Richard J. Deckelbaum

BIOGRAPHY: Dr. Deckelbaum integrates global health and basic science into his objectives to improve human productivity and well-being through research, education and policy. Dr. Deckelbaum’s laboratory research interests concern the cellular effects of dietary fats and free fatty acids in metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, with a recent emphasis as to mechanisms whereby omega-3 fatty acids provide cardio- and neuroprotection after myocardial infarction and stroke. His research has been supported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, the US Agency for International Development, and the private sector. In addition to his ongoing basic research in cell biology of lipids, cardiovascular diseases, and issues of human nutrition, he has been active in translating basic science findings to practical application in different populations.

He has led international NIH and USAID programs integrating nutrition with risk factors of cardiovascular disease in children, as well as the molecular biology of intestinal parasites with clinical and epidemiological manifestations of infection, with emphasis on chronic diarrhea and malnutrition. Dr. Deckelbaum was president of the Global Health Education Consortium (GHEC). He co-founded and directed the Medical School for International Health (MSIH), a ‘novel’ medical school integrating global health into medical training at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, in affiliation with Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Deckelbaum has received lifetime achievement awards among other “honors” and has published >400 research and other articles in medical and scientific journals. He has directed novel “econutrition” task forces and activities integrating health, nutrition, ecology, agriculture, and more recently climate. He has helped organize and facilitate the formation of the African Nutritional Sciences Research Consortium (ANSRC). ANSRC with over 18 universities and other organizations in East Africa, will provide local basic science PhD training in nutritional and agricultural sciences. Dr. Deckelbaum has served on the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences, and is a Senior Fellow of the Synergos Institute.