEM) and the impact of personalized nutrition interventions on patient with Myocardial Infraction (Annals of Internal Medicine). Earlier in her career Raksha was very active with the Academy. She was a contributing author on topics related to nonpharmacologic management of hyperlipidemia with Penny Etherton, RDN as the Editor-in-Chief.

With her unique blend of expertise and experiences in the Pharma Biotech Industry and early career as a RDN at UCSF Children’s Renal Centre and Cardiovascular Research Center; Stanford Cardiac Rehabilitation Center; Shand’s Teaching Hospital Renal and Kidney Transplant Services Gainesville Florida; Corporate wellness nutrition, Raksha is dedicated to driving progress in healthcare through the integration of nutrition and medicine.

Raksha is reestablishing as an entrepreneur in NJ and launching her virtual private practice with a focus on CKD and Women (Perimenopause and Beyond) Nutrition Wealth after experiencing many flavors of many states coast to coast and Industries.

Raksha Shah's multifaceted background, passion for improving health outcomes, and dedication to advancing nutrition science position her as a respected authority in the industry.

Past Chair

Vandana Sheth, RD, CDCES, FAND

Vandana Sheth is a nationally recognized and award winning registered dietitian nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, certified intuitive eating counselor, CEO of a successful nutrition and wellness coaching business, global media spokesperson and author of My Indian Table: Quick & Tasty Vegetarian Recipes. She is passionate about positively impacting people with science based nutrition information that is simple, realistic and flavorful.

As the current National Media spokesperson for ADCES and a former National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, she has done hundreds of media interviews and is a sought after nutrition expert for global TV, print and digital outlets. She is also a medical expert reviewer for US News & World Report and the author of a published cookbook My Indian Table: Quick & Tasty Vegetarian Recipes.

Vandana graduated summa cum laude from California State University, Los Angeles, completed a certificate program in gerontology, certificate program in Food Allergy Management, a certified intuitive eating counselor and is board certified as a diabetes educator. She was honored to receive the 2021 Outstanding Dietitian of the Year Award (California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics), 2021 Outstanding Nutrition Entrepreneur Award - Nutrition Entrepreneurs DPG, 2020 Outstanding Diabetes Educator Award (California ADCES), and the 2016 Excellence in Private Practice, Business and Communications award by the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. As a dynamic speaker she has presented at FNCE®, CAND annual meeting, CA ADCES, FARE conference, local nutrition chapters, dietetic internship roundtables, corporate wellness clients and community events. She serves on the advisory board on Diversity in Dietetics, and the National Arthritis Foundation.

Vandana is originally from Chennai (Madras), India and lives in Southern California with her husband. Vandana can be reached at www.vandanasheth.com and on social media.

Treasurer and Secretary

Sheetal Parikh, MS, BS (Hon.), RDN, LDN

Sheetal Parikh has been very passionate about plant-based nutrition since her childhood. She holds two Bachelor of Science degrees and one master’s degree in dietetics and nutrition. She brings her unique experience and skills in the nutrition world by blending eastern and western cultures with innovative diets. She is specializing in Plant-Based Nutrition, and has been a vegetarian all her life, and promotes vegetarianism and its health benefits. Since 2019 she has been an Author for Vegan/Vegetarian diets for the Nutrition Care Manual for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). She has been involved with setting standards for RD Exam Passing Score Study Task Force and Item Writing Workshop for Commission on Dietetic Registration(CDR). She served in the positions of Advisory Board Committee for Diversity and Inclusion for AND; Florida State Coordinator and Diversity Liaison for Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group. She achieved the feat of being a BSDN Advisory Board Member for Keiser University; the institution from which she graduated and won an award for Outstanding Student of the year 2017 from Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. At present, she works as Lead Regional Dietitian in Clinical and Patient Services for Morrison Healthcare and also Counsels Patients and Clients on the importance and advantage of eating Plant-Based foods for their and the earth’s well-being. She is proficient in creating new plant-based recipes; designing techniques for happy & healthy cooking; preparing appetizing meals for her clients, family, friends, and colleagues. She lives with a motto of “You are what you Eat."

