Nutrition scientist wins national peer-review award
Cowan-Pyle’s contributions reflect Texas A&M AgriLife legacy of research excellence
Alexandra Cowan-Pyle, Ph.D., has been honored with The Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ 2024 Outstanding Reviewer Recognition Award for her groundbreaking contributions to the field of nutrition science — through peer reviews.
A nutritional epidemiologist and research scientist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, IHA, since 2022, Cowan-Pyle was recognized for her meticulous critiques and constructive feedback, shaping nutrition research by ensuring the highest standards in published studies.
With this award for her peer-review work, Cowan-Pyle continues Texas A&M AgriLife’s legacy of scientific excellence by helping to shape the next generation of leaders in the field of nutrition.
A mission of scientific enrichment
“Peer review in research safeguards the integrity of the research process and corresponding results,” said Cowan-Pyle.
She explained that when research goes through the vetting process by other experts in the field, those experts help ensure that the research process met established standards of excellence for scientific rigor, quality and originality before it is shared with the research community or the public.
Leading the next generation
Training the next generation of researchers is vital for the continued advancement of science, and peer review allows scientists to share their guidance widely.
Cowan-Pyle’s mentor Regan Bailey, Ph.D., IHA associate director, credits Cowan-Pyle with continuing to lead the rich Texas A&M history of exceptional scientific achievement.
Bailey said Cowan-Pyle received this award while being a postdoctoral fellow in IHA and U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“To see a service contribution and recognition of this magnitude speaks not only to her dedication for the continued advancement of nutrition research, but also to the TAMUS culture of selfless service, respect, integrity, loyalty, excellence and leadership,” Bailey said.
G. Cliff Lamb, Ph.D., director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, added, “This recognition of Dr. Cowan-Pyle is a great reflection of our world-class faculty expertise, built on impactful careers of leading-edge discovery and innovation.”
About Alexandra Cowan-Pyle
Cowan-Pyle’s research focuses on identifying nutrients and food components systematically and scientifically to be reported by national dietary intake assessment, and how dietary exposures differentially impact population subgroups to provide more specific nutrition guidance for health promotion and chronic disease prevention.
She is currently a member of the American Society of Nutrition and serves as an Editorial Board member of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
