Nutritional Sciences Research

Faculty Research and Labs

 

Allison Childress, Ph.D., RDN, CSSD, LD

As a practicing registered dietitian and Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD), my work integrates clinical expertise, performance nutrition, and culinary medicine to bridge evidence-based research with real-world application. My research focuses on the intersection of culinary medicine and metabolic health with an emphasis on translating evidence-based nutrition science into practical, scalable interventions. 

• Culinary medicine and medically tailored meals to improve chronic disease outcomes and support long-term dietary behavior change.
• Protein quality, muscle health, and metabolic wellness across adulthood and aging.
• Community-engaged, experiential, and translational nutrition research that bridges clinical care, education, and public health.

Nik Dhurandhar, Ph.D.

• Laboratory based studies: Our studies are focused on obesity and diabetes related research.  We use various cell and animal models to study molecular mechanisms and cell signaling involved in diabetes and obesity. Some examples include studying the role of infection in developing obesity, or the development of a drug for diabetes from a protein obtained from a virus. We have received many national and international patents for this research.
• Clinical studies: We conduct studies involving human subjects, which mainly address various aspects of diabetes and obesity treatment or prevention. Examples of some recently conducted studies include determining the role of eggs in enhancing weight loss in adults or children, or the role of protein quality on feeling of fullness, or hormones that control hunger and satiety.
• Population-based approaches: With the help of collaborators, we have developed software programs that assist health care providers in management of obesity as clinical decision support system and an app to help self-select weight loss diets effectively. This app calculates and recommends nutritionally adequate diet choices (along with recipes) that help in weight loss.  Trials in clinical setting as well as in various population groups are underway.   

Gasana, Elyvine I., Ph.D.

Nutrition Equity Lab

The Nutrition Equity Lab employs mixed-methods research to understand and address food and nutrition challenges in underserved communities. We design, implement, and evaluate community-based programs that promote equitable nutrition and health.

Community-Based Nutrition Education Interventions: we develop and test community-based nutrition education programs aimed at preventing and managing the triple burden of malnutrition and non-communicable diseases, with a particular focus on children and women of reproductive age. Our work is guided by evidence-based frameworks, including the DESIGN procedure and RE-AIM, and informed by behavioral change theories that enhance the effectiveness of our strategies. We also investigate the impact of health literacy principles in promoting healthy eating behaviors across diverse communities.

Access to Food: we examine the underlying drivers of food insecurity in diverse communities and develop and test interventions to improve access to healthy and culturally appropriate foods. Strategies include community-based supplemental feeding programs and other context-specific approaches designed to address food insecurity.

Marleigh Hefner Ph.D., RD, LD, CNSC

Integrative Nutrition and Cardiometabolic Health (INCH) Lab

As a dietitian-scientist who conducts clinical, preclinical, and basic experimental studies involving humans, my research exists at the intersection of nutrition and metabolic health. 

Our lab studies how complex biological systems interact from the molecular to whole body level—as well as how these interactions differ according to biological sex and during metabolically complex conditions—with the goal of applying findings to improve the human condition or clinical practice. We combine integrative physiology (understanding how systems adapt to metabolic stimuli or respond to nutrition intervention) with translational science (progressing insights from basic research toward clinical or practical applications). 

This framework informs our research across several domains:

• Testing diet manipulation, including supplements, for obesity and related conditions 
• Refining nutrition delivery through nutrition support for patients with critical illness and metabolic dysregulation across the lifespan
• Understanding factors that drive metabolic adaptation and metabolic flexibility resistance, as well as identifying predictors of weight loss maintenance and weight regain
• Developing strategies to promote weight loss maintenance and skeletal muscle preservation during weight loss for patients receiving pharmacological obesity treatment
• Characterizing sexual dimorphism of disease onset, progression, and treatment response for obesity, insulin resistance, and other obesity-related conditions (eg, polycystic ovarian syndrome)

These studies allow me to facilitate training and mentorship of nutrition and dietetics students to support the development of the next generation of scientifically adept dietitians, which is a central mission of my lab. Informed by experience in clinical dietetics practice and across the translational research spectrum, I value designing and conducting innovative nutrition research with utmost potential to improve human health and wellbeing.

Vijay Hegde, Ph.D.

