Dr. Srinivasa K. Rao, Ph.D.Food as medicine

Speaking & teaching

From lecture halls to living rooms.

For four decades Dr. Rao has taught — university lecture halls, scientific conferences, community webinars, and family kitchens alike. He turns dense molecular science into guidance a general audience can act on, in English and in Telugu.

Upcoming

Where to hear him next.

  1. 25 September 2026
    Plenary Session Speaker

    Bharatiya Wisdom and Contemporary Biosciences: Advancing Evidence, Innovation and Sustainability

    PM-USHA International Conference Series — Jñānasetu: The Bridge of Knowledge

    Host
    University School of Sciences, Gujarat University
    Venue
    Atal-Kalam, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India
    Mode
    Hybrid — in person and online
    Conference portal
180+
weekly sessions since 2020
200+
nutrition talks
100+
scientific presentations
TEDx
“Freedom from Rice? Yes, I Quinoa”

The weekly series

Six years. Every week. Without a break.

Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, Dr. Rao has convened and led a continuous weekly nutrition education series — more than 180 sessions, and still running. What began as a way to keep a community informed during lockdown became one of the longest-running volunteer-led nutrition forums of its kind.

He presents a substantial share himself and personally curates every invited speaker — physicians, dietitians, Ayurvedic practitioners, food scientists, computational researchers and chefs, including clinicians from the American Heart Association. One point of view throughout: food as medicine, evidence over fad. Individual sessions have drawn audiences of up to 300.

What it covers

  • Foundations of nutrition science
  • Food & chronic disease
  • The gut, the brain & the microbiome
  • Healthy aging & longevity
  • Traditional systems & integrative medicine
  • Timing, fasting & food rules
  • Technology & the future of food
  • Practical, everyday eating

Not lecture-only: Dr. Rao created two recurring interactive formats — Foodpardy, a Jeopardy-style nutrition quiz, and the CLUE Cards game show — alongside member tips, Q&A panels and “News You Can Use” briefings.

Online & in person

  • India Home (Hicksville & Elmhurst)
  • DESI Senior Center
  • Satyanarayana Mandir
  • Wexford Terrace
  • Aviv Clinics
  • World Vegan Vision

Recent talks & events

  • Dr. Rao handing a copy of Food as Medicine: 108 Pioneers to a member of the Jaipur Reads group, with about ten readers gathered around him under trees in Central Park, Jaipur.

    Jaipur Reads receives 108 Pioneers

    Central Park, Jaipur

    A reading group gathered under the trees in Central Park, and a copy of Food as Medicine: 108 Pioneers changed hands.

    “Jaipur.Reads group receiving the book in Jaipur Central Park”
    Dr. Rao
  • Dr. Rao on stage at Andhra Medical College at the release of his book, standing with the principal of the college and other guests.

    ‘Food as Medicine: Towards an Evidence-Based Prescription’

    Distinguished Lecture, Academy of Medical Sciences, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam

    A distinguished lecture to the Academy of Medical Sciences, followed by a book release on stage with the college principal.

    “Book release at Andhra Medical College. The lady is the principal.”
    Dr. Rao
  • Dr. Rao speaking with a microphone beside a projected Telugu title slide reading ‘Artificial Intelligence and the Telugu Writer’, at a gathering of writers in Visakhapatnam.

    కృత్రిమ మేధస్సు మరియు తెలుగు రచయిత

    ‘Artificial Intelligence and the Telugu Writer’

    Visakhapatnam

    A sequel to his 2024 talk on the same theme, given to Sri Betavolu Ramabrahmam and an audience of regional writers — on what AI changes, and does not change, for someone writing in their mother tongue.

Also recently

  • ‘Debunking Anti-Aging Myths’ — 34th NIAASC Conference, Florida · 2023
  • ‘Food as Medicine Using Metabolomics’ — webinar · 2022
  • 39 global diets — Barcelona (Precision Food Nutrition) & Sweden
  • ‘Editing Life’ — Speaker of the Day, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amaravati campus · 16 November 2024
  • ‘Editing Life’ — Speaker of the Day, Vizag Science & Technology Forum, Kalam Convention Centre, AMTZ campus · 15 November 2024
  • Kids Day 2024 — invited as Eminent Scientist, Sri Prakash Vidyaniketan, VMRDA Children’s Arena, Visakhapatnam · 8 November 2024
  • ‘Food is Medicine: To Keep You Healthy’ — NCERT (Department of Education in Science and Mathematics) with Pravasi Bharatiya Academic and Scientific Sampark, ‘Listening to Learn’ webinar series, session 73 · 16 February 2024

On video

Invite Dr. Rao

Book Dr. Rao to speak.

Keynotes, lectures, webinars, workshops, and media — for universities, conferences, community organisations, senior centres, and schools. In English or Telugu.

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Topics

  • Food as medicine
  • Nutrition & longevity (health span)
  • Quinoa: health & nutritional benefits
  • Metabolomics & Ayurveda
  • India’s nutritional security
  • Drug discovery — scientists who saved millions
  • Molecular genetics of aging
  • The future of biotechnology