Nutritional Epidemiologist
Larry Kushi is an epidemiologist with a primary research focus on nutrition and cancer. With over 340 publications in peer-reviewed journals and an H-index over 100, he is an internationally recognized leader in his field. He has received over $100 million in research grants from the National Cancer Institute as Principal Investigator. His current grants focus on multi-level factors influencing treatment, prognosis, and survival in people diagnosed with breast cancer; racial disparities in ovarian cancer treatment and outcomes; clinical care and late effects in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors; and the evolution and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination, and COVID-19 outcomes. He has served on committees and advisory boards for numerous large research projects and organizations, such as the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program, Food and Drug Administration, American Cancer Society, World Cancer Research Fund, Oldways, and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. He has held research and faculty positions at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Minnesota, and Columbia University where he was the Vahlteich Professor of Human Nutrition. A graduate of Amherst College and the Harvard School of Public Health, he is Director of Scientific Policy in the Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California.
March 2023 Cruise Classes:
Keynote: Understanding Study Designs and Interpreting the Scientific Literature
With the exponential growth in biomedical literature, it is increasingly difficult to discern evidence-changing findings from those that have minimal impact by themselves. The news media tends to emphasize findings that depart from the existing preponderance of evidence, especially in food and nutrition, and this adds to the confusion.
This session, for those who would like to evaluate the scientific literature rather than relying solely on others, will provide an overview of study designs for human research studies, including how they contribute to knowledge, the criteria for evaluating scientific literature, and the methods for synthesizing the literature. Dr. Kushi is an epidemiologist who has published over 300 peer-reviewed papers and has served on several committees to evaluate the evidence related to, among other topics, food, nutrition, and health.
Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Cancer Prevention and Survivorship
There is increasing evidence of the role of food choices in influencing the likelihood of developing cancer, or of influencing the course of disease once one is diagnosed with cancer. Dr. Kushi has served on committees of the American Cancer Society to develop guidelines for food, nutrition and physical activity for cancer prevention and for cancer survivors. He chaired these committees in 2012 and served on the recent committees that published guidelines in 2020 (cancer prevention) and 2022 (cancer survivors). He also chaired the methodology committee for the World Cancer Research Fund to develop protocols for reviewing the scientific literature related to breast cancer survivors. This presentation will present the latest guidelines and supporting evidence.
The Macrobiotic Movement, Biomedical Research, and Food and Health
Macrobiotics and the movement it inspired was a central catalyst for the development of the organic and natural foods industries. Its principles around ecologic consciousness, minimizing exposure to chemical additives, and organizing lifestyle choices in harmony with universal principles led to the establishment of some of the first natural food companies around the globe.
People inspired by macrobiotics also conducted some of the early research projects demonstrating health benefits of vegetarian diets, findings that continue to resonate in dietary recommendations for health. Dr. Kushi, whose parents Michio and Aveline Kushi were among the leaders of the macrobiotic movement, will explore the complementary ways the seemingly opposed counterculture and biomedical movement have converged to underscore our knowledge of food and health today.
Doctor’s Panel Q&A: Cruisin’ for Knowledge – Using a Plant-Based Diet to Support Health and Avoid Risks With Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. Michael Klaper, Dr. Lawrence Kushi, and Dr. Columbus Batiste, hosted by Sandy Pukel
Don’t miss this motivational, inspiring, and informative Q&A with plant-based diet luminaries Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. Michael Klaper, Dr. Lawrence Kushi, and Dr. Columbus Batiste. Your host is Sandy Pukel, founder of Holistic Holiday at Sea. This is your chance to get all your questions answered. Whether you have been practicing a plant-based lifestyle for years or are just getting your feet wet, these experts can take you to the next level. Get the real scoop on living well, eating well, and taking control of your health.
