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

Our groundbreaking study comparing vegan vs. omnivorous diets in identical twins hit headlines after being published in JAMA Network Open and was featured in the Netflix documentary "You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment.”

Our Work

Learn about the different areas of our work

White lab beaker image on red background

Research

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

Explore Research

Programs & Initiatives

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

Explore Programs & Initiatives

Education

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

Explore Education

Announcements

Plant-Based Diet Initiative (PBDI) Seed Grants

Stanford faculty, fellows, and students can apply for one-year seed grants to explore various plant-based nutrition topics. Individual grant amounts typically range from $3,000-$5,000 depending on the number of proposals received. Letter of Intent due: May 5, 2025.

Learn More

Pregnant woman sitting on floor, eating a salad. Photo credit: Canva

Just Published: FeFiFo-MOMS Methods Paper

Our recent paper, Effects of Fermented and Fiber-Rich Foods on Maternal & Offspring Microbiome Study (FeFiFo-MOMS) — Study Design and Methods, published in Contemporary Clinical Trials, details our study’s design and methodology, highlighting our leadership in exploring how dietary changes during pregnancy affect maternal and infant microbiomes.

Learn More

2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Dr. Christopher Gardner recently served on the 2025 US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee with other leading nutrition and public health experts. Learn more about the US Dietary Guidelines, how they influence everything from school lunches to federal food programs, and what the committee recommended.

Learn More