Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, Davis, Cell Biology, 1988
Ph.D., University of California, Davis, Nutrition and Physiological Chemistry, 1986
M.Sc., University of Guelph, Canada, Nutrition, 1983
B.Sc., University of Guelph, Canada, Nutrition & Biochemistry, 1981

Chemoprevention / Nutritional Modulation of Colon Cancer Susceptibility. Our research interest centers on colon cancer prevention by investigating the impact of dietary fat, fiber, and folate status on disease processes. Experiments are designed to examine the effects of nutrients on the inhibition or activation of genes that are involved in the development of cancer in humans. Ultimately, information obtained from these studies will be used to develop dietary recommendations to reduce disease risk. Colorectal cancer is a disease strongly influenced by diet. Despite advancements in the treatment of this disease, however, the five-year mortality rate has remained at 50 percent. Dietary modifications may be the best way to decrease the risk of colon cancer. In an attempt to understand the mechanisms by which diet influences colon cancer development, we have designed experiments to focus on the ability of specified nutrients to influence cellular "signalling cascades" in the colon. These cascades are required to transmit signals from outside the cell into interpretable signals inside the cell. Diet may regulate the transmission of information that alters physiological responses such as cell growth, differentiation, death, DNA methylation status, membrane microdomain organization, ultimately determining the risk for developing cancer. Students involved in this project will work with experimental transgenic animal models, primary intestinal cultures, and cell lines. Ultimately, these studies will determine whether diet can be used as a legitimate treatment to reduce the likelihood of developing colon cancer.

Nutritional Modulation of Immunity-Chronic Inflammation: Regulation of Th1/Th2 Responses.  Human clinical and epidemiological studies as well as disease models have clearly shown fish oil to possess anti-inflammatory properties. The primary effector molecules are thought to be n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are present in relatively low quantities in the western diet. We are investigating the mechanisms by which EPA and DHA modulate effector cells (T-lymphocytes) of the immune system. Elucidation of the mechanisms by which EPA and DHA feeding suppress T-lymphocyte function will lead to the establishment of dietary guidelines designed to reduce the incidence and severity of disorders that involve an inappropriately activated immune response (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis) without increasing the susceptibility to infection. This, in turn, will improve the quality of life and ultimately reduce health care costs for afflicted individuals.

Present: American Society for Cell Biology

2002-2005: Member of the Chemo/Dietary Prevention Study Section (CDP), National Cancer Institutes, NIH, Chair, Intercollegiate Faculty of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, Professor and University Faculty Fellow, Human Nutrition and Molecular and Cell Biology Sections, Center for Environmental and Rural Health, Departments of Animal Science and Veterinary Integrated Biosciences, Texas A&M University.

2001-2002: Member of the Metabolic Pathology Study Section, National Cancer Institutes, NIH

2001-2007: Texas A&M University, Faculty Fellow

2000-2001: NIH Panel Temporary Member: Metabolic Pathology Study Section

1999-2000: Grant Review Panel Member, American Institute for Cancer Research.

1999-2000: Chair, Diet-CancerResearch Interest Section, American Society for Nutritional Sciences (ASNS).

1999-Present: Chair of the Pilot Project Program and Member of the Center for Environmental and Rural Health, NIEHS/Texas A&M University

2000: NIH Panel Temporary Member: SSS-T Special Emphasis Panel.

1994-1999: Associate Professor, Human Nutrition and Molecular and Cell Biology Sections, Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University.

1998: NIH/NCI External Reviewer: Innovative technologies for the molecular analysis of cancer, SBIR/STTR initiative.

1998: NIH/NCI Panel Member: Reproductive endocrinology, SBIR/STTR initiative.

1996: Faculty of Nutrition Executive Committee, Texas A&M University.

1995: NIH/NCI Panel Member: Human metabolic studies of modification of dietary fatty acid intake for prevention of breast, prostate and colon cancer.

1995: NIH/NCI Panel Member: Intermediate endpoints and their modulation by chemopreventive agents.

1992: Sabbatical in the laboratory of Dr. Jorge Moscat, Department of Molecular Biology, Hospital Gregorio Maranon, Madrid, Spain. Pew National Nutrition Program Scholar.

1991-Present: Associate Member of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University.

1991-Present: Cross appointment to the Department of Veterinary Integrated Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University.

1991: Outside reviewer for the NIH Metabolic Pathology Study Section.

1988-1993: Assistant Professor, Human Nutrition and Molecular and Cell Biology Sections, Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University.

1986-1988: Postdoctoral fellow. Advisor: Dr. Kent Erickson, Immunology-Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, Division of Basic Science, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis.