Melanie Hingle, PhD, MPH, RD
Professor | School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness
Three aims focus my research program activities: (1) understand predictors and correlates of the lifestyle behaviors associated with energy balance and diabetes risk, including diet and physical activity behavior; (2) develop and test new approaches to support participants in modifying lifestyle behaviors associated with diet-sensitive disease risk; and (3) integrate research findings with clinical and community practice, while identifying and addressing potential barriers that impede implementation at scale.
Richard Simpson, PhD
Professor, School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness
Director, Graduate Studies
Associate Professor, Steele Children's Research Center, Dept. of Pediatrics, College of Medicine
His current work includes four NASA funded projects that aim to examine the impact of long duration spaceflight and extreme isolation on astronaut immune function and illness rates, and the effects of simulated microgravity on viral infectivity and host immune evasion. Dr. Simpson is also investigating how certain viral infections can protect patients from relapse following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a project that has been funded by the National Cancer Institute.
Ningning Zhao, PhD
Associate Professor, School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness
The work in our Lab is focused on advancing molecular mechanisms for the function and regulation of plasma membrane metal transporters. In our research, we combine cell-line and mouse models, and employ a variety of biochemical and molecular biology techniques. We also utilize the cutting-edge genome engineering technologies, including Adeno-Associated Virus-mediated genomic modification and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing. We hope that our research will advance the understanding of disease mechanisms, identify therapeutic target genes, and improve the life quality of patients.
Ann Skulas-Ray, PhD
Assistant Professor, School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness
Research Areas
- Clinical studies of omega-3 fatty acids and plant-derived bioactives on markers of metabolism, oxidative stress, central blood pressure, and indices of arterial stiffness using the SphygmoCor System
- Clinical studies of inflammatory and oxidative stress responses using a human model of induced inflammation (intravenous endotoxin challenge)
Forrest Baker
Research Specialist, Senior, School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness