NESDA — Nutrition Evidence Synthesis and Data Analysis, L.L.C.

Expert nutrition insights, empowering your decisions with data

Guiding evidence-based decisions in nutrition and public health.

Nutrition Evidence Synthesis and Data Analysis (NESDA), led by Dr. Mei Chung, provides research consulting services that empower nutrition and public health guideline and policy decisions. With a robust background in nutritional epidemiology and biostatistics, NESDA strengthens evidence synthesis through methodological research and conducts epidemiological studies linking diet, lifestyle, and health outcomes.

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Illustrated portrait of Dr. Mei Chung working at her desk with a laptop

Dr. Mei Chung — founder of NESDA

About Dr. Mei Chung

Portrait photograph of Dr. Mei Chung

Dr. Mei Chung is a highly esteemed researcher in the field of nutritional epidemiology and data science, with a strong background in evidence synthesis.

She leads the way in developing nutrition guidelines and policies that are informed by robust data. As an Associate Professor at the Friedman School, she conducts groundbreaking research and teaches courses in biostatistics and systematic reviews.

Dr. Chung is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of researchers, ensuring they are well-equipped to tackle the complexities of nutrition and health outcomes. Through NESDA, she brings that same rigor to consulting work for organizations that need defensible, evidence-based answers.

Services

Research consulting for organizations developing nutrition guidelines, policies, and programs — from synthesizing what the evidence says, to improving the methods behind it, to generating new evidence from population data.

Evidence synthesis for nutrition guidelines

Our expertise in evidence synthesis empowers policymakers and organizations to develop effective nutrition guidelines. We meticulously analyze and interpret a vast array of nutritional studies to extract meaningful insights — synthesizing evidence from clinical trials, observational studies, and epidemiological research into comprehensive reports that support informed decisions in nutrition policy. Our approach combines rigorous methodology with practical application, so your guidelines rest on the best available evidence and ultimately enhance public health outcomes.

Methodological research (research on research)

We specialize in developing and refining the methodologies that make evidence synthesis in nutrition research more effective. Using advanced statistical techniques and innovative approaches to complex data sets, we ensure findings are robust and reliable. By focusing on methodological advancement, we improve the quality of evidence synthesis applications, contribute to a better understanding of dietary impacts on health, and support the development of effective interventions.

Epidemiological studies on diet & health

We conduct in-depth epidemiological studies exploring the relationships between diet, lifestyle choices, and health outcomes. Using large-scale data sets and advanced analytical methods, we uncover insights that inform public health recommendations and interventions — addressing critical questions about dietary patterns, chronic diseases, and health behaviors, and helping stakeholders navigate the complex interplay between diet and health.

New Publications

Recent work from NESDA and collaborators. Select a graphic abstract to view it full-size.

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Systematic Review Meta-Analysis Cognitive Health

The Effects of Carnosine on Cognitive Function and Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Nutrients · 2026 · 18(9), 1385

This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized 13 clinical trials on L-carnosine supplementation and cognitive/mental-health outcomes. While most individual trials found no significant effects on cognition, mood, or quality of life, pooled analyses showed L-carnosine combined with anserine or antioxidants modestly improved global cognition (MMSE) and delayed memory (WMS-LM2). Strength of evidence is low — a potential to slow cognitive decline in older adults, but more high-quality trials are needed.

Read the article mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/9/1385
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R Package Methods NHANES

PFclassify: A New R Package Software for Standardized Classification of Lean and Processed Red Meat and Poultry

Pan Y, Hsiao Y, Wallace TC, Chung M · Journal of Food Composition and Analysis · 2026

The Dietary Guidelines recommend lean red meat and poultry while limiting processed intake, yet most methods don't distinguish detailed subtypes. PFclassify is a new open-source R package that classifies intake into detailed lean and processed subtypes using USDA food codes, decomposing foods recursively to the ingredient level. Validated with NHANES data, it matches current methods on processed-meat estimates while revealing subtype patterns across subgroups and over time — enabling more precise, reproducible nutrition research.

Read the article doi: 10.1016/j.jfca.2026.109434

Blog

Notes on methods, tools, and the day-to-day craft of nutrition evidence synthesis.

Coming soon

AI in the research workflow

A new series is in the works: how artificial intelligence can help conduct research — not as a black box, but as a practical assistant inside a rigorous evidence-synthesis workflow.

Each post will walk through a real example from NESDA's own projects: where AI sped things up, where it needed checking, and what a careful researcher should verify before trusting its output. The first articles are being drafted now.

Oil-painting style portrait of Dr. Mei Chung in a white coat, created with AI
  • Data extraction, double-checked Using AI to pull information from articles, and the verification steps that keep it honest. In preparation
  • Writing and debugging R code with AI Lessons from building analysis tools with an AI pair-programmer. In preparation

Get in touch

Reach out for expert guidance on evidence synthesis, study methods, or a research collaboration.

Whether you are developing nutrition guidelines, planning a systematic review, or working through a complex dataset, NESDA can help you turn the evidence into decisions. The fastest way to reach Dr. Chung is by email or phone.

Email Dr. Chung Call +1 (617) 903-0011
Email
drmeichung@gmail.com
For consulting inquiries, collaborations, and speaking invitations.
Phone
+1 (617) 903-0011
Leave a message and Dr. Chung will return your call.