Marina Mourtzakis

Marina Mourtzakis is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University. Her academic work focuses on the intersection of body composition analysis, muscle physiology, and clinical applications across various patient populations including those with cancer, critical illness, and metabolic disorders.

Dr. Mourtzakis's research interests primarily center around:

• Sarcopenia assessment and implications in clinical populations
• Advanced body composition analysis techniques, particularly using ultrasound and CT imaging
• The relationship between muscle quality, adipose tissue distribution, and health outcomes
• Nutritional implications of body composition changes in disease states
• Development of standardized methodologies for body composition research

Her publication record demonstrates a strong focus on translating body composition research into clinical practice. Recent work has emphasized methodological standardization, novel biomarkers for cancer prognosis, reliable ultrasound protocols, and understanding the complex relationship between body composition and disease outcomes across multiple disciplines including oncology, nephrology, cardiology, and critical care medicine.

Dr. Mourtzakis has contributed significantly to guidance documents including the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria for malnutrition diagnosis in critically ill patients. Her collaborative work spans multiple clinical domains, with particular emphasis on developing practical tools and standards that can be implemented in both research and clinical settings to improve patient assessment and outcomes.