Professional Researchers

  • Sean H. Adams, Ph.D.

    • Assistant Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition
    • USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center Research Physiologist

    Office: 212 WHNRC, (530) 754-4417

    sean.h.adams@ars.usda.gov

    Email

    Dr. Adams investigates the etiology of obesity and related metabolic disorders such as diabetes. Research efforts explore which molecular markers and endocrine factors correlate with indices of metabolic health in human nutritional studies and in animal models of obesity, with a primary focus on fat cell physiology.

  • Lindsay H. Allen, Ph.D., R.D.

    • Research Professor, Department of Nutrition
    • Director, USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center

    Office: 3253B Meyer, (530) 752-5920

    lindsay.allen@ars.usda.gov

    Email

    Dr. Allen is the Director of the USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center (WHNRC). Dr. Allen´s research is focused on the prevalence, causes, consequences and prevention of micronutrient deficiencies including iron, vitamin B-12, zinc, vitamin A and riboflavin.

  • Betty J. Burri, Ph.D.

    • Associate Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition
    • USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center Scientist

    Office: 208 WHNRC, (530) 752-4748

    betty.burri@ars.usda.gov

    Email

    Dr. Burri´s primary area of research is identifying and defining the metabolism and requirements of antioxidant nutrients (such as beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E), and of lesser known antioxidant phytonutrients (such as lycopene and lutein).

  • Britt M. Burton-Freeman, Ph.D.

    • Assistant Researcher, Department of Nutrition

    Office: 3150F Meyer, (530) 752-0133

    bbfreeman@ucdavis.edu

    Email

    Dr. Burton-Freeman’s research follows two main themes: 1) Appetite and obesity management and, 2) Vascular disease. Research emphasizes the effects of bioactive food components on mechanistic and behavioral processes of food intake and body weight regulation.

  • Paul A. Davis, Ph.D.

    • Research Nutritionist, Nutrition Department

    Office: TB 163, (530) 752-5402

    padavis@ucdavis.edu

    Email

    Dr. Davis´ research focuses on the interaction of dietary constituents (macronutrients and nonnutritional components) with processes/risk factors for chronic human diseases (i.e. coronary vascular disease and cancer).

  • Cesar G. Fraga, Ph.D.

    • Research Chemist, Department of Nutrition

    Office: 3217A Meyer, (530) 754-6667

    cgfraga@ucdavis.edu

    Email

    Dr. Fraga´s research program centers on the putative beneficial effects of plant-derived polyphenolic compounds against degenerative disorders, including cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

  • Heidrun B. Gross, Ph.D.

    • Assistant Project Scientist, Department of Nutrition

    Office: 3150C Meyer, (530) 752-8813

    hbgross@ucdavis.edu

    Email

    Dr. Gross´s research investigates the putative beneficial effects of plant-derived polyphenolic compounds against degenerative disorders, in particular cardiovascular diseases.

  • Robert M. Hackman, Ph.D.

    • Research Nutritionist, Department of Nutrition

    Office: 3150F Meyer, (530) 754-9835

    rmhackman@ucdavis.edu

    Email

    Dr. Hackman’s research addresses the role of nutritional and botanical supplements for health enhancement. Dr. Hackman is currently studying the role of flavanol-rich botanical extracts on vascular function and weight management, and the role of a soy-mushroom extract in prostate cancer.

  • Fawaz G. Haj, Ph.D.

    • Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition
    • Nutritionist in Agricultural Experiment Station

    Office: 3115 Meyer, (530) 752-3214

    fghaj@ucdavis.edu

    Email

    Dr. Haj´s research program investigates the role of protein-tyrosine phosphatases in metabolism and type 2 diabetes through the use of advanced cellular imaging and genetic mouse models.

    Lab: http://hajlab.ucdavis.edu

  • Lynn A. Hanna, Ph.D.

    • Assistant Project Scientist, Department of Nutrition

    Office: 3150C Meyer, (530) 752-8812

    lahanna@ucdavis.edu

    Email

    The primary focus of Dr. Hanna´s work is the role of trace elements in regulating early mammalian embryo development.

  • Marjorie J. Haskell, Ph.D.

    • Associate Research Nutritionist, Department of Nutrition

    Office: 3217A Meyer, (530) 754-7415

    mjhaskell@ucdavis.edu

    Email

    Dr. Haskell´s research interests include:

    1. Bioavailability of vitamin A from plant-based diets
    2. Food based interventions for improving maternal and infant vitamin A status
    3. Use of stable isotope techniques for assessing vitamin A status. Studies are currently underway in Bangladesh and Nepal.

  • Wayne Chris Hawkes, Ph.D.

    • Assistant Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition
    • USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center Scientist

    Office: 209 WHNRC, (530) 752-4765

    wayne.hawkes@ars.usda.gov

    Email

    Dr. Hawkes has conducted research on the biochemistry and nutrition of selenium that has focused on the selenoproteins that are responsible for selenium´s health benefits.

  • Sonja Y. Hess, Ph.D.

    • Assistant Project Scientist, Department of Nutrition

    Office: 3253 Meyer, (530) 752-1992

    syhess@ucdavis.edu

    Email

    Dr. Hess´s research interests include:

    • Assessment of zinc status and evaluation of zinc intervention programs.
    • Interactions between zinc and other micronutrients.

