The ASPEN Rhoads Research Foundation is proud and honored to contribute to the careers of researchers studying nutrition therapy, metabolic support, and related clinical nutrition topics.
2026 ASPEN Rhoads Research Foundation Grant Recipients
2025 ASPEN Rhoads Research Foundation Grant Recipients
| Abbott Nutrition Research Grant (formerly known as the Nutrition Research Grant) | ||
| 2026 | Sarah L. Andersen, PhD, Adv APD | Prebiotic fibre supplementation during allogeneic stem cell transplantation, a pilot randomised control trial |
| 2025 | Ting Ting Fu, MD | Affinity Binding Filtration for Human Milk Pathogen Reduction |
| 2024 | Richard Jacobson, MD | Targeting surgically-induced dysbiosis in colorectal cancer peritoneal metastases |
| 2023 | Ana Paula Pagano, MSc, RD | Using Innovative Tools to Improve Nutritional Assessment in Oncology. |
| 2022 | Nicole Gilbert, RD | Does volume-based enteral feeding improve nutrient delivery in critically ill children? A randomized control trial of enteral nutrition algorithms. |
| 2021 | Ana Paula Pagano, Msc, RD | Using Innovative Tools to Improve Nutritional Assessment in Oncology |
| 2019-2020 | Enid Martinez, MD | The role of gastrointestinal proteases and the protease-activated receptor-2 in gastric dysmotility in pediatric critical illness |
| 2018 | Lee-anne Chapple, PhD, MNutriDiet, BMedSci | The effect of standard versus energy dense feeds on gastric emptying and glucose metabolism in critically ill patients |
| 2016-2017 | Jayshil Patel, MD | Early enteral nutrition in septic shock |
| 2015 | Adam Rahman, MD, DABIM, FRCPC | Phase II, multi-center, randomized control trial of beta-hydroxy-methyl-butyrate in improving physical muscle function in nutritionally at risk elderly patients |
| 2013-2014 | Elsa Bou Ghanem, PhD | Vitamin E reverses age-associated susceptibility to streptococcus pneumoniae lung infection |
| 2012 | Kenneth NG, DO | Role of phytosterols and FXR signaling in parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease. |
| 2010-2011 | Gail Cresci, PhD(c), RD, CNSD | Probiotics and the short-chain fatty acid butyrate: What is the mechanism in which these substrates prevent antibiotic associated diarrhea? |
| 2009 | Jeanette Keith, MD | Metabolic factors associated with weight regain following bariatric surgery |
| 2008 | Petar Popovic, MD | To determine the effects of citrulline supplementation in preventing arginine deficiency in vitro and in vivo |
| 2007 | Edward Saltzman, MD | Effect of vitamin K on insulin sensitivity |
| 2005-2006 | Carrie Earthman, PhD, RD | Clinical implications of gastric bypass surgery |
| 2003-2004 | Bruce Grossie, PhD | Response of an inflammatory site to arginine modified parenteral nutrition. |
| 2001 | James S. Scolapio, MD | Gastric secretory and motor transit responses in patients with short bowel syndrome |
| 1999-2000 | Kelly A. Tappenden, PhD, RD | Prevention of bowel ischemia with optimized nutrition |
| ASPEN Rhoads Research Foundation Grant | ||
| 2017 | Nicole Gavin, BSc, MAP, PhD | Improving central-line associated bloodstream infection diagnosis in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant patients with parenteral nutrition (The Improving CLABSI Trial) |
| 2017 | Hannah Piper, MD | Therapy to Improve the Gut Microbiota and Growth in Children with Short Bowel Syndrome |
| Baxter Grant for Parenteral Nutrition Research | ||
| 2026 | Mitchell L. Ramsey, MD | Enteral hyperoxaluria among adults with pancreatic disorders: a novel biomarker to assess for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. |
| 2025 | Richard Jacobson, MD | Targeting surgically-induced dysbiosis in colorectal cancer peritoneal metastases |
| 2023-2024 | Mirielle Lauren Pauline, BSc | The Role of Probiotics Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in Neonatal Short Bowel Syndrome to Promote Adaptation and Improve Metabolic Function: Studied in Piglets. |
| 2022 | Mohamed Tausif R. Siddiqui, MD, CNSC | Investigation of mucosa-associated microbiome and recurrent small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in short bowel syndrome patients |
