Field Lab

About

The Field Laboratory studies gene-nutrient interactions that lead to development of disease. What we eat can be associated with disease onset and some individuals are more likely to be affected based on certain genetic or inherited characteristics. We investigate these interactions at a molecular level and design interventions that prevent disease and improve human health.

Impaired folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism is associated with adverse physiological outcomes that include certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, neurological impairments and birth defects. Our laboratory uses several in vitro and in vivo model systems to study the mechanisms that underlie physiological outcomes associated with perturbed one-carbon metabolism. More specifically, we are interested in understanding the contributions of folate and/or vitamin B12 nutrition and enzyme localization in supporting mitochondrial DNA precursor synthesis, with a focus on understanding how folate nutrition affects mitochondrial DNA integrity and pathogenesis of metabolic diseases such as mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes, chronic disease and age-related decline in mitochondrial function.

It is clear that what we eat can be associated with disease onset, and some individuals are more likely to be affected based on certain genetic, or inherited, characteristics.

Martha Field, Ph.D.

Our team

Martha Field, Ph.D., Principal Investigator and Associate Professor, Division of Nutritional Sciences.

Current members

Caitlyn Pelletier

Chloe Purello, doctoral student

Sophie Riedl, master’s student

Past members

Sinwoo Hwang, Ph.D.

Joanna Fiddler, Ph.D., postdoctoral associate
Education:
            Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences, Oklahoma State University
            M.S. in Health and Human Performance, Exercise Science, Oklahoma State University
            B.S. in Nutritional Sciences, Oklahoma State University

Katarina Heyden, Ph.D.
Education: B.S. in Nutritional Science, Cornell University

Luisa Castillo, Ph.D.

Semira Ortiz, Ph.D.
Education: B.S. in Nutritional Science, Pepperdine University

Kendra Tiani, Ph.D.

Yuwen Xiu, doctoral candidate