  • Liping Huang, Ph.D.

    • Associate Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition
    • USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center Scientist

    Office: 4445 Tupper, (530) 754-5756

    huang@whnrc.usda.gov

    Email

    Dr. Huang is a Research Geneticist with the Western Human Nutrition Research Center. Her research is focused on identifying the genetic influences on zinc homeostasis at molecular and cellular levels in humans.

  • Daniel Hwang, Ph.D.

    • Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition
    • USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center Scientist

    Office: 211 WHNRC, (530) 754-4838

    daniel.hwang@ars.usda.gov

    Email

    The goal of Dr. Hwang´s research is to elucidate molecular mechanisms by which different types of dietary fatty acids modulate receptor-mediated signaling pathways, target gene expression, and subsequent cellular responses, and to determine how this modulation by fatty acids is related to risks of developing chronic diseases.

  • Nancy L. Keim, Ph.D.

    • Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition
    • USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center Scientist

    Office: 121 Humanities and Social Sciences Building, (530) 752-4163

    nancy.keim@ars.usda.gov

    Email

    Dr. Keim’s research program involves validation and application of body composition methodologies, evaluation of the effects of dieting and physical activity on energy expenditure in overweight and obese individuals, and, more recently, development and application of tools to assess appetite, food preferences, and dietary patterns in humans.

  • Darshan S. Kelley, Ph.D.

    • Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition
    • USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center Scientist

    Office: 207 WHNRC, (530) 752-5138

    dkelley@whnrc.usda.gov

    Email

    Dr. Kelley is interested in studying the effects of diets on inflammation and immune responses. The focus of his studies has been the modulation of risk factors for cardio-vascular disease and insulin resistance by dietary fatty acids and phytonutrients. He is also interested in the effects of fatty acids on cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis.

  • Louise L. Lanoue, Ph.D.

    • Associate Project Scientist, Department of Nutrition

    Office: 3150E Meyer, (530) 752-3002

    llanoue@ucdavis.edu

    Email

    Dr. Lanoue´s research is directed towards achieving a better understanding of the role of specific nutrient deficits or excesses on embryonic and fetal development.

  • Kevin D. Laugero, Ph.D.

    • Assistant Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition
    • USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center Scientist

    Office: 213 WHNRC, (530) 752-5276

    kevin.laugero@ars.usda.gov

    Email

    Dr. Laugero´s research is aimed at understanding the role and underpinnings of chronic psychosocial stress in dysfunctional eating behaviors, particularly as they relate to obesity and the metabolic syndrome.

  • John W. Newman, Ph.D.

    • Assistant Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition
    • USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center Scientist

    Office: 210 WHNRC, (530) 752-1009

    john.newman@ars.usda.gov

    Email

    Dr. Newman’s research focuses on the development and application of quantitative profiling technologies for metabolic regulatory domains.

  • Gertrud Schuster, Ph.D.

    • Assistant Project Scientist, Department of Nutrition

    Office: 275 WHNRC, (530) 752-8813

    gschuster@ucdavis.edu

    Email

    Dr. Schuster’s research interest is directed towards the effects of nutrients on lipid metabolism and immune response. Her main focus is to investigate the effects of fat-solulable vitamins, fatty acids, or cholesterol metabolites on gene expression, which is mediated by nuclear receptors (like RXR, RAR, LXR or PPAR).

  • Charles B. Stephensen, Ph.D.

    • Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition
    • USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center Scientist

    Office: 204 WHNRC, (530) 754-9266

    charles.stephensen@ars.usda.gov

    Email

    Dr. Stephensen’s research interests focus on the relation between nutritional status and infectious diseases, particularly the host immune response to infections and the impact of infections on nutritional status.

  • Janet Y. Uriu-Adams, Ph.D.

    • Associate Researcher, Department of Nutrition

    Office: 3205 Meyer, (530) 752-4658

    jyuriuadams@ucdavis.edu

    Email

    Dr. Uriu-Adams´ research focuses on investigating the mechanisms underlying copper and zinc deficiency-induced abnormal embryonic development in mammals, with an emphasis on nitric oxide metabolism and oxidative and nitrosative stress.

  • Marta Van Loan, Ph.D.

    • Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition
    • USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center Scientist

    Office: 202 WHNRC, (530) 752-4160

    marta.vanloan@ars.usda.gov

    Email

    Dr. Van Loan´s research focus is to determine the effect of different diets and eating patterns on body composition, weight and fat loss, bone metabolism in at-risk populations.

    • Assistant Project Scientist
    • USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center Scientist

  • Susan J. Zunino, Ph.D.

    • Associate Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition
    • Research Molecular Biologist, Western Human Nutrition Research Center

    Office: 203 WHNRC, (530) 752-5156

    susan.zunino@ars.usda.gov

    Email

    Dr. Zunino investigates the mechanisms of action of phenolic antioxidants found in foods. The focus of her research is to understand how these antioxidants affect lymphocytes and the immune response in general, and to define the mechanisms involved at the cellular and molecular level.

  • Ellen Fung, Ph.D., R.D.

    • Associate Adjunct Professor, Department of Nutrition

    efung@mail.cho.org

    Email

    Dr. Fung's research interests include the assessment of growth, bone health, and mineral homeostasis in pediatric patients particularly those with hematological disorders.