2022 Annual Report

Department
of Metabolism
and Nutritional
Programming
For the human body to function properly, it must have the
right amount of energy and resources in the right place at
the right time. Every aspect of life is fueled by metabolism,
a constant cascade of chemical reactions that ensure
we have the energy to survive and thrive. But sometimes
things go wrong, depriving our cells of the energy and
resources required for healthy function.
When energy production or distribution breaks down, the
results can be catastrophic — diseases such as cancer,
Parkinson’s and diabetes are all known to have varying
degrees of metabolic involvement.
Scientists in VAI’s Department of Metabolism and
Nutritional Programming explore the intricate mechanics
of cellular metabolism and their implications for health
and in disease. Using cutting-edge techniques, they’re
investigating metabolism’s interaction with other critical
systems, such as the immune system, and revealing how
environmental exposures and metabolic dysfunction
contribute to diseases such as diabetes, autoimmunity,
cancer and neurodegeneration. They’re also parsing
the ripple effect that nutrition may have through the
generations, exploring how our diets could lay the
epigenetic foundations for the health of our descendants.
Russell Jones, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor
Dr. Russell Jones investigates
metabolism at the cellular level
to understand how it affects
cell behavior and health, with a
specific eye on cancer and the
immune system. By revealing how cancer cells use
metabolic processes to fuel their growth and spread, he
hopes to develop new treatments that help patients by
changing the standard of care for cancer.
Connie Krawczyk, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Dr. Connie Krawczyk investigates
the links between metabolism,
epigenetics and the immune
system, with the goal of
understanding how they work
together to keep us healthy and, when things go wrong,
to promote disease.
Adelheid Lempradl, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Adelheid Lempradl is
investigating how the dietary
choices and environmental
exposures of parents may
impact the health of their
offspring in the hopes of translating her findings into
new ways to prevent disease and create a healthier
future.
Evan Lien, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Cancer cells have voracious
appetites for nutrients and
energy, which they use to
grow and spread. Dr. Evan
Lien searches for ways to
deprive tumors of their fuel sources by exploring the
molecular and biochemical interactions between diet,
metabolism and cancer with the goal of developing
breakthrough prevention and treatment strategies.
Sara Nowinski, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Sara Nowinski investigates
how cells determine the
amount of energy needed
for everyday life and how
they adjust to meet those
requirements. Her research has uncovered new
insights into the intricate balance between nutrient
availability and cellular respiration — both critical
components to maintaining health.
RESEARCH
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