WHNRC Scientists

  • 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.

  • Ellen Bonnel, Ph.D.

    • Academic Administrator
    • USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center Scientist

    Office: 109 WHNRC, (530) 752-4184

    ellen.bonnel@ars.usda.gov

    Email

    Dr. Bonnel is the Human Studies Manager at the USDA Western Human Nutrition Research Center (WHNRC). The mission of the WHNRC is to create and test food based interventions to improve the health of all Americans.

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.