Science Advisory Board

Scientific Advisory Board

Although Dr. Sears heads our research, we make extensive use of our Scientific Advisory Board to provide additional insight on the latest breakthroughs in biotechnology from a diverse number of fields.

Carol Johnston, PhD

Carol Johnston, PhD, is professor of Nutrition at Arizona State University and director of the Nutrition Program. She received the Grace Goldsmith Award for significant achievements in the field of nutrition by a scientist under the age of 50 years sponsored by the American College of Nutrition in 2004 and the Mark Bieber Professional Award sponsored by the American College of Nutrition for academic accomplishments in 2008. Her research areas include vitamin C and dietary interventions in obesity and diabetes. She has more than 75 scientific publications. 

Don Layman, PhD

Don Layman, PhD, is professor emeritus of Nutrition in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois. He is recognized as one of the leading researchers in the role of branched-chain amino acids in the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and enhancement of protein synthesis. He has published more than 80 scientific publications.

Robert McNamera, PhD

Robert McNamara, PhD, is an associate professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Division of Bipolar Disorders Research. Dr. McNamara is director of the Lipidomics Research Program, which investigates the role of fatty acids in the pathoetiology and treatment of recurrent neuropsychiatric disorders using animal models, postmortem brain tissue, and preclinical and clinical neuroimaging techniques. His lab is currently investigating the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on functional brain activation patterns and symptom severity in children and adolescents with or at high risk for mood disorders associated with elevated inflammation, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Dr. McNamara has more than 100 peer-reviewed publications.

Camillo Ricordi, MD

Camillo Ricordi, MD, is one of the world’s leaders in cell transplantation for the treatment of diabetes. He is the Stacy Joy Goodman Professor of Surgery, distinguished professor of Medicine, professor of Biomedical Engineering, and Microbiology and Immunology, and serves as scientific director and chief academic officer of the University of Miami Diabetes Research Institute. He has authored more than 600 scientific publications and has been awarded 11 patents.