
13th Annual Thought Leaders Consortium: Clinical Advances in Personalized Lifestyle Medicine
The Revolutionary Applications of AI, Biometrics, and
Nutrigenomics to Disorders of Immunometabolism
American and global health is at a crossroads. We face unprecedented rates of chronic, preventable diseases driven by lifestyle factors that are bankrupting nations and crippling our chances at health. But we also have access to powerful new tools that allow us to understand systems biology like never before. With scaling access to advanced algorithms, artificial intelligence and deep profiling of an individual’s lab and biometric data, personalized and precision lifestyle medicine have never been more exciting or viable. Simultaneously, an incredible expansion of our knowledge around the role of immune and metabolic function across physical and mental health states provides yet untapped opportunities to transform and reverse our current health crisis.
This event brings together leading experts to discuss how advances in personalized medicine, wearable tech, and data-driven strategies can revolutionize the way we treat and prevent chronic illness. The 2025 Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Thought Leaders Consortium is the eleventh annual conference and follows what many attendees from the 2024 conference commented that it was one of the best educational and community building meetings that they had ever attended. We believe that the 2025 Thought Leaders Conference will build off this momentum and deliver to the attendees an experience that couples world-class clinical information and opportunities for celebrating what the exciting future for practitioners in the personalized lifestyle medicine arena. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on integrating innovations in biometrics, epigenetics, AI and nutrigenomics into clinical practice to enhance patient outcomes, foster longevity, and create sustainable health for the future. With an emphasis on immune and metabolic pathways, this “first of its type” conference introduces the latest tools for “root cause” health problem analysis The expert clinical faculty will describe how this information can be applied using practical tools and strategies in the clinic and beyond, as well as look ahead to explore the future of the field.
- Other Information:
Hourly Schedule
October 16 - Thursday
- 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
- Preregistration
- Jeff and Susan Bland hosted Welcome Party
October 17 - Friday
- 7:00 am - 8:00 am
- Breakfast and Registration
- 8:00 - 8:15 am
- Welcome and Introduction
- Nicole Fox
- 8:15 - 9:00 am
- Introduction to the Clinical Applications of Epigenetics and Artificial Intelligence to Immuno-Metabolism
-
Speakers:
Jeff Bland, PhD
- 9:00 - 10:00 am
- Personalized Lifestyle Medicine in Managing Disorders of Immuno-Metabolism
-
Speakers:
Mark Hyman, MD
- 10:00 - 10:45 am
- How to Make America Healthy
-
Speakers:
Robert H. Lustig, MD, MSL
- 10:45 - 11:30 am
- Break
- 11:30 - 12:30 pm
- Advances in Functional Neurology and Immuno-Metabolism
-
Speakers:
Austin Perlmutter, MD, David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, ABIHM
- 12:30 - 1:30 pm
- Lunch
- 1:30 - 2:30 pm
- Building Immunometabolic Patient Care Plans: A Personalized Approach
-
Speakers:
Aristo Vojdani, PhD, Elroy Vojdani, MD
- 2:30 - 3:00 pm
- Panel Discussion
-
Speakers:
Aristo Vojdani, PhD, Austin Perlmutter, MD, David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, ABIHM, Elroy Vojdani, MD, Jeff Bland, PhD, Mark Hyman, MD, Robert H. Lustig, MD, MSL
- 3:00 - 3:30 pm
- Break
- 3:30 - 4:15 pm
- The Gut-Bone-Immune Connection
-
Speakers:
Susan Bukata, MD
- 4:15 - 5:00 pm
- Female Hormones and Immuno-Metabolic Disorders
-
Speakers:
Carrie Jones, ND, FABNE, MPH
- 5:00 - 5:15 pm
- Insights and Closing Comments
-
Speakers:
Jeff Bland, PhD
October 18 - Saturday
- 8:00 - 8:30 am
- Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Assessment of Immuno-Metabolic Status
-
Speakers:
Jeff Bland, PhD
- 8:30 - 9:15 am
- The Clinical Intersection of AI and Epigenetics in the Evaluation of Immuno-metabolism
-
Speakers:
Dr. Matthew Dawson
- 9:15 - 10:30 am
- Clinical Case Histories in Assessing and Managing Immuno-Metabolic Disorders
-
Speakers:
Chris Magryta, MD, Erik Lundquist, MD
- 10:30 - 11:15 am
- Break
- 11:15 - 12:00 pm
- Nutrigenomics of Female Hormone, Fertility and Immunometabolic Disorders
-
Speakers:
Denise Furness, PhD
- 12:00 - 12:45pm
- Breaking the Code of Immuno-Metabolic Disorders
-
Speakers:
Bridget Briggs, MD
- 12:45 - 1:45 pm
- Lunch
- 1:45 - 2:15 pm
- Exhibitor break
- 2:15 - 3:00 pm
- Food as Exposure: Nutritional Epigenetic and the New Metabolism
-
Speakers:
Hannah Landecker,PhD
- 3:00 - 3:45 pm
- Revolution in the Understanding of the Dementia-ImmunoMetabolism Connection
-
Speakers:
Dale E. Bredesen, MD
- 3:45 - 4:30 pm
- Panel Discussion with Day Two Presenters
- 4:30 - 4:45 pm
- Closing Comments
-
Speakers:
Jeff Bland, PhD

He is known worldwide as the founder of the Functional Medicine movement, which represents his vision for a care model that is grounded in systems biology and informed by research that he has a unique ability to synthesize. His pioneering work has created the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute (PLMI), as well as the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), the global leader in Functional Medicine education. Since 1991, hundreds of thousands of healthcare practitioners have participated in PLMI and IFM programs, and this collective knowledge has positively impacted the lives of patients all over the world.









