About Me

My name is Katherine Erler, and I am a rising junior studying Biopsychology at Tufts University. This summer I will be at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (Boston, MA) where the Nutrition for Precision Health study is taking place. I am also interested in studying Spanish, and I am looking to pursue a leadership in action project where I can continue to practice my language skills.

Project Background

The Nutrition for Precision Health (NPH) research seeks to explore the multitude of factors that affect an individual’s response to a particular diet. Factors such as genetics, bacteria in the gut, metabolism, and the environment will be studied in order to create a unique algorithm for specific subgroups of individuals. By working with a diverse group of participants, I will learn the multiple components involved in conducting a “human subjects” study in nutrition, and be familiar with the skills required to assess a variety of factors: activity level, economic status, and genetics, and their potential role in the nutritional and health status of an individual.

Research Timeline

I plan to compile a literature review of the methodology of this study and the reasons why this study is unique from similar ones in the past. After observing participants take part in different examinations, throughout the 6-week period, I will then research the reasoning behind each test and the potential information provided by each.

Potential Outcomes: