Christopher Gardner, PhD, Director of Nutrition Studies at Stanford Prevention Research Center, The Rehnborg Farquhar Professor of Medicine at Stanford University

"Through rigorous science, education, and programs, we empower individuals and leaders in healthcare, foodservice, government, and education to adopt practices that prevent chronic disease and promote environmental sustainability."

Meet Our Team

In partnership with the San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation and the San Francisco Fire Department, the IGNITE Firefighters’ Health Study (Implementing Good Nutrition to Improve, Transform, and Enhance Firefighters’ Health) is a groundbreaking effort to explore whether a whole-food, plant-forward diet can help reduce cancer risk among active San Francisco firefighters.

Our Work

Learn about the different areas of our work

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Research

Advancing human and planetary health through innovative and rigorous nutrition research.

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Programs & Initiatives

Collaborating with partners to advance sustainable nutrition and world-class science.

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Education

Empowering learners with a deeper understanding of nutrition and its impact on people and the planet.

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Announcements

Eat Real Partnership to Transform Student Health

Eat Real and the Stanford Nutrition Studies Research Group are partnering to transform school food and improve kids’ health as recipients of a grant from Ardmore Institute of Health. The partnership will study the impact of healthy school meals on student performance, well-being, and eating habits.

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Scientific Advisory: Ultraprocessed Foods

The American Heart Association just released a scientific advisory on ultra-processed foods in Circulation. The advisory links excessive intake to heart disease, stroke, obesity, inflammation, and Type 2 diabetes, and calls for updated research, policy, and food industry changes to support healthier eating.

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Save the Date: 2025 Stanfod Food Summit

Join us on Friday, October 24, 2025, at the Arrillaga Alumni Center for a daylong, in-person event that brings together leaders in the field to share the latest innovations and research on plant-based solutions to major public health and environmental challenges. Registration opens late summer.

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