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Kelly S. Swanson

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The Kraft Heinz Company Endowed Professor in Human Nutrition; Director of the Division of Nutritional Sciences

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Mission Statement

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The Swanson lab studies the effects of nutritional intervention on health outcomes, identifying how nutrients impact host physiology and gut microbiota, with primary emphasis on gastrointestinal health and obesity. His research is contributing to the development of diets to help prevent obesity and other health-related issues in humans and animals.

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Jacob Matthew Allen

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Assistant Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Allen\'s research program concentrates on understanding how specific environmental interventions and conditions- 1. Exercise 2. Stress and 3. Nutrition interact to influence gut microbial communities (i.e. gut microbiota) during both homeostatic and pathological disease states. Dr. Allenā€™s lab applies research methods spanning in vitro organoid systems, pre-clinical animal models and human studies to study these effects. The Allen lab is particularly interested in understanding how gut microbes interact with the immune systems of the gut and brain to shape our physiology.

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Jaume Amengual

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Associate Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Amengual contributes to the reduction of cardiovascular disease by examining how carotenoids and lipid metabolism interact to mediate atherosclerosis. Using animal models and cell culture techniques, he explores the structure and function of vitamin A and its metabolites to mitigate metabolic disease progression.

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Sayeepriyadarshini Anakk

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Professor

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Nicholas A. Burd

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Associate Professor

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Isaac Cann

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Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Cann examines genes and corresponding enzymes that catalyze efficient conversion of plant biomass to sugars in order to help develop sustainable, renewable energy for the world. He is advancing knowledge in plant cell wall hydrolysis in ruminants, fiber digestion in the human gut, DNA replication in methane producing microorganisms, and microbial peptide-induced cell apoptosis in fibrotic diseases.

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Maria Cattai de Godoy

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Associate Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Godoy is improving the quality of life and wellness of companion animals through research focusing on ingredient evaluation and foodomics, pet food technology, and therapeutic nutrition.

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Hong Chen

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Associate Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Chen focuses on molecular, biochemical, and nutrigenomic research that advances the knowledge of how diets affect each individual’s epigenome. Understanding nutrient regulation of genes during human development and carcinogenesis facilitates precision nutritional care for improved patient outcomes.

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Terence Crofts

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ASST PROF

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Brian T. Cunningham

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Professor

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Paul C. Davidson

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Associate Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Davidson improves and maintains surface water systems by reducing the transport of nutrients, pathogens, and pesticides from agricultural systems to waterways. He works with farmers and other stakeholders to develop solutions that protect the quality of our water resources while maintaining efficient farming operations.

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Elvira de Mejia

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Professor, Food Chemistry and Food Toxicology

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Mission Statement

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Dr. de Mejia investigates bioactive peptides and proteins in foods that promote health benefits for reducing inflammation, markers of type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease risk. She identifies and characterizes the functional properties of food components, notably flavonoids in ethnic teas, herbs, and berries.

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Matthew J. Dean

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Assistant Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Dean works to increase reproductive efficiency in humans and animals by increasing our understanding of the ovary, oviduct, and uterus. Projects in his lab include understanding how the uterus stores nutrients to support early pregnancy, how endocrine disruption chemicals (EDCs) affect the function of the oviduct, and the early events in the development of ovarian cancer.

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Anna Dilger

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Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Dilger is advancing the use of performance-enhancing technologies in livestock production to provide high-quality meat products to consumers. Her research examines the molecular mechanisms related to increased animal growth, efficiency, and the effects on meat quality.

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Ryan N. Dilger

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Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Dilger conducts interdisciplinary research involving nutrition, immunology, and neuroscience. Working with pig and chicken models, his research solves practical nutrition issues faced by modern animal agriculture, and use of a translational pig model to study early-life effects of nutrition on the microbiome, immune system, and brain to improve both human and animal health and well-being.

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Sharon Donovan

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Professor and Melissa M. Noel Endowed Chair in Nutrition and Health; Director of the Personalized Nutrition Initiative

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Mission Statement

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The first 1,000 days of life, spanning from conception until age 2, are of critical importance to short- and long-term health outcomes for infants and children. Dr. Donovan investigates some of the most pressing health issues facing children and families, including promoting a healthy gut, brain, and microbiome through diet, preventing childhood obesity and picky eating behaviors.

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Nicki Engeseth

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Professor of Food Chemistry

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Engeseth works to ensure optimal food quality and nutritional value of the food supply by investigating the impact of environmental growing conditions, processing, and storage on produce and oilseed quality, with emphasis on enzymatic action, lipids, and natural antioxidants.

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John Erdman

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Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Erdman studies how dietary changes, such as the consumption of tomato products, reduces the risk of prostate cancer. He evaluates the carotenoid lycopene, the main red color in tomatoes. His team uses ultrasound techniques for early detection of prostate cancer and tumor growth as well as monitoring development of non-alcohol liver disease. He also studies how lutein, another carotenoid pigment, impacts brain development.

