Travis Thomas, PhD, RDN, CSSD, FAND, associate professor in the Department of Athletic Training and Clinical Nutrition, received the 2020 SCAN Achievement Award. SCAN is the largest dietetic practice group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and works to build a world where people perform to their potential powered by nutrition and physical activity. 

Thomas is a sports nutrition practitioner who has been a member of SCAN since 2003 where he has held multiple volunteer and leadership positions, and acts as a mentor to the next generation of SCAN practitioners.  

Thomas was selected for this prestigious award because of his prolific contributions and accomplishments within the sports nutrition field. He was the lead author on the International Nutrition for Athletic Performance Position Stand publication; was elected as the Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) national representative to the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to represent Sports Dietetics on a national level; was elected as Chair of CDR for 2020-2021; served as the lead subject matter expert for the national CSSD examination; and has been a consistent contributor to sports nutrition educational materials, webinars, and the Sports Nutrition Care manual.

He has mentored sports nutrition students who attained national honors and serves as director of a novel Undergraduate Certificate in Nutrition for Human Performance at the University of Kentucky.

“For years, SCAN has been recognized as the largest dietetic practice group and the premier nutrition resource for registered dietitians with nutrition expertise in the areas of sports performance, physical activity, cardiovascular health, and wellness and wellbeing. Because of this, I am truly grateful to receive SCAN’s first and highest award,” Thomas said.

“This would not have been possible without the hard work of many students, mentors, and collaborators across the country who have helped me grow as a professional in this field,” he continued. “I will always be committed to serving SCAN and mentoring the next generation of SCAN practitioners.”