As CEO of TruDiagnostic, Dr. Dawson oversees a groundbreaking mission to unlock the potential of epigenetic data, empowering individuals and researchers alike to make informed decisions about healthspan and longevity. Under his leadership, TruDiagnostic has become a leader in epigenetic testing and biological aging research, leveraging advanced DNA methylation technology to provide actionable insights into personal health and disease risk.
A passionate advocate for health optimization, Dr. Dawson’s expertise extends beyond traditional medicine, encompassing fitness, nutrition, and biohacking. He is a sought-after speaker, recently contributing to prestigious platforms such as the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute (PLMI), where he is spearheading the integration of Epigenetic Biomarkers (EBPs) and Methylation Risk Scores (MRS) into preventive healthcare strategies. Dr. Dawson's vision for TruDiagnostic focuses on making this emerging science accessible to both clinicians and the general public, driving a future where personalized health interventions are guided by precise epigenetic data.






Dr. Bredesen earned his M.D. from Duke University Medical Center and served as Chief Resident in Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), before joining Nobel laureate Stanley Prusiner’s laboratory at UCSF as an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow. He held faculty positions at UCSF, UCLA, and the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Bredesen also directed the Program on Aging at the Burnham Institute before joining the Buck Institute in 1998 as founding President and CEO.
Dr. Bredesen’s research explores previously uncharted territory in explaining the physical mechanism behind the erosion of memory seen in Alzheimer’s disease, and has opened the door to new approaches to treatment. This work has led to the identification of several new therapeutic processes that are showing remarkable early results. Dr. Bredesen is a prodigious innovator in medicine, with over thirty patents to his name. Notably, he put much of his findings and research into the 2017 New York Times‘ Best-Seller, The End of Alzheimer’s.
His most recent book, The First Survivors of Alzheimer’s, presents the stories of seven individuals who reversed their cognitive decline using the ReCODE Protocol.
Speakers
-
Jeff Bland, PhDFunctional Medicine Founder and Pioneer
Dr. Jeffrey Bland is a personable and highly respected thought leader who has spent more than four decades focused on the improvement of human health.
He is known worldwide as the founder of the Functional Medicine movement, which represents his vision for a care model that is grounded in systems biology and informed by research that he has a unique ability to synthesize. His pioneering work has created the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute (PLMI), as well as the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), the global leader in Functional Medicine education. Since 1991, hundreds of thousands of healthcare practitioners have participated in PLMI and IFM programs, and this collective knowledge has positively impacted the lives of patients all over the world. -
Mark Hyman, MDFounder - The UltraWellness Center, Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, Food Fix Campaign
Mark Hyman, MD is a practicing family physician and an internationally recognized leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in the field of Functional Medicine. He is the founder and director of The UltraWellness Center, Founder and Senior Advisor for the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, a fifteen-time New York Times best-selling author, and Board President for Clinical Affairs for The Institute for Functional Medicine. He is the founder and chairman of the Food Fix Campaign, dedicated to transforming our food and agriculture system through policy. He is a co-founder and the Chief Medical Officer of Function Health. He is the host of one of the leading health podcasts, The Doctor’s Farmacy with 150+ million downloads. Dr. Hyman is a regular medical contributor to several television shows and networks, including CBS This Morning, Today, Good Morning America, The View, Fox and CNN.
