Research in the Department of Nutrition Sciences is designed to understand metabolic, behavioral, and environmental factors that impact health in order to prevent chronic metabolic disease (obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, etc.) and promote optimum lifestyle wellness. Our investigators use state-of-the-art techniques for assessing body composition, energy metabolism, and metabolic health in humans and animal models.

The Department hosts two NIH-funded centers, the Diabetes Research Center – one of only 17 in the U.S. – and the Nutrition Obesity Research Center – one of only 11 in the U.S., both of which provide a wealth of core services to assist investigators in the department and across the UAB campus. We have three NIH-funded T32 training grants, offering opportunities for funding Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows.

Dr. Barbara Gower
Department Chair and Professor; Associate Scientist, Nutrition Obesity Research Center