Nutrition & Supplementation in Clinical Care Conference 2026

Four days of evidence-informed educational sessions, interactive workshops, and pre-conference seminars with internationally recognized researchers and clinicians. Network with interdisciplinary faculty and fellow attendees to build relationships with like-minded practitioners.

January 29-February 1, 2026
Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa
Carlsbad, CA

About the NSCC

Scientific research continues to affirm the powerful role of food choices and dietary supplements in supporting health, preventing disease, and managing symptoms. In fact, Americans now spend over $50 billion annually on self-prescribed herbal and dietary supplements—an urgent reminder of the need for trusted guidance in this space.

As healthcare professionals, we play a pivotal role in helping patients navigate the complexities of nutrition and supplementation. Our shared responsibility demands up-to-date, evidence-informed knowledge on efficacy, safety, dosing, regulation, and product quality.

NSCC brings together a world-class faculty of experts in integrative and functional medicine to offer practical, clinically relevant insights. Through engaging lectures, hands-on workshops, and dynamic panel discussions, you’ll explore the latest research and clinical strategies across a wide range of conditions and populations—including chronic pain, menopause, long COVID, mitochondrial dysfunction, ADHD, neurodivergence, and thyroid disorders. Additional sessions will explore inclusive, weight-neutral care, global botanical traditions, environmental toxins, and the emerging role of AI and wearables in personalized nutrition.

Whether you’re a seasoned clinician or just beginning to incorporate nutrition and supplementation into your practice, NSCC will equip you with the tools, frameworks, and confidence to make informed, individualized recommendations that advance patient health.

Highlights

  • Review the latest scientific evidence on nutrition and supplementation with direct application to clinical care.
  • Participate in full-day interactive workshops designed to strengthen practical clinical skills.
  • Connect with practitioners who are advancing patient care through innovative, evidence-based approaches.
  • This event provides AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM.

Educational Objectives

After attending this live activity, participants should be able to:

  • Recognize the potential role of supplements in preventive medicine and in the management of common medical conditions.
  • Judge the regulatory aspects of the supplement industry and their implications for clinical and research practice.
  • Discuss current research and literature related to natural supplements.
  • Examine through evidence-based summaries, key supplements used in clinical practice including their indications, side effects, interactions and contraindications.
  • Formulate a patient care treatment program that integrates supplements in preventive medicine and in the management of common medical conditions.
  • Access and/or recommend resources for acquiring additional supplement-related information for the clinician or patient.
  • Increase proper supplement usage by involving the patient as an active partner in care, with an emphasis on patient education, acceptance and compliance.
  • Incorporate nutritional information into clinical practice and advise patients about eating for optimum health as well as using dietary change as a therapeutic intervention.
  • Evaluate the benefits and risks of nutritional recommendations for specific health conditions through an analysis of the existing scientific and clinical evidence.

Target Audience

This course is intended for any healthcare professional who makes nutritional recommendations or manages dietary supplement use.

Contact

For any questions, please contact:

Kamber Lamoureux
Event Manager, UCI SSIHI
SSIHIEvents@hs.uci.edu

More Information

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Nathan Price, PhD

Chief Scientific Officer, Thorne

Co-Director, Center for Human Healthspan at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging

Dr. Nathan Price is Professor and Co-Director of the Center for Human Healthspan at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, and also Chief Scientific Officer of Thorne, a science-driven wellness company that serves 5 million+ customers and 47,000 health-care practitioners. Previously he was CEO of Onegevity, an AI health intelligence company that merged with Thorne in 2021, and Professor and Associate Director of the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle for a decade. He is co-author with biotechnology pioneer Lee Hood of a 2023 bestselling book, The Age of Scientific Wellness, published by Harvard University Press. In 2019, he was named one of the 10 Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine by the National Academy of Medicine, and in 2021 he was appointed to the Board on Life Sciences of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. He was the chair of the NIH Study Section on Modeling and Analysis of Biological Systems (MABS) from 2018-2020. He is also a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar, and was the 2023 recipient of the Alexander & Mildred Seelig Award for science from the American Nutrition Association

More Speakers

Lilian Au

Lilian Au, ND

Naturopathic Doctor, Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, part of UCI Health

Lilian Au’s clinical focus is on maternal, child and adolescent health. She provides wellness care for infants, children and adults, and treats a variety of acute illnesses and chronic conditions with evidence-based traditional and natural therapies. Her clinical interests also include allergies, asthma, ADHD and neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as breast health, fertility and reproductive health.

Au earned her doctoral degree in naturopathic medicine from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Tempe, Ariz. She completed a naturopathic residency at National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Ore. She also received a master’s degree in public health from the UC Berkeley Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program. Her post-graduate research at UC Berkeley and Sutter Health California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco was focused on pediatric developmental screenings at early care and education centers.

Her current research interests include the effects of nutrition and the environment on maternal and child health outcomes.