-
Aristo Vojdani, PhDWorld Leader in Immunology Research
Aristo Vojdani obtained his BSc, MSc and PhD in microbiology and clinical immunology from Bar-Ilan University, Israel, with postdoctoral studies in comparative immunology at UCLA and tumor immunology at Charles Drew/UCLA School of Medicine and Science. He is a Clinical Professor at Loma Linda University in California, and an Adjunct Professor at the Lincoln College of Professional, Graduate and Continuing Education at the National University of Health Sciences. His ongoing research focuses on the role of environmental triggers in complex diseases, and he has developed more than 300 antibody assays for the detection of autoimmune disorders and other diseases. He has 17 US patents, over 200 articles, and 2 books, “Neuroimmunity and the Brain-Gut Connection” and “Food-Associated Autoimmunities: When Food Breaks Your Immune System,” to his name. He is the CEO of Immunosciences Lab in Los Angeles, California, the Chief Scientific Advisor for Cyrex Labs in Phoenix, Arizona, and sits on the editorial board of 5 scientific journals. His many awards include the Herbert J. Rinkel Award (American Academy of Environmental Medicine), the Linus Pauling, PhD Award (American College for Advancement in Medicine), and the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute Lifetime Achievement Award.
-
David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, ABIHMAuthor and World-Renowned Neurologist
Dr. Perlmutter is a Board-Certified Neurologist and six-time New York Times bestselling author. He serves on the Board of Directors and is a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition.
Dr. Perlmutter received his M.D. degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine where he was awarded the Leonard G. Rowntree Research Award. He serves as a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and has published extensively in peer-reviewed scientific journals including Archives of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and The Journal of Applied Nutrition. In addition, he is a frequent lecturer at symposia sponsored by institutions such as the World Bank and IMF, Columbia University, Scripps Institute, New York University, and Harvard University and serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Dr. Perlmutter’s books have been published in 32 languages and include the #1 New York Times bestseller Grain Brain, The Surprising Truth About Wheat, Carbs and Sugar, with over 1 million copies in print. Other New York Times bestsellers include Brain Maker, The Grain Brain Cookbook, The Grain Brain Whole Life Plan, and Brain Wash, co-written with Austin Perlmutter,
M.D. He is the editor of The Microbiome and the Brain authored by top experts in the field and published in December2019 by CRC Press. His latest New York Times bestselling book, Drop Acid, focuses on the pivotal role of uric acid in metabolic diseases, and was published in February 2022. -
Dale E. Bredesen, MDProfessor, New York Times Best Selling Author , Founding President, Buck Institute , Chief Science Officer, Apollo Health
An internationally recognized expert in the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, Dr. Dale Bredesen’s career has been guided by a simple idea: that Alzheimer’s as we know it is not just preventable, but reversible. Dr. Bredesen’s dedicated pursuit of the science that makes this a reality has placed him at the vanguard of neurological research and led to the discoveries that today underlie the ReCODE Protocol™.
Dr. Bredesen earned his M.D. from Duke University Medical Center and served as Chief Resident in Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), before joining Nobel laureate Stanley Prusiner’s laboratory at UCSF as an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow. He held faculty positions at UCSF, UCLA, and the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Bredesen also directed the Program on Aging at the Burnham Institute before joining the Buck Institute in 1998 as founding President and CEO.
Dr. Bredesen’s research explores previously uncharted territory in explaining the physical mechanism behind the erosion of memory seen in Alzheimer’s disease, and has opened the door to new approaches to treatment. This work has led to the identification of several new therapeutic processes that are showing remarkable early results. Dr. Bredesen is a prodigious innovator in medicine, with over thirty patents to his name. Notably, he put much of his findings and research into the 2017 New York Times‘ Best-Seller, The End of Alzheimer’s.
His most recent book, The First Survivors of Alzheimer’s, presents the stories of seven individuals who reversed their cognitive decline using the ReCODE Protocol. -
Bridget Briggs, MDFamily Medicine Physician who specializes in functional medicine and epigenetics
Dr. Bridget Briggs, MD has been empowering patients to live inspired healthy lives for over 20 years. Her integrative approach and profound knowledge of genetics, epigenetics, nutrigenomics and biochemistry has paved the way to her advanced methods in precise, personalized, preventative medicine. Dr. Briggs is a board certified Family Medicine Physician who is at the forefront of the emerging science of genetics and how a patient’s DNA can be altered to prevent disease or treat current ailments with a personalized treatment plan.She specializes in functional medicine, bio-identical hormones, lipidology, women’s health, pediatrics, geriatrics, detoxification, nutritional and dietary support.Her expertise in genetic testing and interpretation allows her to develop a precise treatment approach leading to improvement in all areas of disease ranging from chronic migraines, fatigue, anxiety, depression, autism, GERD, IBS, SIBO issues among others.