| 2021 | Hassan Dashti, PhD, RD | Assessing Metabolic and Sleep Consequences of Overnight Home Parenteral Nutrition |
| 2020 | David Williams, MD, MPH | Role of Malnutrition and Nutrition Delivery on Surgical Outcomes in Underserved Patients |
| 2019 | Jayshil Patel, MD | A Phase II Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial of High Dose Vitamin B12 in Septic Shock |
| 2018 | James Davison, PhD | Modulation of organ injury by Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in critical illness |
| 2016-2017 | Gregory Guthrie, PhD | Synergy between phytosterols and inflammation to antagonize nuclear hormone receptor function in PNALD |
| 2014-2015 | Ajay K. Jain, MD | Novel interventions modulating the FXR-FGF19 axis and the TGR5-GLP axis as therapeutic approaches for TPN associated pathologies |
| 2013 | Emma Tillman, PharmD | Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in parenteral nutrition associated liver disease |
| 2012 | Matthew Lungren, MD | Bacteriophage antimicrobial-lock technique for staphylococcus aureus venous parenteral nutrition catheter-related infection: an in-vivo model evaluation |
| 2011 | Bianca Arendt, PhD | Effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid lipid emulsion on parenteral nutrition associated liver disease |
| Charles Van Way III Nutrition Research Grant | ||
| 2026 | Ting Ting Fu, MD | Affinity Binding Filtration for Human Milk Pathogen Reduction |
| C. Richard Fleming Grant | ||
| 2026 | Peter Gullickson, BA | Skeletal Muscle Decline in VV-ECMO: A Foundation for Evidence-Based Nutrition Interventions |
| 2021 | Imre W.K. Kouw, PhD, MNutr, BDiet | The effect of enteral feeding pattern on glycemic control and gastrointestinal function in critically ill patients |
| 2019 | Hassan Dashti, PhD, RD | Assessing circadian misalignment from overnight parenteral nutrition. |
| 2018 | Charles Hong, MD | Plasma amino acid profiles in neonates on extracorporeal life support |
| 2017 | Lisa Martin, MSc, RD | Diagnostic criteria for malnutrition in overweight and obese cancer patients |
| 2015 | Ashley Hayden, MS, RD, LD, CNSC (by B. Lyman, MS, RN) | Enteral feeding set handling techniques: A comparison of bacterial growth, time, labor, and material costs |
| 2014 | Michelle Nicolo, MS, RD, CDE, CNSC | Clinical outcomes in criticallly ill patients associated with protein delivery |
| 2013 | Sarah Peterson, RD, CNSC | Impact of bolus administration of enteral nutrition on autophagy and skeletal muscle synthesis in the ICU |
| 2012 | Allison Blackmer, PharmD, BCPS | Neurodevelopmental outcomes of pediatric patients treated with modified intravenous lipid emulsion for the treatment and/or prevention of parenteral nutrition associated liver disease |
| 2011 | Yongjia Feng, PhD | Modulation of glucogan like peptide-2 and epidermal growth factor signaling in intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis in a TPN mouse model |
| 2009 | Matthew Koopmann, MD | What is the optimal time to administer GLP-2 in SBS? |
| 2004 | Alisha Rovner, PhD | Bone health in children with sickle cell disease. |
| 2003 | Robert Chang, MD | Evaluation of serial enteroplasty: A novel bowel lengthening procedure |
| 2002 | Jennifer Muir Bowers, RD, CNSD | Cytokine response in malnutrition and severe fatigue related to Coccidioidomycosis |
| 2001 | Todd W. Mattox, PharmD, BCNSP | Usefulness of transferrin and prealbumin as predictors of nitrogen balance in the nutrition support of pateints after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) |
| 2000 | Philip Y. Pearson, MD | The role of leptin in intestinal adaptation after massive small bowel resection |
| 2000 | Rose Ann DiMaria (Ghalili), PhD, RN | Comparison of weight changes in older and younger persons undergoing CABG surgery |
| 1998 | Elizabeth M. Lyman, MSN, RN | Aseptic versus clean technique for Hickman Catheter care. |
| C. Richard Fleming/Daniel H. Teitelbaum Grant | ||
| 2025 | Sung-Min Cho, DO, MHS | A Novel Method to Determine Individualized Energy Expenditure in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (EE-ECMO) |
| 2024 | Sarah L. Andersen, Adv APD, PhD | Prebiotic fibre supplementation during allogeneic stem cell transplantation, a pilot randomised control trial |
| 2023 | Gabriella A Ten Have, PhD | Targeted nutritional approach to restore metabolic deregulations during recovery from sepsis as assessed by comprehensive metabolic phenotyping. |
| 2022 | Amber Hager, RD | Serial evaluations of muscle mass, motor development and growth to determine sarcopenia expression and progression in young infants and children with end-stage liver disease before and after liver transplantation |
| 2020 | Debora Melo van Lent, PhD | Relationships between the Dietary Inflammatory Index and MRI markers of brain aging and markers of cerebral small vessel disease, and PET imaging biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease. |
| 2016 | Robert Bandsma, MD, PhD | Identification of Severely Malnourished Children at High Risk for Death: A Metabolomics Study |
| Daniel H. Teitelbaum Grant | ||
| 2026 | Tyler J. Titcomb, PhD, RDN | Malnutrition in Multiple Sclerosis: A Retrospective Study of Electronic Health Records |
| 2021 | Vikram K. Raghu, MD, MS | Optimal Lipid Supplementation Strategy for the Prevention and Treatment of Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Liver Disease in Children with Intestinal Failure |
| 2019 | Minsuk Han, MD | Serial L[1-13C]Methionine Breath Testing to Assess Longitudinal Changes in Liver Function in Patients with Intestinal Failure |
| 2018 | Courtney Rowan, MD | Prospective Evaluation of Persistent Inflammatory, Immunosuppressed, Catabolic Syndrom in the Critically Ill Pediatric Population |
| 2017 | Liam McKeever, BA, MS, PhD student, RDN | Feeding the criticallly ill during phases of altered redox status (FEDOX): a prospective randomized trial |
| Douglas Wilmore Grant | ||
| 1994-1995 | Robin Henderson, PhD, RD | Nutrition and viral/immune status in HIV infected children. NOTE: title might have been ” Effects of nutrition intervention on HIV positive children” |
| Fresenius Kabi Parenteral Nutrition Research Grant | ||
| 2016 | Darla Shores, MD | Biomarkers of intestinal injury in infants |
| 2015 | Lori Bechard, PhD, RD, LDN (By A. Carey, MD) | Safety and tolerability of intravenous fish oil lipid emulsion during hematopoietic cell transplantation in children |
| 2013-2014 | Hongyu Xue, MD | Modulating cardiotoxicity and anti-cancer efficacy related to anthracycline chemotherapy by glutamine and n-3 PUFAs |
| Maurice Shils Grant by Baxter Healthcare & Nestlé Nutrition (1994-2009) | ||
| 2007-2008 | Barbara Stoll, PhD | Parenteral Nutrition and Hepatic Insulin Resistance in Neonatal Pigs |
| 2006 | Valentina Todorova, PhD | Dietary Glutamine and Protection Against Cardiotoxicity of Chemotherapy |
| 2005 | Catherine Crill, PharmD | Effect of Parenteral Nutrition Light Exposure on Urinary Markers of Oxidative Stress In Preterm Infants |
| 2005 | Steven Steiner, MD | Metabolic Response to Infliximad in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis |
| 2004 | Hua Yang, MD, PhD (Shils/Fleming) | IL-7 modulation of intraepithelial lymphocytes with TPN. |
| 2002 | Paul Wishmeyer, MD | Effect of Glutamine Administration to the Intact Rat on Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury |
| 2000-2001 | N. Joseph Espat, MD | Proposal to investigate anti-inflammatory therapies (Omega-3 fatty acids and Cyclo-oxygenase II inhibitors in the treatment of cancer-associated cachexia |
| 1998-1999 | Deborah A. Swartz-Basile, PhD | Retinoid Modulation of Intestinal Epithelial Adaptation |
| 1996-1997 | Malcolm Robinson, MD | Sepsis, Malnutrition and Liver Dysfunction: The Role of Glutathione. |
| 1994-1995 | W. Scott Helton, MD | Nutritional Modulation of Macrophage Function |
| Mead Johnson Nutrition Grant | ||
| 2025+2026 | Melissa K. Thoene, MS, PhD, RD | Evaluation of the Nutritional Antioxidant Content of Feedings for Hospitalized Infants Based on Standard Clinical Practices for Storage, Preparation, and Delivery |
| Nestlé Nutrition Institute Maurice Shils Grant | ||
