Population Response Research
Precision Nutrition
IHA Precision Nutrition research identifies how dietary exposures differentially impact individuals and population subgroups in order to provide more specific nutrition guidance to promote health and reduce risk of diet-related chronic diseases.
Through innovative research methods and advanced technologies, we’re working to understand the complex relationships between individual characteristics and nutritional needs.
Multi-dimensional research approach
IHA Precision Nutrition research focuses on three key areas that work together to advance our understanding of individualized nutrition:
- Precise measures of dietary intake, chrononutrition, lifestyle, genetic/epigenetics, microbiome
- Biomarkers, sensors, wearables, metabolomics and other technologies must be developed to characterize the dietary exposome
- Machine learning, AI, and data science to integrate and optimize multi-level data from various sources to characterize the exposome
Each study is designed to enhance our understanding of how dietary factors affect different populations, leading to more targeted nutritional recommendations.
Project highlight
InDIVIDUAL needs, personalized health
Understanding biological differences in nutrition needs
A recently published study in the Journal of Nutrition investigates nutritional requirements between men and women throughout different life stages.
The research examines specific nutritional considerations for women and identifies how these needs change over time.
Study findings provide insights into the relationship between biological sex and nutritional requirements, contributing to more targeted dietary recommendations.
Progress reports & future plans
Project snapshot
Our precision nutrition research encompasses:
- Multiple ongoing studies investigating dietary exposures
- Development of advanced measurement technologies
- Integration of multiple data streams including genomics, metabolomics, and dietary patterns
Scholarly achievements
Recent accomplishments include:
- Publication of key findings in the Journal of Nutrition
- Development of new methodologies for studying nutrient interactions
- Advancement in understanding B12 and folate relationships in cognitive health
Future plans
The researchers behind the IHA’s Precision Nutrition hub are focused on continuing work such as the maternal-child health study and its diet exposure assessment project.
Recent publications
Partnerships
The Precision Nutrition program collaborates with various partners to advance our research goals:
- Research laboratories and facilities
- Healthcare providers
- Technology development partners
- Academic institutions
- Public health organizations
- Clinical research centers
- Data science collaborators
- Nutrition research networks
To all of our partners:
Thank you for your collaboration in advancing the science of precision nutrition. Your expertise and commitment help us better understand individual nutritional needs and improve public health.
Interim associate director for Precision Nutrition Yuxiang Sun, M.D., Ph.D.
Yuxiang Sun, M.D., Ph.D., is the Interim Associate Director for Precision Nutrition at the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, IHA, and a Professor in the Department of Nutrition at Texas A&M University. She is also a Chancellor’s Enhancing Development and Generating Excellence in Scholarship, EDGES, Fellow and an AgriLife Research Faculty Fellow.
Team members
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Beth Racine
Dr.P.H., R.D.
Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at El Paso Center Director and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Associate Department Head for Nutrition Extension
Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at El Paso Center Director and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Associate Department Head for Nutrition…
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Bhimu Patil
Ph.D.
Professor and Director, Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center
Professor and Director, Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center Office: A120 Centeq BuildingEmail: bhimanagouda.patil@ag.tamu.eduPhone: (979) 458-8090 Education Undergraduate Education B.S. Agriculture,…
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Dmitry Kurouski
Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering
Associate Professor, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering Project: Raman-based sensing of human and plant health. This project focuses on a…
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Jeff Tomberlin
Ph.D.
Professor, AgriLife Research Fellow, Presidential Impact Fellow and Director, National Science Foundation Center for Environmental Sustainability Through Insect Farming
Professor, AgriLife Research Fellow, Presidential Impact Fellow and Director, National Science Foundation Center for Environmental Sustainability Through Insect Farming Project:…
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Robert Chapkin
Ph.D.
Allen Endowed Chair in Nutrition & Chronic Disease Prevention, Distinguished Professor, Regents Professor, University Faculty Fellow, and NCI R35 Outstanding Investigator
Allen Endowed Chair in Nutrition & Chronic Disease Prevention, Distinguished Professor, Regents Professor, University Faculty Fellow, and NCI R35 Outstanding…