The Department of Food Science and Nutrition conducts research across a broad spectrum of areas relating to the application of science, technology, engineering, and regulatory measures to address modern food- and health-related problems.
Food science and nutrition faculty and students utilize the Center for Nutritional Research to search for innovative solutions to issues facing the food industry and related areas.
Center for Nutrition Research
What We Do
The Center for Nutrition Research (CNR) conducts human nutrition and clinical studies to determine the health benefits of food and food components in a variety of specialty areas. It substantiates health claims through evidence-based science.
Among the research conducted includes:
- Clinical Trials
- Pre-Clinical Trials
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Satiety
- Claims Validation
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Attitudes and Behavior
The center offers:
- Expertise in determining the health benefits of food and food components
- Cost-effective test designs used in pre-clinical and clinical studies
- Fully integrated analytical chemistry lab and pilot plant capabilities
- Practical data that aligns and validates food safety and nutrition goals
- Facilitated path-to-market strategy through early and ongoing regulatory interaction
- Robust business models that support innovative product designs
- Reduced cost of innovation through industry, government, and academic collaboration
How Research is Conducted
- Multi-disciplinary approach to nutrition research
- Collaborative linkages with the United States Food and Drug Administration
- Internationally recognized scientists with standard and novel assessment methodologies
- Reduced front-end costs through leveraged grant awards
- Industry driven consortiums that address market needs
Key Staff Members and Contact Information
Britt Burton-Freeman
Director, Center for Nutrition Research; Professor of Food Science and Nutrition, Illinois Tech
708.341.7078
bburton@iit.edu
Indika Edirisinghe
Associate Director, Center for Nutrition Research; Associate Professor of Food Science and Nutrition, Illinois Tech
708.563.8178
iedirisi@iit.edu
Aman Sandhu
Assistant Professor of Food Science and Nutrition, Illinois Tech
708.563.8823
asandhu2@iit.edu