Prof Noakes has published more than 750 scientific books and articles. He has been cited more than 21 000 times in scientific literature and has an H-index of 77. He has won numerous awards over the years and made himself available on many editorial boards.

For the final 15 years of his academic career he was rated an A1 scientist – the highest possible rating indicating a world-leading scientist – by the South African National Research Foundation. He is now the co-founder and Chief Medical Director of the Nutrition Network and devotes the majority of his time to promoting the low carbohydrate high fat diet, especially for those with insulin resistance, raising funds and doing research through The Noakes Foundation and supporting Eat Better South Africa.

Jana Retief, Foundation Manager at The Noakes Foundation, brings a diverse background with experience in the NGO and educational sectors. Alongside her M.A. in Drama and Theatre Studies and a postgraduate degree in Psychology, Jana’s diverse expertise encompasses community development, project management, research coordination, and operations management.

She has a passion for helping people live happy and healthy lives and is dedicated to driving positive change in the fields of nutrition and mental health.

Bitten Jonsson is a  registered nurse, addiction specialist and ADDIS®/SUGAR®-authorized (addiction screening, assessment, and diagnostic tools), Nutrition Network practitioner, and I currently offer courses and training for professionals. Today there are many very skilled counselors all over the world to whom I refer any clients that contact me. My mission is to bring knowledge and experience to others so that more people are able to diagnose and treat this fatal disease, addiction, in order to free people from this painful illness and to decrease shame and stigma. I hope you will join me.

Peter Ballerstedt (also known as “Don Pedro, Sodfather of the Ruminati”) earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Georgia and his doctorate at the University of Kentucky. He was the forage extension specialist at Oregon State University from 1986 to 1992. He worked in the forage seed industry from 2011 until 2023. He is a member of several national and international scientific societies, participates in related global initiatives, and is a Past-President of the American Forage and Grassland Council. Peter’s personal experience has led him to re-examine human diet and health. What he has learned doesn’t agree with the advice given for the past several decades. Peter is an advocate for ruminant animal agriculture and the essential role of animal source foods in the human diet. He strives to build bridges between producers, consumers, and researchers across a wide variety of scientific disciplines increasing awareness of metabolic health and ruminant animal agriculture’s essential role in social, economic, and ecological sustainability. Peter has spoken at many different events in the US and internationally. Many of his presentations are available on YouTube. Peter and Nancy live in western Oregon (northwestern USA) with their three dogs, Conor, Noni, and Iris.

Jayne believes research in healthcare needs better funding and strong minds. Since joining in 2015,she has grown The Noakes Foundation into one of the key research funders in South Africa, an entity that is changing the way the nation eats. As the Advocacy and Strategy Lead of The Noakes Foundation she established Eat Better South Africa alongside inspiring colleagues and Prof Noakes.

Most recently she was appointed as Managing Director of the Nutrition Network, where she has taken the lead in the process and creation of this educational and networking platform founded by The Noakes Foundation in partnership with an esteemed team of doctors and scientists.

After realizing the dichotomy between brand research budgets and human health research, she decided to leave the corporate research world and took the leap into medical and biological research to bring her experience in big biz research into new areas to affect change to human health.

Jayne is an MBA, High Dip in Marketing and International Relations graduate. She began her career taking products into Africa and researching local markets in the West and East African block and later moved to the UK to read for an MBA at Leeds University, later conducting Pan European media research and strategy evaluation. She is also a Mind Body Medicine Practitioner, a barefoot dancer and a mom.

Dr Hassina Kajee specialised as an Internist and then landed her dream job heading up the High Care Unit of a teaching hospital in South Africa. As her patient population became younger and more patients were being admitted with chronic disease, some under the age of 30, she realized she needed to evolve her practice. She embarked on a journey to empower patients and health care providers alike with nutrition and lifestyle education in order to transform their health. Thus it was that she co-founded Nutrition Network, an educational platform that was instrumental in bringing Keto education to thousands of health care practitioners and nutrition advisors across the globe. Through this initiative, Nutrition Network has also become largest the affiliate of the Eat Better South Africa campaign in South Africa that brings nutrition interventions to under-resourced communities in South Africa. Dr Kajee also sees patients in private practice and is a mum to two low carb kiddies and wife to one low carb emergency physician. Her message of compassion and understanding is a lesson for us all!

Karen has a PhD degree in exercise physiology from the University of Cape Town and brings over 15 years of research and communication experience from both corporate and academic environments. She has managed global projects for market research agencies and has provided medical and health related research, insights, and copywriting to support the introduction of telemedicine in South Africa. With a keen interest in digital health, Karen also has experience in health risk management and coaching via AI and science-backed personalised health education.

Karen is a passionate health advocate; a scientist at heart; a cheerleader for the importance of sustainable health habits and a strong believer in the power of research and engagement to motivate and improve health and well-being.

Dr. Madison Kackley is an Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University and the founding director of the SHE IS (Scientific Health Empowerment & Integrative Solutions) Laboratory. Her interdisciplinary research advances women’s health by exploring the intersections of nutrition, metabolism, and hormonal physiology. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Kackley leads NIH-, DOD- and foundation-funded clinical trials focused on the therapeutic potential of ketogenic interventions for reproductive, metabolic, and mental health. Her work is dedicated to translating science into practical, empowering solutions for women across the lifespan.

I’m a registered dietitian, science writer and editor and nutrition educator, with a special interest and expertise in Ketogenic Diets (KD) and Therapeutic Carbohydrate Restriction (TCR) – particularly pertaining to mental and gut health. My Masters Degree in Physiology (Dist.) (2018), focused on TCR in Type 2 Diabetes, under the supervision of Prof Tim Noakes. I currently hold the role of Senior Editorial Manager, Content Editor and Creator, as well as Contributing Lecturer, at Nutrition Network, the global leader in TCR training for healthcare professionals. As science writer, author and editor I have contributed to various publications – most recently – the textbook, Ketogenic: The Science of Therapeutic Carbohydrate Restriction in Human Health. I have also co-authored, contributed to and edited other books (including Sugar Free and Eat Right Revolution), articles (including as a health magazine editor), and peer-reviewed publications, on the topic of nutrition and TCR. I am passionate about improving health and quality of life for all, particularly in my own country. To give back to the community, I have volunteered at NPO’s, including serving on the Board of Directors of Eat Better South Africa, a community-based outreach program that implements nutritional education in lower socioeconomic status communities, and giving nutrition advice to The Noakes Foundation.  I also have past experience in nutritional supplements (training and research and development), as well as clinical experience in private dietetics practice and community interventions focusing on TCR.

Lori Calabrese, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist, founder of Touchpoints180, clinical consultant to Metabolic Mind and Baszucki Group, and a recognized leader in metabolic psychiatry. She’s pioneering the integration of ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT) into psychiatric care, creating remission stories that redefine what’s possible for conditions like OCD, ulcerative colitis, anxiety, depression, anorexia, and neuroinflammatory disorders.

Through her clinical work, published case reports, flagship programs through Touchpoints180, and clear voice in her forthcoming book, Toxic Roots: The Rewiring of a Generation–and How to Do a 180, Dr. Calabrese brings together the science of metabolism, the art of psychiatry, and the power of lifestyle change. Her voice is warm, clear, and dynamic—grounded in rigorous research but delivered with heart, humor, and a touch of drama. 

She is on a mission to help individuals and practitioners alike “do a 180” in their mental and metabolic health—replacing symptom management with true transformation.