Director: Samuel Klein, MD
Established in 1995, the Washington University Center for Human Nutrition focuses on obesity and nutrition research and training by providing:
- Core laboratory support
- A pilot and feasibility research program
- A weekly research seminar series
- Mentorship/training for young investigators
The center is comprised of the NIH-funded Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC), the Atkins Center of Excellence in Obesity Medicine, the Washington University Weight Management Program and the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Nutrition Support Service.
Nutrition Obesity Research Center
Washington University’s NORC is one of 11 such centers in the United States funded by the NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. NORC activities enhance our understanding of the basic and clinical aspects of nutrition in the prevention, etiology, pathophysiology and therapy of nutrition-related diseases. Since its inception in 1999, Washington University’s NORC has served as a nidus for the growth and development of nutrition and obesity research at Washington University.
Atkins Center of Excellence in Obesity Medicine
The Veronica and Robert Atkins Center of Excellence in Obesity Medicine is supported by an unrestricted endowment from the Atkins Foundation. This center provides infrastructure, including research coordinators and technicians, laboratory supplies and reagents, etc.
Obesity and Metabolism Seminar Series
The Nutrition and Obesity Research Center and the Veronica and Robert Atkins Center of Excellence in Obesity Medicine have developed a weekly research seminar series, which focuses on basic or clinical obesity-related research, but also includes clinical obesity presentations.
Many of the seminars are focused on junior investigators who present data from their own research or a topic that they are considering for future research and receive feedback from their peers and more experienced faculty.
In addition, senior Washington University investigators and visiting faculty are invited to present at this conference, which provides additional exposure for trainees and stimulates interactions between established investigators.