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SALT LAKE CITY— Today, at the Council for Responsible Nutrition’s (CRN) annual meeting, CONVERGENCE ‘24, Radicle Science and CRN announced Dr. Yasmeen Nkrumah-Elie, Ph.D., global director for external research at ChromaDex, as the winner of the inaugural Trailblazing Woman Award.
The Trailblazing Woman Award honors women who have made remarkable contributions to the dietary supplement and functional food industry through leadership, innovation, and mentorship. Dr. Nkrumah-Elie was selected for her extraordinary commitment to advancing science, promoting diversity, and mentoring the next generation of female leaders.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate Dr. Nkrumah-Elie’s remarkable achievements and the lasting impact she’s made on our industry,” said Pelin Thorogood, co-founder and executive chairwoman of Radi-cle Science. “A brilliant researcher, Dr. Nkrumah-Elie’s influence extends far beyond her scientific contributions—she’s a mentor, a connector, and a fierce advocate for women in science. Her passion for creating opportunities and uniting people in meaningful ways is why she’s such a worthy recipient of our inaugural Trailblazing Woman Award.”
Andrew Shao, PhD., senior vice president, global scientific and regulatory affairs, ChromaDex, com-mented: “Dr. Nkrumah-Elie has led the evolution of the ChromaDex External Research Program (CERP) to become an award-winning and industry leading research program. Under her leadership, CERP has amassed nearly 300 research collaborations with institutions around the world, over 30 published clinical trials and several IP opportunities. Dr. Nkrumah-Elie and her dedicated team have elevated CERP to become the gold standard for industry-academia collaboration.”
In addition to her leadership role at ChromaDex, Dr. Nkrumah-Elie is a member of CRN’s Senior Scientific Advisory Council and actively contributes to several industry organizations, including Women In Nutraceuticals (WIN) and the American Society for Nutrition, where she advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is a frequent speaker at industry conferences, where she shares her knowledge and helps bridge the gap between science and broader audiences.
“We appreciate Dr. Nkrumah-Elie’s engagement and leadership in the CRN member community,” said Andrea Wong, Ph.D., CRN senior vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs. “Her depth of knowledge, combined with her dedication to advancing scientific excellence and mentoring future generations, has made a significant impact.”
Dr. Nkrumah-Elie was one of five finalists for the Trailblazing Woman Award, derived from an impres-sive pool of nominees from CRN members.
“I am deeply honored to receive the Trailblazing Woman Award,” said Dr. Nkrumah-Elie, “And I am moved by the collective force of inspiring women leading within our dietary supplement industry who continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible—as my fellow finalists demonstrate. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of an industry dedicated to advancing wellness and improving global health.”
