Our research aims to untangle the biological, environmental, and cultural networks that underpin the disparity in disease risk between population groups and geographic regions. This is accomplished by harnessing the strength of research methods across nutrition, metabolism, genetics, epidemiology, and social sciences to systematically understand their intertwined relationship, effects on disease risk, and key points of mediation. Our research is highly cross-disciplinary by nature and includes collaborators in medicine, environmental sciences, toxicology, data sciences, public health, and molecular sciences.
This multi-disciplinary and highly-collaborative program, has generated numerous formative publications, informed global public health guidelines (i.e., WHO), and attracted funding in Canada and the UK (i.e., CIHR, Hamilton Health Sciences, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Wellcome UK, and the UK Nutrition Society).
NiDST & NiDRS Nigerian Dietary Screening Tool & Nigerian Dietary Risk Score
Lab Collaborators: Batubo NP; Auma CI; Moore JB; Zulyniak MA
Working with clinicians, health professionals, and patients at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt Nigeria, Dr. Nimisoere Batubo is leading the deign, validation, and feasibility assessment of a Nigerian Dietary Screening Tool (NiDST) and Nigerian Dietary Risk Score (NiDRS) to support early screening of hypertension risk and foster – clinician-patient discussions of appropriate prevention strategies.
Methods: Meta-analysis, clinical trials, nutritional epidemiology, quantitative and qualitative research
Supported by Tertiary Education Fund (TETfund, Nigeria)
Metabolic Drivers and Predictors of Gestational Diabetes in Pregnancy
Lab Collaborators: Fuller H, Dingena C, Zulyniak MA
This is a core research theme that ties together molecular features and pathways (genetics and metabolites) to tease apart the metabolic contributors to gestational diabetes risk disparity between ethnic groups. Our work has already demonstrated that ethnic-specific genetic features and patterns of metabolites explain some of the disparity in disease risk that is observed between population groups. We are now working with other research groups to test and design better prevention and treatment strategies to reduce risk further.
Methods: GWAS, metabolites, clustering, molecular and nutritional epidemiology, Mendelian randomization,
Supported by Wellcome Trust (UK) and University of Leeds (UK).
CLARITY: GenetiC and Lifestyle DeterminAnts of Newborn BiRthweight and AdIposiTY
External Collaborators: Lamri A; Anand S
Harnessing the strength of multiple child birth cohorts in Canada and the UK — START, FAMILY, and Born in Bradford — this study aims to identify the role of maternal and offspring genetics toward birth weight and adiposity in South Asians and white European, and test the moderating effect of diet, lifestyle, and general health (above and beyond genetics) toward offspring outcomes.
Research methods: Computer-based, data driven, genome-wide association studies, birth cohorts.
Supported by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) International Partnership Fund
Longitudinal Assessment and Management of Glucose in Pregnancy
Lab Collaborators: Dingena C & Zulyniak MA
Although diabetes is pregnancy is well characterized, very little is known about (i) glucose regulation and variability across the pregnancy spectrum, (ii) its association with maternal and offspring health, and (iii) the role of diet and lifestyle to support healthy glucose levels across pregnancy. Our work has looked at thousands of glucose measurements and cross referenced them with dietary records to pinpoint key times of day and nutrients that are especially important for managing glucose levels.
Research methods: Clinical trials, data driven, glucose monitors, epidemiology.
Supported by University of Leeds (UK)