Au is passionate about preventive care and patient empowerment. She takes a whole-person approach to the health and well-being of the entire family.

Victoria Yunez Behm, MS, MTS, CNS, RYT

PhD Student, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
Pre-Doctoral Fellow, Program on Integrative Medicine, UNC School of Medicine

Victoria Yunez Behm, M.S., M.T.S., C.N.S., R.Y.T., is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Nutrition at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and a Pre-Doctoral Fellow in the Program on Integrative Medicine through the UNC School of Medicine’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Victoria holds dual master’s degrees in Nutrition and Integrative Health from the Maryland University of Integrative Health (MS) and Theological Studies with a concentration in Ethics from Duke Divinity School (MTS).

Prior to enrolling as a PhD student in Fall 2024, Victoria practiced as an integrative nutritionist and taught master’s-level clinical nutrition courses at the Maryland University of Integrative Health. Additionally, she led the scientific and clinical education initiatives at a national professional organization for clinical nutritionists. Her research focuses on integrative nutrition, food and ethics, clinician education, and health equity for at-risk marginalized populations. Victoria seeks to bridge gaps in healthcare and clinical training to advance equitable and effective care for the whole person with nutrition as a central component. She is particularly interested in:

  • Food and nutrition as mediators of social connection, identity-formation, and meaning-making,
  • Investigating how community-defined values and traditions enhance the effectiveness and adoption of nutrition interventions among at-risk populations,
  • Expanding community-based integrative nutrition education and services, and
  • Addressing gaps in clinical and ethical training for healthcare providers to meet the growing demand for culturally relevant nutrition interventions.

Robert Bonakdar MD, FAAFP, FACN

Director of Pain Management, Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine

Dr. Robert Bonakdar is a member of the Scripps Division of Integrative Medicine and received his medical degree from the University of Nevada School of Medicine and his undergraduate degree in psychobiology from Occidental College in Los Angeles. He received the Richter Fellowship for Independent International Research in the field of Southeast Asian heath practices and studied in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, and Indonesia. He completed a clinical and research fellowship in integrative medicine at Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine in La Jolla and a residency in family practice at the Sharp Grossmont Family Practice Residency Program in San Diego. Board certified by the American Board of Family Practice, Dr. Bonakdar is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the California Academy of Family Physicians, the American Holistic Medical Association, and the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. He has conducted award-winning research and presented at numerous conferences in the area of herbal and natural medicine. His current research interests include the use of anti-inflammatory and detoxification protocols to reduce intestinal endotoxemia as a novel approach for reducing pain and metabolic dysfunction.

Mark Blumenthal

Founder & Executive Director, American Botanical Council

Mark Blumenthal is the Founder and Executive Director of the American Botanical Council (ABC), as well as the editor and publisher of HerbalGram, an international, peer-reviewed quarterly journal. He was awarded Natural Health Magazine’s Hall of Fame Award for “… opening America’s eyes to the healing powers of herbs”.
Mark has over 35 years experience with herbs, medicinal plants and natural products. He has appeared on more than 500 radio or television shows, and has written over 600 articles for industry-related publications, as well as chapters for natural alternative medicine encyclopedias. He was an advisor for the World Health Organization (WHO) in its adaptation of the “Guidelines for the Assessment of Herbal Medicines.” and In October of 2007, Mark was selected as a recipient of the Council for Responsible Nutrition’s annual Apple award, recognizing his service and commitment to the supplement industry.

Gary Deng, MD, PhD

Director of Clinical Affairs & Samueli Endowed Chair in Integrative Oncology, Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute
Program Director of Integrative Oncology, UCI Health

Dr. Gary Deng is the Samueli Endowed Chair in Integrative Oncology and the Director of Clinical Affairs at the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute. He is also a Professor of Medicine at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, the Associate Director of the UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Program Director of Integrative Oncology at UCI Health. His professional expertise lies in an integrative, whole-person approach to health—supporting patients across the continuum of cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship.

Since 2003, Dr. Deng has pioneered a trusted integrative medicine physician practice, highly valued by oncology colleagues during his tenure at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). He is principal investigator for federally funded research on acupuncture, yoga, and botanical agents, and has led the development of educational programs that have trained numerous physicians and researchers in integrative oncology. His scholarly work includes clinical practice guidelines, clinical trials, reviews, and textbook chapters.

Dr. Deng is a past president of the Society for Integrative Oncology, the founding Medical Director of Integrative Medicine at MSK, and a former Professor of Clinical Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University. He earned his medical degree from Beijing Medical University in China and a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Miami. He completed clinical training at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and research training at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Melanie R. Fiorella, MD

Melanie R. Fiorella, MD

Family Medicine Physician, UC San Diego Health

Melanie Fiorella, MD, is a board-certified family medicine doctor. She provides primary care for patients of all ages, including preventive care and treatment of acute and chronic diseases. She has a special interest in women’s health, mood disorders, back pain, gastrointestinal disorders and sleep problems.

