Human Nutrition Research Group

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It has been said that we are what we eat. If this is true, Dietitian Sheryl Aguilar and Nurse Janet Bergeson want to be key players in helping others lead healthier and more productive lives. As members of the Human Nutrition Research Group at USU’s Center for Advanced Nutrition, they work in concert with the Center’s dedicated researchers to explore ways to prevent common diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and cancer.

Janet and Sheryl work closely with the wonderful research volunteers, managing and assessing their daily progress as they participate in clinical feeding trials. When Sheryl’s team of nutritionists make incremental adjustments in the diets of our research volunteers, Janet’s qualified team members busily collect clinical data to measure the impact of the adjustments on each individual.

Both Janet and Sheryl say they feel incredibly lucky to be part of a new generation of innovative research at USU while at the same time living in an area surrounded by natural beauty and wonderful people.

Lots of Personal Care!

Clinic personnel carefully pre-screen and monitor each participant throughout the duration of the studies. Blood pressure is just one of the readings taken by Clinic Assistant EvaAnne Keller (CNA).

Great Kitchen --

Excellent Staff!

Metabolic kitchen staff methodically weigh and measure ingredients to prepare foods to match the specifications of each study.

Research Dietitian Sheryl Aguilar (right) and Chailyn Nelson, RD, oversee food preparation and service.

Tim Shahan Gets Tapped

For NIH Study Section

Utah State University associate professor Timothy Shahan of the Department of Psychology was appointed to the National Institute of Health’s Biobehavioral Regulation, Learning and Ethology study section. His four-year appointment starts July 1.

The BRLE study section assesses the scientific merit of research grant applications to NIH that are concerned with basic biobehavioral processes and adaptation across the lifespan. It ensures that NIH grant applications receive fair, independent, expert and timely reviews that are free from inappropriate influences so NIH can fund the most promising research. The study section meets three times a year and reviews approximately 180 NIH grant applications per year.

Acknowledging Shahan’s accomplishment, USU Vice President of Research Brent Miller said the appointment to this important national organization is a mark of high recognition for Shahan and for USU itself. (more)

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Human Nutrition Research Group

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