Dr. Barnard is president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a faculty member of the George Washington University School of Medicine, and a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology.  

In 2016, he founded Barnard Medical Center in Washington, D.C., to create a new model that integrates nutrition into conventional medical care.  

His federally funded diabetes research revolutionized the nutritional approaches to type 2 diabetes, and he now aims to empower readers with life-changing information on hormones and health. He has written 19 books on nutrition and health. 

Did you know that the causes of a surprising range of health problems are hidden in everyday foods? Few people realize that a simple food prescription can help you tackle these problems and gently restore your hormone balance, with benefits rivaling medications. In his new book, Your Body in Balance, nutrition researcher and New York Times bestselling author Neal Barnard, MD, shares the science behind how common conditions—like infertility, weight gain, menopausal symptoms, breast and prostate cancers, thyroid problems, and acne—are fueled by hormones that are hidden in or influenced by the foods we eat food and hormones play a powerful role in fertility and menopause, sex-hormone related cancers, balancing the thyroid, type 2 diabetes, and regulating metabolism.  He is the only physician who has conducted breakthrough research on how foods influence hormones and the problems they can cause. 

For more information please visit:PCRM.org/YourBodyInBalance 

Nela Richardson joined Edward Jones in 2018. As an investment strategist, she analyzes and interprets economic trends and market conditions, identifies risks and opportunities, and recommends strategies to help clients reach their long-term financial goals.  

Prior to joining Edward Jones, Richardson was the chief economist at Redfin Corp., a national real estate brokerage and technology company. Richardson also served as a senior economist for Bloomberg, L.P., covering housing and financial markets. Richardson earned a doctorate in economics from the University of Maryland-College Park with concentrations in financial economics, international finance and economic development.  

She obtained a master’s degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University-Bloomington, where she was a triple major in mathematics, economics and philosophy. Richardson regularly provides insight on the market, the economy, real estate trends and public policy to policymakers, consumers and media.  

She is a regular contributor to Marketplace from American Public Media and has frequently appeared on CNBC, Bloomberg, CNN, Yahoo Finance, the Wall Street Journal, FORTUNE magazine, The New York Times and other national and local media.

Understanding What to Expect on the SAT, How to Practice, and How It Can Help with College Applications 

 GUEST:  

Priscilla Rodriguez, Vice President, College Readiness Assessments, The College Board 

 Background 

Taking the SAT can be intimidating for students, but it doesn’t have to be. The redesigned SAT was introduced in 2016 as an achievement test that measures the skills and knowledge that students are already learning in classrooms across the country. 

 Now, when students take the SAT, they can focus on showing their strengths: not on tricks and strategies. Eliminating these false barriers mean more students have an opportunity to put their best foot forward on the SAT. And taking the SAT provides tangible opportunities to students who are applying to college. 

 Did You Know? 

• The SAT tests the material students learn in school and measures the skills most essential for college and career, including everyday vocabulary and the math that matters most. The new SAT removes “SAT words,” and math that isn’t necessary for college work. 
• The best way for students to practice for the SAT is to link their College Board account to Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy® to get a free, personalized practice plan based on their scores. 

• Income-eligible students can take the SAT and the SAT Subject Tests, apply to college, send their scores, and apply for financial aid for as many colleges as they choose, all for free. 
• Through the SAT, students can opt into Student Search Service, a free program that connects students with educational and financial aid opportunities from colleges, and to scholarships. 
• Taking the SAT connects students to scholarships, including the new College Board Opportunity Scholarships program, where students can earn up to $2,000 for improving their SAT score.  
• The SAT is accepted everywhere. All colleges across the U.S. accept SAT scores for admissions. 

 Priscilla Rodriguez will describe the benefits of taking the SAT and how the test can help students with applying to college. 

SUGGESTED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS 

• What should students expect on the SAT? 

• How can students practice for the SAT? 
• Colleges are going test-optional; why should students take the SAT? 
• How does the SAT help students with college applications? 
• What is the Student Search Service and what does it mean to opt-in? 

 About Priscilla Rodriguez 

Priscilla Rodriguez is the vice president of College Readiness Assessments at the College Board, where she leads the organization’s programs and services related to the SAT Suite of Assessments, including the SAT and PSAT-related assessments. She previously spearheaded the development of the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program. Prior to joining the College Board, Priscilla was an SVP at the Poses Family Foundation, where she led the Webby-winning resource for parents of children with learning and attention issues, Understood.org. Priscilla is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Harvard Business School. 