Dr. Fiorella integrates lifestyle medicine – such as nutrition, mindfulness-based stress reduction and yoga – into the medical care of her patients. Where indicated, she refers patients to complementary therapies such as osteopathic manual therapy, acupuncture and massage. She also offers consults in integrative medicine through UC San Diego’s Center for Integrative Medicine.

As an assistant professor of family medicine and public health, Dr. Fiorella is involved in training medical students and residents at UC San Diego School of Medicine. She is the director of the Integrative Medicine in Residency program.

Dr. Fiorella completed her residency at UC San Diego School of Medicine and earned her medical degree at State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine. She is board-certified in family medicine and completed fellowship training in integrative medicine.

Mimi Guarneri, MD, FACC, ABIHM

Medical Director, Guarneri Integrative Health, Inc.

Mimi Guarneri, MD, FACC, ABOIM, is a Board-certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine and Integrative Holistic Medicine, She’s deeply committed to expanding integrative medicine, education and research globally. A leading proponent of Integrative Medicine, she serves on the Founding Board of the American Board Physician Specialties in Integrative Medicine (ABOIM). She is Co-founder and Medical Director of Guarneri Integrative Health, Inc. at Pacific Pearl La Jolla in La Jolla, California, U.S.A. since 2014, where she leads a team of experts in conventional, integrative and natural medicine. Dr. Guarneri is Co-founder and Treasurer of Miraglo Foundation, a non-profit public charity providing Integrative Medicine education and research; and serving the underserved in the U.S. and globally. A Clinical Associate Professor at University of California, San Diego (UCSD), she also is President of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) and the Past President of the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine (ABIHM). She served as Senior Advisor to the Atlantic Health System for the Chambers Center for Well Being, among other healthcare system advisory positions. She is an accomplished author and the Professor of The Great Courses video series, “The Science of Natural Healing.” Her 60-minute television special, “Live Better Now with Mimi Guarneri, MD,” launched in November of 2018 at public television stations across the U.S.

Mary L Hardy, MD

Mary L. Hardy, MD

Megan E. Jolicoeur, DO, FAAFP, ABOIM, IFMCP

Megan E. Jolicoeur, DO, FAAFP, ABOIM, IFMCP

Integrative Medicine Physician, UC San Diego Health

Megan Jolicoeur, DO, is a board-certified family medicine and integrative medicine specialist. She is also an Institute of Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP).

She serves as an assistant professor for UC San Diego Family Medicine Department and currently sees patients at the UC San Diego’s Centers for Integrative Health. Through a holistic perspective, Dr. Jolicoeur empowers her patients to reach optimal wellness from a whole body and integrative approach that includes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Dr. Jolicoeur has a passion and expertise in integrative medicine, medical acupuncture, osteopathy, lifestyle medicine, nutrition and functional medicine. She currently holds additional certifications in medical acupuncture, mind body medicine, Ayurvedic counseling, and is a 200-hour certified yoga teacher.

She previously served as an active-duty naval officer and physician at Naval Branch Health Clinic Port Hueneme while also leading as the senior medical officer. During her time of service, she participated in a humanitarian mission called Pacific Partnership 2015 aboard the USNS Mercy and also established an integrative medical and acupuncture clinic for active duty, retired veterans and dependents.

Following her service with the Navy, she completed an integrative medicine fellowship at the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine while also serving as a clinical instructor for UCLA. She completed her internship and residency at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. She served an additional year focusing on integrative medicine while also serving as junior attending physician.

Dr. Jolicoeur earned her medical degree at Touro University School of Osteopathic Medicine-California. She completed a bachelor’s degree in physiology and neurobiology from The University of Connecticut.

She is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP) and a member of the American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM).

Her hobbies include spending time with family, running, hiking, cooking and traveling. She uses yoga, meditation and time in nature to stay grounded and grateful.

David Kiefer, MD

Medical Director, Integrative Health Clinic at UW Health

David Kiefer, MD, is the medical director for the University of Wisconsin’s Integrative Health Clinic. He earned his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and completed his integrative medicine fellowship at University of Arizona Affiliated Hospitals in Tucson, AZ. Dr. Kiefer’s special interests include integrative health and mind-body approaches to health and healing.

Carla Kuon, MD

Integrative Medicine Physician, UCSF Health

Dr. Carla Kuon is an integrative medicine doctor who specializes in caring for patients with blood cancers. She has particular interests in integrative oncology, nutrition, functional immunology, genomics, mind-body medicine and traditional Chinese medicine.

Kuon earned her medical degree from the Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She completed a residency in internal medicine at Tufts Medical Center. She completed a fellowship in integrative medicine at UCSF.

