Research Programs

Faculty Led Research Laboratories

Our research spans food safety, nutrition, and chronic disease prevention, integrating basic, clinical, and community-engaged approaches. Department laboratories investigate foodborne illness prevention, the biological function of plant-based foods, and the physiological impacts of nutrition, obesity, and nutrient excess on cardiovascular and intestinal health. Through systems thinking and equity-oriented research, these labs also address obesity prevention, food insecurity, and family health, translating scientific discovery into policy-relevant and community-focused solutions.

Community Nutrition and Nutrition Education Lab

Improving nutrition, food and nutrition security, and health equity through community-driven research, culturally grounded nutrition education, and clinic–community approaches.

Director: Dr. Sarah Stotz

email: sarah.stotz@colostate.edu

An array of vegetables and peppers on display at a farmers market.

Food Safety Outreach Lab

Development of effective food safety strategies and educational materials to reduce foodborne illness.

Director: Jessica Clifford, M.S., RDN

email: jessica.clifford@colostate.edu

Counter with many different ingredients waiting to be assembled

Food Structure and Function Lab

Understanding the biological functionality of plant-based foods in the treatment of chronic diseases.

Director: Dr. Charlene Van Buiten

email: charlene.vanbuiten@colostate.edu

Integrative Cardiovascular Physiology Lab

Identifying the mechanisms by which nutrient excess and obesity cause dysfunction of the cardiovascular system.

Director: Dr. Christopher Gentile

email: christopher.gentile@colostate.edu

Intestinal Health Lab

Investigation of how dietary nutrients influence interactions between host organisms and gastrointestinal microbiomes.

Director: Dr. Tiffany Weir

email: tiffany.weir@colostate.edu

Microbial Ecosystems Lab

Understanding how complex microbial communities in foods and the human gut function, interact, and respond to dietary and environmental factors.

Director: Dr. Kayla Borton

email: mikayla.borton@colostate.edu

Pediatric and Lifespan Nutrition Science Lab

Bridging discovery and application, translating mechanistic insights into actionable strategies and policies that guide caregivers, clinicians, and public health efforts.

Director: Dr. Minghua Tang

email: minghua.tang@colostate.edu

Systems Thinking for Obesity Prevention (STOP) Lab

Applying systems thinking, policy-relevant, community-engaged, and equity-oriented research to tackle chronic disease and food insecurity in families.

Director: Dr. Megan Mueller

email: megan.mueller@colostate.edu

Translational Physiology Laboratory

Integrating human physiology, nutrition, and metabolism to advance understanding of how dietary and lifestyle factors influence health across the lifespan.

Director: Dr. Kevin Murray

email: kevin.murray@colostate.edu