Sathish Kumar Natarajan

Sathish Kumar Natarajan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Education and Human Sciences. His research focuses on developing nutraceutical approaches to mitigate liver and placental lipotoxicity that occurs during acute fatty liver of pregnancy and maternal obesity. He has made significant contributions to understanding how dietary palmitoleate protects against placental complications and Zika virus-induced damage.

Dr. Natarajan earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from Dr. MGR Medical University in Tamilnadu, India in 2008. Prior to that, he completed an M.S. in Biochemistry (2001) and a B.S. in Biochemistry (1999), both from the University of Madras, Tamilnadu, India.

Dr. Natarajan's research program centers on placental biology and nutrient interventions during pregnancy complications. His lab has identified palmitoleate, an omega-7 monounsaturated fatty acid found in foods like macadamia nuts, as a cytoprotective nutrient against placental complications including acute fatty liver of pregnancy, Zika virus infection, and maternal obesity. His work explores how dietary interventions can prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes and fetal complications, with particular focus on the mechanisms of lipotoxicity and viral pathogenesis at the maternal-fetal interface. His research bridges nutrition science, virology, and obstetrics to develop potential nutrient-based therapies for high-risk pregnancies.

Analysis of Dr. Natarajan's recent publications reveals a strong focus on lipid metabolism in pregnancy complications, particularly the role of omega fatty acids and their derivatives in maternal-fetal health. His work spans basic science investigations of cellular mechanisms to clinical studies examining nutrient impacts on infant growth and development. A consistent theme is the protective role of specific fatty acids against placental damage, with increasing emphasis on Zika virus interactions and maternal obesity-related complications in his most recent work.

Scientific Awards and Recognition

• 2022: ad hoc reviewer for the Special Emphasis Panel, ZRG1-DKUS-J (06) study section, NIEHS
• 2021: Topic Editor-in-chief for issue on "Novel Therapeutic Nutrient Molecules" in multiple journals
• 2021: ESI reviewer for the Hepatobiliary Pathophysiology (HBPP) study section, NIDDK
• 2018: USDA-NIFA A1343 Study section panelist
• 2016: Thematic Best Poster Award, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• 2015: Travel Award to attend American Association for the Study of Liver Disease
• 2004: Shakuntala Amir Chand Prize, Indian Council of Medical Research

Dr. Natarajan has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students through the Natarajan Lab, including UCARE students, graduate research assistants, and postdoctoral fellows. His lab members have gone on to pursue diverse careers in medicine, veterinary science, research, and clinical practice. His research has been supported by various funding mechanisms including seed grants from the NU collaborative initiative, and he has collaborated extensively with researchers at UNMC and other institutions.

The Natarajan Lab at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a multidisciplinary research group focused on placental biology and nutrient interventions during pregnancy. The lab operates as part of the Nebraska Center for Virology and collaborates with the Child Health Research Institute at UNMC. Current research projects include investigating palmitoleate protection against Zika virus, studying the impact of maternal obesity on placental function, and examining genetic defects in fatty acid oxidation enzymes.