12th Annual Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology Research Symposium
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The 12th Annual Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology (GGNB) Research Symposium featured an exciting selection of innovative nutrition science research. Presentations addressed a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from public health to GLP-1 medications, reflecting the program’s commitment to tackling complex nutritional challenges. This symposium is organized by Grad-SAC, dedicated volunteers, and support from the graduate group coordinator, Alisha Bartolomucci.
Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology chair, Dr. Reina Engle-Stone, gave a welcome speech to everyone attending the 12th Annual GGNB Research Symposium.
Keynote speaker, Dr. Yasmine Bouzid, a September 2024 GGNB graduate, completed her dissertation “Diet, Host Genetics, Microbiome, and Gastrointestinal Health in U.S. Adults” under the mentorship of Dr. Danielle Lemay at the USDA Western Human Nutrition Research Center. She discussed her graduate experience, dietetic internship at DSH-Napa, and forthcoming postdoctoral research.
Oral Presentations:
The first presenter, doctoral candidate Davrina Rianda, presented research comparing child growth and cognitive outcomes in Malawi, the United States, and Indonesia. Davrina’s study found that early growth influences attention and memory development, underscoring the need for further longitudinal research.
The second presenter, doctoral student Yuyi Chen, presented research about how high folic acid supplement use is linked to lower serum zinc levels in children and adults. Yuyi’s findings highlight the need for improved zinc assessment methods and the possible addition of zinc to folic acid supplements, especially for pregnant and lactating people.
Doctoral student, Melissa Teuber, discussed her study about evaluating a UC Davis online food literacy program. Her research investigated the program’s effect on participants’ food literacy, nutrition knowledge, cooking confidence, food security, and overall engagement.
Doctoral candidate, Hussain Chharawalla, presented his study titled “Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in U.S. Pregnant Women and Associations with Food Insecurity, Diet Quality, and WIC Participation.” His research found that among pregnant women nationwide, food insecurity and poor diet quality were linked to unfavorable cardiometabolic outcomes.
Doctoral candidate Demsina Babazadeh was the final presenter, and she discussed her study titled “Cravings, Calories, and Clinical Gaps: What We Know (and Don’t Know) About GLP-1 Anti-Obesity Medications.” Her research identified gaps in dietary assessment within clinical trials of GLP-1 medications and introduced the CRAVE study, which addresses these gaps by evaluating diet quality and food cravings during GLP-1 treatment.
The symposium concluded with announcing the winners of the poster and oral presentations.
Poster presentations:
1st: Alana Chaney (mentor: Dr. Au) and Sarah Blecksmith (mentor: Dr. Lemay)
2nd: Betty Sun (mentor: Dr. Zivkovic)
3rd: Christabel Domfe (mentor: Dr. Au)
Oral presentations:
1st: Davrina Rianda (mentors: Dr. Stewart and Dr. Oakes)
2nd: Hussain Chharawalla (mentor: Dr. Au)
3rd: Demsina Babazadeh (mentor: Dr. Steinberg)
These awardees exemplify excellence in research dissemination, scientific rigor, and scholarly engagement.