Research in the Department of Biomedical & Nutritional Sciences (BNS) at UMass Lowell is conducted by faculty who are experts in their fields and is incorporated into the various curricula within the department. Undergraduates can choose to engage in hands-on laboratory or community research during their senior year, for many of them leading to presentations at professional symposia, and even publications in peer-reviewed journals. Graduate students receive extensive hands-on experience in cutting-edge research in their area of choice, giving them the necessary technical and social skills that will enable them to succeed in the current job market.

Faculty Research

  • The Research Faculty of the Applied Biomedical Sciences program are engaged in cutting-edge research among a broad range of disciplines. Undergraduate students can enroll in a one-semester or year-long Senior Research course under the direction of expert research faculty from the BNS Department. The nature of the experience depends on the faculty with whom the research is conducted and varies among students from literature research and compilation, to data collection and analysis, to hands-on laboratory investigations. Many graduates of the Applied Biomedical Sciences are employed in industry research, including biomedical device, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical companies, and as laboratory technologists in academic and government research facilities.

    FacultyResearch
    Dhimiter Bello , Sc.D, MSc.
    Email: Dhimiter Bello    		Adverse human health effects of workplace, consumer, and community exposures to toxic chemicals especially exposure to biomarkers/biology.
    Mahdi O. Garelnabi, Ph.D.
    Email: Mahdi O. Garelnabi    		Our research interest focuses around basic mechanisms of Cardiometabolic disorders, Atherosclerosis, Lipoprotein pathophysiology; and Nutrition and Population Health. We are particularly interested in the role of inflammation, antioxidants, and oxidative stress in these metabolic disorders. In addition, we are also interested on selected topics in clinical toxicology and laboratory analytical method validation.
    Nancy Goodyear, Ph.D. MLS(ASCP)CM
    Email: Nancy Goodyear    		Focused on evaluating safer approaches to disinfection ("green" or low toxicity disinfectants.) Safer approaches include saturated steam vapor, activated water, thymol and other plant-derived chemicals, and do-it-yourself approaches using household products such as vinegar.
    Gui-Xin (Susan) He, Ph.D.
    Email: Gui-Xin (Susan) He    		Researching antibiotic resistance mechanisms and new antimicrobial drugs. Currently, we are focused on the following studies: 1) Investigating biofilm and drug resistance development; 2) Analyzing resistance genes in antibiotic resistant Enteric bacteria; 3) Developing biosensors for drug resistance and pathogens; 4) Screening new antimicrobial agents from ocean microbes and natural products.
    Shannon Kelleher, Ph.D.
    Email: Shannon Kelleher    		Molecular studies focusing on the role of diet, genetics, and environmental factors on mammary gland biology (lactation and milk composition) and intestinal biology (absorption and mucosal inflammation); role and regulation of zinc transport in health and disease.
    Jonghan Kim, Ph.D.
    Email: Jonghan Kim    		Image-guided detection and diagnosis; biodistribution and in vivo imaging – MRI, SPECT, PET; identification and characterization of novel biomarkers for blood, cardiometabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases; inflammation and oxidative stress; environmental exposure and genetic susceptibility
    Thomas A. Wilson, Ph.D.
    Email: Thomas A. Wilson    		Cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and blood lipids; macular degeneration; nanotechnology delivery of nutrients and drugs; nutrition and hormone metabolism; diabetes and obesity; nutrition and exercise physiology.

  • Faculty of the Nutritional Science program lead diverse and robust research programs that have local, regional, national, and international impact. Research includes innovative programs in biochemistry, molecular/cell biology, food microbiology, preclinical studies (in vitro and animal studies), clinical trials, and population-based studies with translation to community-engaged research. Students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels are encouraged to get involved by reaching out to faculty with expertise in their area of interest. UMass Lowell Core Research Facilities that support this research include:

