Ji-Young Lee, Professor and Department Head
Dr. Ji-Young Lee is a Professor and Head of the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut. Her research in Nutrigenomics centers around identifying molecular mediators involved in energy metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis and how dietary factors play regulatory roles in the signaling pathways. In particular, studies on how dietary factors regulate histone deacetylases as an epigenetic mode of action to regulate gene expression in metabolic, inflammatory, and fibrogenic pathways are actively underway in her laboratory.
Chistopher Blesso, Associate Professor
Dr. Christopher Blesso is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut. He has been working at the University of Connecticut since 2013 and teaches graduate courses on macronutrient metabolism and regulation of energy balance. His research focuses on preventing cardiometabolic diseases through dietary modification, with an emphasis on pathways related to lipid metabolism. He conducts molecular nutrition and human nutrition studies, with the former using mouse models of human disease.
Sangyong Choi, Assistant Professor
Dr. Sangyong Choi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut. His research in Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics has focused on understanding the interactions between genes and nutrients with a primary interest in zinc nutrition in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Dr. Choi teaches graduate courses – Vitamins & Minerals, Precision Nutrition, and Nutrition & Gene Expression.
Nancy Rodriguez, Professor
Dr. Nancy Rodriguez is a Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut. Her research program focuses on relationships between exercise, protein intake, energy balance, and protein utilization in athletes, physically active adults, and healthy obese and non-obese children. Dr. Rodriguez teaches sports nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, and the protein component of the graduate course, Macronutrients.
Catherine Andersen, Associate Professor
Dr. Catherine Andersen is an Associate Professor, Academic Program Director, and MS in Personalized Nutrition, in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut. Her research employs clinical, nutrigenomic, and translational approaches to investigate the relationship between diet and lifestyle factors, metabolic health, and immune function in the context of acute and chronic diseases. Dr. Andersen teaches Clinical Nutrition and Advanced Clinical Nutrition.
Susan Mitmesser, Adjunct Professor
Dr. Susan Mitmesser is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut. She is currently Vice President of Science and Technology at Pharmavite, one of the largest dietary supplement companies in the world. She provides scientific leadership at Pharmavite to advance innovation and new product development strategies, and ensure the scientific integrity of all products made under its brand portfolio. She brings her extensive experience in US Food Laws and Regulation to the MSPN program.