Leslie Lesser, RDN, LD

Develops specialized menus for clinical trials

Provides clinical nutrition consulting services for pharmaceutical clients

Leads team of 16 colleagues (6 direct reports, 12 indirect)

Builds relationships with key stakeholders including clinical trial participants and patients to increase clinical trial participation and retention

Develops comprehensive lifestyle change counseling programs for obesity clinical participants

Partners with principal investigators, clinical research managers, vendors, and clients to develop complex study diets for clinical studies

• Created online nutrition education programs
• Developed nutrition education materials including videos, courses, recipe books
• Led online nutrition counseling support group to promote healthy eating habits and a positive relationship with food
• Participants reported positive outcomes such as: improved lipid panels, increased energy, improved sleep, improved digestion, increase in vegetable intake, and 5% weight loss for patients seeking to lose weight

• Coached individuals on methods for managing chronic diseases with effective dietary plans.
• Completed detailed nutritional assessments of each patient based on health history, medical conditions, energy requirements, nutrition-related knowledge and skills, and preferences and challenges.
• Determined client-specific nutrient and energy requirements, with consideration to specific lifestyles, physiology, preferences, and medical concerns.
• Provided nutrition counseling for weight management, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, heart disease, hypertension, prenatal nutrition, binge-eating disorder, among other chronic conditions.
• Collaborated with multi-disciplinary team to achieve a patient-centered plan of care.

• Evaluated nutritional status of patients struggling with chronic kidney disease, substance abuse, diabetes, and eating disorders.
• Developed individualized nutrition care plans.
• Developed nutrition education materials and led three weekly nutrition education courses including a cooking demo class to promote basic cooking skills
• Managed monthly food pantry
• Developed nutrient-dense recipes and flexible meal templates to meet nutritional objectives