The UCLA Center for Human Nutrition was established in 1996 to provide leadership in nutritional sciences at UCLA by facilitating interdisciplinary research, improving patient care, and creating educational initiatives for health professionals and the public. As we move into the 21st century, nutrition will be the central focus of our efforts to prevent and treat common chronic diseases through integrating scientific, medical and public health approaches. The specific objectives of the Center are to: (a) provide academic leadership in nutritional sciences within the Center for Health Sciences and the University of California, Los Angeles; (b) provide the administrative support structure to enhance research, education, patient care, and community outreach in nutrition; (c) provide the resources and environment uniquely attractive and suited to unprecedented interdisciplinary integration of nutrition research; (d) continue to foster the pioneering tradition of Medical Center physicians and University scientists to study methods of using naturally occurring nutrients and chemicals in foods to treat and prevent diseases; and (e) increase the biodiversity and health benefits of the American diet. 

1. Overweight and Obese Community through research and practice
2. Cancer Survivors seeking Nutritional Advice
3. Medical Nutrition Outpatient and Inpatient Consultation

1. Outpatient consultation-individual
2. Weight Management – Group and Individual
3. Core Laboratory Services in Phytochemistry, Biomarkers for Research in Nutrition and Dietary Supplements.

Current Clinical Programs

1. Risk Factor Obesity Program
2. DMPG Nutritional Medicine Clinic
   

Education

1. Undergraduate UCLA Nutrtion Class in Physiological Sciences
2. Medical Student Education
3. Postdoctoral Research Training in Nutrition
   

Current Research

1. Obesity Treatment and Prevention
2. Nutrition and Cancer including Chemoprevention with Phytochemicals for Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, and Colon Cancer.

First U.S. Trial of Chinese Red Yeast Rice published in 1999

Extensive Research on Fruits and Vegetables in Inhibition of Inflammation

NIH Center for Botanical Dietary Supplements Research 1999-2006

NIH Nutrition and Obesity Training Grant 1991-2007

NIH Clinical Nutrition Research Unit 1991-2007 

• Kurt Hong, MD, PhD Assistant Professor
• Susanne Henning, PhD Associate Adj. Professor
• Qing-Yi Lu, PhD, Assistant Researcher
• Catherine Carpenter, PhD, Associate Researcher
• Simin Liu MD, PhD, Professor (Joint Appointment)
• Steven Chen, MD, Clinical Instructor
• Eric Yan, MD, Clinical Instructor
• Gail Thames, Adminstrator of the Clinical Research Unit
• Barbara Hsieh, Funds Manager
• Chela Castro, MSO
• Alona Zerlin, MS, RD, Research Dietitian
• Joe Walker, Administrator, RFO Weight Management Program
• Yanjun Zhang, PhD,  Natural Product Chemist
• Rupo Lee, Natural Product Chemistry Research Assistant
• Luyi Li, Research Chemist, Biomarker Lab
• Kun Gao, Research Chemist, Biomarker Lab

David Heber, MD,PhD,  Director

Susan Bowerman, MS, RD

Assistant Director for Scientific Administration

• Navindra Seeram, PhD, Assistant Director for Laboratories
• Zhaoping Li, MD,PhD, Assistant Director for Clinical Resarch 

Patient Care Funds (DMPG and RFO)

NIH Grants

Dept. of Defense Grant

Foundation Grants (e.g Prostate Cancer Foundation)

Industrial Grants for Clinical and Basic Research