Nancy Rodriguez

Nancy Rodriguez is a Professor of Nutritional Sciences in the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut, with joint appointments in the Departments of Kinesiology and Allied Health Sciences. She directs the Sports Nutrition program at the University and for the Department of Sports Medicine in the Division of Athletics. Dr. Rodriguez served as Chair of University of Connecticut Institutional Review Board for the Use of Human Subjects from 2004-2008.

Education:

• NIH Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Endocrine Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (1984-1986)
• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV (1980-1984)
• M.S. in Nutrition, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV (1978-1980)
• B.S. in Human Nutrition and Foods – Dietetics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA (1974-1978)

Research Interests:
Dr. Rodriguez's research program focuses on relationships between exercise, protein intake, energy balance, and protein utilization in athletes, physically active adults, and healthy obese and non-obese children. Her work examines how dietary protein affects skeletal muscle protein turnover, recovery from exercise, and maintenance of muscle mass across different populations and life stages. She has particular expertise in sports nutrition, protein metabolism, and the application of nutritional science to athletic performance and health optimization.

Her recent publications demonstrate a continued focus on protein metabolism, with particular attention to protein requirements for different populations including athletes, aging adults, and military personnel. The research shows an evolution from basic protein metabolism studies to more applied research examining practical nutritional strategies for performance enhancement and health maintenance.

Awards and Honors:

• Member, President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition (2014-2017)
• Nominee for Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (2015)
• Outstanding Senior Alumni Award, Virginia Tech (2014)
• Big East Conference Award – Recognition National Women in Sports (2008-2009)
• American Dietetics Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award (2004)

Dr. Rodriguez has served as major advisor for 11 PhD students and 26 MS students since 1991. Her grant portfolio includes significant funding from USDA, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Dairy Research Institute, and the University of Connecticut Research Foundation, totaling over $600,000 in research support since 2005. Her research has been published in leading journals including the American Journal of Physiology, Journal of Nutrition, and Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. She directs the Sports Nutrition Services for the Department of Sports Medicine in the Division of Athletics and has provided services to professional sports teams including the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bulls, and Charlotte Bobcats.