University of Guelph-Humber (U of GH) Kinesiology students were given the chance to network with and learn from health and wellness professionals at the Canadian Nutrition Society (CNS) 2025 Thematic Conference in Toronto this winter.
The CNS conference’s theme this year was healthy aging, and it included topics like bone health, diet, longevity, and more. The conference featured a variety of knowledgeable panellists, including registered dieticians, naturopaths, and registered kinesiologists – careers Kinesiology students might pursue after graduation.
“[The conference] teaches you so much about things that you wouldn't have thought would better help the clients that you'll one day be seeing,” Kinesiology student and conference attendee Amber MacMillan shared.
U of GH sponsored interested students to attend the conference, as well as a one-year membership to the CNS, granting them access to educational resources, networking opportunities, discounts for other conferences, and more. Those who wished to attend applied and were notified if they were selected. Furthermore, U of GH’s connection to the conference is through KIN*2020 Fundamentals of Nutrition instructor Dr. David Ma, who’s an active CNS member and served as the President from 2017-2018, helping cement the relationship between the University and the Society.
Kinesiology student Chrysanthe Nikolaidis (pictured above) was thrilled to attend, with this being her third CNS Thematic Conference. Nikolaidis set a personal goal to attend the conference annually if possible, and in doing so, she developed stronger networking skills and broadened her nutrition knowledge as an aspiring registered dietician. For instance, during her second time at the conference, she wanted to overcome her nervousness to ask the panel a question – so she did.
“I stood up and I leaned behind the microphone, and my hand was shaking badly. I asked that question, and a flood of relief passed over me. And I got to meet all the people at the table, exchange contact information and network. And it was the most incredible experience,” she recalled.
Those networking benefits paid off. Not only did she gain the confidence to speak in a room packed with people, but through her efforts networking at a previous CNS conference, she met her current placement supervisor, Nishta Saxena, who is a registered dietician and founder of Vibrant Nutrition (she’s also appeared on TV as a guest on CTV’s Your Morning or The Good Stuff With Mary Berg).
Nikolaidis said a lot of the panellists that year spoke about scientific studies that were based off hypothetical theories versus practical applications that can be used to truly help clients. But when Saxena spoke about artificial sweeteners, her ideas resonated with Nikolaidis because she connected the research to how it impacts people – which gave her the push to approach her now-mentor after the panel.
“She looked at me and said, ‘Let me know if I can steal you because I might need you,” Nikolaidis recollected.
Her conference experiences have been so valuable, Nikolaidis said she hopes to attend the CNS Annual Conference in Montreal this spring to maximize her learning. “With the membership discount, I'm really hoping to go this year. It's just such an incredible networking opportunity,” she added.
However, while beneficial, conferences can come with a steep price tag, which can be difficult for students to afford.
“Having the school [support] these extra experiences that really opens your eyes to what's going on [in the field], how you can best treat your patients and be of service to people is really amazing,” she said.
To learn more about Guelph-Humber’s Kinesiology program, click here.