Meet Dr. Cavanaugh
Dr. Jessie Hawkins-Cavanaugh oversees all of the clinical trials, research projects, and educational activities at NRI.
EDUCATION
Dr. Cavanaugh obtained her undergraduate degree from Union Institute & University, majoring in Environmental Studies with an emphasis on the interactions between child development and the microbiome. Her master's degree in Public Health Promotion (GPA: 4.0) comes from the University of Alabama (roll tide!) with a thesis studying the health beliefs and behaviors associated with antibiotic overuse and stewardship.
Dr. Cavanaugh earned a graduate certificate in epidemiology (PgCert Epidemiology) from the University of London's renowned School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, ranked 3rd globally in public health. Her doctorate was earned from Middle Tennessee State University (GPA: 4.0), with a dissertation covering her clinical trial on the use of bergamot essential oil on pre-procedural anxiety among children with an autism spectrum disorder.
Post-doctoral education includes Harvard Medical School's prestigious Global Clinical Scholar's Research Training Program (GCSRT), from which she graduated with a commendation for her research design work on plant extracts for chemotherapeutic-induced side effects.
EXPERIENCE
Sharing her education has been a core of Dr. Cavanaugh's career since she first entered the field of natural health in the early 2000s. Dr. Cavanaugh taught thousands of families how to make healthier habits through personal enrichment courses, and after years of requests from students, established the first, fully authorized postsecondary institution to deliver both undergraduate and graduate diplomas in integrative health in the SE United States. Dr. Cavanaugh single-handedly developed the curriculum for each program and oversaw the authorization for each course through Tennessee's Higher Education Commission (THEC), the governmental organization responsible for postsecondary oversight in the state. During the 8 years of operation, Dr. Cavanaugh oversaw the Institute's annual reauthorization and established the school's independent research department to conduct original scientific studies on natural products.
As the research department exploded in growth in the late 20-teens, Dr. Cavanaugh recognized the importance of shifting her focus from operating a postsecondary institution with a research department to prioritizing research to deliver even higher quality education. This led to the shift to Nutraceuticals Research Institute, a boutique research firm which conducts high quality clinical research for a select assortment of clients around the world.
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Dr. Cavanaugh is the primary investigator for the only human epidemiological study to evaluate the proposed link between essential oils (specifically lavender and tea tree) and prepubertal gynecomastia in young boys.
• Dr. Cavanaugh's clinical trial on elderberry for immune support and prevention of upper respiratory health conditions is the largest of its kind to be conducted in the world.
• Dr. Cavanaugh has conducted more clinical trials on typically underserved vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and children, than any other natural product researcher or firm.
est 2005
2005 / VINTAGE REMEDIES
In June 2003, Jessie Hawkins established a small start-up that would evolve into Nutraceuticals Research Institute. Her goal was to make evidence-based information about natural health available to everyone.
Over the next 12 years, Dr. Hawkins would release four books and six personal enrichment programs through the Vintage Remedies brand, helping over 100,000 families worldwide learn how to use natural products safely and effectively.
2010 / NATURAL HEALTH COLLEGE
Now a recognized professional in the natural health field, Dr Hawkins frequently encountered aspiring natural health professionals looking for college programs. Frustrated with the lack of evidence-based options available, she began the work to establish the first fully authorized natural health college in the Southeastern United States to offer aromatherapy and herbal education with a recognized academic credential.
Dr. Hawkins would spend the next several years working to convince the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to authorize post-secondary programs for herbalism and aromatherapy.
2013 / FRANKLIN INSTITUTE OF WELLNESS
In November 2013, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission voted unanimously in favor of authorizing the Franklin Institute of Wellness as a recognized institution of higher education, thanks to Dr. Hawkins' hard work. That same month, FIW began enrolling the first class of students who would graduate from the first legitimate college of herbalism and aromatherapy in the southeastern United States.
2016 / CLINICAL RESEARCH
Discontent with the lack of high quality scientific evidence available for natural products, Dr. Hawkins established the research division of the Franklin Institute of Wellness.
The research division would conduct original clinical trials and epidemiological studies for the natural products industry as well as integrative health nonprofits.
2018 / FRANKLIN SCHOOL OF INTEGRATIVE HEALTH SCIENCES
Moving towards Dr Hawkins' original vision of becoming a research-centered academic institution, the Franklin Institute of Wellness became the Franklin School of Integrative Health Sciences, later shortened to Franklin Health. This name change allowed a clear distinction between the academic and research departments.
2020 / CLINICAL RESEARCH FOCUS
In 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic compelled the closure of our on-site classes. The pandemic also led to dramatic increases in research demands.
To adapt to these unprecedented times, Franklin Health made the transition from a research-focused college to an educational-focused research firm, opening clinical research services to a global market. Clinical research became the primary focus of Franklin Health.
2023 / NUTRACEUTICALS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
In 2023, Dr. Hawkins expanded the research institute to Huntsville, AL, her childhood hometown. With this institute no longer exclusively located in Franklin, the name evolved to reflect its expanded purpose: Nutraceuticals Research Institute.