The research conducted in our laboratory aims to identify and define the beneficial role of bioactive food compounds and functional foods on optimal health in humans. We utilizes translational large animal models and human cohorts to elucidate the mechanism of action of food components on inflammation and neurocognition.
Recent Awards
Virginia Wilbanks Kilgore Scholarship, UGA College of Family & Consumer Sciences, 2021, Jaclyn Barta
Graduate Student Degree Accelerator Award, University of Georgia, 2021, Julie Jeon
Franklin Foundation Imaging Grant, University of Georgia, 2020, Stephanie Dubrof
Faculty Mentoring Undergraduate Research Award, UGA College of Family & Consumer Sciences, 2020, Hea Jin Park
Endsley-Peifer Student Research Award, UGA College of Family & Consumer Sciences, 2020, Xi Fang
Super-Includer Award, UGA College of Family & Consumer Sciences, 2018, Hea Jin Park
GGBC Illumina Micrbiome mini-grant competition Winner, 2018, Julie Jeon
View all Foods and Nutrition Awards
Research Projects
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Maternal dietary supplementation and perinatal cognitive development
Investigators:
Stephanie Dubrof, Jillien Zukaitis
Funding: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Egg Nutrition Center
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Neuroinflammation and gut function in brain injury
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Dietary behavior and nutrition status in patients with traumatic brain injury
Investigators:
Jaclyn Barta
Funding: USDA HATCH
Our Team
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Dr. Hea Jin Park
Associate Professor
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Ms. Stephanie Dubrof
PhD Student
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Ms. Soon Lee
PhD Student
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Madison Walsh
MS student
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David C. Johns
Undergraduate researcher
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Eliza H. Stojkov
Undergraduate researcher
Alumni
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Dr. Julie Heejin Jeon
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Ms. Jaclyn R. Barta
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Ms. Jillien Zukaitis
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Dr. Xi Fang
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Ms. Jennifer M.Fleming