Steve Ball
One of the most critical issues to the health and wellbeing of any
population is the maintenance of optimal body weight (BW) and body fat
percentage (BF). Although several BW and BF ranges have been recommended, it
is still unclear at what exact BW, and more importantly, exact BF,
individuals of varying populations will optimally function. Part of the
problem lies in how researchers assess BF. BF can vary greatly from one
assessment technique to the next, and even within the same technique,
depending on the methodology followed. Currently, Dr. Ball’s research uses
the most up-to-date technology to improve the accuracy of body composition
assessment with a focus on methods that can be practically used in the field
(i.e., anthropometry). Dr. Ball’s secondary/minor research focus involves
children and physical activity.
Tom Thomas
Dr. Thomas’ research interests involve examining the impact of exercise in
the prevention of lifestyle related diseases. His specific focus includes
two related areas of exercise effects: 1. the role of exercise in weight
loss and weight gain/regain. 2. the role of exercise in improving lipid and
lipoprotein parameters.
Pauline Landhuis Mrs. Landhuis teaches lecture and supervised practice courses for
Mizzou's first and second year dietetics students. As part of the
coordinated program in dietetics, supervised practice courses involve
helping students attain language, skills, and knowledge required for
practice as a nutrition professional in today’s active world. She
coordinates introductory and intermediate student course experiences in
local wellness facilities, hospitals, and the university dining operation.
Mrs. Landhuis is also extremely active in the Missouri Dietetic Association.
As past president of the Association, Landhuis is responsible for
participating in state board meetings and conference calls, for reviewing
district bylaws, and for changes in state bylaws. She is active with a
committee charged to redesign the Missouri Dietetic Association website, to
add district webpages to the site, and make information easily accessible
and attractive for consumers and professionals.
Chris Hardin
Dr. Hardin’s lab focuses on a variety of aspects of cell and human
metabolism including: the spatial organization of carbohydrate metabolism
through scaffolding proteins such as caveolins and tubulin,
metabolism/function coupling, lipotoxicity and altered mitochondrial
substrate selection in type 2 diabetes, and statin-associated myopathy in
humans, and smooth muscle energetics. Techniques used in the Hardin lab
include multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, confocal immunofluorescence
measurements and siRNA technology. Dr. Hardin’s
lab web page
Pam Hinton Dr. Hinton’s lab investigates the interactive effects of nutrition and
physical activity on bone health. In particular, Dr. Hinton’s lab is
studying the effects of energy balance on bone turnover during weight loss
and weight maintenance in overweight individuals. In addition, Dr. Hinton is
studying the efficacy of exercise-based interventions to increase bone
mineral density in osteopenic males.
Gary Weismann Dr. Weisman is the leader of the Inflammation and Environmental Stress
Research Group in the new Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center. His
studies are determining the molecular and cellular basis of inflammation in
human diseases with an emphasis on environmental and nutritional factors.
Current research in the Weisman laboratory is investigating the role of the
P2Y2 nucleotide receptor in chronic inflammation, a major contributor to
seemingly unrelated diseases such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, cancer,
stroke, obesity, diabetes, congestive heart failure, digestive disorders,
Alzheimer's disease and Sjögren’s syndrome.
Mick Petris
The micronutrient copper (Cu) is essential for several key enzymatic
processes involved in energy generation, protection against reactive oxygen
species, formation of blood vessels, immune function, and healthy
functioning of the central nervous system. This nutrient is able to exist in
two oxidation states Cu1+ and Cu2+, and participate in the generation of
reactive oxygen species. A delicate balance of copper homeostasis must be
maintained to provide healthy levels of this nutrient, while preventing
toxic build up. Dr. Petris’ lab is interested in characterizing the copper
homeostasis pathways in animal and cell culture models of microbial
infection, tumor growth and Alzheimer's disease, and further determining how
this essential nutrient contributes to these pathologies.
