My research investigations are focused on cultural aspects of applied nutrition, and community biomarker assessment for (1) preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and (2) promoting maternal, infant and child nutrition. My research priorities are to design, implement, and evaluate culturally relevant community nutrition and biomarkers needs assessment and education research programs with an emphasis on promoting food based approaches in helping to meet the needs for health protective micronutrients and decreasing the consumption of those macronutrients considered risk factors when consumed in excess (eg. sodium). Nutrition and Biomarker Assays conducted in my Laboratory at UMASS are focused on oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial function and cell adhesion. My long term goals are to translate emerging nutrition science and biomarkers data from the laboratory to the public for the purpose of evidence-based theoretically-grounded and biomedical nutrition education in the dual areas of (1) maternal, infant and child nutrition, and (2) chronic disease prevention in population settings in the U.S and internationally. As part of academia-community research partnerships, I designed and implemented point of purchase MIcroNUTrient Education (MINUTE) Programs in Clinics and Restaurants (Heart-Healthy Dining Program), Supermarkets (¡Comida Saludable, Vida Saludable: El Acido Fólico Nos Hace Bien! (Healthy Food, Healthy Life: Folic Acid/Folate is Good For Us!) , Farmers Markets (Cool Cities Farmers Market Project), and Cultural Events (Healthy Eating and Harambee). I am interested in exploring the potential role of nutrition in modifying the health effects of environmental exposures such as air pollution (often referred to as nutrition-environment interaction) on birth outcomes and co-morbidities for CVD (e.g., metabolic syndrome). I am collaborating with environmental health scientists at Columbia University and we are studying acculturation and investigating potential associations with obesity, inflammation, food and nutrient patterns, and allergy sensitivity in mother-infant dyads in New York and Puerto Rico (circular migration hypothesis).