    FacultyResearch
    Mahdi O. Garelnabi, Ph.D.
    Email: Mahdi O. Garelnabi    		Our research interest focuses around basic mechanisms of Cardiometabolic disorders, Atherosclerosis, Lipoprotein pathophysiology; and Nutrition and Population Health. We are particularly interested in the role of inflammation, antioxidants, and oxidative stress in these metabolic disorders. In addition, we are also interested on selected topics in clinical toxicology and laboratory analytical method validation.
    Shannon Kelleher, Ph.D.
    Email: Shannon Kelleher    		Molecular studies focusing on the role of diet, genetics, and environmental factors on mammary gland biology (lactation and milk composition) and intestinal biology (absorption and mucosal inflammation); role and regulation of zinc transport in health and disease.
    Jonghan Kim, Ph.D.
    Email: Jonghan Kim    		Image-guided detection and diagnosis; biodistribution and in vivo imaging – MRI, SPECT, PET; identification and characterization of novel biomarkers for blood, cardiometabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases; inflammation and oxidative stress; environmental exposure and genetic susceptibility
    Kelsey M Mangano, Ph.D., R.D.
    Email: Kelsey M Mangano    		Exploring relations between nutritional factors and musculoskeletal health among aging adults; linking diet and the microbiome to health and disease prevention. 
    Sabrina Noel, Ph.D., R.D.
    Email: Sabrina Noel    		Relation between diet and chronic disease and osteoporosis; community-based dietary behavior change interventions; health disparities; impact of gut microbiome on bone health.
    Katherine L Tucker, Ph.D.
    Email: Katherine L Tucker    		Population studies focusing on dietary intake and risk of chronic disease (osteoporosis, cognitive decline, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease); dietary methodology in diverse populations; and the role of nutrition in health disparities.
    Thomas A. Wilson, Ph.D.
    Email: Thomas A. Wilson    		Cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and blood lipids; macular degeneration; nanotechnology delivery of nutrients and drugs; nutrition and hormone metabolism; diabetes and obesity; nutrition and exercise physiology.

  • As the only Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program currently offered by the BNS Department, this advanced degree program in Pharmaceutical Sciences is also interdisciplinary. A diverse group of faculty and graduate students from various basic science, engineering, and applied science departments across the university come together to engage in collaborative work, all under the umbrella of this program housed in the BNS Department. Students engage in advanced research projects in areas like biomarker identification and medical laboratory sciences, drug discovery, pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism, drug delivery, pharmacology/toxicology and safety, environmental health, biopharmaceutical development, and pharmaceutical analysis.

    FacultyResearch
    Dhimiter Bello , Sc.D, MSc.
    Email: Dhimiter Bello    		Adverse human health effects of workplace, consumer, and community exposures to toxic chemicals especially exposure to biomarkers/biology.
    Timothy Ford, Ph.D.
    Email: Timothy Ford    		Environmental microbiology; community-based participatory research; water and health; waterborne disease
    Mahdi O. Garelnabi, Ph.D.
    Email: Mahdi O. Garelnabi    		Our research interest focuses around basic mechanisms of Cardiometabolic disorders, Atherosclerosis, Lipoprotein pathophysiology; and Nutrition and Population Health. We are particularly interested in the role of inflammation, antioxidants, and oxidative stress in these metabolic disorders. In addition, we are also interested on selected topics in clinical toxicology and laboratory analytical method validation.
    Nancy Goodyear, Ph.D. MLS(ASCP)CM
    Email: Nancy Goodyear    		Focused on evaluating safer approaches to disinfection ("green" or low toxicity disinfectants.) Safer approaches include saturated steam vapor, activated water, thymol and other plant-derived chemicals, and do-it-yourself approaches using household products such as vinegar.
    Gui-Xin (Susan) He, Ph.D.
    Email: Gui-Xin (Susan) He    		Researching antibiotic resistance mechanisms and new antimicrobial drugs. Currently, we are focused on the following studies: 1) Investigating biofilm and drug resistance development; 2) Analyzing resistance genes in antibiotic resistant Enteric bacteria; 3) Developing biosensors for drug resistance and pathogens; 4) Screening new antimicrobial agents from ocean microbes and natural products.
    Jonghan Kim, Ph.D.
    Email: Jonghan Kim    		Pharmacokinetics; Pharmacodynamics; Nanomedicine; Drug/Gene Delivery; Iron Disorders and Hematology; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Cardiovascular Pharmacology; Cancer Therapeutics; Toxicology.
    Yuho Kim, Ph.D.
    Email: Yuho Kim    		My research is focused on understanding the roles of mitochondria in muscle physiology and pathophysiology. Research topics include exercise, iron disorder diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and various disease models (e.g., muscle weakness).
    Thomas A. Wilson, Ph.D.
    Email: Thomas A. Wilson    		Cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and blood lipids; macular degeneration; nanotechnology delivery of nutrients and drugs; nutrition and hormone metabolism; diabetes and obesity; nutrition and exercise physiology.
    Seongkyu Yoon, Ph.D.
    Email: Seongkyu Yoon    		Engineering Biology; Systems and Synthetic Biology; Process System Engineering; Biomanufacturing Innovation; Protein Therapeutics; Biotherapeutic Vector Manufacturing; Multivariate Data Analysis.
    Fanfei Meng, Ph.D.
    Email: Fanfei Meng    		Drug delivery, Nanomedicine, Biomaterials, Immunotherapy, Gene therapy, Nanotechnology, Biomedical Engineering. Specifically, we are designing nanomedicine and new drug delivery systems to deliver biomacromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids that modulate immune functions to fight cancer, autoimmune, and infectious/inflammatory diseases.