UC Davis Innovation Institute for Food and Health Logo
April 30, 2025

Metabolic Psychiatry: From Treatment to Prevention

This event brings together investors, entrepreneurs, researchers, clinicians, and patients to explore the transformative connections between metabolic health and mental well-being. This event will feature insights into the science of metabolic psychiatry and neural mechanisms, lived experiences, clinical opportunities to improve mental health through metabolic disease treatment, and the barriers and incentives for payers. Together, we’ll uncover strategies to shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention in this emerging field.

UC Davis Innovation Institute for Food and HealthCornucopian Capital Logo

Wednesday, April 30
Welcome and Introduction
Panel Introduction - Julie Milder, Director Neuroscience, Baszucki Group

The science of metabolic psychiatry and therapeutic potential

  • Metabolic psychiatry and neural mechanisms:
    • Dom D’Agostino, Research Scientist, Institute of Human and Machine CognitionUniversity of South Florida
  • Clinical research inspired through lived experience:
    • Iain Campbell, Baszucki Research Fellow in Metabolic Psychiatry at the University of Edinburgh
  • Ketogenic diet and memory loss:
    • Gino Cortopassi, Professor, Molecular Biosciences, UC Davis
Panel Discussion with Audience Q &A
  • Moderator: Giovanni Battistini, CEO and Founder at Phenotap
Practitioners and Payors
  • Clinical opportunities for treatment of metabolic disease and links to better mental health:
    • Mariela Glandt, CEO and Co-Founder of Owna Health; Endocrinologist  
  • Barriers and incentives for payers:
    • Deb Adler, CEO, Navigator Health
Panel Discussion with Audience Q &A
  • Moderator: Giovanni Battistini, CEO and Founder at Phenotap
Keynote Speaker
  • Bi-directional relationship between metabolism and mental health:
    • Gary Taubes, American journalist, author of:
      • Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It (2010)
      • The Case Against Sugar (2016)
      • The Case for Keto: Rethinking Weight Control and the Science and Practice of Low-Carb/High-Fat Eating (2020)
Audience Q&A
  • Moderator: Julie Milder, Director Neuroscience, Baszucki Group
Closing Remarks
  • Aryeh Ganz, Founder & Managing Partner, Cornucopian Capital
  • Kirk Nylen, Managing Director Neuroscience, Baszucki Group
Refreshments and Networking
IIFH Involvement