Kristina Penniston, PhD, RDN, PI of the CAIRIBU Interactions Core, has been elected President of the Research on Calculus Kinetics (ROCK) Society. Dr. Penniston brings extensive expertise and a dedicated vision to this leadership role. Her presidency marks a significant milestone for the ROCK Society as it continues to advance research and collaboration in the field of calculus kinetics.
The 2023-2024 Board of Directors also includes President-Elect, Nicole Miller, MD (Vanderbilt University Medical Center), Immediate Past President, Jody Lulich, PhD, DVM (University of Minnesota), Secretary-Treasurer-Elect, John Knight, PhD (University of Alabama at Birmingham), and Executive Director, Lorraine O’Grady.
Under Dr. Penniston’s leadership, the 2025 ROCK Society Annual Meeting will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This event provides a platform for leading researchers and professionals to share findings, engage in insightful discussions, and strengthen professional networks. Dr. Penniston’s election as President is expected to bring a new era of growth and innovation to the ROCK Society. She has a strong background in research, particularly in clinical nutrition research in kidney stones. Specifically, she is interested in the efficacy of nutrition therapy in the prevention, management, and treatment of disease and on indicators of quality of life. This comprehensive approach supports the ROCK Society’s goals of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
At the ROCK Society Annual Meeting in 2024, the board of directors encouraged members to invite diverse experts from fields such as engineering, physics, chemistry, and electron microscopy. This initiative aimed to drive innovation and expand understanding beyond current dogmas, enriching the field with new perspectives and insights. By promoting such interdisciplinary engagement, the ROCK Society seeks to advance research and improve outcomes in calculus kinetics.
Dr. Penniston’s election as President of the ROCK Society is a testament to her dedication, expertise, and vision for the future of stone research. Her leadership is expected to drive the society forward, enhancing its impact on the field and fostering a collaborative and innovative research community.