Pre-Conference Trainee Workshop

AI-Powered Nutrition Research: From Theory to Practice

Workshop Overview

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming nutrition research through advanced data analysis, predictive modeling, and personalized strategies, yet challenges persist, including resource gaps and limited cross-sector collaboration. This interactive workshop will introduce trainees and early career researchers to AI applications in nutrition science, covering theoretical concepts and hands-on exercises. Participants will explore how AI and more particularly machine learning (ML) can enhance research in -omics sciences, nutritional epidemiology, public health, and behavioral nutrition.

The 2025 Pre-Conference Trainee Workshop registration must be purchased as an add-on to the general conference registration. Trainees must register for the conference to attend the workshop. It is open exclusively to CNS Student (Undergraduate and Graduate) members and CNS Early Career I postdoctoral fellow members. This is an in-person event only, and space is limited to 40 participants. Registration fees include the full workshop program, lunch, and refreshment breaks. 

Practical Considerations:
Learning Objectives:

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe how AI and ML can enhance nutrition research – with insights in various fields, including omics, epidemiology, and behavioral nutrition
  2. Employ basic ML techniques – Explore fundamental AI and ML concepts, data management strategies, and introductory coding applications relevant to nutrition science.
  3. Apply AI tools to nutrition data – Engage in hands-on exercises to analyze and interpret nutrition-related datasets using ML-based methods.
  4. Critically evaluate AI’s role in nutrition science – Discuss ethical considerations, limitations, and future opportunities of AI in research and practice.

This event is supported by the CIHR INMD Training and Community Support Grant and by the Centre Nutrition, santé et société (NUTRISS), Université Laval

Registration details    

Program

Draft schedule; subject to change. All times ET.  

Thursday, May 8 2025, 12:00pm - 4:15pm  - Hotel Bonaventure Montreal

 12:00pm -  12:10pm
Welcome and overview

Shirin Panahi, PhD - Canadian Nutrition Society / Université Laval

SEGMENT 1: Introduction and Foundational Concepts

 12:10pm - 12:40pm
Overview of AI applications in research

Benoît Lamarche, PhD - Université Laval

Session overview

 12:40pm - 1:10pm
Practical considerations for the use of AI and machine learning for data management and analysis 

Frédéric Raymond, PhD  - Université Laval

Session overview

1:10pm - 1:30pm
Question period  

1:30pm - 1:50pm

Break 

SEGMENT 2: Hands-on Activity

1:50pm - 3:50pm

Practical, hands-on activity on how to use machine learning in nutrition research, with an example from nutritional epidemiology:

  • Model identification
  • Model testing
  • Model fine-tuning
  • Assessing model performance
3:50pm - 4:10pm

Group Discussion and Reflections

4:10pm - 4:15pm
Wrap-up and Concluding Remarks

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Registration details