Position(s):
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Bioscience & Biotechnology

Office: 310 Stratton Hall
Lab: 123 Stratton Hall

Phone: (215) 895-6885 (Office)
            
Email: Jennifer.A.Nasser@drexel.edu

B.A.  Chemistry, Elmira College, Elmira NY
M.S. Biochemistry, Lehigh University, Bethlehem PA
Ph.D. Food Science and Nutrition, Rutgers University, New Brunswick NJ
Dietetic Internship:  Marywood University, Scranton, PA

Courses Taught

MNT 544, 545

My clinical research focuses on dopamine-mediated mechanisms of food intake regulation in humans and its impact on metabolic homeostasis, especially as it applies to obesity, eating disorders and aging.  Non-invasive methods of assessing brain dopamine in humans and nutritional and dietary interventions for neurophysiological disorders and drug-induced obesity are also under development.

Selected Publications:
Obesity/Eating Behavior Publications
           
C.N. Boozer, D. Sc., J.A. Nasser, Ph.D., S.B. Heymsfield, M.D, V. Wang, M.S., G. Chen, M.S., J.L. Solomon, M.A. Herbal Ma-Huang/Guarana For Weight Loss: A randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial. Int J of Obesity 25: 316-324 2001
           
JA Nasser PhD, HR Kissileff PhD, CN Boozer DSc, CJ Chou PhD, FX Pi-Sunyer MD PROP Taster Status and Fatty Acid Perception. Eat Behav 2001 2:237-245

J A Nasser Taste, Food Intake and Obesity. Obesity Revs 2001 2: 213-218.
           
CN Boozer, PA Daly, PJ Hummel, JA Solomon, D Blanchard, JA Nasser, R Strauss, T Meridith  Herbal Ephedra/Caffeine For Weight Loss: A 6 Month Trial. Int. J of Obesity 2002 26: 593-604
           
J Nasser  Energy Intake.  In: The Obesity Databook/North American Association for the Study of Obesity. 2000
           
JA Nasser, ME Gluck, A Geliebter Impulsivity and Test Meal Intake in Obese Binge Eaters. Appetite 2004 43: 303-307.

JA Nasser, SA Hashim, PA Lachance  Calcium and Magnesium ATPase Activities in Lean and Obese Women of Varying BMI. Obesity Research 2004 12:1844-1849.
JA Nasser, Integration of nutritional assessment into the DSM-IV evaluation for Binge Eating Disorder. SCAN Pulse 2007

JA Nasser, SM Evans, A Geliebter, FX Pi-Sunyer, RW Foltin Use of an operant task to estimate food reinforcement in adult humans with and without BED. (Obesity in press).

JA Nasser, E Boo, A Geliebter, FX Pi-Sunyer  Effect of Food Deprivation State on Memory for Food Eaten. (in preparation)

Curriculum Vitae

Jennifer Ann Nasser, PhD, RD

Contact Information                                                                          
Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology
Drexel University
Stratton Hall 118
3201 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia PA 19102
Phone: 215-895-6885, Fax: 215-895-1273, Email: jan57@drexel.edu

Vitae:
Jennifer Nasser is an Assistant Professor of Nutrition in the Dept of Bioscience and Biotechnology at Drexel University.  She also holds an appointment as a Research Associate and member of the faculty at the New York Obesity Research Center/Department of Medicine, St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York NY.  Her clinical research focuses on dopamine-mediated mechanisms of food intake in humans and its impact on metabolic homeostasis. 

