Nutritional Sciences Assistant Professor Edralina Lucas has been selected to receive the Marguerite Scruggs Award for Early Career Meritorious Research.  Dr. Lucas’s research focuses on the role of nutrition, particularly phytochemicals, in promoting cardiovascular health and preventing or reducing chronic disease.  By investigating the potential for naturally occurring compounds in food, she and her research team determine which foods can be incorporated into the diet in order to prevent chronic health issues such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cancer.  In a study funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, the researchers investigated the mechanism by which flaxseed modulates cholesterol synthesis and metabolism.  The results of further clinical studies on the effect of flaxseed on lipid and glucose metabolism on Native American women were recently published in the Journal of Women’s Health.  Findings from these and other studies have been presented at various state, national, and international meetings.  Dr. Lucas is currently investigating anti-inflammatory properties of grape varieties grown in Oklahoma.  The findings of this proposal will help Oklahoma grape growers market their products by promoting them as potentially beneficial to prevention of inflammation related diseases.  Since 2005, Dr. Lucas has published or been accepted for publication in 14 refereed articles in highly ranked journals.  Her enthusiasm for research, mentoring and teaching cause her to be regarded by colleagues at OSU and other universities across the nation as a leader in the field of nutrition.

Click here for the full Information of award recipients on the Celebration of Excellence 2008

For pictures of the event go to Genesee Photo here