Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD, is a professor of medicine, Lynda and Stewart Resnick endowed chair in human nutrition at David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. She currently holds the positions of Director of Center for Human Nutrition, Chief of Division of Clinical Nutrition at UCLA.

Dr. Li is board certified in internal medicine and a physician nutrition specialist. She completed her MD and PhD in physiology at Beijing University, China and has been a faculty member at UCLA. She is leading the Center for Human Nutrition to have vigorous research programs in nutrition, microbiome, and metabolism; providing mentorship and didactic and informal training for young scientists, premed, medical students, medical residents, fellows, and clinicians; and directing clinical programs that specialize in metabolic diseases, bariatric medicine, gastrointestinal diseases, and cancer prevention/treatment.

For nearly three decades, Dr Li's research interest has focused on translational research in the role of macronutrients and phytochemicals in the prevention and treatment of obesity-related chronic diseases. She has been a principal investigator for over 100 investigator-initiated National Institutes of Health and industry-sponsored clinical trials and published over 200 peer-reviewed papers in journals such as JAMA, Lancet, Annals of Internal Medicine, Nature Biotechnology, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and Journal of American Dietetic Association. She has Co-Authored “Primary Care Nutrition: Writing the Nutrition Prescription” published by CRC Press.

Dr. Li currently is the immediate past president of National Board of Physician Nutrition Specialists (NBPNS). She has been very active in the American Society of Nutrition at national meetings over the past decade organizing and speaking at scientific symposia. She has served on Board of Directors of American Society for Nutrition (ASN) since 2017. Her passion is to advocate for nutrition science research and bring nutrition to the forefront of disease prevention and treatment.

Maureen Ternus, MS, RDN, is a registered dietitian and freelance writer with over 30 years' experience in nutrition communications. She has worked with the INC Nutrition Research & Education Foundation (INC NREF) since 1997. As its Executive Director, she was involved in securing the first qualified health claim for nuts and heart disease in the U.S. She coordinated the “2007 Nuts and Health Symposium” in Davis, CA, which provided direction for future nut research. She has overseen more than 25 INC NREF-funded research projects on nuts and health.

Ms. Ternus possesses unique skills, including the ability to translate health and nutrition information into laymen's terms for dissemination to the public. She is co-author of, “The Everything Vitamin, Mineral and Nutritional Supplements Book,” andhas written for such publications as Veggie Life and Healthy Kids magazines and Environmental Nutrition newsletter. She has authored papers in publications including The Journal of the American Dietetic Association and Nutrition Today. For nearly 30 years she has been a co-editor of Networking News, a publication of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' practice group, Nutrition Education for the Public.

Prior to working with INC NREF, she was an integral member of the food and healthcare account teams at Ketchum Public Relations' offices in New York and San Francisco.

Ms. Ternus received a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Food Administration from Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, California, and a Master of Science in Nutrition Communications from Boston University. She worked as a clinical dietitian at Fresno Community Hospital and Medical Center in California before receiving her graduate degree.

The International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research & Education Foundation (INC NREF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the health benefits of tree nuts and supporting nutrition research and education for consumers and health professionals throughout the world. Members include those associations and organizations that represent the nine tree nuts (almonds, Brazils, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts). NutHealth.org

Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD, reports the following relevant disclosures: She has received research grants from the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research and Education Foundation, the Almond Board of CA, the American Pistachio Growers for research on nuts and health. Some of this research will be discussed in the webinar. Maureen Ternus, MS, RDN, reports the following relevant disclosure: She is consultant to and Executive Director of the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research and Education Foundation. The presenters certify that no conflict of interest exists for this program. View our disclosure policy.