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ILSI Southeast Asia Region and the Department of Metabolism, Nutrition and Health, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore are hosting a guest lecture by Prof. Dr. Sunil Wimalawansa to share the latest insights on vitamin D and CVD, and its implications in Asia.
ILSI Southeast Asia Region, Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP), A*STAR, Singapore, and Human Potential Translational Research Programme (HPTRP), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, are organizing a symposium to share key insights on improving nutrient clinical trial design for disease prevention, focusing on vitamin D and related health outcomes.
The role of vitamin D in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk remains debated despite growing evidence, with observational studies consistently linking low serum vitamin D levels with higher CVD risk. Its role in modulating inflammation and oxidative stress, improving endothelial function, and reducing cardiometabolic risk factors supports a comprehensive, multi-modal approach to cardiovascular health. In Singapore, 30-50% of the population, with prevalence higher in Malay ethnic groups, indoor workers etc., remains vitamin D deficient or insufficient despite year-round sunshine.
ILSI Southeast Asia Region and the Department of Metabolism, Nutrition and Health, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore are hosting a guest lecture by Prof. Dr. Sunil Wimalawansa to share the latest insights on vitamin D and CVD, and its implications in Asia.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Prof Dr Sunil J. Wimalawansa
Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology & Nutrition; Director, Cardio-Metabolic & Endocrine Institute, New Jersey, USA
Prof Dr Sunil Wimalawansa is a globally renowned expert in endocrinology, osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases, as well as nutrition and vitamin D. A clinician-scientist with more than three decades of experience, he has served on the scientific review committee of the US NIH and was a past board member of the American Association for Endocrinology.
Prof Dr Sunil J. Wimalawansa, Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology & Nutrition; Director, Cardio-Metabolic & Endocrine Institute, New Jersey, USA
Prof. Dr. Wimalawansa is a Professor of Medicine, Director of the CardioMetabolic & Endocrine Institute, and formerly University Professor and Chief of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Nutrition, UMDNJ/Rutgers University. His PhD from the University of London(UK) is in endocrine pathology. Dr. Wimalawansa is globally renowned in endocrinology, with broad expertise in internal medicine, endocrinology, osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases, chronic kidney disease, nutrition, vitamin D, water and sanitation, and environmental issues. He is a clinician-scientist with more than three decades of experience, a faculty member, medical educator, author, researcher, innovator, administrator, leader, and philanthropist.
He has served on several national and international scientific review committees, including the US NIH, the US Veterans Administration, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and NASA. He is a past board member of the American Association for Endocrinology (AACE/national organization) (2011-2015) and the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD).
Dr. Wimalawansa has published over 300 peer-reviewed research articles (11,100+ citations; h-Index of 40), 45 reviews and proceedings, 15 book chapters, and 5 medical books. He holds five medical patents in cardiovascular, osteoporosis, and preeclampsia of pregnancy. He is the author of the book, "Vitamin D: Everything You Need to Know" (2012).
He has made several seminal contributions to medicine, medical research, public health, and pharmaceuticals. These include development of novel modes of treating osteoporosis, including combination therapies (1985), nitroglycerine (1987), once-a-week bisphosphonates therapy (1995), and a technique to enhance the efficacy of bisphosphonates (1997); and cost-effective therapies, such as nitric oxide donor treatment (e.g., topical nitroglycerine and oral nitrates; 1987) and vitamin E regimens for treating osteoporosis (1997).
REGISTRATION
This symposium offers complimentary registration. Due to limited seating, early registration is highly encouraged. Register now by clicking the button below:
Obesity, osteoporosis and sarcopenia present enormous global health and economic challenges, which are exacerbated in aging populations. Singapore is one of the countries with the highest prevalence of osteoporotic hip fractures in the world. A recent study in Singapore has studied complex relationships between fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), and bone mass, with significant implications for obesity, frailty, and bone fractures later in life.
Vitamin D is essential for bone health, but also for many roles beyond the musculoskeletal system, including the immune, pulmonary, and cardiovascular systems; pregnancy; autoimmune disorders; and cancer. However, inappropriate or flawed study designs have been frequently found in clinical trials, which led to misleading interpretations.
Evidence from adequately powered epidemiological studies and RCTs in vitamin D-deficient populations shows favorable clinical outcomes, enriching the literature and improves understanding of its physiology and mechanisms. Proper study designs with rigorous methodologies and cautious interpretation of outcomes are crucial, and these principles are equally relevant to other micronutrients and nutrient/nutraceutical research, enhancing the credibility of clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.
ILSI Southeast Asia Region, Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP), A*STAR, Singapore, and Human Potential Translational Research Programme (HPTRP), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore are organizing a symposium to share key insights on improving nutrient clinical trial design for disease prevention, focusing on vitamin D and related health outcomes.
SPEAKERS
REGISTRATION
This symposium offers complimentary registration. Due to limited seating, early registration is highly encouraged. Register now by clicking the button below:
If you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the following:
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The ILSI Europe Healthy Europe Task Force is organising an expert workshop to identify research and translation gaps in nutritional strategies to support healthy ageing. The outcome of this workshop will inform the Task Force's agenda and the direction of future research activities on nutritional interventions to be developped in 2026. These activities could potentially include: Determining factors that impact our immune system and link them to specific ingredients, foods or diets; and: Pinpointing ingredients, foods, and/or diets that support healthy ageing.
Workshop Objectives and Background
The workshop "Nutritional Interventions for Healthy Ageing: Research Gaps and Future Directions" will explore thecurrent state of science in nutritional approaches to support healthy ageing, with the goal of identifying key research and translation gaps. The agenda will focus on critical themes including the gut microbiome, cognition, muscle health, mitochondrial fitness, and sustainable diets, all within the context of age-specific diet efficacy and nutritional strategies across the lifespan. In addition to mapping existing evidence, the workshop will address challenges in defining appropriate clinical endpoints and designing effective interventions tailored to different stages of ageing.