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Jodi A. Flaws

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Professor

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Rex Gaskins

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Keith W. and Sara M. Kelley Professor of Immunophysiology

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Gaskins studies cancer metabolism. His current research focuses on the investigation of the biological basis of the increased risk for the development of colorectal cancer associated with consuming a diet high in red meat and saturated fat, and the role of mitochondria in tumor cell migration in patients with brain cancer.

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Saima Hasnin

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ASST PROF

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Mission Statement

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Childhood obesity is a pressing issue that disproportionately affects rural, minority, and ethnic communities across the country, contributing to increased health disparities in these groups. Dr. Hasnin\'s interdisciplinary research work and Extension activities are dedicated to developing sustainable childhood obesity prevention solutions and supporting holistic child development.

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William G. Helferich

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Professor of Nutrition

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Helferich investigates diet and breast cancer growth and progression with a specific interest on botanical estrogens from soy and other dietary supplemental sources. He also has interest in how thermally abused oil can alter breast cancer metastasis using preclinical models.

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Diego Hernandez Saavedra

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Assistant Professor

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Krystal Hodge

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ASST PROF

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Hannah D. Holscher

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Associate Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Holscher studies how food influences gut microbes and human health. Using big data approaches, she studies the link between diet, gut microbes, and health. Her work is important because it informs dietary recommendations to improve health and well-being.

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Jennie Chung-Yi Hsu-Lumetta

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Clinical Associate Professor

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Makoto Inoue

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Associate Professor

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Yong-Su Jin

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Associate Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Jin is pioneering the use of engineered microorganisms to deliver bioactive molecules and therapeutic proteins into the gut to prevent and treat gastrointestinal disease. He advances the use of engineered microorganisms for safe and sustainable production of value-added products from renewable biomass. He also optimizes genetic and metabolic processes within cells for enhanced production of target products while minimizing production of byproducts and waste.

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Rodney Johnson

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Professor of Nutritional Sciences

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Johnson is finding ways to promote, protect, and maintain brain health by studying communication pathways between the immune system and the brain. He investigates how infection, nutrition, and birth weight affect brain and cognitive development. He also studies how aging causes deterioration in brain health.

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John Juvik

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Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Juvik enhances food nutritional quality while reducing the incidence of cancer, heart disease, macular degeneration, obesity, '); document.write('and other degenerative diseases in his plant breeding program, which focuses on the development of brassica vegetable '); document.write('germplasm (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale) with improved flavor and health properties. He investigates the genetics '); document.write('controlling the biosynthesis of health-promoting phytochemicals in these vegetables.

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Maria Helen Kalaitzandonakes

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ASST PROF

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Auinash Kalsotra

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Professor

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Naiman A. Khan

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Associate Professor

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Halil Kilicoglu

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Associate Professor

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Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo

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Associate Professor

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Nu-Chu Liang

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ASSOC PROF

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Janet M. Liechty

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Professor

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Brett R. Loman

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Assistant Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Loman\'s interdisciplinary research improves animal and human gastrointestinal and mental health. By understanding how environmental factors such as nutrition and stress alter communication between the resident microbiota, intestine, and brain, his work strives to formulate dietary interventions that reduce gastrointestinal symptoms during functional gastrointestinal disorders, psychological stress, and cancer.
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Juan J. Loor

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Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Loor is an international leader in his field, advancing knowledge to better understand cattle development while helping feed a growing world population. He studies nutritional and physiological genomics during the neonatal, lactation, and rapid growth periods in both beef and dairy cattle.

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Roderick I. Mackie

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Professor of Microbiology

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Mackie is advancing animal health, biofuel production, and food safety through his research in microbiology. His work focuses on anaerobic microbiology and fermentations, molecular microbial ecology in gut ecosystems, degradation of plant cell wall polymers and biomass, nitrogen metabolism, anaerobic waste digestion, and antibiotic resistance genes.

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Zeynep Madak-Erdogan

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Associate Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Madak-Erdogan improves the quality of life for postmenopausal women and breast cancer survivors by understanding how diet and nutrition affect hormone action. Her lab uses multiscale modeling of –omics data from patient samples, animal models, and cell lines to understand the molecular basis of metabolic regulation by nuclear receptors and therapy resistance.

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Megan M. Mahoney

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Associate Professor

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Sheena Martenies

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Assistant Professor

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Brent McBride

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Profesor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. McBride is one of the leading researchers in the area of father involvement in families of children with disabilities. His cutting-edge research provides critical insight on how to better support fathers struggling within this challenging parenting context, as well as early intervention personnel working with these families. Additionally, he studies the role of child care contexts in influencing children\'s obesity and inappropriate weight gain during the early childhood years.

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Paul E. McNamara

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Professor of Consumer and Family Economics

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Mission Statement

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Dr. McNamara develops and strengthens extension services to help them meet the needs of some of the world’s poorest smallholder farmers in places like Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. Through his AgReach Program, he assists organizations and programs that reach over 12 million smallholder farmers and helps them to improve their agricultural productivity, increase their incomes, and achieve better household food security.

