The research conducted in our laboratory aims to identify and define the beneficial role of bioactive food compounds and functional foods on optimal health in humans. We utilizes translational large animal models and human cohorts to elucidate the mechanism of action of food components on inflammation and neurocognition.
Recent Awards
Virginia Wilbanks Kilgore Scholarship, UGA College of Family & Consumer Sciences, 2021, Jaclyn Barta
Graduate Student Degree Accelerator Award, University of Georgia, 2021, Julie Jeon
Franklin Foundation Imaging Grant, University of Georgia, 2020, Stephanie Dubrof
Faculty Mentoring Undergraduate Research Award, UGA College of Family & Consumer Sciences, 2020, Hea Jin Park
Endsley-Peifer Student Research Award, UGA College of Family & Consumer Sciences, 2020, Xi Fang
Super-Includer Award, UGA College of Family & Consumer Sciences, 2018, Hea Jin Park
GGBC Illumina Micrbiome mini-grant competition Winner, 2018, Julie Jeon
View all Foods and Nutrition Awards
Research Projects
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Maternal dietary supplementation and perinatal cognitive development
Investigators:
Stephanie Dubrof, Jillien Zukaitis
Funding: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Egg Nutrition Center
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Neuroinflammation and gut function in brain injury
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Dietary behavior and nutrition status in patients with traumatic brain injury
Investigators:
Jaclyn Barta
Funding: USDA HATCH
Our Team

Dr. Hea Jin Park
Associate Professor

Ms. Julie Heejin Jeon
PhD Candidate

Ms. Stephanie Dubrof
PhD Student

Ms. Jaclyn Barta
MS/DI Student

Ms. Jillien Zukaitis
Double Dawg Student

Ms. Keyonna Brannam
Undergraduate Researcher
Ms. Ava Samford
Undergraduate Researcher

Ms. Madison Walsh
Undergraduate Researcher

Ms. Madison Webb
Undergraduate Researcher

Ms. Jessica Williams
Undergraduate Researcher

Ms. Jazzmyn Fequiere
Undergraduate Researcher

Ms. Symaria Shans
Undergraduate Researcher

Ms. Samantha Garcia
Undergraduate Researcher
Alumni

Dr. Xi Fang
Postdoctoral Associate, Yale School of Medicine