The overall focus of our research is in the area of obesity, diabetes and related comorbidities. Ongoing research projects involve:

• Identifying key factors linking diabetes with Alzheimer's disease.
• Studying the biological links between obesity, diabetes and cancer.

Shannon Galyean, Ph.D., RDN, LD

With a clinical foundation as a practicing registered dietitian, these experiences have shaped our research program centered on improving health outcomes for individuals living with chronic conditions. Our research focuses on developing innovative, evidence-based solutions that integrate nutrition, culinary medicine, and person-centered care.

Nutrition & Chronic Conditions:

• Conduct research that develops and tests innovative nutrition and culinary medicine strategies to improve outcomes for people with chronic conditions.
• Evaluate approaches that enhance diet quality, metabolic health, and long-term disease management.

Precision Nutrition:

• Identify biological and behavioral factors that influence individualized nutrition needs among older adults, individuals with obesity, and patients undergoing bariatric surgery.
• Investigate ways to improve gut health, micronutrient status, and muscle quality.

Digital Health & Person-Centered Innovation:

• Lead research that develops and tests person-centered digital tools. Our research has developed a medically tailored meal-planning app for individuals managing multiple chronic conditions.
• Advance this work from prototype development to commercialization to increase access to personalized nutrition care.

Elisa Larson, Ph.D., MPH, RDN

Community Nutrition and Wellness Policy Lab

My research focuses on food and nutrition security, food literacy, and patterns of eating behavior with the long-term goal of improving cardiometabolic health among U.S. populations of young people and families. The Community Nutrition and Wellness Policy Lab makes use of diverse methods, including population-based survey data, in-depth qualitative investigations, and the evaluation of school-based interventions and policies to address opportunities for:

• Strengthening food security and food literacy among young people and families
• Preventing exposure to stigma and disordered eating among young people
• Implementing comprehensive school wellness policies with the engagement of students
• Empowering child care providers to promote healthy eating and physical activity
• Developing supports for families of young people with adverse childhood experiences

Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam, MBBS, MPH, Ph.D.

Digital Health and Applied Intelligence Lab

Nutrition & Metabolic Health Initiative (NMHI)

Our research focuses on digital health, artificial intelligence (AI), clinical medicine, and public health approaches to advance the prevention, early detection, and personalized management of obesity and cardiometabolic diseases. We integrate data science, engineering principles, and advanced epidemiological methods to develop innovative solutions that bridge technology and health.

Digital Health and AI-based Studies:
We use AI, wearable sensors, and multimodal health data, including electronic health records, speech, imaging to enable precision prevention and management of cardiometabolic diseases. Our research pioneers AI-driven digital biomarkers and predictive models that support early risk detection, health deterioration and personalized interventions across clinical and public health settings.

Clinical and Behavioral Studies:
We design and evaluate just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) delivering personalized behavioral and lifestyle support for nutrition, physical activity, and cardiometabolic risk reduction. Our human studies evaluate real-world feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and implementation of wearable technologies, prioritizing accessibility for rural, low-income, and marginalized communities.

Public Health Approaches:
Through population health modeling, applied informatics, generative AI, and big data analytics, we develop scalable digital tools such as clinical decision support systems and self-management apps to improve cardiometabolic care. By fostering multidisciplinary collaborations and global partnerships, we aim to inform equitable health policies and empower individuals, particularly in resource-limited settings to manage their health through accessible technology.

Surya Raj Niraula, Ph.D.

With almost three decades of research service experience in public health, nutrition and epidemiology, I am involved in various aspects of nutrition (malnutrition/obesity), mental health (substance abuse, IPV, suicide, depression etc.), cardio metabolic health (HTN/DM), infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS/TB), and RCTs research, etc. As a biostatistician, I also work on methodological and analytical research to address health and nutritional issues with significant implications for community and clinical settings. 

• Our current research focuses on comparing an artificial intelligence (AI) driven model to human professional guidelines for obesity management as well as studying light intensity exercise for managing adolescent obesity.
•  We conduct clinical nutritional trials, obesity management and epidemiological studies. Our research includes diets on cardio-metabolic health, culinary medicine, mental health, geriatric health, and Randomized Controlled Trials on obesity-related diseases,
• Regarding public health perspectives, our research focuses on public health issues related to the behavioral aspects of social media addiction, stress, sleep disorders and academic performance. Geriatric health is another area of research.

