Interview with Prof. Dr. Mauro Lombardo, the Event Chair of the 4th International Electronic Conference on Nutrients—Plant-Based Nutrition Focusing on Innovation, Health, and Sustainable Food Systems (IECN 2024)

Prof. Dr. Mauro Lombardo is the Event Chair of the 4th International Electronic Conference on Nutrients—Plant-Based Nutrition Focusing on Innovation, Health, and Sustainable Food Systems (IECN 2024), which will be hosted online between 16 and 18 October 2024 by MDPI, Nutrients (ISSN: 2072-6643) and co-organized by the San Raffaele Open University in Rome, Italy. Participation is free of charge for all participants and we are welcoming you to register and to submit your abstract.

The following is an interview with Prof. Dr. Mauro Lombardo:

1. Can you please introduce yourself and your research interests briefly?
I am a nutrition researcher with a focus on the impact of dietary patterns on human health, particularly in the context of chronic disease prevention and management. My work explores the nutritional benefits of plant-based diets and their role in sustainable food systems.

2. Thank you very much for your involvement in IECN 2024. As the conference’s Chair, how do you believe this conference will shape insightful discussions about the newest advances in the field? Which research topics do you think are of the most interest, and which will definitely be a point of focus at this conference?
As Chair, I believe the conference will catalyze significant discussions on cutting-edge research in plant-based nutrition, highlighting innovative approaches to health and sustainable food systems. Key topics will likely include the role of plant-based diets in chronic disease prevention, the environmental impacts of dietary choices, and the development of sustainable agricultural practices.

3. Which of your accomplishments do you consider to be the most impactful one? What are you most proud of?
The accomplishment I consider most impactful is my contribution to the evidence base supporting the health benefits of plant-based diets, influencing dietary guidelines and public health policies. I am most proud of my role in mentoring young researchers and helping to cultivate the next generation of nutrition scientists.

4. What was your main inspiration in pursuing a scientific career?
My main inspiration was the potential to make a tangible difference in people’s lives through research. The intersection of nutrition, health, and sustainability presented a unique opportunity to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

5. Could you describe the most difficult challenge you have faced in your research work and how you overcame it?
One of the most difficult challenges was overcoming the skepticism surrounding the efficacy of Mediterranean and plant-based diets for chronic disease management. Through rigorous research, collaborative projects, and public education, we were able to build a strong case for the benefits of such diets, gradually changing perceptions within the scientific community and the public.

6. Do you have any advice for young researchers who might be interested in doing research in nutrition?
My advice would be to remain curious, open-minded, and persistent. Nutrition science is a rapidly evolving field that requires a willingness to continually learn and adapt. Engaging with a wide range of disciplines, from molecular biology to public health, can provide a comprehensive understanding of nutrition’s role in health and disease.