After more than 10 years with the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Duffy MacKay, ND, will depart the trade association on March 15 to oversee the scientific and regulatory affairs department of CV Sciences, Inc., supplier and manufacturer of hemp-based cannabidiol (CBD).
 
“I have dedicated my career to advancing the research, science and development of nutritional products and supplements, and joining CV Sciences presents an exciting opportunity to continue to move the CBD industry forward through credible scientific rationale,” said MacKay, who will serve as senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs. “CV Sciences is a clear leader in hemp-based CBD and I am very pleased to join the management team to further advance their mission to help people maintain a healthy lifestyle through continued innovation of the PlusCBD Oil product line.”
 
MacKay brings more than 20 years of experience to CV Sciences in nutrition research, dietary supplements, health sciences and regulatory affairs.
 
“Dr. MacKay is renowned in the fields of natural medicine, nutrition and public policy, and his background and leadership capabilities make him the ideal person to lead our scientific and regulatory team,” said Joseph Dowling, CEO of CV Sciences. “CV Sciences is dedicated to accelerating CBD innovation, and imperative to that commitment is our ability to attract the world’s best talent. Employing people with the caliber of Dr. MacKay allows CV Sciences to not only strengthen our position as a provider of high-quality CBD products, but also improves the knowledge base and credibility of the overall industry through advanced understanding of research, product, and technology development, while ensuring regulatory compliance.”
 
“It has been an immense privilege to have Duffy’s service and leadership over the past decade, and we are grateful for all of his contributions to CRN and to our industry,” said Steve Mister, president & CEO, CRN. “We wish Duffy all the best as he leaves CRN for this exciting opportunity, and we look forward to seeing his continued success.”
 
Andrew Shao, PhD, who led CRN’s science and regulatory team prior to MacKay (from 2005 to 2011), began serving CRN as interim senior vice president, scientific and regulatory Affairs on March 1. Shao has spent nearly two decades in the global nutrition industry, leading in various nutrition, scientific, regulatory and government affairs roles.
 
CRN said it is assessing its leadership needs to fulfill its strategic plan and will make an announcement on a permanent head of science and regulatory affairs later this year.
 
MacKay’s responsibilities at CRN included providing scientific expertise in nutrition, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, toxicology, for evaluating proposed government and industry actions; building effective rapport with scientific communities; establishing working relationships with regulators through engagement on dietary supplement and functional food regulatory matters; and educating regulators, legislators, and Attorney Generals regarding industry self-regulatory and compliance initiatives. Prior to CRN, MacKay served as research advisor to Nordic Naturals.
 
MacKay serves on the advisory board for the American Botanical Council, the NSF International Joint Committee on Dietary Supplements, and the NIST/NIH Dietary Supplement Laboratory Quality Assurance Program. He is a licensed naturopathic doctor and previously was owner and practitioner in a New Hampshire-based integrative medical practice. Additionally, MacKay is on the editorial board of three peer-reviewed publications: the official publication of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Natural Medicine Journal, Integrative Medicine—a Clinician’s Journal, and Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research. MacKay is also chair of the Steering Committee for the SIDI Work Group.
 
MacKay holds a bachelor’s in Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz and his ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR.