Humann Appoints Dr. Harold Schmitz as Science Advisory Chair and Forms Research Partnership with UC Davis

Humann, a cardiovascular health supplement company based in Austin, Texas, announced a new research partnership with the University of California, Davis, on September 8, 2026. The collaboration will focus on nutrition's impact on cardiovascular health, led by Dr. Harold Schmitz, Ph.D., who has been appointed Chair of Humann's science advisory board.

This partnership with UC Davis's Innovation Institute for Food and Health aims to study precision nutrition strategies aimed at enhancing cardiovascular health, performance, and longevity. Dr. Schmitz brings considerable experience in nutrition and food science from his previous roles as Chief Science Officer at Mars, Inc., and Senior Scholar at UC Davis Graduate School of Management.

Joel Kocher, CEO and Co-Founder of Humann, expressed the company's belief in the importance of nutrition for cardiovascular health and emphasized the need for ongoing scientific exploration. The partnership seeks to explore how nutrition can proactively support cardiovascular well-being, especially as consumers increasingly pursue healthy aging.

Dr. Schmitz highlighted the significance of nutrition in managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, which are critical for cardiovascular health. The initiative will include designing and conducting clinical trials to enhance the understanding of the relationship between nutrition and cardiovascular health across various life stages.

Humann has built its foundation on scientific research, having collaborated with experts like Dr. John Ivy and the late Nobel Laureate Dr. Ferid Murad, to advance knowledge in exercise and nitric oxide's role in cardiovascular health. This partnership with UC Davis will further add to Humann’s body of research, which includes eight previously published clinical studies on its products.

Justin Siegel, Faculty Director at the Innovation Institute, emphasized the potential of merging advanced technology and nutrition science to gain valuable insights into health and aging. The collaboration aims to make significant contributions to both scientific research and public understanding of nutrition's role in cardiovascular health.