Maria-Luz Fernandez
Professor
University of Connecticut
USA
Biography
Maria-Luz Fernandez is a Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut. She is a leading authority on the effects of dietary interventions on dyslipidemias, oxidative stress and inflammation as it relates to cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes. She uses the guinea pig model to elucidate the mechanisms by which different types of fat, dietary fiber, carbohydrate restricted diets and antioxidants reduce the risk for hepatic steatosis, systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis. Her research has been supported by the Federal Government, Industry and Food Commodities. She has co-authored 235 peer-reviewed papers, 13 book chapters plus over 240 scientific abstracts. She has been invited to present her research in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Egypt, Ecuador, Korea, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. She has graduated 34 PhD and 19 Master’s students who currently have prominent positions in Industry and Academia.
Research Interest
Effects of dietary interventions on dyslipidemias, oxidative stress and inflammation as it relates to cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes.