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Nutrition & Metabolic Health Initiative (NMHI)

The Nutrition & Metabolic Health Initiative launched clinical services to the local Lubbock community related to nutrition weight management and metabolic health in February 2018. NMHI focuses on overall healthy lifestyles (nutrition, physical activity, stress management and overall self-care) to improve or prevent a number of health conditions. The programs include medically informed weight loss, state of the science nutritional and motivational counseling, and education. They also offer cutting edge scientific methods to measure your muscle, fat, and the number of calories your body needs daily. To find out more and enroll in the programs please visit www.nmhi.ttu.edu.

Department Announcements

Ceremony to Congratulate Fall 2017 Graduates of the Department

• The Graduation Celebration of the Nutritional Sciences Department was held on December 15, 2017. It was a great opportunity to honor our M.S. and Ph.D. Graduates!
• Ph.D. Candidate: Ashlee Taylor
• M.S. Candidates: Mikayla Barrett, Heather Callender, Rachael Gentry, Claire Gundlach, Sophia Jimenez, Jodi Jones, Jordan Lichthardt, Zelle Morefield, Raul Palacios, Whitney Ruble, Haley Skinner, Courtney Smyth, Alston Trbula, Jacquelyn Valle

Annual Report of the Nutritional Sciences Department (January 2017 – December 2017)

• Students- 969 undergrads and 99 graduate students
• 28 Faculty Members and 2 open positions
• 4 Extramural Grants received- $289,917.16
• 22 Intramural Grants received- $152,803
• 17 Active Extramural Grants- $2,920,302.41
• Student Awards- 18 internal and 11 external awards
• Faculty Awards- 9 internal and 10 external awards
• Publications- 70 journal articles/book/book chapter, 115 posters and presentations, 21 invited lectures and symposia, and 35 media appearances

Retirement Celebration for Dr. Debra Reed

• Department of Nutritional Sciences will hold a retirement celebration honoring Dr. Debra Reed at El Centro, College of Human Sciences on April 20, 2018. Remember to RSVP by April 13 to hs.rsvp@ttu.edu.

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

• Ana Florencia Moyeda Carabaza
  • Degree: MS
  • Defense Date: March 7, 2018
  • Thesis Title: Community-based Assessment and Intervention for the Prevention and Management of Type 2 Diabetes Among Hispanics in Lubbock, Texas and in a Mexico-Texas Border City
  • Thesis Committee: Dr. Mary Murimi (Committee Chair), Dr. John Dawson, Dr. Wilna Oldewage-Theron, and Dr. Amy Koerber
• London Mena
  • Degree: MS
  • Defense Date: March 19, 2018
  • Thesis Title: Mechanisms Mediating Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Delta-Tocotrienol
  • Thesis Committee: Dr. Naima Moustaid-Moussa (Committee Chair), Dr. Chwan-Li Shen, and Dr. Latha Ramalingam
• Sharmin Akter
  • Degree: MS
  • Defense Date: March 23, 2018
  • Thesis Title: Psychological and Weight History Variables as Predictors of Initial Weight and Body Fat Loss
  • Thesis Committee: Dr. Martin Binks (Committee Chair), Dr. John Dawson, and Dr. Vijay Hegde
• Soni Khandelwal
  • Degree: PhD
  • Defense Date: March 27, 2018
  • Dissertation Title: Cytotoxicity of Se-labeled Antibodies and Selenofolate against Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468
  • Dissertation Committee: Dr. Julian E. Spallholz (Committee Chair), Dr. Lauren S. Gollahon (Committee Chair), Dr. Mallory L. Boylan, Dr. Nikhil Dhurandhar, and Dr. Ruth Serra-Moreno
• Md Abu Bakkar Siddik
  • Degree: MS
  • Defense Date: March 29, 2018
  • Thesis Title: Effect of a MetAP2 Inhibitor on Adipogenesis
  • Thesis Committee: Dr. Vijay Hegde (Committee Chair), Dr. Shaikh Rahman, and Dr. Latha Ramalingam
• Zahra Mostofinejad
  • Degree: MS
  • Defense Date: April 6, 2018
  • Thesis Title: Continued Improvement of Glycemic Control after Five Month Treatment with E4orf1 Protein in Older Mice
  • Thesis Committee: Dr. Vijay Hegde (Committee Chair), Dr. Nikhil Dhurandhar, and Dr. Andrew Shin

 

Lab Updates

Behavioral Medicine & Translational Research Lab (Dr. Binks)

• Graduate students, Shao-Hua Chin, William Quarles, Sharmin Akter, and Wei-Lin Huang, and undergraduate students, Macy Moseley and Hannah Olvera together have 8 accepted abstracts which will be presented at Nutrition 2018 (annual scientific meeting of ASN).
• Free Body Fat Assessment & up to $20 Compensation for Research Study. Call/email if interested: 806-742-5194, bmtrlab@ttu.edu