Andrew Shin, Ph.D.

Neurobiology of Nutrition (N2) Laboratory

Dr. Shin’s research is focused on the gut-brain axis, energy balance, and the role of nutrition in brain health. Major research projects include 1) Understanding the inter-organ crosstalk for the control of appetite and nutrient metabolism via endocrine and autonomic pathways, 2) Investigating how Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery successfully lowers body weight and improves metabolic outcomes, and 3) Examining the role of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in the pathophysiology of obesity/diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Mechanisms for RYGB surgery – Dr. Shin’s early works on developing a rodent model of RYGB surgery demonstrated potential underlying mechanisms for reduced body weight, increased energy expenditure, and altered taste preference and reward behaviors. His lab continues to shed light on the changes of gut-brain communication following the surgery with the goal of developing a “knifeless” surgery.

Physiological control of BCAA metabolism – Circulating BCAAs are elevated in individuals with obesity, insulin resistance, and Type 2 diabetes, and they have a causal role in impaired glycemic control and insulin sensitivity. Why their plasma levels are high in obesity and diabetes, and their physiological regulatory mechanism remains unknown. Dr. Shin's lab demonstrated for the first time that the hypothalamic insulin action, more specifically on AgRP neurons, is required to lower plasma BCAAs through induction of hepatic BCAA breakdown. Moreover, in collaboration with Dr. Hans-Rudi Berthoud, his group showed that RYGB surgery in obese mice effectively lowers plasma BCAAs that is mediated by FGF21.

BCAAs & food reward – An interesting new project is looking at the role of BCAAs in brain reward functions that may alter preferences, hedonic impact or “liking”, and incentive salience or “wanting” to calorie-dense, palatable sweet and fatty foods.

BCAAs & Alzheimer’s disease – Dr. Shin's lab demonstrated that plasma BCAAs are also higher in both AD individuals and mouse models of AD. After showing the disease-modifying effects of both nutritional and pharmacological interventions in AD mouse models, Dr. Shin is conducting studies in both male and female AD mice to determine the optimal dose, treatment duration, and exact timing of these therapeutic strategies.

Murali Vijayan, Ph.D.

At the MitoSynergy Lab, our research aims to uncover novel therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease, ischemic stroke, and age-associated neurodegenerative disorders. These conditions are driven by complex interactions between genetic risk factors, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired RNA regulation, and metabolic stress. The brain’s high energy demands and susceptibility to oxidative damage make it particularly vulnerable to these disturbances, ultimately contributing to synaptic failure and neurodegeneration.

Our research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie neuronal vulnerability and resilience in these diseases. Specifically, we are interested in:

Defining the role of mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy in maintaining neuronal homeostasis during aging and in disease states.
Identifying microRNA-based regulatory networks that modulate neuronal metabolism, inflammation, and cell death pathways in stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.
Discovering shared microRNA signatures between ischemic stroke and Alzheimer’s disease that may serve as diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
We use genetically modified mouse models, molecular biology, biochemistry, and imaging-based approaches to explore how these molecular pathways contribute to neurodegeneration.

If you are interested in joining our research team as a student or trainee in this field, please feel free to reach out with your CV.

 Yujiao Zu, Ph.D.

Our research aims to create innovative, science-driven solutions that leverage nanotechnology and nutrient-gene interactions to improve metabolic health, with a focus on obesity, cardiovascular disease, and gut-related disorders. We are committed to multidisciplinary research and collaborations across nutrition, agriculture, engineering, and biomedical sciences. Using both cellular and mouse models, we investigate how nutrition can protect human health against challenges arising from lifestyle, dietary patterns, and environmental exposures. Our major research areas include:

• Nanotechnology-enhanced nutrient delivery: Developing and optimizing nanoparticle-based systems to improve the stability, absorption, and targeted delivery of nutrients and bioactive compounds, with the goal of reducing obesity, inflammation, and gut dysfunction.
• Thermogenic adipocyte biology: Investigating the role of brown and beige adipose tissue in regulating systemic metabolism, inflammation, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
• Food-borne contaminants and metabolic health: Examining how food-borne contaminants affect cardiometabolic outcomes, and determining how dietary compounds and functional foods can counteract these adverse effects.