The major focus in the laboratory is to determine how obesity and loss of body weight alleviate risk of disease and contribute to the risk of osteoporosis. A focus in the lab is to determine mechanisms that regulate inflammation, cognition and bone metabolism and the role of specific nutrients such as vitamin D, protein and calcium. We recently have been addressing how circadian rhythm affects health (including bone, microbiome, cognition, circadian markers and sleep). Hormones, bone turnover and gut peptides are measured using techniques of spectrophotometry, and HPLC, and stable isotopes and mass spec to assess absorption. The lab examines healthy older individuals with a focus on obesity and imaging methods and has an interest in ethnic/ racial differences during weight loss and in those with metabolic syndrome. There is a clinical and translational research that emphasizes the endocrine regulation of obesity with focus area on circadian rhythm, inflammation, gastrointestinal absorption and the microbiome, and dietary interventions altering metabolism during weight reduction. Studies also examine how specific foods affect hormones and health outcomes.
Program Faculty
- Sue A. Shapses
- Professor
- Department: Department of Nutritional Sciences
- Graduate Program(s): Physiology and Integrative Biology
- Major Research Interest(s): Aging, Endocrinology, Metabolism / Nutrition
- Research Techniques: Imaging
- Research Organism(s): Humans, Mice
- Phone: 1.8489329403
- Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
- Foran Hall, Room 195
- 59 Dudley Road
- New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8520
- Key Words: Bone metabolism, cognition, inflammation, frailty and obesity
- News Items: CBD Shows Health Benefits in Estrogen-Deficient Mice that Model Postmenopause, Higher Protein Intake While Dieting Leads to Healthier Eating, More Vitamin D May Improve Memory but Too Much May Slow Reaction Time