Catherine J. Andersen

Catherine J. Andersen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut since 2021, with prior faculty appointments at Fairfield University (2014-2021). She holds a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences (2013) and is a Registered Dietician-Nutritionist.

• Ph.D., Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut (2013)
• M.S., Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut (2011)
• B.S., Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut (2008)

Her research employs clinical, nutrigenomic, and translational approaches to study diet-lifestyle-metabolism-immune function relationships. Key focus areas include:

• Mechanistic studies of functional foods and lipoproteins in immune modulation
• Epidemiological analysis of immune profile predictors
• Environmental/lifestyle factors in metabolic-immune interactions

Recent publications span HDL metabolism, dietary impacts on leukemia cells, and inflammation-related biomarkers. Awards include the USDA NIFA Predoctoral Fellowship (2012-2013). She has secured multiple grants including NSF MRI and USDA NIFA funding.

• USDA NIFA Predoctoral Fellowship (2012-2013)
• NSF MRI Grant (Co-PI, 2016-2019)
• USDA NIFA Seed Grant (PI, 2018-2021)

Dr. Andersen has served as Principal Investigator on projects targeting institutional nutrition resources and bariatric surgery outcomes, with professional affiliations including American Society for Nutrition and National Lipid Association.