| 2026 | Jordan D. Philpott, PhD | Investigating the Impact of Enteral Nutrition Reintroduction following fasting and Inflammation on Gastrointestinal Motility and Enteroendocrine Cell Hormone Signaling in a Mouse Model. |
| 2025 | Brandon M. Kistler, PhD, RD | The effect of preparation and storage on inositol phosphates and mineral accessibility in homemade supplements |
| 2024 | Mitchell L. Ramsey, MD | Enteral hyperoxaluria among adults with pancreatic disorders: a novel biomarker to assess for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. |
| 2023 | Jacob T. Mey, PhD, RD | Breath Ammonia as a Malnutrition Screening Tool. |
| 2022 | Krista Haines, DO, MABMH | Longitudinal Energy Expenditure in the ICU and Post-ICU Phases in Obese and Non-Obese Hospitalized Patients (LEEP-ON |
| 2021 | Lisa Martin, PhD, RD | Implementing the Use of CT-images as Part of the Nutrition Care Process: A Feasibility Study |
| 2020 | Fatemeh Ramezani, PhD | Can tributyrin supplementation protect intestinal health during recurrent Clostridium difficile colonization and antibiotic treatment? |
| 2018 | Hannah Piper, MD | Targeted Probiotic Therapy to Improve the Gut Microbiota and Growth in Children with Short Bowel Syndrome |
| 2017 | Peter Abdelmalik, MD, PhD | The Safety and efficacy of volume-based feeding in critically ill patients with intracranial hemorrhage |
| 2016 | Adam Kuchnia, MS, RD | Determination of protein requirements using a stable isotope multi-step feeding protocal and evaluation of an innovative ultrasound device and other bedside technologies for lean tissue assessment in individuals with head and neck cancer |
| 2015 | Kate Walton, PhD | Towards therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcome with total parenteral nutrition: clues from cell signaling networks |
| 2013-2014 | Crystal Levesque, PhD | A pilot study of systemic glucagon like peptide combined with oral epidermal growth factor and characterization of gut microbiome in short bowel piglets with and without ileum |
| 2011-2012 | Joseph Boullata, PharmD, BCNSP | Drug compatibility and stability in enteral nutrition |
| 2009-2010 | Diana Mager, PhD, RD | Altered postprandial lipid metabolism as a mediator to hepatic steatosis in overweight and obese children with non-alcololic steatosis (NASH) |
| Nestlé Health Science Enteral Nutrition Research Grant | ||
| 2018 | Zudin Amilka Puthucheary, PhD, MBBS, BMedSci., MRCP, EDICM, D. UHM, PGCME, FHEA, FFICM | Assessment of differential amino acid uptake and metabolomics profiles between intermittent and continuous feeding protocols in the critically ill: an IVC trial (NCT02358512) sub-study |
| Norman Yoshimura Grant by B. Braun and the Aesculap Academy | ||
| 2023 | Erin A. Posey, PhD | Regulation of muscle protein synthesis by β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB) in a preterm piglet model. |
| 2022 | Ana T. Limon-Miro, PhD, RD | Energy metabolism in patients with cirrhosis and obesity |
| 2021 | Gabriella A.M. ten Have, PhD | Targeted nutritional approach to restore metabolic deregulations during recovery from sepsis as assessed by comprehensive metabolic phenotyping |
| 2020 | Marko Rudar, PhD | Regulation of skeletal muscle protein synthesis in the preterm pig by intermittent leucine pulses during continuous parenteral feeding |
| 2018-2019 | Lori Bechard, PhD, MEd, RD | The consequences of malnutrition in mechanically ventilated critically ill children- a multicenter prospective cohort study of nutritional practices and clinical outcomes in pediatric intensive care units around the world |
| 2017 | Chelsia Gillis, RD, MSc | Prehabilitation intervention to improve patient-centered outcomes post-colorectoral surgery for cancer: A multicenter randomized controlled trial |
| 2016 | Kate Walton, PhD | Towards therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcome with total parenteral nutrition: Clues from cell signaling networks |
| 2015 | Kenneth Christopher, MD | Nutritional metabolome in critical illness |
| 2014 | Audrey LaJoinie, PharmD | Influence of fish oil based intravenous fat emulsions on the epidermal barrier function |
