Brian Bennett

Brian Bennett, Ph.D. holds dual roles as Research Leader at the USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center (WHNRC) and Associate Adjunct Professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of California, Davis. His research focuses on systems genetics approaches to understand the genetic and environmental factors influencing chronic metabolic diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease and obesity.

Dr. Bennett's research integrates genetic variants, gene expression, and metabolite data to identify pathways contributing to disease susceptibility. He investigates how dietary components, such as egg ingestion and choline, influence TMAO production and cardiovascular risk. His work employs mouse models to dissect genetic architectures of atherosclerosis and inflammatory responses, often leveraging large-scale genetic mapping and epigenomic studies.

Key themes in his research include:

• Genetic basis of atherosclerosis susceptibility in mice
• Epigenetic regulation of metabolic traits
• Interactions between gut microbiota and host genetics
• Dietary impacts on metabolic disease

His publications highlight contributions to understanding TMAO metabolism, microbial transplantation effects, and systems-level approaches to metabolic disease. No scientific awards are explicitly listed in the provided information.

Dr. Bennett collaborates extensively with institutions like the USDA and academic partners, contributing to both basic and translational research in nutrition and cardiovascular health.