ABOUT
Nancy Turner is a Professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. Dr. Turner’s research focuses on identifying bioactive compounds that suppress colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.
Dr. Turner obtained her Ph.D. in Nutrition from Texas A&M University, and she also holds a M.Sc. in Animal Nutrition. Prior to joining MSU, she was a Professor at Texas A&M University. In 2022, she was inducted as a fellow of the American Society for Nutrition, which is the highest honor that the Society bestows in recognition of the honoree’s research and service.
RESEARCH
The Turner Laboratory investigates the regulation of colonocyte proliferation and apoptosis, and determines how dietary components influence apoptosis to eliminate DNA damaged cells. This group aims to understand how diet impacts the intestinal environment, with particular attention to the interaction between microbiota, their metabolites and colonocytes. Dr. Turner’s team has detected changes in the metabolic profile of microbiota after exposure to chemical carcinogens and radiation, and has also identified dietary interventions that protect against those changes thereby reducing colon disease. Additionally, Dr. Turner is working to understand how diet may induce apoptosis in colon stem cells, especially in response to DNA damaging agents.
