Deeptha Sukumar

Deeptha Sukumar, PhD, serves as Associate Professor and Director of the PhD Program in Nutrition Sciences within the Department of Nutrition Sciences at Drexel University's College of Nursing and Health Professions. Her academic leadership extends to directing key research initiatives focused on bone and metabolic health.

• Rutgers University, PhD in Nutritional Sciences (2006-2011)
• Queen Mary’s College, MSc Foods and Nutrition (2002-2004)
• MOP Vaishnav College, BSc Nutrition, Food Service Management and Dietetics (1999-2002)

Dr. Sukumar's research investigates the critical interplay between bone metabolism and energy metabolism, particularly how bone-regulating hormones influence obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Her primary focus examines whether dietary interventions involving magnesium and vitamin D can modulate bone-regulating hormones, bone mineral density, inflammatory markers, and energy metabolism. This work addresses significant gaps in understanding micronutrient interactions in cardiometabolic health, with special attention to vulnerable populations including South Asian Indians and individuals on antiepileptic drug therapy. Her laboratory employs clinical trial methodologies combined with biochemical analysis to establish mechanistic links between nutritional status and metabolic outcomes.

Analysis of her publication history reveals consistent focus on bone-mineral metabolism within obesity contexts, with recent expansion into pandemic-related nutritional vulnerabilities. Key thematic areas include parathyroid hormone dynamics, micronutrient synergism (particularly magnesium-vitamin D interactions), and ethnic health disparities in metabolic syndrome presentation.

• ASBMR Young Investigator Award (2011)
• American Heart Association Research Excellence Award (2016)
• Mentor/AHA Mentee Award (2016)
• Multiple American Society for Nutrition awards (2009-2010)

Dr. Sukumar has secured significant grant funding as Principal Investigator, including an American Heart Association award examining magnesium and vitamin D supplementation for parathyroid hormone reduction in obesity, and multiple Drexel CNHP Seed Grants investigating bone health in South Asian populations and magnesium's role in antiepileptic drug therapy. She actively mentors doctoral students including May Cheung, Abeer Aljahdali, and Rittane Dustak, with research collaborations spanning institutions including Rutgers University and clinical partners. Her laboratory operates within Drexel's Health Sciences Building, conducting clinical trials and biochemical analyses focused on nutrient-hormone interactions in metabolic health.