2018 Walker Prize Awardee

Dariush Mozaffarian is a cardiologist, Jean Mayer Professor of Nutrition and Medicine, and Dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy at Tufts University. The oldest and most renowned graduate school of nutrition in North America, the Friedman School’s mission is to produce trusted science, future leaders, and real-world impact. He has authored more than 300 scientific publications on the dietary priorities to reduce cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity in the US and globally; and on evidence-based systems innovations and policies to effectively reduce these burdens. Dr. Mozaffarian has served in numerous advisory roles including for the US and Canadian governments, American Heart Association, Global Burden of Diseases study, World Health Organization, and United Nations. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, Time Magazine, and many other outlets. In 2016, Thomson Reuters named him as one of the World's Most Influential Scientific Minds.

Dr. Mozaffarian received his BS in biological sciences from Stanford (Phi Beta Kappa), MD from Columbia (Alpha Omega Alpha), and clinical training in internal medicine and cardiovascular medicine from Stanford and U. Washington. He also holds an MPH from U. Washington and Doctorate in Public Health from Harvard. Before being appointed as Dean at Tufts in 2014, Dr. Mozaffarian was at Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health for a decade and clinically active in cardiology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He is married, has three children, and actively trains as a Black Belt (third degree) in Taekwondo.

The Friedman School pursues cutting-edge research and education across 5 Divisions from cell to society. Areas of faculty expertise include molecular nutrition, human metabolism, data sciences, clinical trials, behavior change, community and organizational interventions, media and communication, food systems and sustainability, global food security, humanitarian crises, and food economics and policy. Friedman School graduates are active in academics, policy, advocacy, government, industry, public health, community service, and entrepreneurship. The School’s unique breadth, engagement with the world, and entrepreneurial spirit make it a leading institution for nutrition education, research, and public impact.