Research is focused on the role of bioactive compounds in dairy products/by-products and botanicals with effects for prevention of chronic/inflammatory diseases using in vitro and in vivo models. Emphasis is on molecular mechanisms modulated by non-digestible bioactive compounds, partially through changes in intestinal bacteria.
Research projects look to integrate microbiome, metabolomics, and proteomics analyses to investigate the biological mechanisms influenced by dietary interventions and their correlations with end point biomarkers of obesity-related diseases including diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Research is funded by the Western Dairy Center, National Raspberry Council, Northwest Cherry Growers/ Washington State Fruit Commission, and Washington State Department of Agriculture.