Clinical Nutrition and Chronic Diseases

The following faculty are those with an emphasis in Clinical Nutrition and Chronic Diseases. 

Kedryn Baskin Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology. Transcriptionaland metabolic regulation of heart and skeletal muscle function and inter-organ communication.

Martha Belury Ph.D., RDInterim Chair and Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology. Study of how dietary fats target muscles and adipose tissues to impact healthy metabolism.  

Josh Bomser, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Human Sciences. How dietary phytochemical influence disease progression, specifically cancer.

Richard Bruno, Ph.D., RD, Professor, Department of Human Sciences.  Bioavailability and dietary requirements of antioxidants and polyphenols, and their antinflammatory activities in cardiometabolic disorders

Steve Clinton, MD, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Internal Medicine. Diet and nutrition in the etiology and prevention of cancer.

Zobeida Cruz Monserrate, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, understanding the molecular mechanisms of how obesity increases the risk of developing pancreatic diseases.

Monica Guisti, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology.  Natural colorants and their potential for health promoting properties.

Daniel Gallego-Perez, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering. Nano-scale platforms to treat diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Carolyn Gunther, Ph.D., Associate Professor, College of Nursing.  Behavioral and environmental factors that influence a child’s risk for obesity.

Irene Hatsu, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Human Sciences.  Nutrition and health consequences of food insecurity in underserved and vulnerable populations.

Natalia Higuita Castro, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Surgery.  Nano-scale technology and platforms to treat diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Sanja Ilic, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Human Sciences. Microbial food safety including human pathogens, E. Coli, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes.

Sheila Jacobi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Sciences. Nutritional immunology associated with neonatal gastrointestinal health in swine and swine models for human health.

Thomas Mace, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine. Investigating the use of dietary nutritional intervention to modulate inflammation in chronic diseases and cancer.

Kamal D. Mehta, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry.  Understanding the signaling cascades and mechanisms regulating transcription of lipoprotein receptors involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases.

Tonya Orchard Ph.D. R.D., Associate Professor, Department of Human Sciences.  Dietary components and patterns that decrease chronic inflammation; Nutritional interventions that reduce side effects of cancer treatment.

Fred Tabung, Ph.D. MSPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine. Dietary pattern modulation of the metabolome, gut microbiome and biomarkers of inflammation, insulin and immune response; in relation to cancer risk and treatment.

Kristy Townsend, Ph.D.Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery. Investigation of neural plasticity of the CNS and PNS innervating metabolically relevant tissues (adipose & muscle) and how they impact the regulation of energy balance and metabolic health with aging and disease.

Jeff Volek, Ph.D., RD, Professor, Department of Human Sciences.  Clinical application of low carbohydrate and ketogenic diets on the management of insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes and athletic performance and recovery.

Ouliana Ziouzenkova, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Human Sciences.  Nuclear receptor regulation and their relevance to the development of metabolic syndrome.