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Student Achievements

• Macy Moseley and Hannah Olvera, undergraduate students
  • Received funding ($750) from the Undergraduate Research Experience grants program in the COHS for 2017-2018.
• Maliha Tabassum Munir, Ph.D. student
  • Selected as the February 2018 Graduate Student of the Month in the College of Human Sciences. https://goo.gl/UZ6joq
• Sophia Jimenez, M.S. student
  • Won the Dietetic Intern of the Year Award from the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Mandana Pahlavani, Ph.D. student
  • Won 1st place of the Texas Tech University's 2017 Outstanding Dissertation Award in the Biological and Life Sciences category. https://goo.gl/kCnSk9
• Sharmin Akter, M.S. student
  • Awarded a Graduate Fellowship to pursue a doctoral degree in the Department of Nutritional Sciences for the 2018-2020 school years.
• Wei-Lin Huang, M.S. student
  • Received Helen C. Brittin Scholarship for Food and Nutrition for the 2018-2019 school year.
• Hannah Olvera, undergraduate student
  • Received Undergraduate Scholar Project Funding ($1,000) from TTU Center for Active Learning and Undergraduate Engagement (CALUE) for Spring 2018.
  • Received undergraduate travel funding ($1,000) from CALUE for presenting her abstract at Nutrition 2018.
  • Received LeaderShape Scholarship from TTU COHS to represent the College of Human Sciences at a leadership camp hosted by the LeaderShape Institute from May 13- 18, 2018 in Boston.
• Maliha Tabassum Munir, Ph.D. student
  • Received TTU Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowships from the Graduate School.
• Samudani Dhanasekara, Ph.D. student
  • Received TTU Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowships from the Graduate School.
• Ziaul Hasan Rana, Ph.D. student
  • Received TTU Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowships from the Graduate School.

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Faculty Awards

• Dr. Allison Childress
  • Received the 2018 Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Distinguished Scientists Award.
• Dr. Nikhil Dhurandhar
  • Received the 2018 Barnie E. Rushing Jr Award by Texas Tech University for excellence in research, scholarship, and creative activity.

Funding

• Project Focus: To Predict Weight Loss Response to Liraglutide, from fMRI-based Determination of Food Cue Reactivity
  • Funding Source: Novo Nordisk
  • Total Amount $482,000
  • Funding Period 6/1/2018 – 5/31/2020
  • TTU Principal Investigators: Nikhil Dhurandhar & Martin Binks

• Project Focus: The Role of Heat Shock Proteins in Obesity and Diabetes Using Animal Models
  • Funding Source: the Qatar Foundation/ the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI)
  • Total Amount: $68,750
  • Funding Period: 3/15/2018 – 3/14/2020
  • TTU Principal Investigator: Naima Moustaid Moussa
  • QBRI Principal Investigator: Mohammed Dehbi

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Patents, Publications, Invited Lectures and Boards

Journal Articles

• Kaplan LM, Golden A, Jinnett K, Kolotkin RL, Kyle TK, Look M, Nadglowski J, O'Neil PM, Parry T, Tomaszewski KJ, Stevenin B, Lilleøre SK, Dhurandhar NV. Perceptions of Barriers to Effective Obesity Care: Results from the National ACTION Study. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2018 Jan;26(1):61-69. doi: 10.1002/oby.22054. Epub 2017 Oct 31.
• Hao L, Kearns J. Scott S, Wu D, Kodani S, Morisseau C, Hammock SD, Sun X, Zhao L, Wang S. Indomethacin enhanced brown fat activity. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2018 (In press).
• Albracht-Schulte K, Kalupahana NS, Ramalingam L, Wang S, Rahman SM, Robert-McComb J, Moustaid-Moussa N. Omega-3 fatty acids in obesity and metabolic syndrome: A mechanistic update. J Nutr Biochem. 2018 (In press).
• Zu Y, Overby H, Ren G, ZY Fan, Zhao L, Wang S. Resveratrol liposomes and lipid nanocarriers: comparison of characteristics and inducing browning of white adipocytes. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 2018 Apr 1;164:414-423. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2017.12.044. Epub 2017 Dec 27.
• Chung E, Mo H, Wang S, Zu Y, Rios SR, Elfakhani M, Chyu MC, Yang RS, Shen CL. Potential roles of vitamin E in age-associated change in skeletal muscle health. Nutrition Research. 2018:49:23-36.
• Chen L, Mo H, Zhao L, Gao W, Wang S, Cromie MM, Lu C, Wang JS, Shen CL. Therapeutic properties of green tea against environmental insults. J Nutr Biochem. 2017 Feb;40:1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2016.05.005. Epub 2016 May 27.
• Kahathuduwa CN, Davis T, O'Boyle M, Binks M. Do scores on the Food Craving Inventory and Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire correlate with expected brain regions of interest in people with obesity? Physiol Behav. 2018 Jan 27;188:1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.01.018. [Epub ahead of print]
• Binks M, Chin S. A theoretical rationale for psychological mechanisms through which slimming garments may motivate physical activity in people with obesity. PROGPREVMED (In Press).

