Science and Supplements: My Journey

And how I ended up Head of Science at SuppCo

I still remember the first time I stood in the supplement aisle of a grocery store, overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. Row after row of brightly colored bottles, each promising more energy, better sleep, stronger muscles, or sharper focus. I picked up a bottle of something of what I think was called "Super Brain Max" and flipped it over, scanning the label. What was bacopa monnieri? Did I need it? Was this even a good product? How could anyone possibly make an informed decision?

That moment stuck with me. It was the first time I realized just how difficult it was for the average person to navigate the world of supplements.

Years later, that curiosity turned into a career—one that has taken me from academic research to health-tech and now to SuppCo, where I’m stepping in as Head of Science to help bring clarity to an industry that desperately needs it.

The Start of a Scientific Obsession

My deep dive into supplements started during my doctoral work at the University of Arkansas. I was fascinated by performance-enhancing supplements—specifically, how they influenced masters athletes, or senior Olympians. These were individuals who were already pushing back against the natural aging process, yet they were just as eager as younger athletes to gain an edge: to be stronger, faster, and more resilient.

Working with these athletes was like studying a paradox in motion. They knew that aging naturally led to declines in muscle mass, endurance, and recovery speed—but they weren’t willing to accept it. They trained harder, ate better, and turned to supplements to optimize their performance. This was where I began my research on compounds like beta-alanine and citrulline-malate—both of which are now widely recognized for their benefits in exercise performance. I was one of the early researchers in this space, helping to shape how we understand these ingredients today.

Expanding the Lens: From Performance to Chronic Disease

After completing my PhD, I shifted gears from performance supplements to a broader view of health, spending the next decade in behavioral health for chronic diseases. At Omada Health, I worked with people managing diabetes and heart disease, integrating digital health tools with lifestyle changes, medication, and—yes—supplements. The question was no longer just about boosting athletic performance but about improving healthspan, preventing disease, and supporting long-term well-being.

Then came my work at Neurotrack, where I focused on Alzheimer’s disease. Here, I had to evaluate supplements through yet another lens—cognitive health. How did certain compounds interact with pharmaceutical interventions? Could specific ingredients slow cognitive decline? Could supplements help maintain brain function when paired with diet, exercise, and sleep interventions? It was a whole new frontier, and it reinforced something I had come to believe strongly: supplements are never a one-size-fits-all solution. They must be used in the right person, at the right time, for the right goal.

Coming Full Circle with SuppCo

Now, as I step into my role as Head of Science at SuppCo, everything feels like it’s coming full circle. I started my career running a supplement lab at Louisiana Tech University, trying to decode what worked and what didn’t. I then spent a decade building products and science in the health-tech space, understanding how supplements fit into the broader picture of health and disease management.

SuppCo represents the future of supplements—one where science, transparency, and personalization take center stage. We’re here to cut through the confusion, helping people make informed, evidence-based choices about what they put into their bodies. It’s not about chasing trends; it’s about using real data to empower people to optimize their health.

So if you’ve ever felt lost in the supplement aisle, staring at bottles and wondering what’s actually worth taking, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, too. And now, at SuppCo, I’m excited to help others find the clarity they need to make the best choices for their health.

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