During the research rotation of my dietetic internship, I had the pleasure of working with Dustin Burnett and his dedicated employees at the USDA Metabolic Kitchen and Human Feeding Laboratory. For an outline of the study I assisted with, as well as fun projects I completed and more about the USDA please continue reading.
Right: My very first day of my very first rotation! Walking into the USDA Western Human Nutrition Research Center |
May 19, 2015
Research Report
iMAPS Study
Focus:
The purpose of the Individual Metabolism and Physiology Signature (iMAPS) study is to learn about how the food we eat affects our metabolism and all of the processes that create the ‘metabolome’. Biological samples of blood, urine, feces, saliva and breath are taken from each participant and measured to discover new metabolites that may change with regard to our daily diet and gain insight on how these metabolites may serve as indicators of current health status.
Design:
Overweight, insulin resistant women who are not taking any medications including insulin are recruited for this study. They must take a series of tests (oral glucose tolerance tests, metabolic tests, cognitive tests, etc.) immediately after being accepted into the study. The selected participants must then follow a 9 week predetermined meal plan that they will pick-up twice a week at the WHNRC. Participants are given 1 of 2 diets. Both will provide adequate calories, protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals to maintain body weight. The diets will differ with respect to the types of foods used to deliver protein, carbohydrates and fat. At weeks 3 and 9 the same tests that were performed after acceptance will then be repeated to determine if the nutritional difference in the two diets had any effect on the participant’s metabolome and how those nutrients affect health status.
Tasks completed:
While working at the Western Human Nutrition Research Center (WHNRC), I completed many tasks which met competencies of my dietetic internship. A few of the tasks that I completed include: Basic Biomedical Researcher Training through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative, assisting with the production of a Labeling Chart and Shelf Life Diagram tool in order to facilitate work processing changes, attending 3 lectures related to a more in-depth understanding of the metabolism, and assisting with the reorganization and implementation of production methods for the employees of the Metabolic Kitchen and Human Feeding Laboratory (MKHFL).
Results:
After working with Dustin and the dedicated employees of the MKHFL, I have gained a better idea of the research that went into creating the Recommended Dietary Allowances and the Dietary Reference Intakes. I have also learned, however, that information is ever-evolving and that research is vital in providing sustenance to the lifestyle guidance that we, has health professionals, provide for our peers. Research requires incredible attention to detail which demands an entire environment of scientific evidence. As a leader, Dustin emphasized the importance of documentation and organized filing for future reference. My overall view of my research rotation experience at the MKHFL is incredibly positive. I enjoyed my time spent in the kitchen and in the office equally. I have a greater understanding, and therefore respect, for Research Dietitians and the amount of work it takes to run a human feeding lab.
Research Report
iMAPS Study
Focus:
The purpose of the Individual Metabolism and Physiology Signature (iMAPS) study is to learn about how the food we eat affects our metabolism and all of the processes that create the ‘metabolome’. Biological samples of blood, urine, feces, saliva and breath are taken from each participant and measured to discover new metabolites that may change with regard to our daily diet and gain insight on how these metabolites may serve as indicators of current health status.
Design:
Overweight, insulin resistant women who are not taking any medications including insulin are recruited for this study. They must take a series of tests (oral glucose tolerance tests, metabolic tests, cognitive tests, etc.) immediately after being accepted into the study. The selected participants must then follow a 9 week predetermined meal plan that they will pick-up twice a week at the WHNRC. Participants are given 1 of 2 diets. Both will provide adequate calories, protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals to maintain body weight. The diets will differ with respect to the types of foods used to deliver protein, carbohydrates and fat. At weeks 3 and 9 the same tests that were performed after acceptance will then be repeated to determine if the nutritional difference in the two diets had any effect on the participant’s metabolome and how those nutrients affect health status.
Tasks completed:
While working at the Western Human Nutrition Research Center (WHNRC), I completed many tasks which met competencies of my dietetic internship. A few of the tasks that I completed include: Basic Biomedical Researcher Training through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative, assisting with the production of a Labeling Chart and Shelf Life Diagram tool in order to facilitate work processing changes, attending 3 lectures related to a more in-depth understanding of the metabolism, and assisting with the reorganization and implementation of production methods for the employees of the Metabolic Kitchen and Human Feeding Laboratory (MKHFL).
Results:
After working with Dustin and the dedicated employees of the MKHFL, I have gained a better idea of the research that went into creating the Recommended Dietary Allowances and the Dietary Reference Intakes. I have also learned, however, that information is ever-evolving and that research is vital in providing sustenance to the lifestyle guidance that we, has health professionals, provide for our peers. Research requires incredible attention to detail which demands an entire environment of scientific evidence. As a leader, Dustin emphasized the importance of documentation and organized filing for future reference. My overall view of my research rotation experience at the MKHFL is incredibly positive. I enjoyed my time spent in the kitchen and in the office equally. I have a greater understanding, and therefore respect, for Research Dietitians and the amount of work it takes to run a human feeding lab.
A labeling project that emphasized the importance of organization and proper documentation in research. This project allowed students to follow a standardized way of labeling study participant's food containers and outlined the guidelines for safe and sanitary test food storage within the lab.
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Julie and I in our walk-in freezer coats in the Metabolic Kitchen/Human Feeding Laboratory |
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