Books

• Dhurandhar NV. Dr. Dhurandhar's Fat Loss Diet. NY: HarperCollins, 2018.

Meetings

• Dr. Martin Binks
  • Invited by the American Society for Nutrition to attend the Vision Summit for developing a strategic plan for the society.
• Dr. Nikhil Dhurandhar
  • Invited by the American Society for Nutrition to attend the Vision Summit for developing a strategic plan for the society.
• Dr. Naima Moustaid-Moussa
  • Invited by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research and the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka to participate in a planning meeting for an International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) Regional Research Center in Sri Lanka.
  • Visited Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) and Qatar Computing Research Institute in Doha as part on new collaborations related to obesity and diabetes in Qatari populations, and studies in animal models of obesity and diabetes.

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In the Media

Students in Media

Ashlee Taylor, Ph.D. Student

• Dallas News on March 12, 2018 entitled 'Every College Needs a Food Bank'. https://goo.gl/jprJYd

Abigail Jackson, Undergraduate Student

• TTU College of Human Sciences on March 26, 2018 entitled 'Abigail Jackson Accepted to TTUHSC's Medical School'. https://goo.gl/1KNbaA

Professors in Local Media

Dr. Shu Wang and Dr. Andrew Shin

• TTU College of Human Sciences on January 22, 2018 entitled 'Nutritional Sciences' Faculty Awarded 2017 TTU President's Collaborative Research Initiative'. https://goo.gl/7vtwj3

Dr. Nikhil Dhurandhar

• Texas Tech University Public Media KTTZ-FM 89.1 on February 9, 2018 entitled 'ITT: Obesity Tied to Viral Infection'. https://goo.gl/UEQTXd
• Texas Tech Today on February 26, 2018 entitled 'Expert Available to Discuss Recent Increases in Childhood Obesity'. https://goo.gl/UCMaKG
• EverythingLubbock.com on Feb 28, 2018 entitled 'Obesity Numbers On the Rise Again'. https://goo.gl/zcm42s
• Texas Tech Today on March 8, 2018 entitled 'Nutrition Expert Behind Movie Star's Dramatic Change Now Can Help You, Too'. https://goo.gl/cqmBQr
• Texas Tech University Public Media KTTZ-FM 89.1 on March 14, 2018 entitled 'Inside Texas Tech: Understanding Childhood Obesity'. https://goo.gl/ZQgS84

Nutrition and Metabolic Health Initiative

• Daily Toreador on February 25, 2018 entitled 'Department of Nutritional Sciences to start offering public clinical services'. https://goo.gl/xeZkp8

Dr. Martin Binks

• FOX34 TV News Broadcast on February 26, 2018 announcing the launch of the TTU-NS Nutrition and Metabolic Health Initiative (NMHI) clinical services. https://goo.gl/MxeSqX

Dr. Allison Childress

• Texas Tech Today on March 5, 2018 entitled 'Allison Childress received the 2018 Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Distinguished Scientist Award'. https://goo.gl/1R7vnw

Mrs. Lori Kiker, MS, RDN, LD, CSO

• TTU College of Human Sciences on March 6, 2018 entitled 'Lori Kiker: Faculty Welcome'. https://goo.gl/Kz5aLs

Professors in National Media

Dr. Nikhil Dhurandhar

• Interviewed by National Geographic for a documentary on our research about virus-induced obesity.
• Interviewed by Masala Radio Houston.
• LiveMint on January 26, 2018 entitled 'The compassion of the "Dangal" diet'. https://goo.gl/fFEfC4
• Sunday Times of India on February 4, 2018 entitled 'The obese are seen as less smart and capable. Bias is worse against women, says Nikhil Dhurandhar'. https://goo.gl/cUCtq7
• Hindustan Times on February 6, 2018 entitled 'The inside story of Aamir Khan's Dangal physique: Excerpt from his dietitian's book'. https://goo.gl/FoCdWo

GNO Events

GNO Annual Potluck

GNO had an annual holiday potluck on December 1, 2017. GNO members brought various homemade dishes and enjoyed playing a 'Right Left Gift Exchange Game' before they attended the Carol of Lights together!

Human Sciences Day

GNO participated in Human Sciences Day on January 24, 2018. Human Sciences Day is held for students to explore opportunities in College of Human Sciences by interacting with academic advisors and student organizations.

TechWell Fair

GNO volunteered in TechWell Fair on January 31, 2018 to assist promoting health and wellness on campus through providing healthy eating information to attendees.

GNO Social Night

GNO Social Night was held on February 23, 2018. GNO members enjoyed the night of networking with other members and playing board games.

Texas Tech Great American Meat Out

GNO participated in the first Texas Tech Great American Meat Out on March 20, 2018. TTU dining services showed a variety vegan options while offering free foods in the Student Union Building. The GNO members discussed with students why our eating choices matter.

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Editor of Nutrition Matters at Texas Tech

• Editor - Shao-Hua Chin, B.S.
• Editorial Assistant – Wei-Lin Huang, B.S.