The initial directors of the research activities were Dr. Benjamin Stimmel and Dr. Paul Donovan who were particularly interested in measuring steroid hormones in the body. Through their improved techniques smaller amounts of hormone could be detected in blood and body fluids. In the early 1950's additional estrogen compounds were discovered which were previously unknown. Studies on the role of potassium in disease conditions, asthma, and diabetes were also research programs.

Clinical research studies in cardiac disease, and epidemiologic studies of health risk factors in the normal population were initiated in 1960. A fourteen year study of the health of the San Diego firefighters led to very distinct improvement in the health of the firemen with a modification of risk factors, such as smoking, excessive weight, cholesterol, and the establishment of a mandatory fitness program for all firefighters. Cigarette smoking decreased over this period of time from 76% to 8%. The incidence of cardiovascular disease has decreased and the objective findings of physical fitness have improved.

Dr. Stanley Kushinsky joined the Foundation in 1969 and continued the work on methodology of measurements of hormones in humans and was able to determine smaller and smaller amounts in blood specimens. Dr. Kushinsky was called by a Congressional panel in Washington to testify on the potential ban of adding estrogens to the feedlots of cattle prior to market, which was a Ralph Nader proposal. Dr. Kushinsky showed from his analysis using meat obtained from multiple local San Diego butcher shops that there was insufficient estrogen in the meat to make any clinical difference. Mr. Nader was thus defeated in his proposal.

In 1973 The Foundation sponsored a research program involving the pulmonary health of a group of Melanesians on the island of Malaita in the Solomon Island group, who had not been exposed to the outside world. Of significance was the amount of pulmonary disease secondary to pipe smoking which was endemic in their culture. Results of these studies were presented at international conferences in London, Chicago, Monte Carlo and Sweden.

In 1976 clinical evaluation of new medications was initiated with the sponsorship of pharmaceutical companies under the direction of the FDA. At the present time Dr. Richard O'Connor is directing about 25 different new clinical evaluations of new medications.

During the 1980's Dr. Richard Sauerheber and Dr. Larry Gordon studied the metabolic activities of cell membranes in diabetes, cholesterol abnormalities, and Aids. In 1985 a study relative to the transfer of cells secreting insulin from donor animals to diabetic animals indicated control of diabetes. This study in the laboratory animals was a forerunner of attempts by others to transfer pancreatic cells from human volunteers to patients with diabetes. Unfortunately in humans this   has not been successful, although research is still continuing.