Science Advisory Board Member, Posthumous Emeritus

Dr. Murad served on the Science Advisory Board for Humanⁿ from 2020 until his passing in 2023. Dr. Murad, a Nobel Laureate and renowned international nitric oxide authority, jointly discovered nitric oxide as a critical signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system for which he was awarded the Prize in 1998. This breakthrough discovery is the foundation on which Humanⁿ was founded in 2009.

The addition of Dr. Murad to Humanⁿ’s Science Advisory Board further highlighted the company’s commitment to bring awareness to the significance of nitric oxide in human health. As reported by the New York Times in October of 1998, Dr. Murad was among three pharmacologists who discovered that nitric oxide could facilitate a wide variety of functions in the body. Dr. Murad and his colleagues’ discovery has been hailed as one of the most important discoveries in the history of cardiovascular medicine. Dr. Murad first discovered the biological effects of Nitric Oxide while at the University of Virginia in the late 1970s. It is because of Dr. Murad's life’s work and purpose that Humanⁿ is able to bring awareness to and share the benefits of nitric oxide in human health.

Dr. Murad’s impact on humankind can never be fully measured. Having him advise our company and work with our R&D team for so many years was a crowning achievement. Our mission remains to honor his legacy and continue to bring the benefits of his life changing discovery to millions of people for generations to come.

With a PhD in Exercise Physiology, Dr. John Ivy is our President of HumanN’s Science Advisory Board. He has authored over 180 scientific papers and several books, including the well-known and highly respected Nutrient Timing: The Future of Sports Nutrition. Working with notable sports greats, and Olympians in preparation for the 2008 and 2012 Summer Games, his contributions to sports nutrition and science are unparalleled. In addition to receiving a Citation Award from the American College of Sports Medicine and being named a Fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine, he is also one of the newest members of the University of Texas Department of Kinesiology and Health Education Hall of Honor.

Dr. John P. Cooke is the chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences at the Houston Methodist Research Institute and the director of the Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration in the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center in Houston, Texas. He trained in cardiovascular medicine and obtained a Ph.D. in physiology at the Mayo Clinic. He was recruited to Harvard Medical School as an assistant professor of medicine. In 1990, he was recruited to Stanford University to spearhead the program in vascular biology and medicine, and was appointed professor in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, and associate director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute until his recruitment to Houston Methodist in 2013.

Dr. Cooke has published over 500 research papers, position papers, reviews, book chapters and patents in the arena of vascular medicine and biology with over 20,000 citations. He serves on national and international committees that deal with cardiovascular diseases, including the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, Society for Vascular Medicine, and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. He has served as president of the Society for Vascular Medicine, as a director of the American Board of Vascular Medicine, and as an associate editor of Vascular Medicine.

Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton is the Vice-Chair of the AHA Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health, past Chair of the American Heart Association (AHA) Nutrition Committee, and a Distinguished Professor of Nutrition at Penn State University. With a research program focused on exploring how nutrients and other bioactive constituents affect established and emerging risk factors for cardiovascular disease, her connection to HumanN is apparent. Dr. Kris-Etherton has published over 150 scientific papers, 10 book chapters and co-authored four books. Her research program has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, USDA and the private sector. She has also served on many national committees and review panels including the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee, the National Academy of Sciences Panel on Macronutrients, the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee as Chairperson, NIH’s Nutrition Study Section, the National Cholesterol Education Program Second Adult Treatment Panel, and WomenHeart.

Dr. Joseph Purita, a pioneer in the use of Stem Cell and PRP therapy for orthopaedic conditions, graduated from Georgetown University Medical School and served his surgical internship at the University Of Florida Medical Center.  Following completion of a residency in orthopedic surgery at University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he served as chief administrative resident, Dr. Purita joined the Boca Raton Orthopedic Group in 1981 where he has been practicing ever since. He is also the Chief Medical Officer of The Institute of Regenerative Medicine.  Dr. Purita’s interests for the past decade involve the use of stem cells for musculoskeletal conditions.  He has been pivotal in creating the industry’s leading protocols for numerous orthopedic conditions such as bursitis, tennis elbow, and arthritis to name a few. With a passion for helping to improve the lives of his patients, he has lectured internationally on five continents regarding the healing effects of stem cells and has been instrumental in helping some countries design their policies concerning the use of regenerative medicine; effectively bringing this unique and advanced practice to more people throughout the world. 

A Food Chemistry Professor at Texas A&M University, Dr. Stephen Talcott’s research on the appearance, taste, nutritional benefits and quality of food as impacted by natural compounds has encouraged fruit and vegetable consumption and brought to light the unique benefits of a wide range of superfoods, including the Brazilian palm berry, Acai.

His research is focused on phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables, antioxidant stability and assessment, post harvest retention of nutrients and the effects of consuming such compounds as phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, procyanidins, carotenoids, tocopherols and ascorbic acid. Those compounds are suggested to have an inverse association with the risk of certain cancers and diseases, of particular interest to Dr. Talcott.

A Ph.D. in immunology and pharmacology, Dr. Max Talbott has served as Chief Regulatory Officer for a number of major firms and has participated in more than 500 global medical product clearances, including some of the top selling drugs on the market today. As an agent with the FDA’s Medical Device Division, Dr. Talbott was one of the key participants in the creation and implementation of the 510K, IDE and PMA regulations. As Acting Director, he managed hundreds of clinical trials and supervised numerous FDA advisory committee meetings. Dr. Talbott’s awards and recognitions include the FDA’s Commendable Service Award, membership on the Editorial Board of the Drug Information Journal, and “Who’s Who” listings in a number of professional compendia. He has authored numerous presentations and publications in the field of new drug/biologic/medical device development, health product regulatory affairs/public policy, immunology and pharmacology.

Bernie Landes, Executive Director of HumanN’s Science Advisory Board, has been in the nutritional products industry for nearly 40 years. He has been at the forefront of major growth drivers in both the functional food and dietary supplement sectors. Landes has researched the cardiovascular and cognitive function improvements associated with fruits, vegetables, and botanicals. Today he focuses on strategy, clinical research, and product development. Bernie Landes is currently an elected member of the American College of Nutrition, a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Nutrition Business Journal and the President’s Circle of Advisors of the American Botanical Council.