Nominating Committee Co-Chair/Nutrition Services Payment Specialist/Policy Advocacy Leader

Rita Batheja, MS, RDN, CDN, FAND, AFMCP

Rita is the founder, past chair, policy and advocacy leader, Nutrition Service Payment Specialist (NSPS), Nominating Committee, Awards, and Honors committee Co-Chair of the Indians in Nutrition and Dietetics member Interest group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly Asian Indians in Nutrition and Dietetics – AIND MIG). Nationally and internationally recognized, Rita is Integrative and Functional Medicine Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist in private practice in Baldwin Harbor- Long Island- New York. She is also the fellow of the Academy and serves as the house of delegate (HOD) of NY State Academy to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Passion for profession drives Rita to be a professional volunteer at the District, Affiliate, National organization, and with many community organizations. Rita utilizes mind-body principles and systems biology personalized approach to heal individuals for optimal health. She is the originator of AAPI’s Indian Physicians eBook I, II, and III on “Optimal Health using principles of Functional Medicine and Nutritional Genomics." In 2000 planted the seeds of the book "Indian Foods: AAPI's Guide to Nutrition, Health and Diabetes”. Rita is the recipient of many awards and honors to her credit including the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics prestigious Medallion award for her lifelong leadership, Visionary award by Indian American Dietetic Association - (currently known as the IND MIG,) and Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine Practice Group, Excellence in Legislative activity award by Diabetes Practice Group and The NY State Academy, Service award by the Vegetarian Nutrition Practice Group, AAPI President's Special recognition award by Indian Physicians Association in the USA - (AAPI), and awards from several Indian community organizations. Rita is featured in many magazines, print and Indian News media, and professional journals like JAND, Food Service, and many others. Rita is originally from Mandvi- Kutch- Gujarat State and she studied at the MS University in Baroda.

Rita can be reached at krbatheja@gmail.com.

Nominating Committee Co-Chair

Catherine Conway, MS, RDN, CDN, CDE

Cathy works as Chief of Nutritional Services and Diabetes Program at YAI National Institute for people with Disabilities. I work with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Cathy is a recipient of the Award of Excellence in Service and Leadership, Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group, American Dietetic Association, 2004, Award of Excellence in Service and Leadership, Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group, American Dietetic Association, 2010, Award of Excellence in Practice for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Behavioral Health Dietetic Practice Group, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2015 and Award of Excellence in Service, Asian Indian Member Interest Group, 2018. She is one of the authors for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Updated Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance for Registered Dietitians (Competent, Proficient, and Expert) in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, December. She previously served for many years as the Policy and Advocacy Leader (PAL) for VN DPG and just completed a three-year term on ANDPAC. She currently serves on the Academy's Legislative and Public Policy Committee. Cathy lives in New York City. Cathy says “I am not from India but love everything Indian."

Cathy can be reached at catherineconway@msn.com.

House of Delegate IND MIG Representative

Mudita Arora MSc, MS, RDN, LD

Mudita Arora MSc, MS, RDN, LD, is a native of New Delhi, India and currently lives in Kentucky, USA. She received first Master’s degree in Food Science and Nutrition from India, second Master’s degree in Hospitality & Dietetics Administration from the University of Kentucky as well as Culinary and Management internship at Penn State University, USA. She is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist with 17+ years of experience in the field. Mudita has held several leadership positions in healthcare nutrition specializing in infant, pediatrics, adult and geriatrics arenas as well as foodservice systems management and sustainability areas. She is currently employed by Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition (Enfamil brand) as a Hospital Nutrition Business Leader in Kentucky and was ranked 2^nd in the nation for performance in 2022. She is also serving as a Vice President for Leadership & Excellence for Asia Pacific (LEAP), employee resource group at Reckitt to promote diversity, equity and inclusion within the organization and beyond. She has also provided diabetes management and weight loss consultation for famous Dr. Phil’s (Paramount Studios) line of production, TV show ‘Face the Truth’ in USA. Mudita has held several volunteer leadership positions including President and State Media Representative of Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Chair of Indians in Nutrition and Dietetics and currently serving as a Delegate representing Indians in Nutrition and Dietetics at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics House of Delegates. Mudita has an adorable 12-year-old daughter and they both loved their pet dogs, a golden retriever named Sakhi; a jack russell terrier named Minnal and a Shih-Tzu, Mr. Woods.

