Selected by the Council for Responsible Nutrition member community from five finalists, Dr. Shao has contributed to over 60 peer-reviewed articles, abstracts and book chapters and helped advance research and quality standards for nicotinamide riboside (NR) and the broader NAD+ category.
Speaking to NutraIngredients after the award presentation at CRN Convergence 2026, Dr. Shao described the recognition as “such an honor and a privilege, adding it was “so humbling to be selected.”
Named after CRN’s founding staff member and former president Annette Dickinson, the award recognizes leadership, advocacy and innovation. Dr. Shao said Dickinson’s legacy demonstrated the importance of credible, science-based industry engagement.
“It’s trying to do what’s best ultimately for consumers using science-based, credible advocacy,” he said.
Having worked with Dickinson, Dr. Shao recalled her confidence when engaging with regulators, policymakers and scientists, ensuring the supplement industry had an equal seat at the table.
Reflecting on the biggest challenge of his career, Dr. Shao highlighted divisiveness and the difficulty of building consensus across the industry.
“To get alignment, find common ground so that within an organization or in this case, within an industry, we can all be moving forward together,” he said.
Despite the personal recognition, Dr. Shao noted the collective effort behind his career accomplishments, crediting the colleagues and mentors who supported him over 26 years.
“Without the team, without each other, I don’t think we can accomplish much of anything,” he said, describing the award as “a great team accomplishment.”
