NMHI Research

 

Participate in Research at Texas Tech University with the Department of Nutritional Sciences & NMHI

The Department of Nutritional Sciences at Texas Tech University is currently recruiting participants for several ongoing research studies. These studies are independently conducted by various research labs within the department and cover a wide range of topics related to nutrition, health, and wellness.

Why Participate?

By volunteering for a reasearch study, you are helping advance the scientific knowledge in nutritional sciences, which may lead to improved health outcomes and innovative approaches to diet and wellness. Some studies may offer compensation or other benefits for participation.

Current Research Opportunities

Below is a list of research studies currently seeking participants. Each study has its own eligibility criteria and contact information.

👉 Please contact each study individually if you are interested in learning more or signing up!

Note: All studies listed on this page have been reviewed and approved by the Texas Tech University Institutional Review Board (IRB), ensuring that they meet ethical standards for research involving human subjects.

Questions?

If you have general questions on research participation in the department, you may contact NMHI or the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Texas Tech University.

 

Research Studies Currently Recruiting

We are studying the effects of tirzepatide (Zepbound/Mounjaro) or semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic) taken for weight loss.

If you just started taking tirzepatide or semaglutide for weight loss or are planning to start soon, and you are 18+, you may be able to participate!

Benefits to participation:

• Free body composition test that measures your body fat vs. muscle mass
• Garmin watch to track your physical activity

Contact Details

Jennifer Marable
hhs.ns.semaglutidestudy@ttu.edu
806-834-0048

More details (flyer)

Participants needed for a research study: Actions of Tocotrienols (vitamin E isomers) on Obesity

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center researchers are conducting a 24-week research study examining the effects of tocotrienols, a type of vitamin E, on obesity-associated outcomes.

This study requires participants to be randomly assigned to take tocotrienols or a placebo and includes a fat scan and some blood tests, such as blood chemistry and thyroid hormone, at no cost to participants.

The study is led by Leslie Shen, Ph.D., professor of pathology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, and funded by a grant from School of Medicine, & Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

Who is needed: Men and Women, age 18 years and older with Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2

When: 24-week study

For more information and/or to participate, contact the Clinical Research Institute: (806)743-4222, clinicalresearch@ttuhsc.edu

https://tthsclubbock.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9MONedFif4TAZng

TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER
IRB NUMBER: L18-194
IRB APPROVAL DATE: 06/24/2022

 

Participants needed for a research study: Effect of annatto-derived geranylgeraniol (GG) on statin-associated myopathy

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, researchers are conducting a research study examining the effects of taking the dietary supplement GG on statin-related muscle outcome measurements in people taking a statin drug. 

This study requires participants to participate in 3 months of dietary supplement (placebo or GG) at no cost to participants, and attend other study visits. $75 debit cards provided at Visits 2 and 3.

The study is led by Leslie Shen, PhD, CCRP, Professor of Pathology & Mohammad (Mac) Ansari, MD, Interventional/Structural Cardiologist, Assistant Professor, School of Medicine.

Funded by a grant from American River Nutrition, LLC, Hadley, MA.
Who is needed: Age 40 and older. 

Current statin user with muscle pain.

   

For more information and/or to participate, contact the Clinical Research Institute (CRI)

806.543.8994 wbrugman@ttuhsc.edu   OR  clinicalresearch@ttuhsc.edu

The study is approved by TTUHSC Institutional Review Board. 

 

Volunteers Needed for a Research Study: The Effectiveness of the Small changes online program for nutrition and weight loss

We are looking for participants aged 18-70 years. Further clinic screening will be done for eligibility. Screening Survey

This study is a 12-week program that requires 4 clinic appointments, monthly appointments (20-40 minutes), and brief phone check-ins.

Benefits to participation include:

• Weight loss
• understanding nutritional needs
• healthier eating habits

Contact Details:

Gaurav Kudchadkar gkudchad@ttu.edu (717) 215-9153

                                                                 

This study has been approved by the TTU Institutional Review Board.

 

Research

Dr. Andrew Shin

Assistant Professor

Director, Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Facility

Bibliography

 

BCAAs acutely drive dysregulation and insulin resistance: Role of AgRP neurons.

Summary of Publication

Citation:

Shah H, Gannaban RB, Haque ZF, Dehghani F, Kramer A, Bowers F, Maniates A, Shin AC. BCAAs acutely drive dysregulation and insulin resistance: Role of AgRP neurons. Nutrition & Diabetes – Nature, 2024 Jun 6; 14: 40

Reduction of plasma BCAAs following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is mediated by FGF21.

Summary of Publication

Citation:

Shah H, Kramer A, Mullins CA, Mattern M, Gannaban RB, Townsend RL, Campagna SR, Morrison CD, Berthoud HR, Shin AC. Reduction of plasma BCAAs following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is mediated by FGF21. Nutrients, 2023 15(7): 1713

Branched-chain amino acids are linked with Alzheimer’s disease-related pathology and cognitive deficits.

Summary of Publication

Citation:

Siddik MAB, Mullins CA, Kramer A, Shah H, Gannaban RB, Zabet-Moghaddam M, Huebinger RM, Hegde VK, MohanKumar SMJ, MohanKumar PS, Shin AC. Branched-chain amino acids are linked with Alzheimer’s disease-related pathology and cognitive deficits. Cells, 2022 Nov 7; 11(21): 3523

Central regulation of branched-chain amino acids is mediated by AgRP neurons.

Citation:

Gannaban RB, NamKoong C, Ruiz HH, Choi HJ, Shin AC. Central regulation of branched-chain amino acids is mediated by AgRP neurons. Diabetes, 2021 Jan; 70(1): 62-75. Epub 2020 Oct 28.

Brain insulin lowers circulating BCAA levels by inducing hepatic BCAA catabolism. 

Citation:

Shin AC, Fasshauer M, Filatova N, Grundell LA, Zielinski E, Zhou J, Scherer T, Lindtner C, White PJ, Lapworth AL, Ilkayeva O, Knippschild U, Wolf AM, Scheja L, Grove KL, Smith RD, Qian WJ, Lynch CJ, Newgard CB, Buettner C. Brain insulin lowers circulating BCAA levels by inducing hepatic BCAA catabolism. Cell Metabolism, 2014 Nov; 20(5): 898-909

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery changes food reward in rats.

Citation:

Shin AC, Zheng H, Pistell PJ, Berthoud HR. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery changes food reward in rats. International Journal of Obesity – Nature, 2011 May; 35(5): 642-51