Humann Names Dr. Harold Schmitz Science Advisory Chair and Announces Nutrition Research Partnership with the UC Davis Innovation Institute for Food & Health

Collaboration will explore nutrition as a key driver of cardiovascular health through collaborative research led by Dr. Harold Schmitz

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Humann, the Austin-based cardiovascular health supplement company, continued its legacy of engaging with leading academic institutions by announcing an academic research partnership with the University of California, Davis, a globally recognized leader in nutrition, food, and health sciences research. Dr. Harold Schmitz, Ph.D., has been appointed as Chair of the Humann science advisory board, and will lead this research initiative. This partnership with UC Davis and its Innovation Institute for Food and Health (IIFH) aims to investigate how precision nutrition approaches can improve cardiovascular health, performance, and longevity, building a stronger scientific foundation for future innovation in the food and dietary supplements categories.

Dr. Harold Schmitz brings extensive experience in nitric oxide research and in driving science-based food and nutrition innovation spanning academia and industry, including serving as Chief Science Officer at Mars, Inc and Senior Scholar at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management. In his role as Chair of the Humann science advisory board, Dr. Schmitz will lead the partnership with IIFH that will design and conduct scientific research, including clinical trials, to advance knowledge regarding the critical intersection of nutrition and cardiovascular health in women and men across multiple life stages.

"Humann started with the belief that nutrition can play a meaningful role in supporting cardiovascular health, but we've always known there is much more to discover," said Joel Kocher, CEO and Co-Founder of Humann. "Scientific partnerships have always been central to how we build this company, and our collaboration with IIFH gives us the opportunity to deepen our understanding of how nutrition can support cardiovascular health."

As more consumers take a proactive approach to healthy aging, the partnership reflects a growing recognition that longevity is shaped by interconnected factors, with the intersection of cardiovascular health and nutrition playing a central role. Together, Humann and IIFH aim to understand how cardiovascular nutrition supports optimal health and longevity, moving the conversation about cardiovascular health into the realm of improving quality of life and performance for all women and men based on rigorous scientific research.

Born out of research from The University of Texas, Humann's commitment to science has been at the core of the company since its founding. This foundation has been strengthened by the expertise of partnering with renowned scientific leaders, including Dr. John Ivy, whose research has advanced our understanding of exercise, metabolism and nutrition; Dr. John Cooke, a pioneering cardiologist, researcher and academic leader whose work has helped shape modern cardiovascular health and nitric oxide research; and the late Nobel Laureate Dr. Ferid Murad, whose discovery of nitric oxide's role in cardiovascular signaling transformed the field of cardiovascular health. This partnership with UC Davis will enable new studies to build on Humann's growing body of scientific research, including eight previously published clinical studies on its products.

"We believe it's time to reframe the conversation around heart health because, for too long, America has been looking at it the wrong way. The focus has been on reacting to disease instead of supporting cardiovascular health before problems arise. We believe science-based nutrition has an essential role to play in changing that," said Kocher.

"Cardiovascular health is a critical driver of longevity as well as optimal physical and mental performance throughout all stages of life," said Dr. Harold Schmitz, incoming Chair of the Science Advisory Board at Humann. "Nutrition can play a defining role in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and other factors that work together to define cardiovascular health over time. Humann has long been committed to advancing the science of cardiovascular health, and this partnership with UC Davis emphasizes Humann's continued commitment to rigorous research and scientific leadership. This collaboration will advance both science and public understanding regarding cardiovascular health and nutrition, and accelerate innovation that can improve cardiovascular health for consumers everywhere."

"UC Davis has long been a leader at the interface of advanced technology and nutrition science, including cardiovascular nutrition. This collaboration creates an exciting opportunity to leverage cutting edge technologies to deepen our understanding of the connections between nutrition, cardiovascular health, and healthy aging," said Justin Siegel, Faculty Director of the Innovation Institute for Food and Health at UC Davis. "By combining complementary expertise, we can accelerate research that advances scientific knowledge and its translation into practical insights positively impacting consumer health."

About Humann

Humann is building the new cardiovascular health standard, supporting heart health and overall wellness through science-backed cardiovascular supplementation. Best known for SuperBeets^®, the #1 cardiologist recommended beet brand for heart health support, Humann focuses on supporting healthy blood flow to help deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Founded through academic and scientific research at The University of Texas, Humann brings clinically studied ingredients and physician-aligned innovation into daily routines. Humann is trusted by more than 2,000 collegiate and professional sports programs and used by thousands of medical practitioners nationwide. Humann's products are available in more than 30,000 retail locations and on humann.com. 

About the UC Davis Innovation Institute for Food & Health

The UC Davis Innovation Institute for Food & Health (IIFH) works to make the food we love healthier for all people and the planet. By leveraging strategic partnerships with leading food companies, investors, foundations, entrepreneurs, and academics, IIFH drives interdisciplinary research and accelerates the commercialization of groundbreaking technologies. The Institute creates impact across four core areas: breakthrough research that advances healthier foods and ingredients; talent development that cultivates the next generation of innovators; uncommon connections that unite diverse partners across the ecosystem; and market impact that enables new products and companies to improve health while preserving the joy of eating.

Media Contacts 

Paul Street 
Madeleine Worrall
[email protected]

UC Davis Innovation Institute for Food & Health
Marissa Pickard
[email protected] 

SOURCE Humann