Resume

• 2013

  Registered Dietician (R.D.)

  Nutrition and Dietetics

  Iowa State University

• 2009

  Ph.D.

  Nutritional Sciences

  The University of Connecticut

  Master of Science

  Nutritional Sciences

  The University of Connecticut

• 2004

  Bachelor of Science

  Nutritional Sciences

  Molecular and Cell Biology

  The University of Connecticut

• Egg intake increases plasma concentrations of carotenoids and determines their distribution in LDL and HDL in men and women with metabolic syndrome

  Grape Consumption Increases Anti-Inflammatory Markers and Upregulates Peripheral Nitric Oxide Synthase in the Absence of Dyslipidemias in Men with Metabolic Syndrome

  Jiyoung Lee

  Youngki Park

  Grape Consumption Increases Anti-Inflammatory Markers and Upregulates Peripheral Nitric Oxide Synthase in the Absence of Dyslipidemias in Men with Metabolic Syndrome

  Dietary approaches to improving atheroprotective HDL functions

  Dietary approaches to improving atheroprotective HDL functions

  Impact of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome on Immunity

  Kelsey E. Murphy

  Impact of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome on Immunity

  Bioactive Egg Components and Inflammation

  Bioactive Egg Components and Inflammation

  A Mediterranean-style low glycemic load diet increases plasma carotenoids and decreases LDL oxidation in women with metabolic syndrome.

  Maria Luz Fernandez

  Robert H. Lerman

  Steven Schwartz

  Michael V. Comperatore

  Rachel Kopek

  A Mediterranean-style low glycemic load diet increases plasma carotenoids and decreases LDL oxidation in women with metabolic syndrome.

  Low HDL cholesterol is associated with increased atherogenic lipoproteins and insulin resistance in women classified with metabolic syndrome

  Jeff S. Volek

  Mark McIntosh

  Colleen Kalynych

  Wade Najm

  and Robert H Lerman

  Jose O. Leite

  Jung Eun Kim

  Michael V. Comperatore

  Mariana Calle

  Jacqueline Barona

  Daniela Ackerman

  Jennifer L. Jones

  Maria Luz Fernandez

  Nutrition Research and Practice (2010) 4(6): 492-498

  Low HDL cholesterol is associated with increased atherogenic lipoproteins and insulin resistance in women classified with metabolic syndrome

  A Larger Body Mass Index is Associated with Increased Atherogenic Dyslipidemia

  Insulin Resistance

  and Low-Grade Inflammation in Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome

  Tarif Al-Sarraj

  Christine E. Dugan

  Kolin Ebron

  Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders

  2015; 13(10): 458-464

  A Larger Body Mass Index is Associated with Increased Atherogenic Dyslipidemia

  Insulin Resistance

  and Low-Grade Inflammation in Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome

  Whole egg consumption improves lipoprotein profiles and insulin sensitivity to a greater extent than yolkfree egg substitute in individuals with metabolic syndrome

  Jeff S. Volek

  Whole egg consumption improves lipoprotein profiles and insulin sensitivity to a greater extent than yolkfree egg substitute in individuals with metabolic syndrome

  Effects of Dietary Cholesterol in Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease

  Effects of Dietary Cholesterol in Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease

  Egg consumption during carbohydrate restriction modulates HDL lipid composition and increases cholesterol-accepting capacity of serum in metabolic syndrome

  Michael J. Thomas

  Dharika Shah

  Jiyoung Lee

  Egg consumption during carbohydrate restriction modulates HDL lipid composition and increases cholesterol-accepting capacity of serum in metabolic syndrome

  A Mediterranean Low-Glycemic-Load Diet alone or in Combination with a Medical Food Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Reduces Inflammation in Women with Metabolic Syndrome

  Maria-Luz Fernandez

  Robert H. Lerman

  Wade Najm

  Mark McIntosh

  Jeff S. Volek

  Daniela Ackermann

  A Mediterranean Low-Glycemic-Load Diet alone or in Combination with a Medical Food Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Reduces Inflammation in Women with Metabolic Syndrome

  Dietary strategies to reduce metabolic syndrome

  Dietary strategies to reduce metabolic syndrome

  A Mediterranean-style

  low-glycemic-load diet decreases atherogenic lipoproteins and reduces lipoprotein (a) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein in women with metabolic syndrome

