School of Medicine
Showing 1-34 of 34 Results
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Lucia Aronica
Casual Employee, Medicine - Med/Stanford Prevention Research Center
BioFor over seventeen years, my research has focused on the field of epigenetics, examining how environmental factors influence gene expression and health outcomes. Unlike fixed genetic sequences, epigenetic modifications exhibit remarkable flexibility, serving as cellular memory systems that respond to dietary patterns, stress levels, and environmental exposures. This dynamic characteristic creates significant potential for personalized medicine approaches, as epigenetic markers can indicate susceptibility to lifestyle-associated conditions including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
I currently lead the epigenetic analysis component of the DIETFITS study directed by Dr. Christopher Gardner, a landmark clinical trial comparing low-carbohydrate versus low-fat dietary interventions for weight management. My research aims to characterize how sustained weight loss modifies gene activity through epigenetic mechanisms, and whether these molecular signatures might inform individualized nutritional recommendations.
At Stanford, I teach courses in Nutritional Genomics and Epigenetics through Stanford Continuing Studies, Stanford Sports Medicine, and the Stanford Center for Professional Development. My educational approach integrates rigorous scientific evidence with clear explanations of complex biological concepts, making epigenetic science accessible to interdisciplinary audiences.
My scientific contributions include publications in peer-reviewed journals examining the relationship between nutrition, epigenetic modifications, and health outcomes. I also collaborate with academic and industry partners to advance precision health initiatives, serving as a scientific advisor to genomics researchers and technology innovators working at the intersection of epigenetics and personalized health.
My research is guided by the principle that understanding the molecular dialogue between our environment and our genes can transform how we approach health optimization and disease prevention through evidence-based lifestyle interventions. -
Thomas Glynn
Adjunct Lecturer, Medicine - Med/Stanford Prevention Research Center
BioBiosketch - Thomas J. Glynn, M.A., M.S., Ph.D. (psych.)
Dr. Glynn is, from 2014 to the present, Adjunct Lecturer, Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine and Executive Team Member, Mayo Clinic Global Bridges Initiative. From 1998 to 2014, he was Director, Cancer Science and Trends and Director, International Cancer Control at the American Cancer Society (ACS). In these positions, he advised the ACS about emerging research and policy issues in cancer prevention and control, recommended cancer prevention and control research and policies, and participated in the development of an international cancer control program aimed at promoting cancer prevention-related research, advocacy, treatment, and policy change, particularly in middle- and low-income nations.
Prior to the ACS, Dr. Glynn was, from 1991 to 1994, Associate Director of the U.S. National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Control Science Program and, from 1991 to 1998, Chief of the NCI's Cancer Control Extramural Research Branch. There, he directed a national program of research aimed at reducing the incidence and prevalence of cancer, primarily through dietary change, tobacco use reduction, and adherence to cancer screening guidelines. From 1983 to 1991, he was Research Director for the NCI's Smoking, Tobacco, and Cancer Program and from 1978 to 1983, he was a Research Psychologist at the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Dr. Glynn has published widely on cancer and tobacco use prevention and control, both in the scientific literature and for consumer, professional, and patient education and is co-developer of the 4A (now 5A) protocol for the treatment of tobacco dependence. In addition to his work at the ACS and NCI, he has served as a consultant on cancer control and tobacco issues to such groups as the National Academy of Sciences/Institute of Medicine, the National Research Council, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the WHO, a variety of pharmaceutical organizations, and national, state and local governments.
He has also served as a Senior Scientific Reviewer for the U.S. Surgeon General's Reports on Tobacco and Health, as Director of the World Health Organization Study of Health, Economic, and Policy Implications of Tobacco Growth and Consumption in Developing Countries, and has been active in tobacco control programs in Eastern Europe, Central America, and India. He is a Fellow of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco and his awards include the U.S. National Institutes of Health Merit Award, the Polish Ministry of Health Service Award, the Guatemala National Council for Tobacco Prevention and Control Meritorious Service Award, the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco John Slade Award, and the American Society of Preventive Oncology Joseph W. Cullen Memorial Award. -
Michaela Kiernan
Sr Research Scholar, Medicine - Med/Stanford Prevention Research Center
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsResearch interests include the design and experimental testing of innovative strategies to improve recruitment and retention of randomized clinical trials.