Kuon co-managed UCSF’s hematology-oncology inpatient service for more than seven years. She also directs the massage therapy consultation service for UCSF patients who are receiving chemotherapy for blood cancers.

Kuon believes that patients with chronic illnesses can improve their health through a whole-body approach that includes making nutritional changes, reducing stress and addressing the underlying drivers of illness. She personalizes her guidance to patients on biomedical and lifestyle-based options for enhancing their health.

Michael Kurisu, DO

Integrative Medicine Physician
Founder, Measured Wellness

Michael Kurisu, DO, is an Osteopathic Family physician with extensive training in an array of hands-on techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of many different chronic disease states. The internal capacity to heal is the cornerstone of Dr. Kurisu’s approach to medicine. He has received training in both the alternative health field as well as conventional allopathic medicine allowing him to integrate all aspects of health as it pertains to each patient. Dr. Kurisu is a board certified in Family Medicine and board certified in Holistic and Integrative Medicine. He trained at UCSD and is founding faculty of the Center for Integrative Medicine at UCSD, as well as the Osteopathic Center San Diego. He applies evidence-based integrative therapies for management of complicated, chronic disease states and works closely with many different patients and health care practitioners in the community. He is also very interested in the future direction of medicine and has created the Measured Wellness Clinic to empower patients to take greater control of their health. He has also partnered with patients creating the 501c3 Precision Healthcare Ecosystem. Dr. Kurisu holds faculty positions and teaches at several different national and international medical schools. He thoroughly enjoys teaching, surfing, and spending time with his wife, two sons, and his dog. Dr. Kurisu will speak at WWD on health technology and wearable devices.

David Leopold, MD

Corporate Medical Director, Hackensack Meridian Integrative Health & Medicine

Dr. David C. Leopold is the Medical Director for Hackensack Meridian Integrative Health & Medicine. He believes in helping patients achieve a state of optimal health and functionality irrespective of underlying disease conditions. He works to empower patients with tools they can utilize to improve themselves. Dr. Leopold believes that within all patients is a person who can have better health, who wants to be well, but who may need assistance finding their personal path back to wellness. Dr. Leopold is Board Certified through the American Board of Family Medicine, the American Board of Integrative Medicine and is a Diplomate of the Academy of Integrative Pain Management (formerly the American Academy of Pain Management).Prior to coming to Hackensack Meridian Health he was a member of the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine where he served as the division’s Director of Health and Wellness and Cancer Survivorship Services and previously as the Director of Integrative Medical Education. He has special interests in integrative pain management, integrative cancer care and cancer survivorship, inflammatory bowel diseases and integrative medical approaches to chronic disease. After completing his medical residency at the University of Southern California and Board certification in Family Medicine, Dr. Leopold completed a Fellowship in Integrative Medicine and Integrative Pain Management at Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine. He was among the first recipients of the Bravewell Scholarship for Integrative Medicine and completed a two-year Fellowship at the University of Arizona Program in Integrative Medicine under the guidance of Dr. Andrew Weil. In February 2016, Dr. Leopold completed Duke University’s Leadership Program in Integrative Healthcare. Dr. Leopold has also completed formal training as a physician acupuncturist and has practiced medical acupuncture for over 15 years.

Karen Lindsay, RDN, PhD

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Early Career Samueli Endowed Chair, Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute

Karen Lindsay, PhD, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with expertise in maternal and child health, nutrition-stress interactions, mindfulness and mindful eating. She is Assistant Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and of Population Health and Disease Prevention at University of California, Irvine (UCI), as well as Samueli Early Career Endowed Chair for Integrative Health in the UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute. She was the recipient of a K99/R00 award from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to study the effects of the interplay between nutrition and psychological stress during pregnancy on gestational glucose-insulin metabolism.

Her current research continues to interrogate the interaction between diet and psychological states in pregnancy and the implications for gestational diabetes risk, with a view towards developing whole person interventions that can support both maternal psychological and physical health during pregnancy. In this regard, she has conducted pilot studies of prenatal mindfulness-based interventions to understand feasibility and potential efficacy for improving, dietary behaviors and cardiometabolic markers in addition to maternal mental wellbeing. One current project will deliver a mindfulness program to pregnant women with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes to explore whether this modality can support improved glycemic control through improved stress management skills.

Karen became interested in the field of prenatal nutrition and health during her undergraduate studies in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, where she first learned about the concept of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. That is, the conditions and exposures that occur in utero (including maternal diet/nutrition) that can program the developing fetus towards lifelong health or risk of disease. This topic fascinated her and opened her eyes to the critical nature of maternal nutrition during pregnancy, as it impacts the lives of both mothers and their unborn children. She embarked on a PhD soon after graduating as a dietitian to conduct nutrition intervention research with pregnant women. When she discovered her flare for research and academia, she pursued her postdoc at UCI where she gained new insight to the role of prenatal stress as an additional exposure that influences fetal development, pregnancy outcomes, and offspring health. She began asking questions about how maternal stress and nutrition may work synergistically to influence these outcomes, especially given the known interactions between stress and eating behavior outside of pregnancy. This curiosity led Karen to her work today, in which she integrates mindfulness into nutrition research for pregnant people to optimize their overall wellbeing, with potential for long-term impact on both maternal and child health.

