Ricardo Uauy M.D. Ph.D. received his Medical Doctor degree from the University of Chile in 1972, completed residency training in Pediatrics at Children's Hospital in Boston ( Harvard University) and a Neonatology fellowship at Yale New-Haven Hospital (Yale University). In 1977 he obtained his Doctoral degree in Nutritional Biochemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.). He joined the Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology of the University of Chile (INTA) in 1977 as an Associate Professor and in 1981 became Professor of Nutrition and Pediatrics. He has directed INTA's training programs, the Clinical Research Center, the Division of Human Nutrition and Medical Sciences and was resident-coordinator for UN University activities at INTA. From 1985 through 1990 he was Associate Professor of Nutrition and Pediatrics at the Center for Human Nutrition University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. He returned to INTA in 1991 to head the Area of Human Nutrition and Medical Sciences and direct the Clinical Nutrition Unit, in 1994 he became INTA's Director, and was re-appointed in 1998 completing his second term in 2002. He is board certified (USA) in Pediatrics and in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. He has served as President of the Chilean Nutrition Society and has participated as an expert in WHO/FAO on Protein and Energy Requirements 1981, Fats and Oils in Human Nutrition 1993, Food Based Dietary Guidelines1987, Obesity 1997, Nutrition in the Elderly 1998, Human Nutritional Requirements for vitamins and minerals 1998. Protein Energy working group 2001.  Energy Recommendations 2001.  He was a member of the NIH (USA) Nutrition Study Section and is a member of the Scientific Advisory of the Novartis Foundation. He has contributed over 250 scientific publications on various aspects of human nutritional needs in health and disease with an emphasis on neonatal nutrition. He has co-edited three books: on Protein Energy Requirements Under Conditions Prevailing in Developing Countries(Rand, Uauy & Scrimshaw 1983),  on Nutritional Needs of Preterm Infants: Scientific Basis and Practical Guidelines (Tsang, Lucas, Uauy & Zlotkin 1993), on Nutrition and Brain (Fernstrom, Uauy, Arroyo 2001). He is on the editorial boards for Early Human Development, Nutritional Biochemistry, Journal of Pediatrics and Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. From 1995 to 2000 he was a member of the UN ACC/SCN Advisory Group in Nutrition (AGN) and chairman of the AGN for 1997-2000. He was elected as a member of the IUNS council in 1997 and chosen as president elect in 2001. Received the McCollum award presented by the American Society for Nutritional Sciences (USA) in 2000. Was inducted as member of the Chilean Academy of Medicine in 2002. Present research interest includes: Essential fatty acids and CNS development in humans, Copper deficiency and Toxicity, Protein energy needs in health and disease. Prevention of obesity and other nutrition related NCDs, International Health and Nutrition.