Biography
His expertise in nutrition, metabolism, and chronic disease management has allowed him to publish numerous scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals in these fields. Together with his innate and proven public speaking abilities and multiple language skills, Dr. Vicinanza has inspired and trained thousands of people around the world to embrace healthier nutritional habits and lifestyles.
Dr. Vicinanza grew up in the historical city of Rome. Since his adolescence, he has understood the importance of being a citizen of the world, which led him to travel and study abroad, learning different languages (English, Spanish and French), and exposing him to different cultures and ways of life. Dr. Vicinanza comes from very modest means. The challenges he has faced in his life have allowed him to develop a positive attitude and deep problem-solving skills by embracing obstacles as opportunities for the growth and development of his personality and abilities.
His passion for the medical sciences and the influence of the academic minds he has surrounded himself with, have pushed him forward and allowed him to make an impact upon the world around him. It is this background that has motivated and inspired Dr.Vicinanza to change his life and the lives of others in a meaningful way: whether it is other colleagues, students, or patients.
In 2008, Dr. Vicinanza received the degree of Doctor of Medicine cum laude from Sapienza University of Rome, defending his thesis on the effects of Thyroid Hormone and LDL-cholesterol on Nitric Oxide production in human endothelium. He received the I migliori della Sapienza Scholarship (the best of Sapienza) by Fondazione Roma Sapienza which allowed him to move abroad and join the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition and work alongside Dr. David Heber, who is an internationally recognized expert in the fields of nutrition, metabolism, and obesity. This afforded him a unique opportunity to combine his education in medicine with his passion for using nutrition as a preventive strategy to delay the onset of chronic diseases.
In 2012 Dr. Vicinanza moved back to his Alma Mater to receive his Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Molecular Medicine, defending his thesis on the biological effects of specific phytonutrients for cancer prevention, and he then pursued his clinical fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at Policlinico Umberto I University Hospital in Rome, where he conducted clinical studies on cardiometabolic disorders and mood disorders in older adults.
He then returned to the U.S. to join the Cohen Lab at the University of Southern California, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, where he largely focused his research on understanding the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet in the geriatric population and the role of mitochondrial microproteins in age-related diseases.
As an Associate Professor, Dr. Vicinanza is currently teaching several courses at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology including the fundamentals of nutrition for the Master of Science in Nutrition, Healthspan, and Longevity coordinated program.