My guest is Dr. Brian Hooker — a scientist, a father to Steve, and Chief Scientific Officer at Children's Health Defense. Steve regressed into autism as a toddler, a moment that completely reshaped Brian's career and sent him deep into research on environmental and health factors in autism.

Steve is now 28 and thriving.

In this episode, Brian shares the journey — the science, the setbacks, the breakthroughs — and the one thing he'd tell a family who just received the diagnosis. 🎧

Brian S. Hooker, PhD, is Chief Scientific Officer for Children’s Health Defense and has been involved in the organization since 2016. He is also Emeritus Professor of Biology at Simpson University in Redding California. He retired as full professor from the university in May, 2023 and served on their faculty for 14 years.

He has been active in biotechnology and epidemiology research over the last 36 years after receiving his PhD in Biochemical Engineering from Washington State University in 1990. Dr. Hooker is the co-inventor for five patents for novel genetic regulatory elements in plants and yeast and has authored over 100 research papers, published in internationally recognized, peer reviewed journals. His diverse research interests over his career have included environmental restoration and bioremediation, plant and fungal molecular biology towards the production of plant-made pharmaceutical proteins, the elucidation of microbial protein interactomes for energy relevant bacteria, the etiology of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders and the epidemiology of vaccines and vaccine injury

In 2013 and 2014, he worked with the CDC Whistleblower, Dr. William Thompson, to expose fraud and corruption within vaccine safety research in the CDC which led to the 2016 movie Vaxxed: From Cover-up to Catastrophe.

Dr. Hooker coauthored with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, the NY Times Best Seller, Vax-Unvax: Let the Science Speak.

IMPORTANT RESOURCES:

🔗 Helpful Resources & Links:

https://www.drdanajohnson.com

https://www.spellerstampa.com

https://www.spelleratlanta.com

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrDanaJohnson⁩

🔗 Spellers Method: www.spellers.com 🎬

Spellers Documentary: • SPELLERS THE MOVIE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h1rcLyznK0&t=2210s

📍 Find a Spellers Center: www.spellerstampa.com or www.spellersatlanta.com

📚 Learn About Whole-Body Apraxia: www.drdanajohnson.com

Disclaimer: The information provided on this channel is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. I am a licensed occupational therapist, not a medical doctor. The content shared reflects my professional experience, clinical insights, and personal opinions, and should not be interpreted as a substitute for individualized medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic advice. Always consult your physician, licensed healthcare provider, or qualified specialist for guidance specific to your child’s needs. Use of this content is at your own discretion and risk. Viewing or interacting with this channel does not create a therapist-client relationship.