-
Erik Lundquist, MDFounder and Medical Director of the Temecula Center for Integrative Medicine
Erik Lundquist, MD is the founder and medical director of the Temecula Center for Integrative Medicine. Dr. Lundquist is the Medical Director of the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Center and a paid consultant for Metagenics, Inc. He is a member of the American Holistic Medical Association as well as the Institute for Functional Medicine. He specializes in thyroid disorders, chronic and adrenal fatigue, women’s health, digestive disorders, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Dr. Lundquist attended Occidental College in LA, where he graduated with a BA in Kinesiology and Biology. He received his medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine and completed his Family Medicine residency at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Lundquist spent eight years in active military duty in Iraq as a battalion surgeon with the Marine Corps, as well as at the Naval Hospital in Naples, Italy. Dr. Lundquist is board-certified with the American Board of Family Medicine, as well as with the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine.
-
Robert H. Lustig, MD, MSLNeuroendocrinologist
Robert H. Lustig, M.D., M.S.L. is Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology, and Member of the Institute for Health Policy Studies at UCSF. Dr. Lustig is a neuroendocrinologist, with expertise in obesity, diabetes, metabolism, and nutrition. He is one of the leaders of the current “anti-sugar” movement that is changing the food industry. He has dedicated his retirement from clinical medicine to help to fix the food supply any way he can, to reduce human suffering and to salvage the environment, by interacting with all stakeholders to bring them together around a common vision of metabolic health: protect the liver, feed the gut, support the brain. Dr. Lustig graduated from MIT in 1976, and received his M.D. from Cornell University Medical College in 1980. He also received his Masters of Studies in Law (MSL) degree at University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 2013. He is the author of the popular books Fat Chance (2012), The Hacking of the American Mind (2017), and Metabolical (2021). He is the Chief Science Officer of the non-profit Eat REAL, and is a member of the Nutrition Task Force of the American Dental Association.
-
Denise Furness, PhDMolecular Geneticist, Functional Medicine Practitioner
Dr Denise Furness, PhD is a molecular geneticist and functional medicine practitioner. She is a pioneer in the field of nutrigenomics and epigenetics (precision medicine) with 20 years’ experience.
Denise began her career as a research scientist focusing on folate nutrigenomics, methylation, and DNA damage. She has published her work in peer reviewed journals and won numerous awards for her research and conference presentations.
In 2012 she founded Your Genes and Nutrition and began applying her knowledge in clinical practice. Denise has a special interest in fertility, thyroid and autoimmunity (after recovering from autoimmune thyroid disease herself), as well as healthy ageing. She is currently running a biological ageing study, aimed at improving mental health and naturally slowing the ageing process. -
Dr. Matthew DawsonCEO, TruDiagnostic
Dr. Matthew Dawson, a leading innovator in the field of epigenetics, is dedicated to bridging cutting-edge genomic science with practical healthcare applications. After earning his medical degree from the University of Kentucky and completing an emergency medicine residency at the University of Utah, where he served as chief resident, Dr. Dawson practiced and taught at the University of Kentucky as an associate professor for seven years. His interest in genomics and epigenetics deepened as he recognized their potential to revolutionize how we understand aging, disease prevention, and human health.
As CEO of TruDiagnostic, Dr. Dawson oversees a groundbreaking mission to unlock the potential of epigenetic data, empowering individuals and researchers alike to make informed decisions about healthspan and longevity. Under his leadership, TruDiagnostic has become a leader in epigenetic testing and biological aging research, leveraging advanced DNA methylation technology to provide actionable insights into personal health and disease risk.
A passionate advocate for health optimization, Dr. Dawson’s expertise extends beyond traditional medicine, encompassing fitness, nutrition, and biohacking. He is a sought-after speaker, recently contributing to prestigious platforms such as the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute (PLMI), where he is spearheading the integration of Epigenetic Biomarkers (EBPs) and Methylation Risk Scores (MRS) into preventive healthcare strategies. Dr. Dawson’s vision for TruDiagnostic focuses on making this emerging science accessible to both clinicians and the general public, driving a future where personalized health interventions are guided by precise epigenetic data. -
Elroy Vojdani, MDFunctional and Predictive Immune Testing Authority
Dr. Elroy Vojdani is the founder of Regenera Medical, a boutique Functional Medicine practice in Los Angeles, California.