Featuring three keynote presentations and a series of interactive sessions, including panel discussions, the workshop will encourage interdisciplinary dialogue to shape future research priorities, support the development of targeted nutritional interventions, and lay the groundwork for collaborative clinical research in the field of healthy ageing.
This activity will result in peer-reviewed proceedings and actionable insights to guide future research in nutritional interventions in healthy ageing.
10:30 - ILSI Europe Presentation
10:40 - Healthy Ageing Task Force Introduction and Aim of the Workshop
10:50 - Prof. Matteo Cesari (World Health Organisation), Advancing Healthy Ageing Through Nutrition
11:20 - Prof. Anne-Marie Minihane (University of East Anglia) - Early Nutrition Intervention to Promote Healthy Life Expectancy
11:50 - Coffee Break
12:20 - Dr. Miguel Gueimonde (CSIC) - Nutrition for Healthy Ageing Through the Gut Microbiota lens
12:50 - Prof. Piril Hepsomali (University of Reading) - Nutrition and Cognition in Aging: Evidence, Challenges, and Opportunities
13:20 - Lunch
14:30 - Prof. Pol Grootswagers (Wageningen University) - Nutritional Interventions to Slow Muscle Ageing
15:00 - Dr. Asya Dolgikh (EPFL)- Precision Nutrition for Mitochondrial Health: From Accelerated Disease Models to Healthy Aging
15:30 - Coffee Break
15:50 - Evidence and Gaps Wall
16:50 - Closing Day 1 and Setting the Stage for Day 2
19:00 - Dinner
Day 2
9:00 - Welcome Coffee
9:30 - Start of Day 2: Introduction to World Café
9:40 - World Café: Co-Creating Research Directions
11:00 - Coffee Break
11:30 - Dissemination of Discussions Conclusions
12:30 - Workshop Closing: What's Next
13:00 - Lunch
Organising Committee
Miguel Gueimonde, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias, ES
Pol Grootswagers, Wageningen University & Research, NL
Piril Hepsomall, University or Reading, UK
Bruno Pot, Yakult Europe, NL
Rachael Patusco, Haleon, US
Maria Tonti, ILSI Europe, BE
Registration
This workshop is upon invitation only. Invited experts can register via the registration form sent by email.
If you're interested in this topic and believe you can bring a valuable contribution to the discussion, please contact mtonti@ilsieurope.be.
The role of vitamin D in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk remains debated despite growing evidence, with observational studies consistently linking low serum vitamin D levels with higher CVD risk. Its role in modulating inflammation and oxidative stress, improving endothelial function, and reducing cardiometabolic risk factors supports a comprehensive, multi-modal approach to cardiovascular health. In Singapore, 30-50% of the population, with prevalence higher in Malay ethnic groups, indoor workers etc., remains vitamin D deficient or insufficient despite year-round sunshine.
ILSI Southeast Asia Region and the Department of Metabolism, Nutrition and Health, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore are hosting a guest lecture by Prof. Dr. Sunil Wimalawansa to share the latest insights on vitamin D and CVD, and its implications in Asia.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Prof Dr Sunil J. Wimalawansa
Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology & Nutrition; Director, Cardio-Metabolic & Endocrine Institute, New Jersey, USA
Prof Dr Sunil Wimalawansa is a globally renowned expert in endocrinology, osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases, as well as nutrition and vitamin D. A clinician-scientist with more than three decades of experience, he has served on the scientific review committee of the US NIH and was a past board member of the American Association for Endocrinology.
Prof Dr Sunil J. Wimalawansa, Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology & Nutrition; Director, Cardio-Metabolic & Endocrine Institute, New Jersey, USA
Prof. Dr. Wimalawansa is a Professor of Medicine, Director of the CardioMetabolic & Endocrine Institute, and formerly University Professor and Chief of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Nutrition, UMDNJ/Rutgers University. His PhD from the University of London(UK) is in endocrine pathology. Dr. Wimalawansa is globally renowned in endocrinology, with broad expertise in internal medicine, endocrinology, osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases, chronic kidney disease, nutrition, vitamin D, water and sanitation, and environmental issues. He is a clinician-scientist with more than three decades of experience, a faculty member, medical educator, author, researcher, innovator, administrator, leader, and philanthropist.
He has served on several national and international scientific review committees, including the US NIH, the US Veterans Administration, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and NASA. He is a past board member of the American Association for Endocrinology (AACE/national organization) (2011-2015) and the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD).
Dr. Wimalawansa has published over 300 peer-reviewed research articles (11,100+ citations; h-Index of 40), 45 reviews and proceedings, 15 book chapters, and 5 medical books. He holds five medical patents in cardiovascular, osteoporosis, and preeclampsia of pregnancy. He is the author of the book, "Vitamin D: Everything You Need to Know" (2012).
He has made several seminal contributions to medicine, medical research, public health, and pharmaceuticals. These include development of novel modes of treating osteoporosis, including combination therapies (1985), nitroglycerine (1987), once-a-week bisphosphonates therapy (1995), and a technique to enhance the efficacy of bisphosphonates (1997); and cost-effective therapies, such as nitric oxide donor treatment (e.g., topical nitroglycerine and oral nitrates; 1987) and vitamin E regimens for treating osteoporosis (1997).
REGISTRATION
This symposium offers complimentary registration. Due to limited seating, early registration is highly encouraged. Register now by clicking the button below:
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Prof Dr Sunil J. Wimalawansa, Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology & Nutrition; Director, Cardio-Metabolic & Endocrine Institute, New Jersey, USA 
