Think tank of renowned experts complements and strengthens the internal scientific knowledge of the 800+ scientists comprising Amway Research & Development worldwide.
ADA, Mich., April 14, 2025 – Innovation through collaboration keeps Amway, the world’s largest direct selling company, on the forefront of the science of health and wellbeing. Amway’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) elevates the research, discovery, and expertise with a group of prestigious global academics, scientists, and thought leaders in dermatology, gut health, healthy aging, nutrition, food sciences, healthy weight, and more.
Leveraging the knowledge and expertise of the SAB enables Amway to extend its holistic approach to scientific innovation across seven areas impacting healthspan, the number of years a person is able to enjoy an active, independent life including: healthy gut, healthy weight, healthy skin, healthy aging, fitness, foundational nutrition, and healthy home.
While they are not Amway employees and do not endorse any Amway product or service, Advisors lend external credibility to Amway science by critiquing research plans, sparking critical conversations, and providing insights on emerging science and technology trends that potentially benefit the company’s brands.
Rooted in Relationships
Established in 2003, the SAB finds its strength in the deep, lasting relationships Amway scientists develop with Advisors. “We rely on a close-knit community of people who bring unmatched expertise in their fields,” said Jesse Leverett, Fellow – Amway Open Innovation. “We look at whose groundbreaking research aligns with our strategic vision for the future of health and wellbeing but is, say, 10 years ahead of us, and then we try to fund that work through grants. Doing so helps Advisors achieve their research goals and keeps our brands ahead of the curve.”
These collaborations lead to advancements in Amway science. For example, Amway R&D might draw upon its own expertise in botanicals and phytonutrient extraction and test ingredients that show promise for an intervention that aligns with work the Advisor or institution is doing. Amway then funds testing that takes those ingredients to the next level. “We try to keep relationships and projects going so we’re always learning and talking with them about what’s next,” adds Leverett.
Several Advisors and their institutions are involved in active research projects funded by Amway. Those findings may be used to fuel new products. Amway scientists and Advisors also co-author published articles for peer-reviewed scientific journals and forums.
Meet the Advisors
These widely published, sought-after academic and industry experts hail from countries and universities around the world, and hold a variety of degrees, including biochemistry; dermatology; human and plant physiology; microbiology; nutrition; and more.
Soyun Cho, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor & Head of Dermatology, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Korea
Dr. Cho is a board-certified dermatologist focused on skin aging, acne, rosacea, and the use of retinoids. She studies matrix biology, or what happens inside the skin when dermatitis, inflammation, or skin aging is present.
Gary Fisher, Ph.D.
Director, Photobiology & Aging Research Laboratory, University of Michigan, U.S.
Dr. Fisher studies the molecular mechanisms of sun-induced premature and chronological skin aging. His research focuses on retinoids and the impact of skin on overall health.
David Furman, Ph.D.
Director, Stanford 1,000 Immunomes Project & Associate Professor & Chief of the AI Platform, Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Stanford School of Medicine, U.S.
Dr. Furman is a renowned researcher, innovator, and thought leader in the aging of the immune system. His work explores how the inflammatory response within the immunome affects aging and the development of chronic, non-communicable diseases.
Emily Ho, Ph.D.
Professor, Endowed Chair, & Director, Linus Pauling Institute – Oregon State University, U.S.
Dr. Ho dedicates her research to understanding how nutrient status and components from healthy foods can prevent or treat chronic diseases and aid the immune system.
Yosep Ji, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer, HEM Pharma, South Korea
Dr. Ji is deeply involved in researching the microbiome. As CEO, he leads work that seeks to understand how individuals’ microbiomes differ to gain insight for personalized nutrition and interventions, including the development of microbes that help promote health.
Jean Krutmann, M.D.
Professor of Dermatology & Environmental Medicine & Director – IUF – Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Germany
Dr. Krutmann investigates the molecular mechanisms that underlie environmentally induced skin aging and associated skin diseases. He is credited with the definition and characterization of the skin aging exposome.
Purnima Kumar, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Endowed Professor of Dentistry, Department of Periodontics & Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry – University of Michigan, U.S.
Dr. Kumar is a respected clinician, teacher, researcher, and thought leader in oral medicine and microbial ecology who dedicates her research to studying the link between oral health and overall health.
Oran Kwon, Ph.D., M.S.D.
Professor, Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management – Ewha Womans University, Korea
Dr. Kwon teaches nutritional science while focusing her research on phytochemicals in culinary plants, studying how multiple components in traditional herbs impact health at the clinical level.
Mary Ann Lila, Ph.D.
Director, Plants for Human Health Institute – North Carolina State University, U.S.
Dr. Lila is passionate about shifting the mindset of food as a resource to protect and enhance health. Her research focuses on the protective bioactive compounds found in foods.
Kiyotaka Nakagawa, Ph.D.
Professor & Vice Dean, Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences – Tohoku University, Japan
Dr. Nakagawa studies lipid oxidation and the mechanisms by which the processes happen, compromising cells and leading to their death. He is investigating the role of lipid peroxidation and its chemical byproducts in the development of degenerative diseases.
Eric Ravussin, Ph.D.
Associate Executive Director for Clinical Science, Pennington Biomedical Research Lab – Louisiana State University, U.S.
Dr. Ravussin is renowned for his translational research on obesity and type 2 diabetes. His work explores the relationships between food patterns, food intake, and metabolic health.
Desmond Tobin, Ph.D.
Professor of Dermatological Science & Director of the Charles Institute of Dermatology – University College Dublin, Ireland
Dr. Tobin specializes in systems biology, which is the discovery of unifying paradigms systems wide and how these paradigms come together to contribute to an optimally functioning body – for example, what is good for the heart may also benefit the skin and other organs.
David Walker, Ph.D.
Professor or Integrative Biology & Physiology – University of California, Los Angeles, U.S.
Dr. Walker researches the molecular and cellular mechanisms of aging. His work seeks to identify novel approaches to aging and age-related diseases to, ultimately, prolong healthspan.
Gary Williamson, Ph.D.
Professor & Department Head of Nutrition, Dietetics, & Food – Monash University, Australia
Dr. Williamson dedicates his research to how the body absorbs dietary polyphenols and the mechanisms by which they reduce the risk of conditions like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
About Amway
Amway is a business owner-led global health and wellbeing company based in Ada, Michigan, U.S. It is committed to serving Amway Business Owners and their customers across more than 100 countries and territories worldwide. Top-selling brands for Amway are Nutrilite™, Artistry™ and XS™ – all sold exclusively by entrepreneurs who are known as Amway Business Owners. Amway is the No. 1 direct selling business in the world, according to the 2024 Direct Selling News Global 100 list. For company news, visit: https://www.amwayglobal.com/newsroom.
###
