|
|
Nutrition
Research
The faculty members of the Section of Nutrition have broadly based research interests in human and basic nutrition. Areas of particular focus include micronutrients, especially trace mineral nutrition and bioavailability, with emphasis in pediatric populations and women during the reproductive cycle in both the US and in developing countries; mineral metabolism in normal infants (breastfed and formula-fed) and those with pathologic conditions, e.g., cystic fibrosis; obesity, adult and pediatric; energy balance and metabolism, especially in relation to exercise and gender-specific issues; interaction of diet, obesity, and exercise on the development of CVD and diabetes risk in children, energy intake regulation and eating behavior, particularly in children; and the impact of community-based prevention programs in elementary schools.
The Colorado Clinical Nutrition Research Unit, (CNRU), funded by the National Institutes of Health, is directed by James O. Hill, PhD, and provides support for young investigators and for several core facilities, including metabolic, energy balance
and mass spectrometry (Paul V. Fennessey, PhD). The administrative core includes a statistician as well as CNRU administrative support.
Faculty Research Interests
Dr. Nancy Krebs' primary research interest is in trace element nutrition in the infant and growing child and during the reproductive cycle. Current research involves use of stable isotopes to study whole body zinc (Zn) metabolism in normal adults and infants, and in children with celiac disease and premature infants, in young infants with cystic fibrosis. A secondary area of interest is childhood obesity and the impact of early feeding.
Dr. Paul Fennessey is interested in the development of analytical and biochemical techniques that use stable isotopes, in vitro and in vivo models, and improved mass spectrometric capabilities to investigate basic nutritional questions.
Dr. Gary Grunwald's research interests include statistical analysis of nutrition data, particularly diet records and energy balance data. He is also involved in analyzing outcomes following cardiac surgery in the Veterans Administration, especially complex associations between pre-operative risk and outcomes.
Dr. K. Michael Hambidge's research interest is directed towards human micronutrient research. The broad goal of this research is to achieve an adequate understanding of the causes and effects of zinc deficiency and with a special emphasis on a broad range of efficacy trials to determine effective, sustainable strategies for the prevention of zinc deficiency.
Dr. James Hill is interested in how diet and physical activity patterns prevent weight gain and prevent weight regain following weight loss. This research was used as the basis of a national weight gain prevention program, "America on the Move." Dr. Hill continues to conduct research to evaluate the impact of small behavior changes on body weight.
Dr. Tracy Horton's primary scientific interest focuses on delineating the metabolic differences between men and women that can enhance our understanding of the etiology, prevention and treatment of disease. Her secondary research focus is in the more general concept of the dysregulation of energy and substrate metabolism and how this relates to adverse health consequences.
Dr. Susan Johnson's research focuses on the development of children's eating behaviors and weight outcomes and the impact of the mealtime environment upon children's eating patterns. Her goal is to develop research-based clinical, consumer and community education and prevention programs in the area of early childhood nutrition that provide knowledge and opportunities for learning for students in nutrition and early childhood education, health care providers, parents and caregivers.
Dr. Sian Lei's research interests involve specialized training and expertise in the operation of an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. He has also developed a methodology for both elemental and isotope ratio analyses of several mineral elements.
Dr. Catherine Romaniello's research interest is to improve the health of low-income families throughout Colorado, through school-based nutrition education programs. Those programs target increased fruit and vegetable consumption and increased physical activity.
Dr. Teresa Sharp's research interest involves the interaction of physical activity, dietary influences and ethnicity on pediatric obesity and chronic disease risk development.
Dr. Xiaoyang Sheng's research interests involve laboratory analyses on samples obtained in Yunnan Province, China, for a collaborative project entitled "Zinc Homeostasis in and Requirements of Young Chinese Children," which is supported by the Nestle Foundation. He also has advanced training in the application of zinc stable isotope techniques.
|
|
