Speakers

Dr. Edward Walker is a scientist and lecturer, who believes that developing a healthy relationship with food is key for long-term wellness.

History

He completed his PhD at the University of Auckland on the antioxidant effects of berry fruits, and has continued to research how dietary plant compounds can improve health and wellness.

He works at The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research, undertaking commercially focused research of nutraceutical products for human health applications, with a focus on clinical validation of lab-based results. He is also a guest lecturer at the University of Auckland on the topic of nutraceuticals and functional foods.

How he came to Calocurb

Over the last 15 years Edward’s primary research focus has been the investigation of plant-based, appetite suppressants that reduce hunger and support healthy food choices. This work led to the development of Amarasate, a novel NZ hops-based appetite suppressant that stimulates the bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) in the gut to super-stimulate a triple satiety cascade - GLP-1, CCK and PYY.

He is passionate about plant-based nutraceuticals and believes that with the appropriate scientific research, they have the potential to improve health and wellness, and even prevent or delay the development of chronic disease.

Dr. Leonard J. Scuderi is a highly accomplished interventional cardiologist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular and venous disease. With more than 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Scuderi is known for his genuine compassion for his patients, advanced diagnostic and therapeutic skills, and meticulous attention to detail.

He completed his medical degree at the University of Utah School of Medicine, followed by residency training at St. Mary's Medical Center in Long Beach, California. He went on to complete dual fellowships in cardiology at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center and then at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio, Texas, where he refined his expertise in advanced cardiac imaging and interventional cardiology. This was the epicenter of the development of the first drug-eluting stent, which dramatically changed the outlook for patients who presented to the hospital with an acute heart attack and provided the opportunity of aborting a heart attack altogether.

Dr. Scuderi's approach blends the precision of modern cardiology with a strong focus on prevention and long-term wellness. He believes that optimal heart health extends beyond treating disease: it is about empowering patients to live longer, healthier, and more active lives.