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Wenyan Mei

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Assistant Professor

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Michael Miller

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Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Miller solves problems related to various aspects of fermentation. He develops strategies to improve the safety of fermented dairy products, especially Hispanic-style cheeses. He evaluates the microbial metabolism of dietary components in the gut to maximize health benefits for humans. He develops contamination solutions for industrial fermentations.

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Manabu T. Nakamura

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Associate Professor of Nutrition

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Mission Statement

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Non-communicable, chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer are the main cause of death in the United States. Food plays a major role in progression and regression of these diseases. Our dietary approach is self-empowerment, not a quick fix. We help patients build knowledge and skills to create their own weight loss diet and healthy diet sustainable for life, thus advancing control over their own health. '); document.write('

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Erik Nelson

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Associate Professor

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Sharon Nickols-Richardson

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Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Nickols-Richardson helps individuals and families manage body weight and prevent obesity, metabolic syndrome, and osteoporosis through a variety of dietary, physical activity, and nutrition education approaches. She promotes dietary guidelines through community-based interventions and explores consumer behaviors around vegetable choice, preparation, and consumption.

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Romana A. Nowak

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PROF

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Nowak’s research focuses on female reproductive biology, particularly on uterine biology. Her laboratory studies early embryo development, embryo implantation, placentation, and reproductive diseases in women using several different animal models. Dr. Nowak’s research provides insight into important aspects of reproductive biology, including how environmental factors impact reproductive diseases and infertility in women.

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Yuan-Xiang Pan

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Professor of Nutrition

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Pan investigates how molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation control physiological functions and chronic disease processes. He identifies novel epigenomic mechanisms that will lead to individualized nutritional interventions for specific health outcomes to enhance the well-being of humans.

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M. Yanina Pepino

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Associate Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Pepino advances the understanding of the effects of taste perception on ingestive behavior and nutrient metabolism. She investigates bariatric surgery-induced weight loss on taste perception, eating and drinking, and the effects of consuming nonnutritive sweeteners on taste preference and blood sugar balance.

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Minakshi Raj

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Assistant Professor

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Jason M. Ridlon

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Associate Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Ridlon is helping find treatment strategies to improve human health and animal well-being. He studies gut microbiology, specifically the biochemistry and molecular biology of steroid and bile acid biotransformations by the gut microbiota. He is trying to understand how microbial metabolites promote gastrointestinal tract diseases such as liver and colorectal cancers, as well as essential hypertension.

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Michael Robben

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ASST PROF

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Robben is an early adopter of emerging multi-omic sequencing methods that will be key to understanding complex biological systems involving immune interactions in both human and animal models. Dr. Robben develops molecular, genomic, and machine learning tools for the combined analysis of sequencing and imaging data and uses them to find the underlying cause of immune cell dysfunction in both cancer and autoimmune disease.

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Sandra L. Rodriguez-Zas

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Professor

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Blair Martin Rowitz

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Clinical Assistant Professor

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Carl Allen Sather

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Clinical Assistant Professor

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Andrew M. Smith

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Professor

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Andrew J. Steelman

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Associate Professor

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Steelman investigates the impact of environmental factors such as infection, nutrition, and environmental and psychological stress on the intercellular communication pathways between cells of the brain and the immune system.

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Hans H. Stein

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Professor of Nutrition

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Stein evaluates energy and nutrient digestibility and metabolism in monogastric animals, including humans. He makes discoveries in the area of energy, mineral, carbohydrate, and amino acid absorption and utilization with applications for pig, as well as for humans.

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Margarita Teran-Garcia

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Assistant Dean for Integrated Health Disparities Programs

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Mission Statement

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Dr. TerĆ�n conducts transdisciplinary research on obesity and other nutrition-related diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension) among low-income populations. She promotes health and wellness among low-income, low-literacy families, including those of multi-ethnic, Hispanic heritage. As a physician-scientist, she translates evidence-based science to community-based programs that serve children and families in need. Her aim is to better understand the biological and psychological dimensions that could be modified in individuals and families to tailor more efficient and practical interventions to prevent obesity and chronic diseases.

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Pablo Torres Aguilar

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ASST PROF

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Mission Statement

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As a nutrition scientist and registered dietitian with a strong foundation in food science and human nutrition, Dr. Torres Aguilar\'s research is driven by the goal of promoting food and nutrition security among veterans and military connected families at a local and regional level; as well as vulnerable communities internationally.

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Damir Dennis Torrico

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ASST PROF

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Mission Statement

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Dr. Torrico is dedicated to advancing sensory science in food research. Specializing in taste perception and food product optimization, his lab conducts innovative research on physiological and psychological responses to food, new product development, and advanced statistical methods.

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Bo Wang

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Assistant Professor

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Shulei Wang

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Assistant Professor

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Jeffrey A. Woods

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Professor of Kinesiology

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Ruoqing Zhu

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Associate Professor

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