MCVD Lab. Employment and Trainee Opportunities

Graduate Student

 

Project Title
Understanding the immunological and health effects of the ketogenic diet in individuals with the metabolic syndrome

Degree Required
PhD

Supervisor
Dr. Catherine Chan and Dr. Caroline Richard

Professorial Rank
Full Professor; Assistant Professor

Department
Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science

Project Start Date
09/01/2023

Project Description:

Ph.D. Position for a clinical trial on the Ketogenic diet

Project description: We are looking for a highly motivated and responsible candidate to work on a project that aims to investigate the health beneficial effects of a healthy ketogenic (KETO) supplemented with canola oil (CO; KETO-Can high in polyunsaturated fatty acids) compared to a traditional KETO high in saturated fatty acids (SFA; KETO-Sat) and low-fat diet (LFD; standard of care) in adults at high risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The important outcomes including glucose response, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (C), LDL-C, apolipoproteinB100 (ApoB100), inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), (adipo)cytokines and T- and B-cell populations of the immune system will be measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months. One KETO group will focus on incorporating CO (KETO-Can), the other group will focus on oils and fats containing SFA from both plant and animal sources (KETO-Sat), while the LFD group will focus on whole grains and other low-fat foods. We expect that the results will support the hypothesis that glycemic, lipidemic and immune/inflammatory markers will be improved in the KETO-Can group relative to the KETO-Sat group. Student is expected to have graduate funding in place or to be eligible to apply for graduate funding (e.g. CIHR, AB Innovates, ADI etc.).

 

Qualifications: Applicants should have a M.Sc. in human nutrition, biochemistry or a related field. Ideally, the successful candidate will have a strong background in Dietetic, human physiology and immunology with adequate laboratory skills. Knowledge about inflammation, glucose metabolism and/or the immune system would be beneficial. Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills, as well as an outstanding ability for team work, are essential.

Funding: Includes an annual stipend of $25,000 (CAN), travel to conferences and research costs.

Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Start date: Anticipated start date of September 2023.

For further information, please e-mail a letter of application, including CV and contact details for two references to Catherine Chan  (cbchan@ualberta.ca ).

Keywords
Ketogenic diet, type 2 diabetes, obesity, inflammation, clinical trial, glucose metabolism, Bioactive peptides, antidiabetic activities, functional food, cell culture, animal models

Contact Email
Catherine Chan (cbchan@ualberta.ca)

Stipend Amount/year
$ 25,000.00