Bionutrition

The Bionutrition Unit of the Emory University Georgia CTSA facilitates state-of-the-art nutritional science research and is staffed by research dietitian, Heather Zhou, RDN, LD, and clinical research dietitian fellow, Jingze Tian, MS, RDN, LD. The unit is co-directed by Dr. Rani H. Singh, Ph.D., RDN, LD, and Dr. Thomas R. Ziegler, MD. Together this team provides support for protocol development, conducts well-controlled human feeding studies, and is trained to assess body composition, energy expenditure, and exercise tolerance.

Bionutrition Services
  • Consultation on nutrition-related study design and methods
  • Body composition
    • Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)
    • BOD POD body composition tracking system (air displacement plethysmograph)
    • Bioimpedance analysis (BIA)
  • Anthropometric measurements
    • 7-site skin folds, waist-hip, and other circumference measurements
  • Energy expenditure and exercise testing:
    • Indirect calorimetry using Vmax Encore
    • Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) using Vyntus CPX
  • Nutrition assessment and education of study participants
    • Recipe & menu development for controlled feeding studies
  • Data collection and dietary intake analysis
    • 24-hour recall, 3-day diet records, food frequency questionnaires
    • Using a variety of software including Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR), Metabolic Pro, ASA24, etc.
  • Metabolic Research Kitchen
    • Experimental research diets prepared for both inpatient and outpatient studies including meal challenges