Research Projects & Grants

Federal

• Cancer epidemiology in Adventists - a low risk group, Role: Investigator, National Cancer Institute/NIH/DHHS, (07/2024 - 07/2025) Status: Approved
• Effect of Dally Consumption of Peanuts on Immune Function and Cardlometabolic Markers and Risk Factors In Free-living Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Role: PI, United States Department of Agriculture, (07/2023) Status: Approved
• Effect of Daily Consumption of Peanuts/Peanut Butter on Immune Function and Cardiometabolic Markers and Risk Factors in Free-Living Individuals, Role: PD/PI, United States Department of Agriculture, (09/2022 - 08/2025) Status: Awarded
• Plant-based diets and risk of cancer, Role: Co-Investigator, National Institutes of Health/DHHS, (09/2011 - 08/2017) Status: Closed
• Cancer Epidemiology in Adventists - A Low Risk Group, Role: Co-investigator, National Institutes of Health/DHHS, (07/2007 - 12/2008) Status: Closed
• Cancer Epidemiology in Adventists - A Low Risk Group, National Cancer Institute/NIH/DHHS, (09/2002 - 06/2003) Status: Closed

For Profit Organization

• The effect of soy-based dietary supplements on cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease, Role: PI, Soy Labs, (05/2017 - 05/2018) Status: Completed
• Effects of peanut and peanut butter consumption on blood lipids and glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes, Role: PI, National Peanut Board, (03/2011 - 02/2012) Status: Completed

Internal

• Adventist Health, Lifestyle and Environmental Study in Argentina (AHLESA), Role: Co-Investigator, LLU - GRASP, (01/2020 - 12/2025) Status: Awarded
• Adventist Health, Lifestyle and Environmental Study in Argentina (AHLESA), Role: PD/PI, LLU - GRASP, (01/2020 - 12/2025) Status: Awarded
• The effects of regular and decaffeinated coffee on bladder function and self-reported mental health, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Urology, (02/2015 - 02/2016) Status: Completed
• The effects of antioxidant supplementation on cognitive functioning after coronary artery bypass grafting and valve replacement/repair, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Psychology, (06/2011 - 06/2012) Status: Completed
• Correlates of soy food consumption in Adventist health study - 2, Role: Investigator, LLU School of Public Health, (04/2011 - 04/2012) Status: Completed
• Effects of grape juice (vitis labrusca) on cardiovascular risk factors in healthy subjects, Role: PI, LLU Center for Health Research, (08/2009 - 08/2010) Status: Completed
• Use of data collected from diabetes and wellness outcomes research for the Republic of the Marshall Islands, year 2, Role: PI, LLU Dept. of Nutrition, (05/2009 - 05/2010) Status: Completed
• Anthropometric parameters of under five years old children and their mothers with different dietary habits in Ukambani region: a study in eastern rural Kenya, Role: PI, LLU Dept. of Nutrition, (05/2009 - 05/2010) Status: Completed
• Correlates of childhood exposure to soy and growth patterns, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Nutrition, (06/2007) Status: Completed
• (INT) Department of Nutrition - Residual, Role: Principal Investigator, LLU Dept. of Nutrition, (05/2007 - 06/2025) Status: Awarded
• Effects of Grape Juice (Vitis Labrusca), Role: Principal Investigator, LLU Dept. of Nutrition, (05/2006 - 11/2010) Status: Closed
• Effect of adding nuts to a high carbohydrate dried fruit pre-exercise snack on endurance capacity in trained runners, Role: Key, LLU Center for Health Research, (08/2002 - 07/2003) Status: Closed
• Effects of pre-exercise snacks on endurance capacity of trained runners, Role: Investigator, LLU School of Public Health, Status: Completed

