معرفی
Catherine Chan is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science at the University of Alberta, within the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences. She holds a PhD in Physiology from the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on the interplay between dietary interventions, metabolic health, and chronic disease prevention, particularly in the context of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Key areas of investigation include the effects of dairy products, plant-based diets, and bioactive food compounds on insulin signaling pathways, hepatic function, and gut microbiota. She leads studies exploring lifestyle programs targeting diabetes management and equity in Indigenous and immigrant populations.
Dr. Chan teaches AFNS 675: Introduction to Research Methods in Nutritional Science, a graduate-level course emphasizing experimental design and data analysis. Her work includes longitudinal cohort studies like the Physical Activity and Nutrition for Diabetes in Alberta (PANDA) trial, examining diet patterns and chronic disease risk. She also investigates innovative interventions such as web-based platforms for post-COVID-19 rehabilitation and community-based nutrition screening programs for older adults. Her research bridges basic science and translational applications, aiming to improve dietary guidelines and public health outcomes.
Advising and grants: Dr. Chan mentors graduate students in the MSc and PhD Nutrition and Metabolism programs. Her research has been supported by studies on dairy product impacts, legume consumption, and culturally tailored nutrition education. She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to address barriers in healthcare access and develop culturally appropriate interventions for marginalized groups.
Labs and teams: Her research group integrates nutrition science, physiology, and epidemiology to study metabolic disorders. Collaborations involve clinical partners, agricultural researchers, and community organizations in Alberta and internationally.
