Andrew Neilson

Andrew Neilson is a Professor at North Carolina State University, affiliated with the Plants for Human Health Institute (PHHI). His research focuses on the interactions between dietary phytochemicals (especially flavonoids) and the gut microbiome, investigating how these interactions influence human health, particularly gut health and metabolic syndrome. Dr. Neilson holds a Ph.D. in Food Science from Purdue University (2009) and a B.S. in Food Science from Brigham Young University (2005). He is a member of the American Society for Nutrition and Phi Tau Sigma. His work emphasizes microbial metabolites derived from unabsorbed dietary components and their role in disease prevention. Prior to joining PHHI, he served at Virginia Tech for 7.5 years.

Neilson's research spans dietary interventions, microbial metabolite analysis, and translational nutrition. His recent studies include evaluating the vascular benefits of strawberry-derived microbial metabolites and developing biomarkers for trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) status. He also explores culturally relevant dietary strategies to improve infant gut barrier function and investigates genetic diversity in mouse models to enhance translational nutrition research.

His publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, combining food science, microbiology, and clinical studies. Key themes include the health impacts of cocoa and berry phytochemicals, the role of TMAO in metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, and the optimization of food processing to enhance phytochemical bioaccessibility. Neilson collaborates on projects like the techno-economic analysis of grape pomace biorefineries and the development of high-throughput methods to screen for TMAO inhibitors.

No scientific awards are explicitly listed, but his extensive grant-funded work suggests significant recognition in his field. His lab's focus on preclinical models and human trials underscores a commitment to bridging basic research and clinical applications.