| 2012-2013 | Christy Lawson, MD | Cross-talk between insulin and angiotensin in burn trauma |
| 2011 | Yanfeng Li, MD | Role of the “orphan” nuclear receptor, FXR, in parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis |
| 2009-2010 | Gerdien Ligthart-Melis, PhD | The contribution of glutamine to citrulline and arginine synthesis, when alanyl-glutamine is supplied in an enteral dose of 0.5g/kg, in critically ill patients |
| 2006 | Renee Stapleton, MD, MSc | Anti-inflammatory effects of enteral n-3 fatty acids in patients with acute lung injury |
| 2005 | Julian Spallholz, PhD | Selenium dietary supplements in the mitigation of arsenicosis and associated skin cancers |
| 2004 | David Foster, PharmD | The effects of green tea polyphenols on intestinal hyperpermeability. |
| 2002 | Roland N. Dickerson, PharmD | Predicting extent of catabolism in critically ill patients by use of artificial intelligence. |
| 2001 | Alexander Dzakovic, MD | Protective effect of increased hepatic glutathione during TPN |
| Nutrition and COVID-19 Research Grant | ||
| 2021 | Gail Cresci, PhD, RD, LD | Does Enteral Feeding Impact Gut “Omics”, Intestinal Integrity and Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients? |
| Pat Anthony Disease-Related Malnutrition Research Grant | ||
| 2026 | Barbara C. Santos, PhD | Omics signatures of protein requirements throughout cancer trajectory |
| Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition Research Grant (2022-2024) | ||
| 2024 | Caitlin E. Vonderohe, DVM, PhD | Efficacy of Citrulline Supplementation to Prevent Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Neonatal Preterm Pigs. |
| 2022-2023 | Yimin Chen, PhD, RDN | Effect of early-life feeding types on neurodevelopment mediated by the gut-brain axis. |
| Small Research Project Grant | ||
| 2015 | Nicole Gavin, PhD (c) | The safety of parenteral nutrition regarding microbial growth and vascular catheter-related infection (The FACT Study) |
| 2014 | Allison Buti, MPH | Investigating the Mediating Roles of Sirtuin 1 and PPAR-y in the Relationship between Maternal Dietar Niacin Intake and Infant Adiposity |
| 2012 | Tanis Fenton, PhD, RD | Hypophosphatemia and the risk of poor glycemic control among very low birth weight infants |
| 2010 | Lindsay Weitzel, PhD | Effect of Glutamine on HSP-70 expression in ICU patients |
| 2001 | Rebecca L. Persinger-Soultanakis, MD, RD | Evaluation of Catabolic and Anabolic Cytokines in Skeletal Muscle Tissue from Cachectic Individuals with Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) |
| 1998 | Bobbi Langkamp-Henken, PhD | Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Arginine on Immune Function in Nursing Home Residents with Pressure Ulcers. |
| 1997 | Charlene W. Compher, MS, RD | Dietary Wheat Bran’s Protection Against Colon Cancer. Note – A.S.P.E.N. records show: Effects of intracolonic butyrate infusion on abberant crypt foci in male fischer 344 rat exposed to azoxymethane. |
| 1997 | Catherine J. Klein, MS, RD | Magnesium and Zinc Balance in critically Ill patients treated with continuous renal replacement therapy. |
| 1996 | Jill Lindeman- Castle, MS, RD | Zinc status and balance in Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Patients |
| 1996 | Kelly A. Tappenden, PhD, RD | The Effect of SCFA Supplemented TPN on Multi-organ Response to Intestinal Resection |
| 1995 | Stephanie Brooks, MS, RD | Comparison of muscle function testing in HIV infected subjects and non-infected controls as an index of nutritional status. |
| 1995 | Mary Chan, MD | Effect of glutamine on HIV-associated intestinal disease and skeletal muscle wasting. NOTE: Title may have been : Effect of Glutamine Supplementation on Small Bowel Regeneration, Protein Metabolism, and Quality of Life in Cachectic Patients with AIDS. |
| 1994 | Deborah Andris, BSN, RN | The Impact of Antibiotic Lock on Microbial Surface Colonization of Silicone Catheters |
| 1994 | Carol L. Braunschweig, PhD, MS, RD | The Metabolic Role of Zinc in Acute Phase Response |
| 1994 | Lisa Freeman, PhD, DVM | The role of cytokines in canine cardiac cachexia |