Arny Ferrando

Arny Ferrando is a Professor in the Department of Geriatrics at the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. His research focuses on protein metabolism, muscle physiology, and aging-related metabolic mechanisms. He has held academic positions at the University of Texas Medical Branch and has over 30 years of experience in clinical nutrition studies.

Education:

• B.S. in Engineering, United States Military Academy (1978)
• MBA, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (1984)
• Ph.D. in Nutrition and Physiology, Florida State University (1991)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship at NASA (1992-1994)

Research Interests: Investigates anabolic agents (e.g., testosterone, IGF-1) in muscle restoration, burn injury recovery, and aging populations. Key areas include muscle protein synthesis, metabolic responses to stress, and nutritional countermeasures for muscle wasting.

Recent Research Trends: Focus on dietary protein distribution, amino acid supplementation efficacy, and hormonal interventions for muscle preservation in older adults and clinical populations.

Awards:

• NRC Resident Research Associate (1992-1994)
• College of Human Science Fellowship (1988-1989)
• US-China Sports Delegation Member (1989)

Grants/Projects: Leads NIH-funded studies on aging-related muscle function, burn injury recovery, and tactical athlete nutrition. Collaborates with military and industry partners (e.g., Nestlé, Novartis) on protein metabolism and clinical nutrition.

Labs/Teams: Director of the Metabolism Core at the Arkansas Older Americans Independence Center. Active in translational research teams addressing sarcopenia and post-surgical muscle recovery.