Tieraona Low Dog, MD, ABOIM

Founding Director, Integrative & Functional Medicine Fellowship Program
Founding Member, American Board of Integrative Medicine
Editor, Oxford University Press Integrative Women’s Health
Founding Director, Medicine Lodge Ranch in New Mexico

From a young age, Dr. Tieraona Low Dog has been deeply drawn to the natural world and the field of natural medicine. Her academic journey encompasses a diverse range of disciplines including massage therapy, martial arts, midwifery, and herbal medicine, before going to earn her medical degree from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.

Her career is characterized by her advocacy for health care that is not only compassionate and effective but also equitable and mindful of environmental sustainability. She is the Founding Director of the Medicine Lodge Academy, a school dedicated to the advancement of natural medicine through both online and in-person educational offerings offered for both clinicians and health enthusiasts alike.

As a pioneer in the field, Dr. Low Dog not only served as a founding member of the American Board of Physician Specialties’ American Board of Integrative Medicine; but she was also among the first cohort of physicians to be board certified in this newly emerging field. Her leadership extends to her tenure as Director of the first Inter-professional Fellowship in Integrative Health and Medicine, Fellowship Director for the University of Arizona’s Center for Integrative Medicine that was founded by Andrew Weil, MD, and Co-Founder and guiding teacher for the New York Zen Center’s Fellowship in Contemplative Medicine. She currently oversees the Integrative and Functional Medicine Fellowship at the University of California, Irvine’s Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute.

Dr. Low Dog’s dedication to public service is exemplified by her appointments to significant positions, including her service on the White House Commission for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy by President Bill Clinton and her advisory role at the NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, being appointed by HHS Secretary Thompson under President George W. Bush. Her leadership has been instrumental in her long-standing role (25 years) as Chair for various dietary supplements and botanicals expert panels at the United States Pharmacopeia.

Recognized as a foremost authority in integrative medicine, women’s health, dietary supplements, and herbal medicine, her scholarly work encompasses over 54 peer-reviewed scientific articles, 25 chapters in medical textbooks, and numerous authoritative books on health and medicine. Dr. Low Dog’s global influence is highlighted by her participation in over 600 medical and scientific conferences worldwide.

Throughout her career, Dr. Low Dog has received numerous accolades in recognition of her work and contributions to the field of integrative and complementary medicine. These honors include being named an “Innovator in Complementary and Alternative Medicine” by Time magazine, alongside awards from NPR’s The People’s Pharmacy, the New York Zen Center, and the American Herbal Products Association, among others. Her commitment to excellence in research, education, and patient care continues to inspire and impact the field of integrative medicine globally.

Shaista Malik, MD, PhD, MPH, FACC

Professor of Medicine, UCI Department of Medicine
Associate Vice Chancellor for Integrative Health, Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences
Founding Executive Director, Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute
Susan Samueli Endowed Chair of Integrative Medicine
Medical Director, Integrative Cardiology and Cardiac Rehab

Shaista Malik is a tenured professor in the UCI division of cardiology, department of medicine. She is the founding medical director of the preventive cardiology and cardiac rehab programs. Dr. Malik is the founding executive director of the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute and the founding associate vice chancellor, integrative health, of the Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences.    

Dr. Malik received her BA and BS degrees from Stanford University. She received her MD degree from UC Irvine School of Medicine and graduated with AOA honors. She also completed a MPH degree with honors and a PhD degree both from UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.  

She has received several National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants, including a career development award, a K23, from NIH (NHLBI) looking at the role of cardiac CT in those with diabetes and the principal investigator of a R01 grant, looking at the genetic, protein, and imaging markers of early heart disease, as well as co-PI of three R01 grants investigating the role acupuncture in treating hypertension by targeting autonomic nervous system changes.  

She has authored over 70 publications, co-edited two textbooks on preventive cardiology, and written over 20 book chapters. Her research efforts have had high impact with an h-index of 50 and garnering 29,779 citations. She has been recognized as an expert in cardiovascular imaging, with leadership roles in the American College of Cardiology’s Imaging Council, a standing member of NIH’s study section in cardiovascular disease, and a member of the oversight committee of the American Heart Association’s Strategic Focused Research Network. She has served on several editorial boards, including as section editor for the Journal of the American College of CardiologyCardiovascular Imaging and Current Cardiology Reports. She is currently the associate editor for the Frontiers in MedicinePrecision Medicine journal and the associate editor for the Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine journal.   

