Exercise and Nutrition Research Group (ENRG) | Nutrition

About ENRG

The Exercise and Nutrition Research Group (ENRG) is a newly established research lab at Case Western Reserve University, led by Dr. Tomcik. We focus on the real-world, practical applications of sports nutrition that directly impact athlete health and performance. Our current work centers on energy deficiency in collegiate athletes, working to bring the level of nutritional support typically reserved for Division I programs to athletes at every level.

Current Projects

Preventing Athlete Under-fueling Through Nutrition (PERFORM)

Building on our earlier pilot research at Case Western Reserve University, this study aims to bring Division I-level nutrition screening and support to Division III athletes across campus. In collaboration with the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and the CWRU Athletic Department, athletes will undergo low-risk assessments including body composition, grip strength, and health and wellness questionnaires, with all nutrition guidance provided by trained sports dietitians. Data will be collected pre-season, mid-season, and post-season to track changes in athlete health, strength, energy levels, and overall wellness. Alongside these outcomes, the study will evaluate the financial and logistical feasibility of scaling this model university-wide — making high-quality nutrition support accessible to every student athlete on campus.

We recently finished the in-person testing with student athletes and are now moving on to data analysis.

Faculty

Kristyen Tomcik, PhD

Kristyen Tomcik stands in front of a blurred blue background

kristyen.tomcik@case.edu

Dr. Kristyen Tomcik is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition at Case Western Reserve University and the Principal Investigator of the Exercise and Nutrition Research Group (ENRG). He completed his PhD in Exercise Science at Australian Catholic University, where his research focused on skeletal muscle metabolism and sports nutrition strategies in elite athletes. His work is centered on bridging the gap between lab science and real-world practice, with a particular focus on athlete health, energy availability, and the prevention of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S).

Jacob Mey, PhD, RD

jacob.mey@pbrc.edu

Dr. Jacob Mey is a collaborator with the ENRG team and is a dietitian-scientist at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, where he runs the Mitochondrial Energetics and Nutrient Utilization (MENU) Lab in pursuit of understanding how diet (or our “menu”) affects human health and disease. His ongoing research studies include ketogenic diets, nutrition for people with asthma, and sports nutrition approaches for collegiate athletes. In addition to his research interests, Dr. Mey runs a private practice, Menu Rx, that delivers Medical Nutrition Therapy and Precision Nutrition services.

Lindsay Malone, MS, RDN, LD

lindsay.malone@case.edu

Katie Nabors, MFA, MS, RDN, LD

katie.nabors@case.edu

Katie Nabors, MFA, MS, RDN, LD is a Registered Dietitian, educator, and dancer who teaches in the Department of Nutrition at Case Western Reserve University. Her passion sits at the intersection of performance, health, and athlete identity. Her interests include the relationship between body image, fueling behaviors, and performance outcomes, and how nutrition education improve resilience and recovery.

Students