The Novo Nordisk Foundation and the American Society for Nutrition Foundation are proud to announce the recipients of the inaugural Henrik Dam and Flemming Quaade Awards, recognizing two visionary scientists whose work is shaping the future of nutrition science and public health:
- Julia Finkelstein is awarded the Henrik Dam Award for Scientific Discovery in Nutrition
- Andrew Agbaje receives the Flemming Quaade Award for Innovative Approaches to Childhood Obesity
Named in honor of Danish researchers Henrik Dam and Flemming Quaade, these prestigious new awards aim to spark innovation and support the next generation of leaders in nutrition science.
“It is with great pleasure that we congratulate the first two winners of the awards. These awards aim to acknowledge early and mid-career professionals for their innovative research within the growing field of nutritional science and health,” said Arne Astrup, professor, MD, and Senior Vice President of Obesity & Nutrition Science at the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
“Eighty-two years after Henrik Dam received the Nobel Prize for his work on vitamin K, Dr. Finkelstein receives the inaugural Henrik Dam Award for her pioneering work on vitamin B12, hence demonstrating the continued importance of micronutrient research. Nutrition is fundamental to our overall health, and prioritizing research in this field will impact health globally. We look forward to celebrating the winners’ remarkable contributions to the nutrition field at NUTRITION 2025,” says Arne Astrup.
“The work of Drs. Finkelstein and Agbaje exemplifies the scientific impact we aim to recognize with these awards. Expanding the evidence base to bridge knowledge gaps and support nutrition interventions is critical,” stated Paul M. Coates, PhD, Chair, Board of Trustees of the American Society for Nutrition Foundation. “We commend the Novo Nordisk Foundation for their extraordinary commitment to support these talented investigators.”
Dr. Julia Finkelstein is awarded the Henrik Dam Award for Scientific Discovery in Nutrition
Julia Finkelstein, ScD, MPH, a globally recognized expert in vitamin B12 and one-carbon metabolism, has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Henrik Dam Award for Scientific Discovery in Nutrition, which honors mid-career professionals for outstanding research contributions to the understanding of micronutrients, nutritional status, and/or metabolism. She is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at the Division of Nutritional Sciences, and Director of the Maternal and Child Nutrition Program at Cornell University.
Dr. Finkelstein’s groundbreaking research has demonstrated a high global burden of vitamin B12 deficiency in women of reproductive age and identified a critical role of periconceptional vitamin B12 in maternal and child health. Through population-based biomarker surveillance, longitudinal cohort studies, and randomized clinical trials, this work has informed evidence-based interventions and policy to improve the health of women and children. With methodological rigor, Dr. Finkelstein’s work has influenced clinical guidelines and nutrition policy globally, including through collaborations with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.
Dr. Sander Kersten, the Director of the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University, said, “We are thrilled that Dr. Finkelstein is the inaugural recipient of this new award. It is incredibly well-deserved and recognition of her research and its global impact.”
In addition to her scientific achievements, Dr. Finkelstein has demonstrated a deep commitment to mentorship and capacity strengthening globally, including NIH training programs in nutrition and maternal and child health, and the development of Cochrane and nutrition research methods courses that have equipped hundreds of health professionals in low- and middle-income settings with critical research skills.
The Award includes a research grant of DKK 1.7 million; a personal award of DKK 300,000; a grant to host a symposium at her home institution; and an invited plenary lecture at NUTRITION 2025, the flagship meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, taking place May 31–June 3, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.
Dr. Andrew Agbaje receives the Flemming Quaade Award for Innovative Approaches to Childhood Obesity
Andrew Agbaje, MD, MPH, PhD, FACC, FESC, FHAA, FNYAM, has been named the first recipient of the Flemming Quaade Award for Innovative Approaches to Childhood Obesity, honoring early-career physicians who have made exceptional contributions to obesity prevention or management. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Clinical Epidemiology and Child Health at the University of Eastern Finland.
Dr. Agbaje’s groundbreaking research has shown that waist circumference-to-height ratio is a more accurate predictor of obesity and metabolic diseases than the traditional body mass index (BMI). He recently launched a clinical calculator based on this metric, offering a potentially transformative tool for the early detection and management of childhood obesity. Dr. Agbaje discovered arterial stiffness as a novel risk factor for pediatric obesity and insulin resistance and was recently named the world’s third-best highly ranked scholar in the arterial stiffness specialty. His work has further revealed adolescence as the critical window for interrupting the fat mass-insulin resistance pathologic cycle. Notably, he has demonstrated that light-intensity physical activity is a highly effective strategy for reversing excessive fat accumulation caused by sedentary behavior in childhood. Dr. Agbaje has served as an expert advisor to the World Health Organization’s committee on childhood obesity prevention.
Award benefits include a research grant of DKK 500,000 and a travel stipend to present a lecture at NUTRITION 2025.
Investing in the Future of Nutrition Science
These awards are part of a multi-year partnership between the ASNF and NNF to recognize rising stars in nutrition research and accelerate breakthroughs in global health. The Novo Nordisk Foundation has committed funding for the awards through 2027 and plays no role in the selection of recipients.
About the American Society for Nutrition Foundation
The American Society for Nutrition Foundation (ASNF) complements and enhances ASN priorities and activities through the dissemination and application of nutrition science and education to improve public health and clinical practice worldwide and advancing the Society’s role as a global leader in nutrition, health, and wellness. The ASNF’s broad portfolio of activities includes education, awards and scholarships, as well as recognition of lifetime achievement through our renowned Fellows program. The ASNF also raises funds to turn current challenges facing the field into opportunities that support the future. Homepage: nutrition.org/foundation.
