Studying the biology of hope: An interview with Lee S. Berk, DrPH, MPH. Interview by Sheldon Lewis

Dr Lee S. Berk is a pioneering medical researcher studying the neuroendocrine and immune effects of positive emotions. He is an associate professor of Health Promotion and Education, School of Public Health, and associate research professor of Pathology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, both at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California. Dr Berk is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Association for Integrative Medicine. He is also nationally board certified as a health education specialist and has served as a member of the board of directors for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine in Loma Linda, California. Dr Berk is a member of the editorial board of Advances in Mind Body Medicine. During the Society for Neurosciences' annual 2001 meeting Dr Berk presented and received major media coverage of a landmark paper entitled, "The Anticipation of a Laughter Eustress Event Modulates Mood States Prior to the Actual Humor Experience." More recently Dr Berk presented at the FASEB (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology) annual 2006 meeting in the American Physiological Society section another landmark paper entitled, "Beta-Endorphin and HGH Increase are Associated With Both the Anticipation and Experience of Mirthful Laughter," with further major media coverage. Recently, Dr Berk spoke about his work with Sheldon Lewis, editor in chief of Advances.