Aims of our Research

1. To conduct world-leading research in clinical nutrition that spans across all the different age groups.

2. To acquire high visibility on the local and national levels by conducting high quality research that meets ethical standards,

3. To obtain high educational standards by delivering effective education to our undergraduate students through enhancing their research skills.

4. To help in achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision.

Our Main Research Themes

Our research investigates the role of dietary habits and key nutrients in health as well as in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Particularly, we are interested in studying diabetes, obesity, metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, gut health, bone health, cardiovascular health, cognitive health and psychological disorders. Additionally, studying food science, safety, and microbiology is also one of our research interests.

Our Main Focused Areas of Research 

• Behavioral and environmental determinants of obesity and eating behaviors in children

• Eating Behavior, neuroscience of eating, and obesity

• Role of n-3 & n-6 fatty acids in inflammation, brain, and cognition

• Magnesium and diabetes 

• Polyphenols and gut microbiota

• Nutrition and inflammatory bowel diseases

• Metabolism, diets, obesity, gut hormones, and diabetes

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

• Healthy aging and nutrition in elderly

• Physical activity, Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular health 

• Vitamin D and bone health

• Nutrition status, inflammatory response and cancer outcomes 

• Dietetic practice, dietary assessment, and the practice of nutrition care process

• Antibiotic resistance in foodborne pathogens

• Food safety, quality, and hygiene (food allergens and GM food)

• Functional food and nutraceuticals

• Nutrition and health claims, food labeling

Our Research Skills and Expertise

Our research uses a diverse range of research methods including:

• Laboratory and animal studies

  • Molecular biology methods

    • In-vitro fermentation studies

    • DNA extraction

    • Gel electrophoresis

    • qPCR

    • ELISA- proteomics-sequencing

    • Cell-culture studies

  • Analytical methods

    • Food analysis and formulation

    • Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

  • GMP and HACCP establishment and auditing

  • Assessing brain and visual function

• Epidemiological and observational studies

• Qualitative research

• Survey design and validation

• Interventional studies

• Evidence synthesis research (systematic reviews and meta-analysis)