September 9, 2024 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) has selected exercise science assistant professor Katie Hirsch as the winner of the 2024 Nutritional Research Achievement Award. She was recognized at the association’s National Conference, which was held in Baltimore over the summer.
This award recognizes a nutritionist for breakthroughs and contributions to the field of athlete nutritional research. As one of seven peer awards, the annual honor is selected through nominations by the NSCA community.
“This prestigious award is a direct reflection of Katie’s remarkable impact on our field even at such an early stage of her career,” says Shawn Arent, chair for the exercise science department. “It’s nice to see others recognize the promise in her that I’ve seen for years. Katie is an outstanding representative of our department and this university.”
Hirsch’s interest in the role of exercise and nutrition on women’s health began during her time as a graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but her two years of postdoctoral training at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ Center for Translational Research in Aging and Longevity led to a particular focus on the importance of muscular health for aging women.
Since joining the Arnold School’s Department of Exercise Science in 2022, Hirsch’s research program has focused on developing and testing exercise and nutritional strategies that strengthen and sustain body composition, metabolic health and exercise performance across the lifespan, particularly in female athletes and aging women. She was selected for this award based on her work in the areas of nutrient timing, protein and essential amino acid supplementation and ergogenic acids.
This work has resulted in dozens of nutrition-related publications and presentations. She is a Certified Sports Nutritionist with the International Society of Sports Nutrition and is committed to translating science into practical applications. As a member of the NSCA for nearly a decade, Hirsch has held many service roles, such as reviewer and moderator.
“I am truly honored to be the recipient of this award,” Hirsch says. “The NSCA has always been highly supportive of our research and my career over the years, and I am grateful for the many opportunities the NSCA has provided and continues to offer. I am also grateful for my mentors and colleagues, both past and present, without whom the research would not have been possible. I look forward to the opportunities this award will bring as we continue to grow and advance our work at USC.”