Global exercise immunology pioneer Prof. David Nieman joins The Unleash Health Scientific Council

Unleash Health proudly welcomes Professor David C. Nieman, DrPH, MPH, FACSM, one of the world’s most influential scientists in exercise immunology, inflammation, and nutritional countermeasures, to its Scientific Council.

Professor Nieman is Professor of Biology at Appalachian State University and Director of the Human Performance Laboratory at the North Carolina Research Campus. Over a distinguished four-decade career, he has led one of the most productive and impactful research programs globally at the intersection of physical activity, immune function, inflammation, and nutrition. His work has fundamentally shaped modern understanding of how exercise workload, recovery, and dietary strategies regulate immune resilience across athletic, clinical, and aging populations.

Professor Nieman is widely recognized as a founding architect of exercise-nutrition immunology. His research established the dose-dependent relationship between physical activity and immune health, demonstrating that regular moderate exercise enhances immunosurveillance and lowers infection risk, while excessive or poorly recovered exertion can transiently suppress immune function and elevate inflammation. These discoveries reframed immunity not as something to be “boosted,” but as a finely tuned biological system requiring balance, regulation, and recovery.

Across more than 420 peer-reviewed publications, 66,000+ citations, and an h-index of 120, Professor Nieman has delivered landmark insights into cytokine signaling, immune cell trafficking, oxidative stress, and illness susceptibility following physical and metabolic stress. His translational research has informed evidence-based guidelines relevant to public health, elite sport, military readiness, and chronic disease prevention, and has addressed priority questions for organizations including the NIH, NASA, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

On joining Unleash Health’s Scientific Council, Professor Nieman shared:

“A healthy immune system is not one that is constantly activated, but one that responds appropriately and resolves inflammation efficiently. Decades of research show that movement, nutrition, recovery, and stress biology work together to shape immune resilience. What excites me about Unleash Health is their ability to translate this complex systems science into daily behaviors at scale. Pairing rigorous immune and inflammation research with behaviorally intelligent AI represents a powerful new model for scalable preventative health.”

Dr. Ramin Rafiei, Founder and CEO of Unleash Health, added:

“David is one of the most cited and respected scientists in exercise immunology worldwide. His work fundamentally changed how we understand inflammation, immune regulation, and recovery, not just for athletes, but for everyday people navigating stress, aging, and metabolic load. As consumers increasingly seek science-led solutions for immunity, energy, and longevity, his expertise will be pivotal in shaping experiences that help people build immune resilience rather than chase quick fixes. We are honored to welcome him to the Scientific Council.”

Professor Nieman’s appointment strengthens Unleash Health’s mission to deliver the next generation of scientist-led, behaviorally intelligent experiences, translating cutting-edge immunology and inflammation science into daily practices that improve resilience, recovery, and long-term health in partnership with the world’s leading consumer health and wealth brands.