Upon graduating medical school from the University of Southern California and completing his residency at USC Keck School of Medicine, Dr. V began his career as an Interventional Radiologist, diagnosing and treating complex, late-stage cancers and other extremely debilitating diseases. While this experience gave him unique insights into hospital based medicine, his desire to stop disease before it reached the point of becoming a chronic illness remained at the core of his desire to practice medicine. Today, he continues in his father’s footsteps – pioneering to find answers to medical conditions that go undiagnosed and untreated.
Dr. Vojdani has co-authored over 20 articles in the Scientific literature and continues an integral role in research related to Autoimmune, Neurodegenerative, and Autoinflammatory conditions. He is also the co-Author a medical textbook entitled “Food Associated Autoimmunity”.
-
Susan Bukata, MDChair of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Diego
Susan Bukata, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon internationally recognized for her expertise in bone fragility disorders, including osteoporosis and rare genetic bone diseases. Her NIH-funded research focuses on accelerating fracture healing and reducing the need for additional surgical intervention. Dr. Bukata has published extensively in leading scientific journals and holds a patent for cartilage and musculoskeletal soft tissue repair technology. She serves on several prominent boards, including the Orthopaedic Research Society Executive Board, and has been named a “Top Doctor” by Castle Connolly and other organizations. She completed advanced training in orthopedic oncology and metabolic bone disease at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
-
Chris Magryta, MDPediatrician who specializes in atopic diseases, immunology, and nutrition
Chris Magryta, MD, “Dr. M”, is a pediatrician with over 25 years of experience, practicing and managing Salisbury Pediatric Associates (18 provider independent group) in North Carolina since 1999. He is a graduate of Emory University School of Medicine, The University of Virginia Pediatric Residency and The Arizona Center for Integrative medicine with Dr. Andrew Weil at the University of Arizona. He is as self styled onion peeler looking for the roots of pediatric allergoimmunometabolic disease. He specializes in atopic diseases, immunology, nutrition with a special interest in maternal child health. As Chairman of Children First of North Carolina, a clinically integrated network caring for 52000 children, Dr. M, is tasked with bringing a new delivery model to the medicaid ecosystem. Using a data heavy predictive model CFNC is testing new boundaries in healthcare for a child’s benefit. He is also the host of the Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast, where he bridges cutting-edge science with practical health strategies, emphasizing maternal and child wellness through an upstream, root-cause lens. Finally, he is currently working on a book about the root causes of childhood disease from the maternal lens.
-
Austin Perlmutter, MDAuthor and Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physician
Dr Austin Perlmutter is a board-certified internal medicine physician, New York Times bestselling author, published researcher and international educator. His mission is to help people improve their health by targeting the biological basis of “stuckness” in our brains and bodies. His writing, presentations, podcasts, and online educational programs explore how environmental factors influence our cognitive and mental state and have reached millions. Dr. Perlmutter currently serves as the managing director at Big Bold Health, a food-as-medicine company focused on helping people rejuvenate health through better immune function, where he is running a first-of-its kind study exploring the effects of plant nutrients on human aging through epigenetics.
-
Hannah Landecker,PhDProfessor University of California at Los Angeles EpiCenter for Epigenetics, Reproduction and Society
Hannah Landecker is a historian and sociologist of the life sciences. She holds a joint appointment in the Life and Social Sciences at UCLA, where she is a Professor in the Sociology Department, and the Institute for Society and Genetics, an interdisciplinary unit at UCLA committed to cultivating research and pedagogy at the interface of biology and society. Landecker is the author of Culturing Life: How Cells Became Technologies, and has written widely on the metabolic sciences, biotechnology and society in work funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, The American Council of Learned Societies, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
-
Carrie Jones, ND, FABNE, MPHChief Medical Officer, Nationally Recognized Functional Medicine and Hormone Health Expert NuEthix Formulations
Carrie Jones, ND, FABNE, MPH is an internationally recognized speaker, consultant, and educator on the topic of women’s health and hormones with over 20 years in the industry. Dr. Jones graduated from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon where she also completed a 2-year residency in women’s health, hormones, and endocrinology. She went on to get her Master of Public Health and was one of the first to became board certified through the American Board of Naturopathic Endocrinology for which she served on for several years. She was the first Medical Director for Precision Analytical, creators of the DUTCH Test and the first Head of Medical Education at Rupa Health and host of the Root Cause Medicine Podcast. She serves as the Clinical Expert for the Lifestyle Matrix Resource Center is on Under Armour’s Human Performance Council. Currently she is the Chief Medical Officer at NuEthix and Head of Medical Education at Metabolic Mentor University.