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Minh Nguyen
Casual Employee, Medicine - Med/Stanford Prevention Research Center
BioPrevious bio as a PhD student:
@DARE fellow (Diversifying Academia, Recruiting Excellence) https://vpge.stanford.edu/people/minh-nguyen
@Data Science Scholar https://datascience.stanford.edu/people/minh-nguyen -
Marily Oppezzo
Instructor, Medicine - Stanford Prevention Research Center
Instructor, Medicine - Med/Stanford Prevention Research CenterBioDr. Oppezzo is an Instructor of Medicine at the Stanford Prevention Research Center and head of the nutrition pillar at Stanford Lifestyle Medicine. She is a behavioral and learning scientist, dietitian, and exercise science interventionist. She earned her PhD in Educational Psychology from Stanford University, and holds a Master’s degree in Nutritional Science, and is board certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional.
Dr. Oppezzo's work combines her extensive training in nutrition, exercise science, and behavioral science to develop innovative interventions that empower individuals to adopt sustainable, healthy habits - integrating them into their already busy lives. With a focus on "minimal dose, maximal gains" she explores the best ways for people to adopt small, actionable changes for significant improvements in health and well-being. She is particularly interested in the impact of "exercise snacks"—short, accessible bouts of physical activity—on productivity, mood, and overall health. One of her key interventions, "Stronger," is designed to provide peri- and post-menopausal women with effective strength training that maximizes benefits while minimizing time commitment. -
Dalia Perelman
Dietitian 2, Medicine - Med/Stanford Prevention Research Center
Current Role at StanfordResearch Dietitian:
•Implements the nutritional component of research protocols, counsels participants, collects and enters food records, develops nutrition education materials, and develops specialized diets for metabolic studies.
•Develops protocols and informed consent forms for IRB submission.
•Collects, compiles, documents, and analyzes clinical research data.
•Recruits and consents subjects.
Health Educator:
•Develops and presents curriculum to educate subjects on study diets.
•Implements new techniques to increase adherence to study diets.
•Acts as a liaison between investigators, collaborators, and study participants. -
Jennifer Robinson
Associate Director, Medicine - Med/Stanford Prevention Research Center
Current Role at StanfordAssociate Director, Nutrition Studies Group
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Sandra Winter
Adjunct Lecturer, Medicine - Med/Stanford Prevention Research Center
BioSandra J. Winter, PhD, MHA, is currently the Executive Director of Senior Coastsiders in Half Moon Bay, CA. Senior Coastsiders is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has provided opportunities, support, and resources for older adults on the San Mateo Coast since 1977. Senior Coastsiders prepares meals that are served in the dining room or home delivered; provides information assistance and caregiver support; carries out minor repairs to improve home safety; facilitates transport to and from the center; and coordinates a variety of classes and activities. Sandi is an Adjunct Lecturer at the Stanford Prevention Research Center and a member of the Community Health and Prevention Research (CHPR) Master of Science Advisory Board.
Sandi was born and raised in Zimbabwe, then moved to Cape Town in South Africa where she was a successful entrepreneur, owning and operating a number of businesses in the advertising industry. In 2003 Sandra moved with her family from Cape Town, South Africa to Lexington, Kentucky where she completed a Master of Health Administration in May, 2006 and a PhD in Public Administration (Health Policy Track) in December, 2009 at the University of Kentucky. Her graduate research work focused on the health care that is provided to prison inmates in Kentucky.
In 2009 Sandra moved from Kentucky to California where she started working at the Stanford Prevention Research Center (SPRC). At SPRC Sandra held a number of positions including Fitness assessor, biometric screener and wellness advisor with the BeWell program; Social Science Research Assistant with Abby King’s Healthy Aging Research and Technology Solutions (HARTS) lab; Project Manager for the SPRC/Qassim University College of Medicine, Saudi Arabia collaboration, Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and Director of the WELL for Life initiative.
Sandra's research areas of interest include wellbeing, community-based interventions among under resourced populations; reducing health disparities (particularly in a global context); the role the environments in which we live, work and play affect our ability to lead healthy active lives; and how we can use technology to encourage and support health behavior improvements.