  Robert H Lerman

  Wade Najm

  Mark McIntosh

  Jennifer L. Jones

  Metabolism (2012) 61: 366-372

  A Mediterranean-style

  low-glycemic-load diet decreases atherogenic lipoproteins and reduces lipoprotein (a) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein in women with metabolic syndrome

  Evaluation of Family History

  Antioxidant Intake and Activity Level as Indicators For Chronic Disease In A Healthy Young Population

  Ana Gabriela Murillo

  Diana DiMarco

  Amanda Missimer

  Marcela Vergara-Jimenez

  EC Nutrition (2015) 1.4: 164-173

  Evaluation of Family History

  Antioxidant Intake and Activity Level as Indicators For Chronic Disease In A Healthy Young Population

  Effects of Carbohydrate Restriction and Dietary Cholesterol Provided by Eggs on Clinical Risk Factors in Metabolic Syndrome

  Jeff S. Volek

  Effects of Carbohydrate Restriction and Dietary Cholesterol Provided by Eggs on Clinical Risk Factors in Metabolic Syndrome

  One egg a day improves inflammation compared to an oatmeal-based breakfast without increasing the risk for heart disease in diabetic patients

  Herlino Valdez

  Elizabeth Artalejo

  Alma E. Robles

  Fabrizio Valenzuela

  Martha Nydia Ballesteros

  Nutrients (2015) 7: 3449-3463

  One egg a day improves inflammation compared to an oatmeal-based breakfast without increasing the risk for heart disease in diabetic patients

  Egg intake during carbohydrate restriction alters peripheral blood mononuclear cell inflammation and cholesterol homeostasis in metabolic syndrome

  Timothy P. Carr

  Egg intake during carbohydrate restriction alters peripheral blood mononuclear cell inflammation and cholesterol homeostasis in metabolic syndrome

  Grants

  2015 Faculty Research Grant

  Fairfield University \n\n2015 The Science Institute of the College of Arts and Sciences

  Fairfield University \n\n2014-2015 Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (CICATS) Seed Grant in Obesity Research: Predictors of Weight Loss after Bariatric Surgery: Baseline Status and Post-Surgical Alterations in Oral Sensory Phenotype and Food Preference. Role in Project: Co-Investigator\n\n2012-2013 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Predoctoral Fellowship Award: Effects of egg consumption on HDL composition

  macrophage reverse cholesterol transport

  and mononuclear cell inflammation. Role in project: Project Director

  Professional honors & activities

  • Reviewer for Journal of Medicinal Food since 2012\n• Invited Contributor to the Nutrition CloseUp Newsletter Invited Article (2012): HDL\ncomposition as a determinant of function

  Abstracts

  • Andersen CJ

  Blesso CN

  Lee J

  and Fernandez ML. Egg intake increases peripheral blood\nmononuclear cell expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 in parallel with toll-like\nreceptor 4 as a potential mechanism to reduce cellular inflammation in metabolic syndrome.\nFASEB J. (Submitted).\n• Blesso CN

  Andersen CJ

  Bolling B

  Fernandez ML. Increases in plasma lutein and zeaxanthin\nby egg intake is associated with the formation of larger HDL particles in participants with\nmetabolic syndrome. FASEB J. (Submitted).\n• Andersen CJ

  Blesso CN

  Park Y

  Barona J

  Pham T

  Lee J

  and Fernandez ML. Carbohydrate\nrestriction favorably affects HDL metabolism in men and women with Metabolic Syndrome.\nAddition of egg yolk further increases large HDL particles. FASEB J. 2012. Abstract 26:254.5.\n• Blesso CN

  Andersen CJ

  Barona J

  Volk B

  Volek JS

  and Fernandez ML. A moderate\ncarbohydrate-restricted diet results in weight loss and improves clinical parameters of metabolic\nsyndrome in adult men and women and addition of egg yolk further improves inflammation.\nFASEB J. 2012. 26: 819.30.\n• Aguilar D

  Barona J

  Dugan CE

  Andersen CJ

  Blesso CN

  Fernandez ML. Gender Influences\nMetabolic Syndrome Criteria. FASEB J

  2012. Abstract 26:1014.5.\n• Andersen C

  Jones J

  Barona J

  Calle M

  Lerman RH

  Volek JS

  Fernandez ML. A\nMediterranean-style low glycemic diet decreases inflammation and insulin resistance in subjects\nclassified with the metabolic syndrome. FASEB J