Catherine A. Peterson
The focus of Dr. Peterson’s lab has been on the nutritional approaches to
bone health, and, recently the lab has become interested in vitamin D and
its implications for human health including and beyond bone. Dr. Peterson
currently has three on-going projects including: 1)Vitamin D status and
inflammation. Dr. Peterson’s lab recently completed a cross-sectional,
observational study of pre- and postmenopausal tanning bed users to explore
the relationship between vitamin D status and inflammatory marker status
with a focus on 25(OH)D levels; 2) Efficacy of ultraviolet B radiation in
the treatment of vitamin D insufficiency in children with cystic fibrosis;
3)Vitamin D status and pain perception/muscle strength.
Nikki Raedeke Dr. Raedeke is the Director of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics in
the Department of Nutritional Sciences. She has served as the President of
both the Missouri Dietetic Association and the Central Missouri Dietetic
Association. Dr. Raedeke’s research interest focuses on nutritional needs
and food security among low-income adults.
John Thyfault Dr. Thyfault’s lab uses a translational approach to study the impact of
exercise and or inactivity on the metabolic function of skeletal muscle and
liver. Studies are conducted in human subjects and in rodent models to best
tie molecular/biochemical observations to clinical findings. Current studies
are examining how a sudden shift from an active lifestyle to a sedentary
condition leads to impairments in fat and glucose metabolism (insulin
resistance) in skeletal muscle that later contribute to obesity and/or type
2 diabetes. Additional studies are examining the impact of aerobic fitness,
exercise, and obesity on hepatic fatty acid metabolism, steatosis, and
inflammation in rodent models.
Kevin Fritsche
The overall objective of Dr. Fritsche’s research program is to better
define the influence that dietary fats have on the immune system. Thus far
the research has involved monogastric domestic animals (i.e., swine and
poultry), as well as laboratory animals (i.e., rats and mice). Lines of
investigation have included: (1) defining the interaction between PUFA and
vitamin E at the level of the immune system; (2) examining the impact of
omega-3 fatty acids on pro-inflammatory cytokine production; (3) exploring
the effect of various dietary fats on infectious disease resistance; (4)
characterizing the in vivo immune modulatory activity of omega-3 fatty acids
using various transgenic and knock-out mouse models. Additionally, Dr.
Fritsche, in collaboration with Dr. Michael Petris, is investigating the
essential role of intracellular copper trafficking in inflammation and
infectious disease resistance.
Elizabeth Rogers
The long-term goals of Dr. Roger’s lab is to identify and characterize
genes involved in iron sensing, regulation and transport in plants.
Understanding iron uptake in plants is extremely important as one-third of
the world's soils are iron deficient. The World Health Organization
estimates that more than one-third of the world's population suffers from
iron deficiency, making it the most prevalent nutritional problem in the
world today. A number of genetic and molecular studies are in progress to
identify and characterize genes responsible for homeostatic control of the
levels of iron and other metals in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.
Ellen R. Schuster
Ellen R. Schuster is involved in the following scholarly activities:
Nutrition Education for Families with Low Incomes, Curriculum and Staff
Training Coordinator, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
and Family Nutrition Program (FNP), Using Technology for Staff Development
and Educational Delivery, Developing Easy-to-read Educational Materials
Alma Hopkins
Alma Hopkins is the Special Projects Coordinator for the Family Nutrition
Education funding educational programs to communities in Missouri. She also
coordinates school wellness resources and information to families and
communities through the Missouri Coordinated School Health Coalition and
Missouri Council for Activity and Nutrition (MoCAN).
Dale Brigham
Dr. Brigham’s focus is on developing and implementing community- and
school-based programs that promote healthy eating and physical activity, in
cooperation with campus and regional MU Extension faculty. Current programs
include: Healthy Staff for Healthy Schools, which promotes school faculty
and staff wellness; Healthy Lifestyle Promotion Initiative, a
multi-disciplinary community-based obesity prevention project; Local School
Wellness Policy Development and Training, which aids Missouri schools in
adopting and implementing effective school nutrition and physical activity
policies; and Safe Routes To School, which encourages kids to safely walk
and bike to school.
