Nutrition research seeks to prevent chronic diseases

From uncovering how everyday food choices can influence long-term health to advancing strategies that help stop disease before it starts, Yeong Rhee, NDSU University Distinguished Professor of nutrition science, is shaping the future of preventative health.

Rhee’s research focuses on chronic disease prevention through the promotion of behavior changes by nutrition education and nutritional interventions. The research utilizes health-promoting compounds present in natural products, employing molecular, cellular and whole-body approaches.

So far, results from the research have shown beneficial effects of antioxidants on a variety of conditions, including insulin resistance, obesity and inflammation.

“Our research team, which includes several students, has recently completed NIH supported projects determining the effects of antioxidants and fiber on cognitive function of older adults, and we found that overall diet quality and antioxidants may improve cognitive function in older adults, which emphasizes the importance of healthful diet, including antioxidant rich foods, in the prevention of aging related cognitive function impairment such as Alzheimer’s disease,” Rhee said. “Currently, our research team is in the planning phase of newly NIH funded projects, assessing the role of healthful diet, such as following the Mediterranean diet, antioxidants or omega-3 fatty acids intakes, in cognitive function of older adults.”

Rhee is one of the few scientists on campus who can investigate the impacts of health-promoting components of foods on cells, animals and humans. Because of the nature of her research, collaboration is a huge part of what makes Rhee’s research possible.

“Collaborations across disciplines have opened doors for various innovative research in my lab,” she said. “During my early career at NDSU, the collaboration helped me establish my research agenda and research team. For example, through collaboration with scientists in plant science, I contributed to North Dakota by identifying antioxidants in flaxseed role in obesity, diabetes and cognitive function. Through collaboration with scientists in the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center and animal sciences, I was able to carry out research in diabetes using animal models. Another example was when my research team could expand the research scope to molecular levels, such as gene expression.”

For Rhee, research is the core foundation for her scholarly activity at NDSU. In her role as the head of the Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, Rhee supports her fellow faculty by ensuring they have all the resources they need to succeed in the lab and the classroom.

“As an administrator and researcher, I can secure resources through various grants to provide support to faculty with proper equipment or updated infrastructure, which eventually helps with the advancement of our faculty’s and department’s research agenda as well as contribution to NDSU’s R1 status,” Rhee said.

In the classroom, Rhee ensures her students are prepared to become leaders in the field, while teaching them about the impact they can make on people’s lives through their involvement in research. Mentorship is a big part of Rhee’s teaching philosophy. Rhee mentors her graduate student researchers, and her graduates serve as mentors to the undergraduates.

Rhee’s general message to her students is to always strive to achieve big things.

“Dream big. Get out of your comfort zone to explore different ideas with persistence and creativity. Build a firm foundation, which helps with the advancement of great ideas, academics and professional careers. Keep asking why, and do not be afraid to make mistakes. All are part of your learning process, and you are in a safe environment,” she said.

Rhee first started asking the ‘why’ around preventative health as a child, when she originally wanted to follow in the footsteps of her dad and become a pharmacist. Rhee’s mom had diabetes, and her dad helped with the management of the disease with medication. It was then that Rhee realized the importance of prevention through nutrition.

“By observing my mom’s diabetes journey along with my dad’s role as a pharmacist, I realized that nutrition has a key role in chronic disease prevention. This has led to my research in nutrition, especially antioxidants, and chronic disease prevention.”

Rhee got involved in research during her doctoral program at Oklahoma State University, where she worked as a research assistant in a variety of nutrition research projects. Rhee has been at NDSU since 2002 and has since worked her way up to the current leadership role in her department and as a UDP.

“The biggest lessons that I’ve learned are to keep trying to find solutions or ways to improve and strengthen the core concept of the research, regardless of your role or position as faculty or administrator. And keeping up with the current research and trends in science and technology is important,” she said.

Rhee has enjoyed working with passionate faculty and students over the years who are eager to learn and contribute to groundbreaking research taking place all over campus.

“As a teacher, mentor and administrator, students and faculty’s dedication and hard work always help me seek various ways to help them achieve their academic, career or professional goals,” Rhee said. “Students and faculty’s success and achievements are the most rewarding part of my job.”

Looking ahead, Rhee is looking forward to continuing to research ways to advance the health of North Dakota residents through several projects currently underway.

“The College of Health and Human Sciences has great initiatives that focus on helping and advancing rural health care and improvement of North Dakota citizens health,” she said. “Food As Medicine is one of the initiative items that can benefit all North Dakota citizens, which requires various expertise, including policy makers, nutrition and food scientists, registered dietitians, to name a few. As a clinical nutritionist and registered dietitian, I can contribute to the development and implementation of Food As Medicine throughout the state through collaborations with various experts.”