Supporting Plant-forward Innovation Through the Mohini Jain Presidential Chair Fund
The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences has established the Mohini Jain Presidential Chair Fund that will support research that explores how food can prevent chronic disease and promote long-term health. The position is held by Professor Francene Steinberg with the Department of Nutrition, whose work focuses on plant-forward dietary patterns and how specific food components like polyphenols and healthy fats contribute to better health outcomes.
“Scientific research is the foundation for developing the knowledge that advances health,” said Steinberg. “Being able to do human-based research is critical for advancing our understanding of how to prevent chronic disease and promote well-being.”
With this endowment, Steinberg’s research program is expanding to include advanced methods such as metabolomics and gut microbiota analysis, investigating how these systems influence cardio-metabolic disease. Her team’s research relies on human-based clinical trials to understand how diet affects markers of inflammation, metabolism and cardiovascular risk – critical insight for preventing disease before it starts. These trials are resource-intensive, so philanthropic support is essential to make them possible.
Connecting nutrition, health and sustainability
The impact of this work goes beyond individual health. Steinberg’s findings have the potential to inform public health policy, guide agricultural innovation and help food companies create healthier products.
“Health promotion is a lifelong process and our lifestyle – especially what we eat – plays a significant role in helping our bodies thrive and preventing disease,” she said. “Understanding why certain foods and food components are beneficial to our health provides strong evidence that can help us shape public health policies, promote personalized lifestyle choices, and influence innovations in agricultural research to grow better foods and companies to develop healthy food products.”
The fund was established by Mohini Jain, a philanthropist and educator whose family tradition of Jainism emphasizes nonviolence, compassion and mindful living. That philosophy aligns closely with Steinberg’s plant-forward research, which seeks to care for both people and the planet.
With this support, UC Davis researchers are building a bridge between science and real-world impact and expanding the understanding of how diet influences health, and helping shape a more sustainable, equitable and nourishing food future.
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Francene Stenberg
Professor, Nutrition