Ascential Bioscience LLC

The Ascential Advisory Committee is comprised of world-class fitness professionals, medical doctors and research scientists who bring their expertise in product effectiveness and safety to provide:

• Guidelines for product system integration to meet your lifestyle and fitness goals
• Scientific research documenting ingredient benefits
• Optimal timing of product use to maximize results

Suzanne Thomashow, M.D., Ph.D., Advisory Committee Chair

Dr. Thomashow is a pediatrician in private practice. She began her career as a PhD molecular geneticist working on hormone signaling and fat metabolism. She now applies her molecular training to guide healthy lifestyle choices in her young patient population with the long term goal of lifetime health and fitness. Dr. Thomashow received her BS and PhD degrees from Washington State University and her MD degree from Michigan State University. She is Board Certified in Pediatrics and in Internal Medicine and provides primary care while emphasizing both nutrition and fitness. In 2010 she was appointed to the Michigan Board of Medicine. Dr. Thomashow also served on Michigan Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports from 2005 to 2008.  Dr. Thomashow’s husband, Michael, is a molecular biologist and professor at Michigan State University and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. They enjoy running and raising their three daughters who participate in a variety of activities and sports. Dr. Thomashow has run in eleven major marathons and has also qualified to run the Boston Marathon. “My goal is to set an example of a healthy lifestyle for my children and my patients and to be proactive in guiding them with good choices for sound nutrition and fitness.”

Rich Scheckenbach, Formulation, ScheckenbachFormulas

Thirty-plus years of experience in the nutrition industry with a wide variety of companies has given Rich Scheckenbach (Scheckenbach-Formulas) a fertile proving ground for hundreds of his formulations in virtually every product market—including general health; fitness for casual athletes as well as elite collegiate, professional and Olympic performers; weight loss and management; energy enhancement; mental acuity and memory enhancement; cardiovascular support; bone and joint support; and male and female age-related concerns.  Scheckenbach’s extensive experience formulating for a wide variety of domestic and international nutritional supplement and food and beverage companies has made an invaluable contribution to the health, fitness, and performance of hundreds of thousands of consumers around the world. Ascential Bioscience is fortunate to be able to tap into Scheckenbach’s intellectual property and expertise to build quality products with proven safety and effectiveness, appropriate for each application. Scheckenbach received his BA in Bacteriology from UCLA and pursued his doctoral program in Microbiology/Biochemistry at Oregon State University.

Nikolai Volkov, D.Sc. , Professor and Chairman,
Dept. of Biochemistry, Moscow Institute of Physical Education

Dr. Volkov has held the position of Chairman of the Department of Biochemistry at the Moscow Institute of Physical Education in Moscow, Russia from 1973 to the present. Dr. Volkov received his bachelor's degree in physical education from the State Central Institute of Physical Education; his master's degree in physiology from the Institute for Medico-Biological Problems of the USSR Ministry of Public Health; and his doctorate in biochemistry/physiology from the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences. Dr. Volkov is world renowned for his pioneering work on muscle physiology and biochemistry and for the development and application of specific natural products to enhance physical performance. He has authored more than 450 research papers on sports biochemistry, physiology, and bioenergetics including more than 200 articles that were classified as State secret during the Soviet era. Dr. Volkov continues to work closely with Russian Olympic coaches and athletes as he has done for nearly 40 years. His pivotal work with such natural products as creatine, moomiyo, eleuthro, and amino acids has indelibly changed the understanding of how and why these nutrients can be used to support maximum strength and performance. Dr. Volkov is married with two children and three grandchildren. He enjoys an active lifestyle that includes hiking, walking and downhill skiing. He is a former Olympic team member in the Track and Field Division, where he competed in 20 KM speed walking.

Vladimir Oleynikov, Ph.D.
Consultant to the Russian Olympic and National Teams

Russian Olympic Advisor, Dr. Oleynikov received his doctorate from the Central University of Physical Education in Moscow, Russia, specializing in sports nutrition and biochemistry. Working closely with Dr. Nikolai Volkov since 1982, Oleynikov's research studies have focused on the methodology of dietary intervention for enhancing performance in elite athletes. Currently a consultant to the Russian Olympic and National Teams, Dr. Oleynikov is a respected expert on nutritional supplement formulation and application. Married with two sons, and another on the way, Dr. Oleynikov, is a former pre-Olympic athlete competing in the 1980 100 Meter race. Currently he maintains his fitness level with tennis, swimming and cross country skiing.

Melina Jampolis, M.D.
Board Certified Physician Nutrition Specialist

Dr. Jampolis is a practicing physician specializing in Internal Medicine and is a Board-certified Physician Nutrition Specialist, one of only a few hundred in the country. She received her Bachelors Degree from Tufts University and her MD degree from Tufts School of Medicine. As one of the world’s top nutrition medical practitioners, Dr. Jampolis is highly sought after both by individuals and organizations throughout the country. With her patients she teaches a balanced and sustainable lifestyle-based eating and exercise program that has helped thousands of individuals improve their health, fitness, and well-being. In the media, Dr. Jampolis has hosted a program on the Discovery Network’s FIT TV titled "Fit TV’s Diet Doctor" and currently serves as the diet and fitness expert for CNNHealth.com. Dr. Melina lectures throughout the country on nutrition for weight management and optimal health and is one of the most in-demand authorities on these topics. Among her credits are interviews by USA Today, USA Weekend, New York Post, Family Circle, Glamour.com, Ladies Home Journal, Women’s World, Alternative Medicine Magazine, and Women’s Health. She is a frequent guest on Live with Regis and Kelly, CNN, and FOX News.

Stephanie Hoener, N.D.
Naturopathic Physician, Private Practice

Dr. Hoener is a naturopathic physician practicing in Bellevue, WA.  She specializes in family medicine and pediatrics, with an emphasis on natural approaches to treating autism and other childhood developmental disorders. She received her Naturopathic Medicine degree in 1998 from Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. Dr. Hoener conducted her residency at Bastyr Natural Health Clinic, Seattle, where she was responsible for supervising general patient care including nutritional counseling, botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine, and physical medicine. She has been in private practice in Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington; a researcher, medical consultant, and nutritional counselor at the International Autism Research Center in Palm Bay, Florida; and on staff with a nutrition research and development laboratory where she designed specialty nutraceutical products for patients with autism and developmental disorders. Dr. Hoener enjoys an active lifestyle that includes hiking, mountain climbing, walking, bicycling, and keeping up with her young son.

David Redding
Professional Strength and Conditioning Coach

Thirty years of training elite athletes marks Dave Redding’s contribution to the success, strength, and fitness of innumerable high-level sports performers. Twenty-two of those years have been invested in the National Football League (NFL) where Redding has served as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers, and Green Bay Packers. Redding earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from the University of Nebraska where he also played football, lettering three years as a Defensive End.  Upon graduation, he immediately began his renowned career by serving as Assistant Football Coach and Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for his alma mater Cornhuskers. Redding’s broad expertise and extensive experience in applying sound principles of nutrition, resistance training, and physical conditioning has distinguished him as a true standout in the professional sports community. In addition to time in the gym, Redding maintains his fitness with a wide variety of outdoor activities including hiking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and overseeing his secluded mountain ranch.