Expertise
Bone health as it relates to the nutrition, dietary bioactive components and the aging process. Recently, we have focused our research efforts in studying how prebiotcs affect the gut-bone axis via their modulation of T cell biology. We have also investigated the role of low grade chronic inflammation on  bone loss and the simultaneous development of coronary vascular disease associated with aging. The role of weight-bearing activity on bone health. Prebiotics, Probiotics, Antioxidants, Chronic Disease, Exercise, Nutrition, Phytochemicals, Vitamin D, Zinc
Affiliations

Professor & Vice-chair of Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine

Past Affiliations

Associate Dean, Graduate College, Oklahoma State University (past)

Regents Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Environmental Sciences, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater (past)

Associate Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Environmental Sciences, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater (past)

Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, University of Oklahoma (past)

Assistant Director, Surgery Research, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, University of Oklahoma (past)

Adjunct Faculty, Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Environmental Sciences, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater (past)

Graduate Assistant, Active Living Program, Oklahoma State Cooperative Extension, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater (past)

Assistant Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Environmental Sciences, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater (past)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Environmental Sciences, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater (past)

Instructor, HPER

Assistant Basketball Coach, Athletics

Wellness Program Director, Health, Physical Education & Recreation

Assistant Professor, Health, Physical Education & Recreation

Instructor, HPER/Women's Basketball Coach

Exercise Physiologist, Tyler Heath Sciences Center

Graduate Assistant, Nutrition Sciences, College of Human Environmental Sciences, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater (past)

Teaching Assistant, Nutrition Sciences, College of Human Environmental Sciences, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater (past)

Communities
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Degrees
Post-doctoral Fellow, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater, Nutritional Sciences and Bone, 2000
PhD, Oklahoma State University, Nutritional Sciences, 1999
MS, University of Texas at Tyler, Clinical Exercise Physiology, 1988
BS, Oklahoma Baptist University, Health and Physical Education/Exercise Science, 1985
Keywords
immune system musculoskeletal system inflammation diabetes endocrinologic diseases osteoporosis & other bone diseases skeletal disease musculoskeletal diseases antioxidants exercise biochemistry & molecular biology nutritional physiology
Languages
English
Honors

Regents Distinguished Teaching Award, Oklahoma State University, 2017

Golden Torch Award, Achafoa Chapter of Mortar Board, Oklahoma State University., 2016

National Undergraduate Research Mentor Award, Association of Public Land Grant Universities, 2015

John and Sue Taylor Endowed Professorship in Human Sciences, Oklahoma state University, 2011

Regents Research Award, Oklahoma State University, 2009

Outstanding Advisor Award, President’s Service Award (Oklahoma State University), 2004

Outstanding Graduate Student Mentor Award, College of Human Environmental Sciences (Oklahoma City University), 2004

Graduate Research Excellence Award (Biological Sciences), Graduate College (Oklahoma State University), 1999

Outstanding Undergraduate Academic Advisor Award Nominee, College of Human and Environmental Sciences (Oklahoma State University), 2004

Selected for NIH Summer Institute on Aging Research, National Institute on Aging, 2001

Plenary Poster Presentation, ASBMR, 2000

Sarateen Scholar, Academic Achievement, Oklahoma State University, 1997-1998

Graduate Research Fellowship, NASA Oklahoma Space Consortium (Oklahoma State University), 1998-1999

Graduate Research Fellowship, NASA Oklahoma Space Consortium (Oklahoma State University), 1997-1998

Kappa Omicron Nu, National Honor Society (Oklahoma State University), 1996-2001

Hunt Fund Faculty Award, Oklahoma Baptist University, 1995

'Seven Who Care' Faculty Award, Student Government Association (Oklahoma Baptist University), 1993

Associations
American College of Sports Medicine
American Dietetic Association
American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
American Society for Nutritional Sciences
National Strength and Conditioning Association
Shock Society