Christopher Gardner, PhD, Professor, Department of Medicine, Stanford University

Research Description: The overall goal of the Gardner Nutrition Studies Research Group is to address critical public health nutrition questions with rigorous human nutrition intervention trials. We have completed and published the findings from more than 20 of these trials involving more than 2,000 study participants. The diet exposures we have examined include soy, garlic, antioxidants, omega-3 fats, dairy milk, fiber, and fermented foods, as well as dietary patterns including Low-Fat, Low-Carb, Ketogenic, Vegan, Mediterranean, and Omnivore. Study outcomes have traditionally been cardiometabolic risk factors such as blood lipids, glucose, insulin, and blood pressure. In the last decade, we have expanded this to include the microbiome and immune function/inflammation. We are currently adding telomere length, epigenetic clocks, and cancer markers to our set of outcome measures of interest. Our lab group has 30 years of expertise in diet assessment and provides these measurements collaboratively with colleagues across the Stanford campus and beyond. Our lab group has developed a national and international reputation of excellence for critical factors such as diet adherence and participant retention, which collectively contribute to the high impact of our studies in journal publications and nutrition policy. Professor Gardner recently completed his term as chair of the American Heart Association’s Nutrition Committee, and he currently serves on the US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Dr. Gardner collaborates extensively with many members of the NORC.