Non-Profit Organization

• The effect of Macadamia nuts on Cardiometabolic risk factors and Adiposity: A randomized intervention study, Role: PI, Horticulture Innovation Australia, (09/2024 - 09/2025) Status: Approved
• Almond Consumption and Risk of Cancer in the Adventist Health Study, Role: PD/PI, Almond Board of California, (06/2024 - 07/2025) Status: Awarded
• Immune and cognitive benefits of mango intake in young adults: A randomized trial, Role: Investigator, The National Mango Board, (01/2024) Status: Approved
• The effects of fresh mango consumption on cardiometabolic outcomes in free-living individuals with prediabetes: a randomized controlled crossover trial, Role: Investigator, The National Mango Board, (12/2023) Status: Approved
• The impact of plant-based diets that include potatoes, legumes, and whole grains as consumed in real-life settings on nutrition, economy, and environmental sustainability, Role: PD/PI, Alliance for Potato Research & Education, (10/2023 - 10/2025) Status: Awarded
• Immune and cognitive benefits of mango intake in young adults:A randomized controlled trial, Role: PD/PI, The National Mango Board, (08/2023 - 07/2027) Status: Awarded
• Egg intake and risk of cardiovascular disease in older people with hyperlipidemia of different meat consumption levels, Role: Investigator, Egg Nutrition Center, (03/2023) Status: Approved
• The effect of a fermented soy-based dietary food product on cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease, Role: PI, BESO - Biological Research Inc, (01/2023 - 12/2023) Status: Completed
• Egg intake and risk of cardiovascular disease in older people with hyperlipidemia on different meat consumption levels, Role: Co-Investigator, American Egg Board, (12/2022 - 06/2025) Status: Awarded
• Immune benefits of Blueberry consumption and response to influenza vaccination in overweight older men and postmenopausal women: A randomized trial, Role: Investigator, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, (08/2022) Status: Approved
• Effects of Peanut Intake on task -related brain activation and cognitive functions in the older adults with memory complaints: A randomized controlled study, Role: Investigator, The Peanut Institute, (01/2022) Status: Approved
• Egg intake and the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in the AHS-2 cohort linked with Medicare data, Role: PI, Egg Nutrition Center, (11/2021) Status: Approved
• Effect of Daily Consumption of Almonds on Immune Strength and Response to Flu Vaccination in overweight Middle-aged Men: A Randomized Controlled Study, Role: PI, Almond Board of California, (07/2021) Status: Approved
• Effects of Peanut Intake on task-related brain activation and cognitive functions in older adults with memory complaints: A randomized controlled study, Role: Co-Investigator, The Peanut Institute, (06/2021 - 11/2024) Status: Awarded
• Effect of a fermented soy product on cognition, immune status and response to influenza vaccine in elderly men and women, Role: PI, BESO - Biological Research Inc, (05/2021) Status: Approved
• Effect of daily consumption of almonds on immune strength and response to flu vaccination in overweight middle-aged men: a randomized controlled study, Role: PD/PI, Almond Board of California, (05/2021 - 02/2026) Status: Awarded
• Egg Intake and The Incidence of Alzheimer's Disease in the AHS-2 Cohort Linked with Medicare Data, Role: PD/PI, American Egg Board, (11/2020 - 12/2025) Status: Awarded
• Effect of a Fermented Soy Product on Cognition, Immune Status and Response to Influenza Vaccine in Elderly Men and Women, Role: PD/PI, BESO - Biological Research Inc, (11/2020 - 08/2025) Status: Awarded
• The Effects of Macadamia Nuts on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Adiposity: A Randomized Intervention Study, Role: PD/PI, Horticulture Innovation Australia, (08/2018 - 07/2021) Status: Closed
• The Effects of Macadamia Nuts on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Adiposity: A Randomized Intervention Study, Role: SubProject PI, Horticulture Innovation Australia, (08/2018 - 07/2021) Status: Closed
• The relationship between egg intake and cognitive decline in the AHS-2 cohort of older adults, Role: PD/PI, American Egg Board, (05/2018 - 10/2020) Status: Closed
• Avocado and visceral fat: a multi-center intervention trial, Role: PD/PI, Hass Avocado Board, (12/2017 - 12/2024) Status: Awarded
• The effect of fermented soy-based food product on cardio-metabolic risk factors in individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease, Role: PD/PI, BESO - Biological Research Inc, (09/2017 - 02/2021) Status: Closed
• Incorporating avocados in meals: Effect on glycemic index, insulin response, satiety and satiety-related gastrointestinal peptides in humans, Role: PI, Hass Avocado Board, (07/2017 - 07/2018) Status: Completed
• Is consumption of certain food groups associated with puberty and health of teens? A cross sectional study (TeenFADStudy), Role: PI, WhiteWave Foods Company, (01/2017 - 01/2018) Status: Completed
• Avocado Consumption Effects on Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in a Multi Ethnic Cohort, Role: Principal Investigator, Hass Avocado Board, (10/2015 - 12/2018) Status: Closed
• Egg Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in a Low Meat Intake Population, Role: Principal Investigator, American Egg Board, (02/2015 - 06/2017) Status: Closed
• Nut Consumption Changes in Weight and Body Fat Distribution in Adults from 10 European Countries, Role: Principal Investigator, International Nut and Dried Fruit Council Foundation, (10/2014 - 03/2017) Status: Closed
• Additional Research for Teen Food and Development Study to Assess Association between Soy/ isoflavone Intake and Physical and Pubertal Development of Boys, Role: Principal Investigator, Soy Nutrition Institute, (09/2014 - 08/2016) Status: Closed
• Soy Consumption Associated with Puberty and Health of Female Adolescents, Role: Principal Investigator, WhiteWave Foods Company, (09/2011 - 08/2013) Status: Closed
• Data Mining the Adventist Health Study-2 Information for Nut Consumption and Health Outcomes, Role: Principal Investigator, International Tree Nut Council, (07/2011 - 10/2013) Status: Closed
• Effects of feeding regular eggs, omega-3 eggs, and walnuts on serum lipids, membrane incorporation of essential fats, thromboxane and serum lutein levels, in free-living lacto-ovo vegetarians, Role: Investigator, American Egg Board, (08/2004 - 08/2005) Status: Completed
• Developing a valid screening tool for assessing nutritional adequacy and osteoporosis among vegans in the United States, Role: Investigator, McClean Endowment Research Fund, (05/2004 - 05/2005) Status: Completed

