Affiliated Faculty

Andrew G. Hall, Ph.D

  • Research Associate
Dr. Hall's research interests focus on assessments of zinc absorption, metabolism and homeostasis in domestic and international populations consuming various zinc-containing foods, as well as examining fatty acid metabolism.

Ken-ichi Kosuna

  • Research Associate
  • Chairman, Amino Up Chemical Co., Ltd.
Mr. Kosuna is an internationally-recognized business leader and innovator in the area of botanical extracts for human health. His current research interests focus on regulatory aspects of nutritional products in Asia and the United States, and the development of safe and effective natural products for use in food, beverage and dietary supplement industries.

Javier Ottaviani, Ph.D.

  • Adjunct Researcher
  • Director of the Core Laboratory of Mars Edge, a segment of Mars, Incorporated
Dr. Ottaviani’s interests are in developing and translating innovations in diet and nutrition for health maintenance and optimization in individuals and at the population level. Dr. Ottaviani’s current research is focused on understanding the nutritional relevance of flavanols, procyanidins and other bioactive compounds’ impact on disease prevention and overall health. He’s also examining the role of sensors, personal devices and other new technologies in personalized nutrition.
3150B Meyer Hall

Hagen Schroeter, Ph.D.

  • Adjunct Researcher
  • Chief Science Officer Mars Edge, a segment of Mars, Incorporated
Dr. Schroeter’s scientific interests focus on human health and nutrition, personalized nutrition, and data-enabled innovation in nutrition and wellbeing. In the context of Mars Edge, he leads the biomedical investigations into the role of dietary flavanols, procyanidins and other bioactive food constituents in nutrition and healthy aging. Dr. Schroeter is also studying personal sensors and devices, and the application of machine learning in personalized nutrition and health.
3150B Meyer Hall

Hajime Fujii, Ph.D.

  • Research Associate
  • President, Amino Up Chemical Co., Ltd.
Dr. Fujii’s research interests are focused on the development and testing of novel botanical extracts. His current work includes research on a mushroom mycelia extract, a lychee fruit extract, and an enzyme-treated asparagus extract.

D'Ann Finley, Ph.D.

  • Research Associate
Dr. Finley is the Assistant Editor of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Her research interests include the study of factors affecting breast milk composition.

Britt M. Burton-Freeman, Ph.D.

  • Research Associate
Dr. Burton-Freeman's research follows two main themes: 1) Appetite and obesity management and, 2) Vascular disease. Research emphasizes the effects of bioactive food components on mechanistic and behavioral processes of food intake and body weight regulation.

Bruce A. Watkins, Ph.D.

  • Research Associate
  • Purdue University Emeritus Professor of Nutrition and Food Sciences
  • Adjunct Professor, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, IUSM
  • Scientist/educator member of the UCONN Health Center
Dr. Watkins's research is focused on energy balance, obesity, and endocannabinoid signaling. The research aim is to understand the role of endocannabinoid (EC) signaling in systemic energy metabolism, and on glucose use and insulin sensitivity in muscle.

Alan Crozier, Ph.D.

  • Research Associate
Dr. Crozier's research investigates the absorption, disposition, metabolism and excretion of dietary flavonoids and phenolic compounds and their potential to protect against non-communicable diseases. He is one of 11 Thomson-Reuters 2014 Highly Cited Researchers on the UC Davis campus.