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JUMPstart winner Lizl Veldsman receives prestigious Harry M. Vars Award from ASPEN Society

Winning study on supporting ICU patients to prevent muscle loss

April 14, 2025

Lizl Veldsman from South Africa has been awarded the prestigious Harry M. Vars Award by the ASPEN Society in the USA. Recognized for her outstanding research in parenteral nutrition, Lizl was selected from five finalists for this honor, which acknowledges early-career researchers who make significant contributions to the field. Fresenius Kabi supported Lizl's study, which offers valuable insights that aim to improve patient care in clinical nutrition.

Our image shows three individuals standing in front of a large round sign that reads ‘ASPEN’s 50th Anniversary’. From left to right: Prof. Ajar K. Jain, ASPEN President; Dr. Lizl Veldsman and Prof. Renée Blaauw — both from Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa. Lizl Veldsman is holding a certificate, as she was recognized with an award.
From left to right: Prof. Ajar K. Jain, ASPEN President; Dr. Lizl Veldsman and Prof. Renée Blaauw — both from Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.

Lizl Veldsman is a Clinical Dietitian at the Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town. She participated in the first wave of our JUMPstart Clinical Nutrition Program and convinced the jury with her research project on clinical nutrition and mobilization for intensive care patients. She received a €250,000 grant from Fresenius Kabi, enabling her to conduct her study “The Effect of Combined Intravenous Bolus Amino Acid Supplementation and Mobilization on Skeletal Muscle Mass During the First Week of ICU Stay: A Randomized Controlled Trial”. 

Her research explored whether additional intravenous protein combined with daily in-bed cycling can help ICU patients preserve muscle mass during the first week of critical illness, compared to standard care. The findings could support improved recovery and quality of life for critically ill patients, long after their hospital stay. 

We warmly congratulate Lizl Veldsman on this well-deserved recognition for her study, and we are proud to have supported her along the way. If you are interested in learning more about the study, you can have a look at the abstract. 


About the JUMPstart Clinical Nutrition program

Launched in 2018, the JUMPstart Clinical Nutrition program is a mentorship initiative for early-career clinicians and researchers specializing in nutrition within critical care and abdominal surgery. The program is currently in its fourth wave and has welcomed 79 participants from 33 countries across six continents, making JUMPstart a key initiative in advancing clinical nutrition research globally. Participants benefit from the guidance of a Scientific Committee composed of seasoned professionals in clinical nutrition research.

Beyond completing the program, our JUMPstarters become integral members of an active and engaged network, fostering connections, and sharing knowledge to elevate the field of clinical nutrition.

Learn more about the program and the 20 participants of the current fourth wave: JUMPstart Clinical Nutrition program

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