As a cardiologist, Dr. Malik specializes in integrative cardiology and precision health. Her excellence in clinical care has earned her recognition as a Physician of Excellence by the Orange County Medical Association and Southern California Super Doctors. In the area of integrative health, Dr. Malik takes a whole-person approach using all modalities of care and the latest diagnostic testing, along with the patient’s history, to determine the root causes of illness and provide personalized therapies that can achieve optimal health and healing.

Ryan McNally, ND, MS, PA

Naturopathic Doctor, Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute

Ryan A. McNally is a licensed UCI Health naturopathic practitioner and physician assistant with the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute.

His clinical focus is on integrative medicine with a special interest in age-related disease, hormone restoration, and promoting longevity and healthy aging. Additional areas of expertise include mental health (anxiety and depression), weight loss and optimizing body composition.

McNally received his doctorate in naturopathic medicine from what is now the Sonoran University of Health Sciences in Tempe, Ariz, followed by residency training at the Griffin Hospital Integrative Medicine Center in Bridgeport, Conn. Next, he completed a master’s of science degree in physician assistant studies at Northeastern University in Boston. Previously he served as chief medical officer at Bastyr University in San Diego.

Deanna Minich, MS, PhD, CN, CNS, IFMCP 

Deanna Minich is a nutrition scientist, international lecturer, teacher, and author, with over twenty years of experience in academia and in the food and dietary supplement industries.

Throughout the years, she has been active as a functional medicine clinician in clinical trials and in her own practice (Food & Spirit™), which has now become oriented towards groups, workshops, and retreats. She is the author of seven consumer books on wellness topics, four book chapters, and over fifty scientific publications. Her academic background is in nutrition science, including a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Illinois at Chicago (1995) and a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Medical Sciences (nutrition focus) from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands (1999). For a decade, she was part of the research team led by the “Father of Functional Medicine,” Dr. Jeffrey Bland, and has served on the Nutrition Advisory Board for The Institute of Functional Medicine, as well as on the Board of Directors for the American Nutrition Association.

Since 2013, she has been part of the faculty for the Advanced Practice Module in Environmental Health offered by the Institute for Functional Medicine and has been teaching a graduate level course in metabolic detoxification at the University of Western States. Over the decades, she has taught thousands of nutrition classes for health coaches, fitness trainers, and healthcare professionals, including for programs offered by the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy, and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. In conjunction with her academic degrees and extensive teaching experience at the university level, she is both a Fellow (FACN) and a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) through the American College of Nutrition. She is Chief Science Officer at Symphony Natural Health, where she leads the medical advisory team, oversees scientific communication, and provide educational leadership for the company’s plant-derived nutraceuticals. In 2025, she was the recipient of the Linus and Ava Helen Pauling Award in Functional Medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine. She is passionate about helping others to live well using therapeutic lifestyle changes that impact their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

Sheila Patel, MD

Sheila Patel, MD

Primary Care Physician, UC San Diego Health

Shelia Patel, MD, is a board-certified physician providing primary care at Family Practice in Vista, CA. She is a member of the UC San Diego Health Physician Network.

UC San Diego Health Physician Network is an alliance of health care providers based in San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties. Members of the network collaborate on developing shared systems, infrastructure and quality initiatives to provide high-value health care in the region.

Dr. Patel provides preventive care and treatment of acute and chronic diseases for people of all ages. She has practiced a full-spectrum of family medicine, from prenatal care and deliveries to emergency room coverage and primary care for all ages. Dr. Patel also worked as a hospitalist and as a wound care specialist. She is passionate about bringing holistic healing practices into the Western medical system. Dr. Patel currently is the chief medical officer for Chopra Global and splits her time between working in family medicine and her duties at Chopra Global.

Dr. Patel completed her residency at Ventura County Medical Center and earned her medical degree at University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. She is board certified in family medicine.

Robert Rountree, MD

Dr. Robert Rountree has been providing a unique combination of traditional family medicine, nutrition, medical herbology, and mind-body therapy in Boulder, Colorado, since 1983. In addition to writing numerous book chapters and magazine articles, he is co-author of five books on Integrative and Nutritional Medicine: The New Breastfeeding Diet Plan (McGraw-Hill, 2006), Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child, 2nd Edition (Avery Publishing, 2003), A Natural Guide to Pregnancy and Postpartum Health (Avery, 2002), Immunotics: A Revolutionary Way to Fight Infection, Beat Chronic Illness and Stay Well (Putnam, 2000), and A Parent’s Guide to Medical Emergencies (Avery, 1997). He is the medical editor for Delicious! Living and serves as a technical editor for Alternative and Complementary Therapies and Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association. A long-standing member of the adjunct faculty for the Institute for Functional Medicine in Gig Harbor, WA, and a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild, he has lectured widely to professional audiences as well as the general public, and frequently appears on radio shows throughout the United States.