  2010. Abstract 24:342.2.\n• Comperatore MV

  Andersen C

  Jones J

  Lerman R

  and Fernandez ML. A Mediterranean-style\nlow glycemic load diet reduces LDL oxidation and Lipoprotein (a) in women classified with the\nmetabolic syndrome. FASEB J

  2010. Abstract 24:938.6.

  International Research Fellowship

  McGill University

  Montreal

  Canada\nDoctoral Research Fellowship

  July – August 2012\nResearch: Investigation of the bioavailability and biological activity of phytonutrients in novel cell culture systems and in vivo models

  Presentations:

  •\t McGill University

  School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition

  July 2012

  Sainte-Anne-de-\n Bellevue

  QC

  Canada: The potential for eggs as a functional food in reducing metabolic disease risk\n• Egg Nutrition Center Health Professionals Ambassador Retreat 2012

  Chicago

  IL: Clarifying \n cholesterol confusion: the potential for eggs as a functional food in reducing CVD risk. \n•\tExperimental Biology 2012

  San Diego

  CA: Carbohydrate restriction favorably affects HDL \n metabolism in men and women with Metabolic Syndrome. Addition of egg yolk further increases \n large HDL particles.\n•\tUConn CANR Graduate Research Forum 2012: Carbohydrate restriction and daily egg consumption \n favorably affect HDL metabolism in men and women with Metabolic Syndrome \n•\tDepartmental Seminar

  University of Connecticut

  Department of Nutritional Sciences

  February \n 2011: T lymphocyte diversity and function in obesity: Implications for adaptive immunity and \n metabolic disease\n•\tExperimental Biology 2010

  Anaheim

  CA: A Mediterranean-style low glycemic diet decreases \n inflammation and insulin resistance in subjects classified with the metabolic syndrome\n•\tMetagenics Inc

  December 2010

  Seattle

  WA: A Mediterranean-style low glycemic diet decreases \n inflammation and insulin resistance in subjects classified with the metabolic syndrome\n

  Academic activities

  teaching

  & mentorships

  • Chair of the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Graduate\nStudent Council: 2012-2013 academic year\n• Graduate Assistant and Discussion Post Moderator - Food

  Culture

  and Society course (NUSC\n1167)

  University of Connecticut

  Spring 2011

  2012 & 2013\n• Graduate Research Coordinator (Summer 2011 and Spring 2012) – Research mentor to\nundergraduate dietetics students fulfilling research rotations\n• Northeast Alliance (NEA) Program Graduate Research Mentor (Summer 2010) – Research\nmentor to undergraduate student\n• UConn Mentor Connection 2010 – Graduate Research Mentor to honors high school students

  My research is focused on dietary strategies that target HDL metabolism and inflammation to mitigate risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

  Catherine J.

  Iowa State University

  University of Connecticut

  Fairfield University

  Eastern Connecticut State University

  University of Connecticut

  Dietetic Internship

  Hartford

  Connecticut Area

  Iowa State University

  University of Connecticut

  Fairfield University

  Fairfield

  CT

  Assistant Professor

  Willimantic

  CT

  Adjunct Faculty

  Department of Biology

  Eastern Connecticut State University

  Storrs

  CT

  Graduate Assistant/PhD student

  University of Connecticut

  University of Connecticut Graduate School

  USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Predoctoral Fellowship

  Provides funding for research

  travel

  and graduate assistantship

  USDA NIFA

  Hamilton D. Eaton Award for Excellence in Doctoral Research

  University of Connecticut

  Department of Nutritional Sciences

  USDA Predoctoral Fellowship Award - \"Nutrition and Obesity\"

  •\tProvides full graduate assistantship and funds to attend annual scientific meetings \n•\tAdditional funding provided to gain research experience and training in non-U.S. country for 6-8 weeks in the field of nutrition and obesity \n

  USDA

  Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship Award

  University of Connecticut

  Oral Presentation Award

  Presentation title: “Carbohydrate restriction and daily egg consumption favorably affect HDL metabolism in men and women with Metabolic Syndrome”

  UConn CANR Graduate Research Forum 2012