Chris Macdonald

• Lab Director and Fellow, University of Cambridge

Dr Chris Macdonald is based at the University of Cambridge, his work focuses on two main themes: dietary protein and health technology.

Health Technology: Dr Macdonald leverages emerging technologies to build life-changing free tools, including tools that accelerate fat loss, improve focus, and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. He is best known for creating a novel treatment protocol and accompanying digital platform that combines neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality to deliver the most effective treatment for speech anxiety. He made the platform free to use and it is now transforming lives in over 100 countries.

Dietary protein: Dr Macdonald is Founder and Director of the Better Protein Institute, an organisation accelerating the transition to superior sources of dietary protein-sources that, for example, require 100 times less land to produce equivalent quality and quantity. This work has major implications for sustainability, self-sufficiency, and national security.

Dr Macdonald has received multiple awards for his pioneering research-including Cambridge University's Excellence Award for improving interventions that increase sustainable food consumption; the National Innovation Award for developing a method that better translates and visualises emissions data; and the Digital Health Award for using virtual reality to create the most effective treatment for speech anxiety.

Dr Macdonald also won the 40 Under 40 Award for Science and Innovation, the Digital Education Award for Best Product, the Global EdTech Award for Best Startup, and the Times Higher Education Award for Innovation of the Year. He is the author of the best-selling book Operation Sustainable Human, which reveals the most impactful climate solutions.

Chris's research has been widely covered by mainstream media: e.g., The Guardian, The Times, BBC Science, ITV News.

In 2026, Chris is on a mission to provide 1 million free treatments worldwide.

Find out more and access his book, papers, and online tools for free at DrChrisMacdonald

• –present Lab Director and Fellow, University of Cambridge

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