Dr. Heather Zwickey serves as Dean of Research at NCNM and Director of the Helfgott Research Institute. Her initial training at the world renowned National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver focused on immunological challenges to vaccine development for tuberculosis. After completing her PhD at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, she began a postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University where she worked with Drs. Ira Mellman and Ralph Steinman. Dr. Zwickey's research examined the potential for autoimmune sequelae from dendritic cell cancer vaccines. At NCNM, Dr. Zwickey identify mechanisms by which natural therapies stimulate immune responses. Her research experience examining the effects of botanicals, probiotics, diet, and hydrotherapy on immunological parameters in humans is pivotal to achieving this task. Dr. Zwickey also expores the mechanisms involved in infectious disease, cancer, autoimmune disease, psychoneuroimmunology, and immunological tolerance.
Getting to know Dr. Zwickey Birthplace: Lake Crystal, MN High School: Lake Crystal High School Activities: Skiing, hiking, music, traveling Favorite Quote: "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure." - Helen Keller Music: Van Morrison, Sonia Dada, Lyle Lovett, Johnny Cleg & Savuka, O.A.R., Snow Patrol, Little Big Town, Virginia Coalition, Chris Brown, Paula Cole Movies: Dave, Strictly Ballroom, Leaving Normal, X-Men, Love Actually, It's a Wonderful Life, Beyond Rangoon, The Mission, North by Northwest, So I Married an Axe Murderer, Batman Begins, Die Hard, Speed, etc. Sitcom: I prefer football and basketball to comedy TV Historical Figure: MLK Personal Style: Helper Hobbies: Paint, sculpt, play music (piano, flute, piccolo,oboe and a little guitar). Also, I love traveling to countries with cultures very different than the U.S. (like Brazil and Tanzania, most recently.) Favorite Vacation Spot: Hawaii, Colorado Favorite Restaurant: Manzana What I like best about Portland: Portland is a laid-back city. It has all the benefits of some of the larger cities (concerts, plays, professional basketball, museums, etc.) without the pomp and circumstance of the larger cities.
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (UCHSC), Denver, CO
Dissertation:Processing of Antigens Secreted by Non-cytoplasmic
L. monocytogenesand Presentation by MHC Class I molecules
B.A. cum laude
Mathematics
Sept. 1987-June 1991
St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN
RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
National College of Natural Medicine
Portland, OR
Dean of Research
June 2007-present
Director of Research
Jan. 2002-present
Professor of Immunology
Projects:
Evidence Based Medicine Curriculum Development
Aug. 2007-present
Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Type II Diabetes
Sept. 2006-present
Immmune Activation with Constitutional Hydrotherapy
Sept. 2005-present
Herbal Effects on Immune Parameters
Sept. 2003-present
Comparison of Two Anti-inflammatory Diets for Psoriasis
Aug. 2008-present
Organic Cotton vs Semi-Synthetic Rayon Blend Tampons
Jan. 2010-present
Hibiscus to Reduce Cholesterol in Metabolic Syndrome
Oct. 2010-present
Fertility Supplement
June 2010-present
Relaxation and Visualization for Breast Cancer
Sept. 2005-2010
Oregon Health and Sciences University
Portland, OR
Adjunct AssociateProfessor, Department of Neurology
May 2005-present
Projects:
Negative Cognition and Inflammation
June 2006-present
OHSU Investigator: Beth Darnall, PhD
CAMEO: Conditioned treatment of EAE
May 2005-2009
VA Investigator: Richard Jones, PhD
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
Co-Investigator
Project:
Acupressure for Women with Long-term Fatigue Post Breast Cancer Treatment
Sept. 2010-present
UM Investigator: Suzanna Zick, ND
Africa Bridge
Tukuyu, Tanzania and
Co-Investigator
Lake Oswego, OR
Project:
Childhood Stunting in Children in the Isongole Ward
Jan. 2008-present
Pontificia Universidade Catolica Do Rio Grange Do Sol
Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
Collaborator
July 2002-present
Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven, CT
Postdoctoral Fellow with Dr. Ira Mellman
May 1999-Jan. 2002
Collaborator: Ralph Steinman, Rockefeller University
Project:
Analyzing the cell biology of antigen processing of self and foreign antigens by dendritic cells.
National Jewish Medical and Research Center
Denver, CO
Postdoctoral Fellow with Dr. Terry Potter
Oct. 1998-Apr. 1999
Projects:
Determining whether a single MHC-peptide complex could mediate skin graft rejection
Defining attenuator peptides that are generated during a human immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis to be used as vaccine candidates
National Jewish Medical and Research Center
Denver, CO
Graduate Student at UCHSC with Dr. Terry Potter
Sept. 1993-Oct. 1998
Thesis Research:
Using LLO- Listeria monocytogenes to model class I antigen presentation of bacteria that are confined to an intracytoplasmic vesicle
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Upton, NY
Summer Research Intern with Dr. Brenda Laster
June 1988-Aug.1988
Project:
Using a mouse model to test toxicity of a new laser activated drug directed toward glial blastoma tumors
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Berkeley, CA
Summer Research Intern with Dr. Mina Bissell
June 1987-Aug. 1987
Project:
Designing an in vitro culture system for primary breast tumor cells
TEACHING AND LECTURING
National College of Natural Medicine
Portland, OR
Special Project: Development of the Master’s of Science of Integrative Medicine Degree Program
Aug. 2010-present
Professor of Immunology
Oct. 2011-present
Associate Immunology Professor
April 2001-present
Courses
Immunology
April 2001-present
Integrative Immunology
Sept 2007-present
Cellular Systems
April 2002-present
Microbiology
April 2005-2007
Research and Biostatistics
April 2002-2010
Introduction to Cancer (Genetics)
April 2002-present
Vaccine Balancing Act (CE Course)
Nov. 2005-present
Gut Immunology (CE Course and Elective)
March 2004-present
Naturopathic Research (CE Course)
June 2002
Technology for Naturopathic Physicians (CE Course)
June 2002
Immunology Update (CE Course)
December 2001
Oregon Mini-Med School Organizer
2009-present
Resident Education Seminars
2007-present
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Association of Immunology
American Association for the Advancement of Science
National Vaccine Safety Committee Writing Group
New York Academy of Science
Institutional Review Board of Oregon College of Oriental Medicine
Institutional Review Board of National College of Naturopathic Medicine
Editorial Board, International Journal of Naturopathic Medicine
Editorial Board, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
International Society for Complementary Medicine Research
Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care (ACCAHC)
Research Working Group (RWG) Co-Chair
Natural Doctors International Board of Directors
Peer Reviewer, National Institutes of Health; Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Click here for a complete CV, including: • Seminars, Lectures and Workshops • Peer Reviewed Publications • Reviews, Articles & Abstracts • Funded Projects • Special Projects
Courses
Dr. Zwickey has previously taught Immunology (ND), Integrative Immunology (CCM), Vaccine Elective and Gut Immunology Elective. Current courses include:
