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Foundation Pre-FNCE Nutrition Symposia Hydration Elevating Wellness and Accelerating Recovery Through Science and Clinical Practice

Saturday, October 24, 2026

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CPE: 1.5

Proficiency: Advanced knowledge/experience

Track: Sports & Human Performance Nutrition

Description

This Pre-FNCE® symposium provides evidence-based exploration of hydration and its impact on health, performance, and recovery. This interactive lecture and discussion will enable participants to develop a comprehensive understanding of hydration needs across the general population and at-risk groups, and clinical hydration. and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). Attendees will gain evidence-based knowledge and practical skills to assess, manage, and optimize hydration, including fluid intake requirements based on need, to improve health outcomes and recovery. By the conclusion of the symposium, attendees will be able to synthesize these strategies across population groups, linking nutrition, and clinical care approaches, to promote hydration as a continuum of wellness and recovery.

Sponsored by Gatorade Sports Science Institute

Learning Objectives

  • Demonstrate the physiological importance, requirements, and cognitive effects of hydration, integrating recent research on sex, age, beverage consumption, and fluid absorption mechanisms influencing overall health.
  • Summarize evidence-based hydration strategies outlined in the ERAS protocols and apply to clinical care recommendations to support perioperative care, before, during and after surgery.
  • Describe effects of hypohydration on physical health and recovery, including wound healing, cognitive performance, GI motility and overall postoperative recovery.

Performance Indicators

  • 9.1.5 Demonstrates knowledge of nutrient requirements throughout the lifespan, and their role in health promotion and disease prevention.
  • 5.2.6 Integrates relevant information with previous learning, experience, professional knowledge, and current practice models.
  • 7.2.3 Analyzes and interprets data to form valid conclusions and to make recommendations.

Speakers

  • Allison Contillo photo

    Allison Contillo

    Life Sciences Scientist, PepsiCo

    Allison is a Scientist on the PepsiCo Life Sciences team. In her current role, Allison uses her nutrition expertise to help drive innovation for the Gatorade brand as part of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute. She provides insight on beverage formulation for a desired functionality and translates the science behind Gatorade products for claims and communications, playing a role from product ideation and throughout the product’s time in market. Prior to joining PepsiCo, Allison gained experience as a per diem adult inpatient dietitian while completing her PhD in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut. Her dissertation work focused on developing and piloting a protein-focused tool for nutrition screening in clinical care settings.
  • Kathryn Porter Starr photo

    Kathryn Porter Starr

    Associate Professor of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine

    Kathryn N Porter Starr, PhD, MS, RD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine (Geriatrics) at Duke University School of Medicine and a Research Health Scientist at the Durham VA Health Care System. Her clinical and research work focuses on optimizing nutrition and physical function in older adults, with a particular emphasis on perioperative care, obesity, and multimorbidity. Dr. Starr leads and oversees nutrition care for high-risk Veterans in the Durham VA Perioperative Optimization of Senior Health (POSH) clinic, where she collaborates with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and interdisciplinary team members to prepare older adults for major surgery. Her NIH- and VA-funded research examines how targeted nutrition and exercise interventions influence body composition, frailty, surgical risk, and post-operative recovery. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters on nutrition, aging, and functional outcomes, and frequently lectures nationally on geriatric nutrition, perioperative optimization, and obesity management in older adults. Dr. Starr is passionate about translating evidence-based perioperative nutrition and hydration practices into pragmatic tools that dietitians can use to improve recovery, reduce complications, and support resilience in surgical patients.

Moderator

  • Alissa Wilson photo

    Alissa Wilson

    Director, R&D Life Sciences, PepsiCo

    Alissa has been at PepsiCo for almost 20 years, providing nutrition science support for brands such as Tropicana and Naked Juice, leading research in the areas of carbonated soft drinks, low calorie sweeteners, the science of sweetness and sugar reduction, and most recently completing an assignment in the UK leading the Europe Nutrition Sciences team. Her current role focuses on Life Sciences education and engagement as well as supporting the science behind clinical hydration. Alissa has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition from Tulane University and earned her PhD in Food and Nutrition from the University of Georgia with a research focus on bone health, exercise and nutrition in children. She is also a Registered Dietitian.

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