Progress 12/01/07 to 11/30/08
Outputs
This application addresses the national need area of food science and human nutrition, with a focus on two key themes: 1) developmental origins of obesity and chronic disease, and 2) micronutrient function and human health. Our emphasis is on the linkages between the basic science aspects of nutrition (including nutritional genomics and metabolomics) and their application to human populations. The nutrition graduate training takes place within an interdisciplinary program, the Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology (http://ggnb.ucdavis.edu/), consisting of ~70 faculty from 19 academic departments. USDA fellows meet the doctoral requirements for nutrition as well as take part in training designed to provide expertise in areas complimentary to nutrition (e.g. epidemiology, molecular biology). Students also benefit from the presence of the USDA-ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center. Three students were selected in 2007 based on their commitment to furthering themselves in the area of nutrition. All have now passed their PhD prelim examinations and taken most of the requisite courses required in the program. Student activities: Ms. Angela De Leon is examining human energy expenditure. In addition to work at UC Davis, she has recently interned at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in the CALERIE study, a multi-site clinical trial examining long-term calorie restriction in humans. She had the opportunity to assist in the day-to-day running of the CALERIE study, which is a multi-site clinical trial investigating the effects of long-term calorie restriction in humans. Specifically, she participated in screening visits, including administering various body image and food inventories. Ms. Jennifer Stern is investigating the impact of gene expression on energy expenditure, substrate utilization, and protein turnover in a mouse model. She is utilizing an indirect calorimetric system to collect nutritional energetic data as well as state-of-the-art molecule biology techniques to assess related changes in gene expresson. She is to receive special training at Sable Systems International (an advanced instrument manufacturer located in to Los Vegas, NV) to enhance her skills in analyzing data. Jennifer has been nominated twice for the Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award for her efforts associated with advanced metabolism classes on the UC Davis campus. Mr. Ryan Snodgrass has recently completed a hands-on course in flow cytometry over the summer and has participated in the "UC Davis Food & Health Entrepreneurship Academy" The academy is designed for researchers who want to explore business opportunities and build the skill sets for careers in industry. The program is taught by venture capitalists, angel investors, entrepreneurs in California, alongside UC faculty. He also serves on the Graduate Student Advisory Committee for the Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology. In summary all of the students are on tract and have been successful in the program. PRODUCTS: In 2002, the Graduate Nutrition Education Committee of the American Society for Nutrition wrote the following - "The new millennium has ushered in unprecedented opportunities for research and discovery in the nutritional sciences. These have arisen from major advancements in the social and biological sciences, notably genetics, genomic technologies, computational statistics, and behavioral sciences. The most exciting academic challenges and employment opportunities for nutritional sciences graduates interface with other disciplines, and doctoral training programs in the nutritional sciences must respond to the wealth of these emerging opportunities" (J Nutr. 2002 132:779-84). Accordingly, our goal is to have as a product three doctoral students who are true participants in interdisciplinary research. We expect the three candidates to have strong quantitative skills suitable for a position at a major research university, a federal research laboratory (e.g. one of the human nutrition research centers), in private industry relevant to nutrition. OUTCOMES: The project outcome is the successful completion and mentoring of 3 outstanding PhD students. Our goal is to train doctoral students who can communicate and collaborate effectively across the spectrum of basic science aspects of nutrition (including nutritional genomics and metabolomics) and their application to human populations. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: A requirement for the PhD is publication of scholarly activities. The students are still in the early phases of their research, but each has acquired an advanced skill set for completion of work at a high level of impact FUTURE INITIATIVES: The ultimate goal is the completion of all training requirements that have been developed for each of the three students.
Impacts
To reiterate, our goal is to have as a product three doctoral students who are true participants in interdisciplinary research. We expect the three candidates to have strong quantitative skills suitable for a position at a major research university, a federal research laboratory (e.g. one of the human nutrition research centers), or in private industry relevant to nutrition.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 12/01/06 to 11/30/07
Outputs
This application addresses the national need area of food science and human nutrition, with a focus on two key themes: 1) developmental origins of obesity and chronic disease, and 2) micronutrient function and human health. Our emphasis is on the linkages between the basic science aspects of nutrition (including nutritional genomics and metabolomics) and their application to human populations. Our goal is to train doctoral students who can communicate and collaborate effectively across this spectrum. Three students have been selected based on their commitment to furthering themselves in the area of nutritional genomics or metabolomics. They have completed their first quarter of study and are now starting the second quarter. An informal orientation will take place this quarter under the direction of the PI to assure that all of the requirements and expectations outlined in the original proposal are met and understood. Arrangements for secondary training specialties and
a course in ethics will also be undertaken. The three students were selected from a pool of approximately 100. They were Angela DeLeon, Ryan Snodgrass, and Jennifer Stern, each with a GPA upon admission in excess of 3.75 and average graduate record examination scores of about 1300 (1400, 1260, 1230). The students have been tentatively matched with a faculty mentor (currently. Francene Steinberg, for Ryan Snodgrass; Carl Keen, for Jennifer Stern; and Nancy Keim, for Angela DeLeon).
PRODUCTS: In 2002, the Graduate Nutrition Education Committee of the American Society for Nutrition wrote the following - "The new millennium has ushered in unprecedented opportunities for research and discovery in the nutritional sciences. These have arisen from major advancements in the social and biological sciences, notably genetics, genomic technologies, computational statistics, and behavioral sciences. The most exciting academic challenges and employment opportunities for nutritional sciences graduates interface with other disciplines, and doctoral training programs in the nutritional sciences must respond to the wealth of these emerging opportunities" (J Nutr. 2002 132:779-84). Accordingly, our goal is to have as a product three doctoral students who are true participants in interdisciplinary research. We expect the three candidates to have strong quantitative skills suitable for a position at a major research university, a federal research laboratory (e.g. one of the human
nutrition research centers), in private industry relavent to nutrition.
OUTCOMES: Outcomes for this period of review include arranging secondary research experiences (e.g. with a local biotechnical firm, clinical laboratory, or research center). A goal is to have the trainees exposed to real-life research management situations. The students will complete the bulk of the basic core courses in nutrition. Each should become associated with what will be their permanent research laboratory group.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: The students will be high-lighted in the departmental news letter and perhaps on the department's web page: <http://nutrition.ucdavis.edu/>.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: The next major step in the process, in addition to those noted in the outcomes section, will be to prepare and complete the initial preliminary exams. This is one of two required examinations. The second is a defense of thesis proposal that is taken in the second year of study. Initial phases of research will be started.
Impacts
To iterate, we expect the three candidates to have strong quantitative skills suitable for a position at a major research university, a federal research laboratory (e.g. one of the human nutrition research centers), in private industry relavent to nutrition. We are looking forward to the same outcome and impact as with previous trainees (now over 20). For example, seven have faculty positions at major research universities, five are working in senior positions in the food-related industry, and others went on to become a physician, executive director of a non-profit organization, or nutrition consultants.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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