Communications Chair

Vikram Kaleka, MS, RD

Vikram Kaleka is a dietitian and lecturer who received his MS in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Columbia University. Vikram previously served as the interim Didactic Program Director at Lehman College in the Bronx, where he lectured on dietetics, cultural competency and indigenous frameworks of health. He was one of the first recipients of the Dietetic Registration Diversity Internship Scholarship, the highest scholarship awarded by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. He received his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Middlebury College, Vermont, where he also completed a double minor in Sociology and Religious Studies. Vikram's research focuses on novel diet strategies such as intermittent fasting, an area in which he developed his thesis research at the Columbia University Medical Center. Vikram’s other interests include cultural humility and post-activism. His work in cultural humility has been published by the Vegetarian Dietetic Practice Group and in the field of post-activism his writing has been published in Multispecies Speculations, a transdisciplinary project. He also currently serves as Communications Co-chair of the Academy of Nutrition’s Indian Member Interest Group. Prior to coming to Columbia, Vikram worked with Max Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, and the Khushii Charity Foundation in New Delhi, India.

At present, he works in private practice and transdisciplinary research in Delhi, India and can be reached at vsk2120@tc.columbia.edu.

Global Liaison

Rupal Shah, MSc, CDE, UGC NET Qualified

Rupal graduated and completed her Master's in Foods, Nutrition & Dietetics from Mumbai, India. Rupal is passionate towards providing the most advanced & scientifically proven medical nutrition therapy for weight & disease Management. She is also trained on the use of a low FODMAP diet for IBS by Monash University. Rupal is a winner of Wimpfheimer Guggenheim International Exchange in Nutrition Dietetics & Management Award, FNCE® 2018, Washington DC. She also serves as a Country Representative chair for International Affiliate of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In her free time, Rupal is an avid food, fitness & nature enthusiast. Most often, she can be found at one of her favorite fitness studios, cycling/ trekking unexplored destinations, cooking up a storm in her kitchen or geeking out about the latest nutrition research.

IDEA Liaison

Priyanka Sagar, MSc, RDN, LD, CLT

Priyanka Sagar has served as an IDEA liaison, IND-MIG since 2021-22 and hails from frigid Minnesota. She has worked as an consultant RDN in outpatient clinic in Minneapolis for many years and is an owner of her private practice, Ginger Spice Health, LLC.

Her passion is to empower clients in the prevention, wellness and chronic diseases realm. She incorporates integrative nutrition and lifestyle strategies and utilizing ‘Food as Medicine’ with ‘a personalised approach’ so they could lead a fulfilling quality of life!

To promote healthy nutrition in her community, she has actively volunteered to educate elementary school kids, along with authoring articles to raise nutrition awareness at a local non-profit organization, contributed in local south-Asian health organization called SEWA- aifw health fairs and actively volunteers for the South Asian-Centered Heart-Healthy Education (SACHHE) project by the University of Minnesota, Family Medicine and Community Health Discovery.

Priyanka holds her bachelors and master’s degree from Rajasthan, India and completion of internship program from Louisville, KY.

She enjoys travel and spending time with her family back in India when time allows; also loves recreating healthy vegetarian recipes, in fun and colorful ways on her blog, www.gingerspicehealth.com. She can be reached at Priyanka@gingerspicehealth.com.

Networking Committee Member

Suvosree Chatterjee, MSc, RDN, CDN, CDCES

Suvosree serves as Diversity Liaison and Membership Co-Chair for the Connecticut Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and was chosen as a ‘Spotlight Member’ in 2020. She works for the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Passion for people drives her to constantly seek and make new friends. She is actively involved with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its many Dietetic practice groups (DPGs). She is originally from Kolkata (Calcutta), state of West Bengal in India. As a first class student in BSc (Honors) in Food and Nutrition she was awarded National Merit Scholarship from the University of Calcutta. She also graduated with First Class in MSc in Food and Nutrition from the University of Calcutta. Suvosree is a life member of the Indian Dietetic Association and Nutrition Society of India. She worked as a dietitian under the government of India. She went for her RD course work at the Simmons University in Boston, US. She brings versatile experience in the field of Nutrition. Suvosree loves Yoga and Ayurveda and practices a specific dietary habit from India known as ‘Sattvik Diet’. She is a vocalist in Indian Classical music.