Douglas Triffon, MD

Medical Director, Lipid Clinic, Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine

Research Focus:
Atherosclerosis
Cholesterol

Clinical Interests Within Specialty:
Cardiac rehabilitation
Preventative cardiology

Board Certifications:

American Board of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, 1985
American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine, 1982

Medical Education: Ohio State University College of Medicine, MD, 1979

Residencies: University of California, San Diego, Intern/Resid, 1982

Fellowships: University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Fellowship, Cardiovascular Disease, 1985

To inquire about exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities at NSCC 2026, please contact: SSIHIEvents@hs.uci.edu

More information coming soon!

To inquire about support opportunities for NSCC 2026, please contact: SSIHIEvents@hs.uci.edu

Thursday, January 29, 2026Pre-Conference Seminar (Non-CME)

* ADD-ON OPTION *

* Will not be streamed online *
San Diego Botanic Garden Tour (Non-CME)

* Must be purchased separately from the Main Conference. Registration is required.
Join us for a guided tour of the San Diego Botanic Garden, a vibrant sanctuary where people and nature come together. This experience will explore the botanical roots of modern medicine and offer insights into the clinical relevance of plant-based therapies today.

Download the San Diego Botanic Garden app for iOS or Android.
8:00 a.m.Check In & Badge Pick-Up | Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa Lobby
8:30 a.m. Bus departs for the San Diego Botanic Garden
9:00 a.m.Meet tour leaders (San Diego Botanic Garden staff)
Mark Blumenthal  
David Kiefer, MD  
9:15 a.m.Group 1: Medicinal Herb Garden
Group 2: California Gardenscapes
10:30 a.m.Transition
10:45 a.m.Group 1: California Gardenscapes
Group 2: Medicinal Herb Garden
12:00 p.m.Bus departs the San Diego Botanic Garden for Hotel
Friday, January 30, 2026
7:00 a.m.Registration Opens. Breakfast & Exhibits
8:00 a.m.Introduction + Overview  
Robert Bonakdar MD, FAAFP, FACN 
Mimi Guarneri, MD, FACC, ABIHM
Shaista Malik, MD, PhD, MPH
8:15 a.m.Integrative Oncology: The Role of Nutrition
Gary E. Deng, MD
9:00 a.m.Integrative (Peri) Menopause Support: Alternatives & Adjuncts to Hormone Therapy
Deanna Minich, MS, PhD, CN, CNS, IFMCP 
9:45 a.m.Break & Exhibits
10:30 a.m.KEYNOTE: Nutrition, AI & the Promise of Longevity
Nathan Price, PhD
11:15 a.m.Sleep Optimization: The Role of Nutrition & Supplementation
David Leopold, MD
12:00 p.m.Panel discussion with morning speakers
12:30 p.m.Lunch & Exhibits
1:45 p.m.Break & Exhibits
2:15 p.m.Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Who is at Risk & How to Help
Robert Rountree, MD
3:00 p.m.Long-COVID: The Role of Nutrition
Carla Kuon, MD
3:45 p.m.Break & Exhibits
4:15 p.m.Supplements & Nutrition in Transforming Chronic Pain
Robert Bonakdar MD, FAAFP, FACN
5:00 p.m.The Hidden Risk: Botanical Adulteration & What Clinicians Need to Know
Mark Blumenthal
5:30 p.m.Panel discussion with afternoon speakers
6:00 p.m.Program ends
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Enjoy a full day of interactive workshops to fine tune clinical applications. You do not need to pre-select workshops and can attend multiple tracks throughout the day. All workshops will be recorded and can be watched at a later date on the conference website.
7:00 a.m.Breakfast & Exhibits
8:15 a.m.WORKSHOPS

Workshop A: Global Botanicals, Practical Applications: A Hands-On Workshop
David Kiefer, MD

Workshop B: Neurodevelopmental Programming in the First 1,000 Days: Nutrition & Supplement Interventions from Pregnancy to Early Childhood
Lillian Au, ND
Karen Lindsay, PhD, RDN
9:45 a.m.Break & Exhibits
10:30 a.m.WORKSHOPS

Workshop A: Hyperlipidemia: Nutrition & Supplement Options
Douglas Triffon, MD

Workshop B: Ayurvedic Medicine: A Panel Discussion
Sheila Patel, MD
Melanie Fiorella, MD
Megan Jolicoeur, DO 
12:00 p.m.Lunch & Exhibits
1:30 p.m.WORKSHOPS

Workshop A: Check back soon.

