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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 U.S. and in developing countries; mineral metabolism in normal infants (breastfed and formula-fed) and those with pathologic conditions, e.g., cystic fibrosis or prematurity; 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 cardiovascular disease 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 NIH, is directed by James O. Hill, PhD, and provides support for young investigators and for core facilities including metabolic, energy balance, and mass spectrometry. The administrative core includes statistical expertise as well as CNRU administrative support.
Faculty Research Interests
Dr. Richard Boles is a clinical psychologist who joined the faculty in 2008 whose career goal is to lead the development of innovative behavioral interventions to improve early childhood dietary intake, physical activity, and health outcomes in preschool children with obesity. His previous research involved the study of parental feeding practices and treatment of obesity among preschool children, including the incorporation of home visits into research and treatment strategies.
Dr. Paul Fennessey has interests and experience 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. K. Michael Hambidge's research interest is directed towards human micronutrient research. The broad goal of his research is to achieve an adequate understanding of the causes and effects of zinc deficiency, with a special emphasis on a broad range of efficacy trials to determine effective, sustainable strategies, including biofortification, for the prevention of zinc deficiency. His research is conducted in several international settings, including Ethiopia, China, Guatemala, and other developing countries.
Dr. Janine Higgins researches the metabolic effect of resistant starch and its effects on insulin sensitivity, fat oxidation, weight regain after weight loss, and hunger. Her collaborative research investigates the metabolic problems that lead to weight regain in obese rats and humans. She is also a co-investigator in a multicenter national trial to define the most effective treatment for children with type 2 diabetes.
Dr. James Hill’s research in the obesity field involves the study of lifestyle factors that affect body weight regulation. In particular, he is interested in how diet and physical activity influence body weight and how high-fat diet and inactivity may contribute to the current global epidemic of obesity.
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. A recent focus includes the nutrient and food intake patterns of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Her goal is to develop research-based clinical, consumer, and community education and prevention programs in the area of early childhood nutrition. These programs will provide knowledge and opportunities for learning for students in nutrition and early childhood education, and for health care providers, parents, and caregivers.
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 metabolism and dietary requirements in normal adults and infants. Her current work investigates optimal complementary feeding strategies for older breastfed infants both in Denver and international settings. She is the lead investigator for a cluster-randomized efficacy trial of complementary feeding in four developing countries through the NIH-supported Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health Research. A secondary area of interest is childhood obesity, the impact of early feeding, and interventions in the primary and tertiary care settings to better identify, prevent, and treat obesity.
Dr. Sian Lei's research interests involve specialized training and expertise in the operation of an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. He has developed a methodology for both elemental and isotope ratio analyses of several mineral elements.
Catherine Romaniello, MPH, RD’s interest is to improve the health of low-income families throughout Colorado, through school-based, experiential nutrition education programs aimed at increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables. Her programs reach approximately 28,000 elementary school-aged children and their families each year in 18 school districts across the state. Current research is focused on the nutritional behavioral impacts of: 1) classroom-based lessons using food preparation; 2) cafeteria-based enhancements to classroom instruction; 3) web-based nutrition education among monolingual parents; 4) second grade take-home book bag program; 5) small-group bilingual parent education classes; and 6) parent advocacy groups’ efforts to increase fruit/vegetable availability/affordability in low-income communities.
Dr. Teresa Sharp’s research interests involve evaluation of the interactions of physical activity, dietary influences, and social determinants on pediatric obesity and long-term health outcomes. Specifically, significant focus is placed on the impacts of obesity, ethnicity, and family history of chronic disease on lipid metabolism, insulin action, vascular burden, and endothelial function in pre- and early-pubertal children.
Dr. Patti Thureen is a neonatologist whose research focuses on nutrition support of the premature infant, including interventions to support optimal growth during the NICU stay. She applies stable isotope methodology and uses indirect calorimetry and state-of-the-art body composition measurements to evaluate the effects of nutritional interventions.
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