Conference Session

Gabriela is a San Diego-based dietitian specializing in school nutrition on a national level. Fifteen years experience in the school nutrition arena in many capacities. She also has experience in clinical dietetics, clinical research, and home health care for gestational diabetics. Her passion for school nutrition started when she worked as Nutrition Coordinator for Albuquerque Public Schools, a district with 87,000 students.

She is presently a consultant for the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, The National Food Service Management Institute (NFSMI), The U.S Highbush Blueberry Council, and The North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission in matters of school nutrition, including webinars. She is also a past recipient of the FAME award.

Gabriela has several articles in peer-reviewed publications such as the School Nutrition (SNA) Magazine, and the Journal of Child Nutrition and Management.

Alice Bast founded the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) in 2003. Her personal experience with celiac disease ignited her passion to help the estimated three million Americans suffering from the disease receive a prompt and accurate diagnosis.

Alice is widely regarded as a celiac expert and has been a keynote speaker at major medical and food industry events nationally and internationally, including the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Annual Meeting, Healthy Foods Conference, International Pizza Expo, The Flavor Experience, Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Wellness Conference, and both Natural Products Expo East and West shows. She also chaired a panel presentation at the 14th International Coeliac Disease Symposium held in Oslo, Norway, and addressed an assembly of doctors at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in April 2012.

Alice has been featured in the Associated Press, Newsweek, USA Today, US News & World Report, Good Housekeeping Magazine and on nationally televised programs such as ABC's "The View" and CNN. Among her accomplishments, Alice co-authored an article titled "Celiac Disease and Reproductive Health Issues," which was published in the Journal of Practical Gastroenterology. She was the Principal Investigator on an NIH funded grant titled, "Novel Educational Aids for Celiac Disease." Alice was also awarded the 90th Annual Philadelphia Award in May 2011, one of the city's most prestigious honors given each year to a citizen who has acted and served on behalf of the best interests of the community.

Her organization, NFCA, drives diagnoses of celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders, improves quality-of-life for those on a lifelong gluten-free diet, and facilitates collaborations within the healthcare community. NFCA is a leading resource for information on celiac disease and the gluten-free lifestyle and offers free information and support materials for patients and their families. The organization also runs GREAT Kitchens, a gluten-free training program for foodservice professionals, and CeliacCMECentral.com, a free continuing medical education program for primary care providers.