NONPROFIT’S INNOVATIVE LITERACY MISSION MAY BE KEY TO IMPROVING READING SCORES 

 Why after 20 years of reform are student scores stagnant on the Nation’s Report Card? Find out how one national nonprofit is changing the story on student literacy scores 

 AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW: 

Christina Riley, EL Education Director of Curriculum Design 

 Christina Riley is currently the Director of Curriculum Design, overseeing curriculum design for EL Education. Prior to this, she was a lead designer on the nationally renowned EL Education English Language Arts curriculum, which is currently EdReports’ highest-rated elementary ELA curriculum. Before joining EL, Christina served as an Elementary Curriculum Design Specialist for Socratic Arts, designing a STEM curriculum for elementary students, and participated in various curriculum design projects as an independent consultant including creating educational resources for middle school students for a NASA/ISTE project. Christina began her career in education as an elementary teacher and subject manager at public schools in the UK before moving to teach at two international schools in Japan. Christina holds a Master of Science in education from California State University and currently lives in Lyons, Colorado. 

BACKGROUND: 

Every two years, 4th and 8th-grade students across the United States are given a reading assessment known as the National Assessment of Educational Progress or the “Nation’s Scorecard.” The test measures reading comprehension by asking students to read selected grade-appropriate materials and answer questions based on what they have read. In 2019, nearly 294,000 students participated. In both grades, the average reading scores were lower in 2019 than they were in 2017. 

Despite these disappointing results, new approaches are providing hope in major districts and communities that have historically struggled with childhood literacy. EL Education, a nonprofit created out of a collaboration between The Harvard Graduate School of Education and Outward Bound USA, is proving in districts across the country that pairing the research-informed EL Education K-8 Language Arts curriculum with professional development leads to student achievement.  

For example, a recent study of K-2 students in a large district in Tennessee examined the impact on student literacy achievement of the EL Education K-2 ELA curriculum. The study found schools that implemented the Skills Block and Modules (two components of EL Education’s curriculum) with EL Education support had significantly higher student achievement compared to a matched national comparison group. 

Similarly, after just one year of literacy partnership with EL Education, students in Detroit Public Schools Community District posted their highest-ever scores on the Michigan ELA assessment. In all but one tested grade, they also outperformed the state in growth. Students’ 2019 test scores showed the greatest single-year improvement on the state tests in the history of the exam. After adopting a new curriculum and systematic support, Detroit has emerged as a model for resilience and results. 

Finally, a five-year independent study of 12,000 students from 70 schools and 18 districts across the US found that teachers improved their classroom teaching and students achieved higher scores on their state tests in schools combining EL Education’s curriculum and professional development. Economically disadvantaged students made up 71% of students were economically disadvantaged. 

On January 30, EL Education Director of Curriculum Design, Christina Riley will be available for interviews. She will discuss the research-informed EL Education literacy program results and how similar results can be achieved in other school districts. She will also share the recent Nation’s Scorecard results for your local region. 

 For more information please visit https://eleducation.org/    

Ben Sussna of Quorn’s North America: 

Ben Sussna is Head of Marketing and Innovation for Quorn’s North American business headquartered in Chicago. Over the past five years, Ben has led the team responsible for driving consumer trial and awareness of the Quorn brand as well as developing and launching new innovative products into the US marketplace. Over this time period, Quorn has enjoyed 20-30% year over year revenue growth and is now the #3 Brand of Meat Alternatives in the US Grocery Channel with an 8% market share. Before Quorn, Ben spent six years in Brand Management at Church & Dwight, Co., Inc. He holds a BA in History and Business from Northwestern University and an MBA from Arizona State University. 

THE NEXT CRAZE IN MEATLESS MENU OPTIONS HAS ARRIVED: WINGS! 

 Hear about the latest meat alternative to hit the market, the health benefits of meat alternative mycoprotein, and meatless options for your big game party menu 

BACKGROUND: 

Meat alternatives and plant-based options are one of the fastest-growing trends in food. From casual dining and fast-food restaurants to your neighborhood grocery store, Americans are seeking out more vegetarian options. In fact, according to the Good Food Institute, sales of plant-based meats grew over 37% from April 2017 to April 2019. 

Just in time for big game entertaining, and for the first time on the casual-dining stage, Hooters restaurants across the U.S.  are introducing meatless “Unreal Wings” made with Quorn. Quorn, a leading maker of meat alternative foods, has partnered with Hooters to launch Unreal Wings in 318 restaurants across the U.S.   

 For more information please visit https://www.quorn.us/