Hea Jin Park

Dr. Hea Jin Park is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Georgia's College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Her research focuses on bioactive food compounds, functional foods, and their roles in human health, particularly in chronic diseases and perinatal development. She holds a PhD in Foods and Nutrition from Ewha Womans University. Key research interests include neurocognition, inflammation, and mechanisms of action in conditions like stroke and traumatic brain injury. Her lab utilizes large animal models and human cohorts to explore these areas.

Education:

• PhD in Foods and Nutrition, Ewha Womans University
• MS in Foods and Nutrition, Ewha Womans University
• BS in Foods and Nutrition, Ewha Womans University

Research Trends: Recent work emphasizes gut-brain axis interactions, nanoparticle-based therapies for stroke recovery, and dietary interventions for neuroprotection. Collaborative studies with institutions like the University of Georgia's Franklin College and USDA HATCH grants highlight translational applications.

Awards:

• Super-Includer Award (2018)
• Faculty Mentoring Undergraduate Research Award (2020)

Advising & Grants: Supervises PhD and MS students on projects like maternal diet and cognitive development, funded by USDA NIFA and Egg Nutrition Center. Recent grants include a Franklin Foundation Imaging Grant and GGBC Microbiome mini-grant.

Labs & Teams: Leads the Bioactive Compounds and Health Lab, collaborating with researchers like Dr. FD West and Dr. Q Zhao. Current team includes PhD candidates Stephanie Dubrof and Soon Lee, and MS student Madison Walsh.