Biography
Dr. Marianna Baum is a nationally and internationally acclaimed scientist in the area of nutrition, metabolism and HIV/AIDS. She was the first scientist to investigate the relationship between HIV infection and micronutrient status. After her large-scale NIH-funded studies showed deficiencies in micronutrients as the disease progressed, Dr. Baum and her team conducted clinical trials supplementing specific micronutrients. These NIH-supported studies showed that long-term micronutrient supplementation improved nutritional status and immunity, delayed disease progression, and improved overall quality of life in HIV infected individuals. Dr. Baum’s most recent studies involve the risks for HIV and Hepatitis C disease progression in the presence of drug and alcohol abuse, their effect on liver disease, its prevention and treatment.
Research Interest
Nutrition, metabolism and HIV/AIDS, Metabolic effects of Hepatitis C/HIV infection, Drug and alcohol abuse and its effect on liver disease in Hepatitis C/HIV infection
Biography
Dr. Chaodong Wu, MD, PhD, is a tenured Associate Professor of Nutrition at Texas A&M University (TAMU) (College Station, Texas, USA) and a Faculty Fellow of Texas A&M AgriLife Research. Prior to his tenure, Dr. Wu was an Assistant Professor of Nutrition at TAMU (2007-2013), and a Research Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minnesota) (2003-2006). Since his postdoctoral training, Dr. Wu has made a series of significant contributions to the understanding of liver physiology in relation to systemic metabolic homeostasis. After his appointment at TAMU, Dr. Wu has focused his research on overnutrition-associated insulin resistance, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. Dr. Wu has also explored how overnutrition induces peripheral circadian clock dysregulation in the context of inflammation and metabolic diseases. Dr. Wu has authored and co-authored over 56 research articles and delivered over 50 presentations nationally and internationally. Currently, Dr. Wu is funded as Principle Investigator by grants from the NIH and American Diabetes Association. Dr. Wu is a full member of American Society of Nutrition, American Diabetes Association, and Chinese American Diabetes Association. Since 2010, Dr. Wu has been invited to serve on many NIH study sections and American Heart Association scientific review meetings. Dr. Wu is also a member of the editorial board of Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. Since his appointment at TAMU, Dr. Wu has chaired and served on more than 20 graduate committees, and trained 6 postdoctoral fellows.
Research Interest
overnutrition-associated insulin resistance, diabetes, and fatty liver disease
Biography
Duska Curic, PhD, is a full professor at the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology. She is teaching undergraduate, graduate and PhD studies in food technology and human nutrition. She is the head of the Laboratory for Cereals Chemistry and Technology and she was the Vice-Dean for Science from 2007 to 2011 at the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology. Duska Curic is a member of the Governing Council in the Croatian Society of Food Technologists, Biotechnologist and Nutritionists, and a member of the scientific panel on dietetic products, nutrition and allergens of Croatian Food Agency.
Research Interest
Grain quality; Storing and milling of cereals; Rheology and chemistry of dough; Bread industry and processing; Pasta processing; Application and advantages of extrusion technology in the food industry; Organic food production and Food chemistry