Congratulations to our 2024 CAPS winners!
Learn more about our 2024 CAPS awardees:
These students will attend CRN's 2024 Science in Session event.
Opeyemi O. Ogedengbe, M.Sc (she/her/hers)
Ph.D. student, Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park
Poor dietary habits have been identified as one of the risk factors for the incidence of diabetes and other forms of metabolic diseases. Modulation of this risk factor has been shown to reduce the incidence. The consumption of plant-based foods, with medicinal and therapeutic properties, has been reported to contribute to a decrease in this incidence. However, the mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety, of their constituents are yet to be elucidated. My career objective has been to engage in quality research that is focused on elucidating the efficacy and safety of plant-based nutritional therapy in the modulation of these metabolic diseases.
Earlier in my research career, I evaluated the possible use of plant-derived bioactive compounds as viable alternatives in the treatment of metabolic diseases, as opposed to the allopathic approach which is often expensive and with undesirable side effects. During my undergraduate research, I investigated the glycemic responses of different bread types consumed by healthy subjects in Benin Metropolis in Southern Nigeria. My findings revealed high amounts of macronutrients (fibre) in the different bread types, and their consumption resulted in decreased glycemic responses. The high amount of fibre in these bread types helped in slowing down or regulating the release of glucose into the blood. The desire to build on my knowledge and expertise in this research area prompted me to undertake a master’s degree training in Nutrition Biochemistry. During this study, I explored the efficacy of natural bioactive compounds from the Ficus exasperata Vahl plant as potential alternatives in treating metabolic diseases. The interesting findings from this study revealed the extracts from the plant contain bioactive nutraceuticals with anti-diabetic properties.
This remarkable discernment of the use of plant-based foods in modulating metabolic diseases spurred me to further pursue a Ph.D. training in Nutrition Biochemistry. This will pave the way for my career goal of harnessing food as a therapeutic modality for enhancing public health. Currently, I am investigating the synergistic biochemical and molecular mechanisms of the bioactive compounds in selected plant foods in the prevention of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and obesity. I have collaborated with other researchers in understudying the bioactivities of nutraceuticals in vegetables like kale and their effects on inflammation and gut microbiota. During the recent American Society for Nutrition Scientific Meetings, I presented my ongoing studies, ‘the role of Urtica diocia, (nettle plant) in attenuating diet-induced obesity’. I observed that this plant effectively protected against obesity both in the presence and absence of the gut microbiota. This was based on its ability to activate beta-oxidation proteins and suppress lipogenesis genes. Ongoing metabolomics studies will identify other metabolites responsible for this observed phenotype. I am optimistic that findings from this study will help me build on the body of knowledge regarding the varieties of functional foods available that can be developed into targeted therapeutic modalities; while collaborating with industries for the formulation of nutraceuticals, and nutritious beverages that can be easily incorporated for modifiable lifestyle applications.
Gwoncheol Park, MS (he/him/his)
Ph.D. student, Nutrition, Florida State University
‘Enhancing human well-being’ has always been my ultimate goal, ever since I joined the lab as a sophomore in college back in 2016. My initial exposure to human gut microbiome research ignited a deep fascination with its complex interrelations with other organs and its potential health implications. After completing my master’s degree, I was eager to expand my horizons by pursuing more mechanistic studies beyond observational research and by collaborating with scholars globally. My aim was to discover microbiome-based therapeutic interventions for human diseases and promote healthy aging. This ambition led me to pursue my Ph.D. in the United States, a global hub of scientific innovation, particularly in nutrition and other life sciences. The interdisciplinary environment here has enabled me to engage in more collaborative research across various fields of expertise.
As the core of my Ph.D. research, I have been studying the role of prudent diets, including the Mediterranean and ketogenic diets, on the gut microbiome and their effects on aging-related neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Through valuable collaborations, I have successfully evaluated the beneficial role of modified Mediterranean diets on brain function using a multi-omics approach (metagenomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics). This research uncovered that such diets increase lactate-producing bacteria in the gut, elevate lactate availability in circulation, and ultimately activate the lactate receptor (GPR81) in the brain, a mechanism closely linked to improved brain function. This work was published earlier this year. Additionally, we recently discovered that the cholinergic system, crucial for cognitive function and known to degenerate in Alzheimer’s disease, is upregulated in mice consuming a modified Mediterranean diet. This finding is currently in preparation for publication. I plan to expand this line of research for the remainder of my Ph.D., with the ultimate goal of establishing therapeutic lifestyle interventions that delay or prevent aging-associated neurodegenerative diseases without side effects or imposing additional burdens on daily life.