State

• Effect of daily ingestion of walnuts for 2 years on age-related cognitive decline and macular degeneration in healthy elderly subjects: a randomized, single blind, dual center, controlled trial, Role: PI, California Walnut Commission, (07/2024 - 07/2025) Status: Approved
• Effects or walnuts on innate, acquired and gut immunity in older adults with overweight: A randomized controlled trial, Role: PI, California Walnut Commission, (03/2023) Status: Approved
• Effects of walnuts on innate, acquired and gut immunity, and response to flu vaccination in older adults: A randomized controlled trial, Role: PD/PI, California Walnut Commission, (09/2022 - 08/2025) Status: Awarded
• Comparing different types of n-3 fatty acids (ALA vs EPA/DHA) on selected coronary heart disease risk factors in healthy adults, Role: PI, Center for Health and Nutrition Research - UC Davis, (01/2017 - 01/2018) Status: Completed
• Effect of Walnut Consumption on HDL Function: Loma Linda University Contribution, Role: Principal Investigator, California Walnut Commission, (05/2013 - 12/2014) Status: Closed
• Effect of Daily Ingestion of Walnuts for 2 Years on Age-related Cognitive Decline and Macular Degeneration in Healthy Elderly Subjects: A Randomized Single Blind, Dual Center, Controlled Trial, Role: Principal Investigator, California Walnut Commission, (01/2012 - 12/2018) Status: Closed
• Postprandial Effects of Walnut Ingestion on Plasma Concentrations of Nutrients, Polyphenolic Compounds and Biomarkers of Antioxidant Status in Human Volunteers, Role: Co-PD/PI, California Walnut Commission, (10/2010 - 03/2012) Status: Closed
• Long term effects of walnut supplementation on body weight and diet patterns., Role: PI, California Walnut Commission, (05/2005 - 05/2006) Status: Completed
• The Effects of a Walnut-Rich Diet on Risk Factors for Heart Disease in Hypercholesteolemic Patients: The Barcelona Walnut Trial, Role: PI, California Walnut Commission, (12/1997 - 12/1998) Status: Completed