About The HMRU
The primary mission of the Frances A. Johnston and Charlotte M. Young Human Metabolic Research Unit (HMRU) is to provide an infrastructure for investigators in the Division of Nutritional Sciences (DNS) who conduct Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved research involving human participants. The HMRU is also a resource for DNS didactic teaching.
The HMRU's Clinical Chemistry Laboratory (CCL) exists for the convenience of DNS investigators; however, its services are available to the entire Cornell community and to non-Cornell customers. Its focus is clinical testing of human biological samples for human biochemical indicators. It's goal is to provide reliable high-quality data to its customers at a reasonable price.
Administrative Structure
The HMRU is a shared resource for nutrition research and education in the DNS and is administered through the office of the DNS Director. All research conducted in the HMRU is approved by Cornell University's Institutional Review Board (IRB) and subject to various HMRU policies and standard operating procedures. Any faculty member acting as the Principal Investigator or the supervising faculty member of any project being conducted in the HMRU is responsible for all aspects of the scientific conduct of the project.
The HMRU has a Scientific Advisory Board comprised of Division faculty users and administrators, representatives from the College of Human Ecology (CHE) and Gannett Health Services, and a representative of the Cornell University Life Sciences Core Laboratories Center. The Scientific Advisory Board meets on an annual basis to review activities in the HMRU and to discuss current issues impacting this Unit. Currently, the following individuals serve on the HMRU Scientific Advisory Board:
Patsy Brannon, Professor, DNS
Tom Brenna, Professor, DNS
Patricia Cassano, Associate Professor, DNS
Marie Caudill, Associate Professor, DNS
Jere Haas, Professor, DNS
Craig Higgins, Assistant Dean for Administration, CHE
Vivian Hsiao, Occupational Medicine, Gannett Health Services
Marla Lujan, Assistant Professor, DNS
Kay Obendorf, Senior Associate Dean for Research, CHE
Kimberly O'Brien, Associate Professor, DNS
Peter Schweitzer, Facility Director, CU Life Sciences Core Lab.Center
The Scientific Advisory Board is Chaired by the DNSDirector. The Division's Executive Director is responsible for administrative oversight of HMRU operations and finances and serves as an ex officio member of the committee.
Inquiries about the HMRU should be sent to DNSDirector.
Updated 2/3/10 by Brenda Daniels
Areas of Research
The HMRU is a 3,829 square foot research facility with specialized laboratories and facilities to support comprehensive nutrition and metabolism research on human subjects. The HMRU supports many facets of research in the nutritional sciences, including human metabolism, dietetics, and clinical chemistry, as well as studies involving human performance and assessment of body composition and bone mass.
Use of HMRU Facilities
Investigators interested in using HMRU facilities should contact Brenda Daniels (bjd2@cornell.edu - 607-255-8443).