The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and Radicle Science awarded Deshanie Rai, PhD, with the 2025 Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award, recognizing her contributions and leadership in the health and wellness industry.

Rai is vice president of global science, regulatory, and advocacy at OmniActive Health Technologies and adjunct professor at Tufts University. She was awarded for contributions to the development, translation, and dissemination of rigorous science in compliance with regulatory guidelines.

Rai’s technical skill sets have helped her serve as a cross-functional partner, bringing several products to global markets supported by strong messaging. She has commercialized products for gastrointestinal health and the microbiome, eye health and vision performance, women’s health, and pediatric allergy management.

Rai is known for connecting the dots and troubleshooting, helping to accelerate products through regulatory pathways to market while prioritizing consumer safety and product integrity, CRN reported. She has commercialized products in North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia, and has also made an impact in Africa through her volunteer work to promote food security.

“I am both humbled and extremely grateful to be selected as the Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award honoree,” said Rai. “This recognition is a tribute to the many colleagues who have guided me as I blazed my way through this journey. It inspires me to keep pushing boundaries to advocate science that makes a difference, and to lead with courage and purpose.”

Rai is known for pursuing recognition of science-backed bioactives, enhancing clinical practice guidelines, and promoting policy change, including a years-long campaign to promote the role of nutrition in eye health across the life span, CRN noted. She is widely known for her mentorship efforts within the industry, and paying it forward through professional development.

“The CRN member community’s selection of Dr. Rai recognizes not only her technical and scientific achievements, but her commitment to lifting up others and amplifying the value of an array of disciplines—science, regulatory, innovation, advocacy, marketing—to deliver meaningful health improvements,” said Gretchen Powers, vice president of marketing and member experience at CRN.

“Dr. Rai exemplifies what the Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award stands for — brave leadership, breakthrough science, and lasting impact. Her work shows that when innovation meets purpose, consumers gain not only better products, but greater trust in what they use. We are proud to honor her as this year’s Trailblazer,” said Pelin Thorogood, co-founder and executive chair of Radicle Science.

Rai donated all of her award funds to the CRN and American Society for Nutrition Foundation (ASNF) Program for Scholars, which provides complimentary registrations to the association’s Science in Session event.