Kevin J. Pearson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Graduate Center for Nutritional Sciences
Room 591, Wethington Building
Graduate Center for Nutritional Sciences
900 S. Limestone
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40536-0200
Tel: (859)-323-4933 ext 81371
Fax: (859)-257-3646
e-mail: kevin.pearson@uky.edu
Academic Appointments:
Publication Listings on PubMed
• Assistant Professor for the Graduate Center for Nutritional Sciences
Education:
• B.S., Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, PA
• Ph.D., Pathobiology & Molecular Med., University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
• IRTA Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Experimental Gerontology;
National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
Awards:
• Summa Cum Laude, University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, PA
• Academic Excellence Award, Pathobiology & Molecular Medicine, University of
Cincinnati
• American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship
• Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE)
• Office of Dietary Supplements Intramural Training Grant
Research interests:
Eating a healthy diet for 80 years seems like an unrealistic task for many people even though their lifespan will likely increase. However, the picture will dramatically change if eating a healthy diet for 9-18 months during pregnancy and nursing results in the same benefits for the next generation. The intrauterine environment affects the development of the growing embryo and fetus. An unsuitable, unhealthy environment can lead to termination of pregnancy, but more subtle dietary factors can influence long-term health in the offspring. Specifically, using mice as a model, we will explore how maternal dietary quality and quantity influence metabolism, cancer rates and aging in offspring. The umbrella hypothesis for this work is maternal diet and behavior during pregnancy and nursing will influence lifespan and disease progression in progeny. First my laboratory will look to characterize the negative effects found in the offspring of high fat (western diet) fed dams. This is very important because Western societies are eating unhealthy diets during pregnancy and this can influence development of obesity, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes in late stages of life in the offspring. These studies will provide important new information on the potential negative impact a western diet may have during pre-weaning, gestation, and nursing. After this is established, we will begin looking for ways to protect against these deleterious effects. Obesity and diabetes are at epidemic levels and interventions targeting gestation might be an efficient way to stem the tide.
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