Associate Professor
Research in Dr. Benninghoff’s laboratory is multi-disciplinary, covering topics ranging from diet and cancer to mechanisms of genome reprogramming and gene regulation to toxicology. A major goal of Dr. Benninghoff’s research program is to understand the influence of environmental factors on mechanisms of gene regulation in determining health and disease in animals and humans. Current projects in her lab include 1) a USDA-funded project to investigate the potential health benefits of functional foods (e.g., black raspberries) for prevention of inflammation-associated colorectal cancer; 2) a collaborative project with Dr. Ken White (Animal, Dairy and Sciences) to investigate mechanisms of aberrant genome reprogramming in cloned bovine embryos; and 3) a collaborative project with Dr. Lisa Berreau (Chemistry) investigating the impact of biologically-based CO-releasing molecules on inflammation in vitro. While seemingly disparate, these projects have connecting threads. For example, many of the genes aberrantly expressed in cancer cells are those critical for normal early embryo development. Also, the CO-releasing molecule structure was inspired by nature, based on a flavonoid chemical found in functional foods. Dr. Benninghoff has also recently developed a new collaboration with Dr. Jim Pestka at Michigan State University to investigate genomic responses to dietary DHA supplementation in a mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus. Dr. Benninghoff’s research program is currently supported by funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, the National Institutes of Health.
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About Abby D. Benninghoff
Research in Dr. Benninghoff’s laboratory is multi-disciplinary, covering topics ranging from diet and cancer to mechanisms of genome reprogramming and gene regulation to toxicology. A major goal of Dr. Benninghoff’s research program is to understand the influence of environmental factors on mechanisms of gene regulation in determining health and disease in animals and humans. Current projects in her lab include 1) a USDA-funded project to investigate the potential health benefits of functional foods (e.g., black raspberries) for prevention of inflammation-associated colorectal cancer; 2) a collaborative project with Dr. Ken White (Animal, Dairy and Sciences) to investigate mechanisms of aberrant genome reprogramming in cloned bovine embryos; and 3) a collaborative project with Dr. Lisa Berreau (Chemistry) investigating the impact of biologically-based CO-releasing molecules on inflammation in vitro. While seemingly disparate, these projects have connecting threads. For example, many of the genes aberrantly expressed in cancer cells are those critical for normal early embryo development. Also, the CO-releasing molecule structure was inspired by nature, based on a flavonoid chemical found in functional foods. Dr. Benninghoff has also recently developed a new collaboration with Dr. Jim Pestka at Michigan State University to investigate genomic responses to dietary DHA supplementation in a mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus. Dr. Benninghoff’s research program is currently supported by funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, the National Institutes of Health.
| Present | Associate Professor, Utah State University ‐ Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences | |
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Disciplines
Research Interests
Honors and Awards
- Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (2005-2008)
- U.S. EPA STAR Fellowship for Graduate Environmental Study (2000-2003)
- David Bruton, Jr. Graduate School Fellowship (2003)
- E.J. Lund Graduate Fellowship in Marine Science (2000-2003)
- Graduate Research Fellowship (1999-2000)
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Undergraduate Research Fellowship (1995-1997)
- Postdoctoral Research Award Finalist (2006, 2008)
- Postdoctoral Travel Award (2007)
- Colgate/Palmolive Grants for Alternative Research Award (2006)
- Travel Scholarship (2003)
- Summer Tuition Scholarship (1998)
- Phi Beta Kappa (1996-1997)
- Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society (1997)
Contact Information
Email:
abby.benninghoff@usu.edu
Location:
Ag Science Bldg, Rm 240A
Phone:
(435) 797-8649
Email: