CLINICAL NUTRITION LABS

In our state-of-the-art research labs, students learn how to: 

• Assess underlying determinants of health that lead to poor nutrition outcomes
• Develop and evaluate dietary interventions
• Use implementation science research methods to advance the use of evidence-based practice by practitioners
• Complete multiple methods of dietary intake assessment including 3-day food records, 24-hour recalls using multiple pass methodology and data entry for the Nutrition Data System for Research (NDS-R), and food frequency questionnaires 
• Analyze dietary intake data
• Assess fat mass and fat-free mass using Air displacement plethysmography (BOD POD) and bioelectrical impedance analysis
• Assess arterial stiffness and vasodilation
• Complete twenty-four hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
• Assess indirect calorimetry for measurement of resting energy expenditure and substrate utilization

Meet Our Research Mentors
During the application process, you will be asked to select the research lab that fits your interest.  Read more about our research mentors

NUTRITION AND COGNITION RESEARCH LAB
MENTOR:  JOY DOUGLAS 

In the Nutrition and Cognition Research Lab, Dr. Douglas investigates how healthcare providers and caregivers can support individuals with cognitive conditions to maintain nutritional status, manage chronic health conditions, and improve quality of life.

Research questions:

• What evidence-based strategies can be used to support nutritional intake among people living with dementia?
• What training do healthcare providers and caregivers need to support eating in people with dementia?
• How can nutrition interventions be used to help individuals with brain injury to prevent and manage nutrition-related health conditions?
• What are the nutrition-related barriers facing individuals with brain injury who live in the community setting?

Learn more about Dr. Douglas’ research at
http://jdouglas.people.ua.edu/research.html

CLINICAL NUTRITION AND AGING LABORATORY
MENTOR:  AMY ELLIS

Our lab studies nutritional influences on aging and neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, we want to:

• Provide evidence-based nutrition care to older adults in the community as well as long-term care settings.
• Understand how nutrition affects development and progression of motor neuron diseases.
• Determine how nutrigenetics can best be applied to clinical practice. Can genetic testing help Registered Dietitian Nutritionists untangle individual responses to diet interventions?

Learn more about Dr. Ellis’ research at https://aellis.people.ua.edu/