Lab Mission
Our mission is to improve health and development from early life through adulthood. Our research group conducts rigorous clinical trials to elucidate how nutrition impacts growth, body composition, metabolic health, the gut microbiome, and neurodevelopment. 80% of our funds and efforts are focused on optimizing health for the pediatric population.
Our research bridges discovery and application, translating mechanistic insights into actionable strategies and policies that guide caregivers, clinicians, and public health efforts. By collaborating across disciplines and populations, we strive to identify the early nutritional determinants of lifelong health.
Our connections in the nutrition community Our Lab Team
Current Studies
Walnuts as an Infant Solid food for Health (WISH)
This study aims to evaluate the impact of daily walnut consumption on allergy, immunity, and the gut microbiome in infants 5-12 months of age.
Maternal and Infant Nutrition Trial (MINT)
This study aims to evaluate the impact of different protein-rich foods on infant growth, body composition, and gut microbiome, beginning at 5 months of age through early childhood.
Completed Studies
Blueberry as a First Food (BFF)
This study aims to evaluate the impact of daily blueberry consumption on allergy, immunity, and gut microbiome outcomes in infants aged 5-12 months.
Feed Your Infant 2 (FYI2)
This study aims to evaluate the impact of daily meat consumption on neurodevelopment, sleep, growth, and the gut microbiome in 5-12-month-old infants.
Salmon Study
This study aims to determine the interplay of salmon on the gut microbiome, fecal metabolome, and inflammation in obese prediabetic individuals.
Meat and Dairy Study (MD)
This study aims to compare meat versus dairy protein during complementary feeding on the growth and gut microbiome of formula-fed infants.
In the News
BFF Study | Infant Immunity
- Fox News | Eating blueberries earlier in life could ease allergies, strengthen immunity, new study finds
- Newsweek | Common Fruit Found to Boost Babie’s Immune Systems
- University of Colorado Anschutz | Blueberries Can Improve Infants’ Immunity and Gut Health, CU Anschutz Study Finds
MINT Study | Baby-led Weaning
- American Society for Nutrition | Does baby-led weaning meet nutritional needs?
- Forbes | New Study Says Baby-Led Weaning May Have Advantages Over Other Methods
- NewScientist | Baby-led weaning makes little nutrition difference vs. spoon-feeding
- University of Colorado Anschutz | CCTSI Research Fills the Gap in Evidence-Based Infant Feeding Guidelines
Selected Publications
Publications from 2025
- Glime GNE, Matzeller KL, Frank DN, Kotter C, Kofonow JM, Robertson CE, Venter C, Campbell WW, Krebs NF, Tang M. Introducing blueberry powder as one of the first complementary foods changes the gut microbiota composition and diversity in U.S. human milk-fed infants: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Front Nutr. 2025 Sep 4;12:1623521. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1623521.
- Venter C, Boden S, Pickett-Nairne K, O’Mahony L, Glime GNE, Matzeller KL, Frank DN, Kotter C, Kofonow JM, Robertson CE, Campbell WW, Krebs NF, Tang M. Blueberry Consumption in Early Life and Its Effects on Allergy, Immune Biomarkers, and Their Association with the Gut Microbiome. Nutrients. 2025 Aug 28;17(17):2795. doi: 10.3390/nu17172795
- Lu P, Reisdorph N, Hendricks AE, Reisdorph R, Quinn K, Armstrong M, Michel C, Doenges KA, Frank DN, Campbell WW, Hill EB, Krebs NF, Tang Y, Lin D, Tang M. Characterization of astaxanthin isomers in different types of salmon filets and human plasma after salmon consumption. Food Chemistry Volume 482, 1 August 2025, 144024