Christopher N. Blesso

Christopher N. Blesso serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut's College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. Appointed Assistant Professor in 2013 and promoted to Associate Professor in 2019, he maintains his research laboratory in the Advanced Technology Laboratory (ATL) Room 211B.

His academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut (2012)
• M.S. in Nutrition, Boston University (2008)
• B.S. in Nutritional Sciences, Boston University (2007)

Dr. Blesso's research program investigates dietary prevention of cardiometabolic diseases through analysis of bioactive food components. His laboratory examines molecular pathways linking lipid metabolism, inflammation, and gut microbiome interactions using tissue culture, transgenic mouse models, and human clinical trials. Current projects focus on bioactive lipids' roles in chronic disease pathogenesis and diet-mediated regulation of metabolic pathways, with emphasis on translating preclinical findings to human applications.

His scholarly recognition includes:

• UCAHNRA Teaching Award (2022)
• Dr. Lynne Goodstein and Dr. Peter Langer Honors Advising Award (2017)
• American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013)
• Robert G. Jensen Nutrition Research Award (2012)
• USDA National Needs Predoctoral Fellowship (2009-2012)

He has mentored 10 graduate students to completion (7 Ph.D. and 3 M.S. degrees) while currently supervising 3 doctoral candidates. His editorial service includes Associate Editor roles for Atherosclerosis Plus and Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, alongside extensive peer review for over 20 nutrition and metabolism journals. Research funding derives from competitive fellowships including USDA and American Heart Association awards.

The Blesso Laboratory employs molecular biology and biochemical techniques to investigate diet-gene interactions in metabolic disease, maintaining active collaborations between preclinical and clinical research teams for translational impact.