Workshop B: Herbal & Dietary Supplement Research: Identifying Quality Studies
Mary Hardy, MD
Joseph Betz, PhD
3:00 p.m.Break & Exhibits
3:45 p.m.WORKSHOPS

Workshop A: Translational Nutrition Research for Clinical Practice & Behavior Change
Victoria Yunez Behm, MS, MTS, CNS, RYT

Workshop B: Evidence-Based Approaches to Neuropathy
Ryan McNally, ND, MS, PA
5:15 p.m.Program ends
Sunday, February 1, 2026
7:30 a.m.Breakfast & Exhibits
8:15 a.m.Morning Announcements
8:30 a.m.Herbal Allies in Mental Health
Tieraona Low Dog, MD
9:15 a.m.The Role of Wearables for Monitoring Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine
Michael Kurisu, DO
10:00 a.m.Break & Exhibits
10:30 a.m.Topic TBD
Mimi Guarneri, MD, FACC, ABIHM
11:15 a.m.Panel discussion with speakers
11:45 a.m.Conference closes

NSCC will be a hybrid event, meaning there will be both an in-person component and a virtual component. Registration fees are the same whether you plan to attend in-person or virtually.

Pre-Conference Seminar

* Must be purchased separately from the Main Conference. Registration is required.

PRE-CONFERENCE SEMINAR
EARLY BIRD
(By 6/30/25)
STANDARD
(7/1-8/31/25)
LATE
(9/1/25-1/9/26)
ONSITE
(After 1/10/26 + Onsite)
Herbal Tour
(In-Person Only)
$99$124$149$174
Discover the botanical origins of modern pharmaceutical agents and gain insights into how environmental factors can impact the potency and effectiveness of natural supplements. Join us on this enlightening tour that will reignite your connection with plants and the natural world!

Pre-Conference Seminar Registration Includes:

  • Admission
  • Access to pre-conference seminar materials
  • Access to in-person exhibit hall
  • Internet in meeting space
  • Transportation from Westin Carlsbad to San Diego Botanical Garden
  • No Meals

Pre-Conference Seminar Registration Does Not Include:

  • Meals
  • Main conference admission
  • Travel costs
  • Lodging
  • Parking

Main Conference

MAIN CONFERENCE
EARLY BIRD
(By 6/30/25)
STANDARD
(7/1-8/31/25)
LATE
(9/1/25-1/9/26)
ONSITE
(After 1/10/26 + Onsite)
Physicians$675$725$775$800
Other Healthcare Professionals
(including fellows & residents)
$575$625$675$700
Student/ Patient/ Health-Concious Individual
(Limited Availability)
$250$300$350$375

In-Person Main Conference Registration Includes:

  • Admission
  • Access to conference materials
  • Access to in-person exhibit hall
  • Internet in meeting space
  • AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM

In-Person Main Conference Registration Does Not Include:

  • Pre-conference admission
  • Travel costs
  • Lodging
  • Parking
  • Dinners

Virtual Main Conference Registration Includes:

  • Main conference admission
  • Access to conference materials
  • AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM

Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa
5480 Grand Pacific Drive
Calsbad, CA 92008
760-827-2800

UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute Group Room Block

Last Day to Book Group Rate: Friday, January 9, 2026

Rate: $333.00 USD per night

Please make your own hotel reservations and request the UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute Conference rate of $333 per night (plus tax). Guests who book within the official group room block will receive waived resort fees and complimentary self-parking.

A limited number of rooms are being held at this rate until Friday, January 9, 2026, or until the block is full — whichever comes first. After this date, rooms will be subject to availability and standard rates may apply.

To reserve your discounted room, please use the booking link below or call (760) 827-2410 or (833) 489-4455.

Note: Attendees who book through third-party websites will not be eligible for the special group benefits, including waived resort fees and complimentary parking.

The drive from San Diego takes about 40 minutes depending on traffic, and it’s a scenic trip along the coastal Interstate 5 freeway. A drive, either by car, shuttle, or shared ride is the quickest and most convenient way to get to Carlsbad.  

Carlsbad is about 90 miles south of Los Angeles International Airport, and about 35 miles north of San Diego International Airport. Three miles southeast of Carlsbad, McClellan-Palomar Airport serves corporate aircraft, commercial services, and the general aviation community. Other surrounding airports include SNA (Santa Ana, Orange County) and LGB (Long Beach)

The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner travels from San Luis Obispo County in the north to San Diego, hugging the coast much of the way for a scenic trip. The closest stop to Carlsbad is Oceanside, about five miles away.

Credit Breakdown

Check back soon.

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine and UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute. The University of California, Irvine School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

California Assembly Bill 1195 and 241

This activity is in compliance with California Assembly Bill 1195 and 241, which require CME activities with patient care components to include curriculum in the subjects of cultural and linguistic competency & implicit bias. It is the intent of AB 1195 and AB 241 to encourage physicians and surgeons, CME providers in the State of California, and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to meet the cultural and linguistic concerns of a diverse patient population and reduce health disparities through appropriate professional development. Please see the CME website, https://www.meded.uci.edu/CME/ for AB 1195 and AB 241 resources.

More information coming soon.