Education
B.A. 1974 Elmira College, Elmira NY
M.S. 1979 Lehigh University Bethlehem PA
Ph.D. 1998 Rutgers University New Brunswick NJ
DI 2003  Marywood University Scranton PA

Professional Certification
Registered Dietitian  940243
NYS CDN  (license #005633); PA Licensed Dietitian (#DN003132)
Clinical Chemistry Technologist-R (#1890- National Registry of Certified Chemists)

NIH Traineeships
2000-2002       NIH Trainee, Division on Substance Abuse, Dept of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, NY
1999-2000       NIH Trainee, New York Obesity Research Center, St. Luke's Hospital, NY; Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, NY

Hospital Appointments
2002-               Research Associate/Faculty Member, NY Obesity Research Center, NY
2001-2002       Research Scientist II/Phlebotomist, NY State Psychiatric Institute, NY
1998-1999       Research Fellow/Clin Res Coordinator, NY Obesity Research Center, NY

Professional Employment
1979                Quality Control Chemist, Kraft Foods, Allentown,PA
1980                Project Chemist, Becton-Dickinson, Parsippany NJ
1981                Research Scientist, Johnson and Johnson, Raritan NJ
1987                Research  Scientist, Cytogen Corp. Princeton NJ
1990-1997       Research Assistant, Dept. of Food Science, Rutgers University

Consulting
2004-               Clinical Advisory Board, CURA Hospitality Nutrition Services, Orefield PA
2005                Sanofi- Aventis - Rimonabant clinical trial
2006                Stepan Chemicals Inc, Maywood NJ
2006                Dept of Surgery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN
2006                The Renfrew Center, Philadelphia, PA
2006-               Dept of Psychiatry, Eating Disorders Program, U of Pittsburgh
2006-               Dept of Psychiatry, Eating Disorders Program, U C San Diego

Research Grant History
Current Funding
1.         Physiological Effects of Carbohydrates, International Life Sciences Institute 2004-2007:  PI:  Jennifer Nasser, PhD, Title: Effect of Glycemic Index on Food Reinforcement in Humans.

2.         New York Obesity Research Center, Pilot and Feasibility Grant (NIDDK) 2005-2007: PI:Jennifer Nasser, PhD, Title: Evaluation of Changes in Central Dopamine by Electroretinography.

Pending Grants
1.         NIDDK R21, PI Jennifer Nasser, PhD Title:  Methylphenidate and Binge Eating Disorder in Obese Women.

Previous Funding
1.         Associate Trustees Small Grant Program, Associate Trustees of St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Center, 2004: PI Jennifer Nasser, PhD, Purchase of specialized contact lens electrodes for measuring changes in central dopamine by electroretinography.

2.         Pilot and Feasibility Grant (NIDA) Division on Substance Abuse, Dept of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 2002:  PI  Jennifer Nasser, PhD, Title: Evaluation of a Computer Based Task Measuring Food Reinforcement in Humans.

3.         Feasibility Grant (NIDA) Division on Substance Abuse, Dept of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 2001:  PI Jennifer Nasser, PhD, Title: Marijuana Related Food Intake: A Potential Mechanism.

4.         Pilot and Feasibility Grant (NIDA) Division on Substance Abuse, Dept of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 2000:  PI Jennifer Nasser, PhD, Title: Acute Effects of Smoked Cocaine on Plasma Insulin and Glucose.

5.         Van Slyke Research Grant, American Association for Clinical Chemistry 1990-1991:  PI: Jennifer Nasser, Title: Thyroid Hormone Binding to Red Cells of Lean and Obese Humans.

Awards and Honors
Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society 1974
New York State Regents Scholarship   1971-1974
Who's Who in America 2006

Patents
1986   US #4,597,966 (preparation of an injectable human immune globulin)
1996    US #5,514,602 (preparation of gold sol particles for a diagnostic test system)
            US #5,571,726 (antibody coating of gold sol particles for a diagnostic system)
1998    US #60/079,943 (identification of novel agent to promote weight loss)

Publications
Obesity/Eating Behavior Publications
           
C.N. Boozer, D. Sc., J.A. Nasser, Ph.D., S.B. Heymsfield, M.D, V. Wang, M.S., G. Chen, M.S., J.L. Solomon, M.A. Herbal Ma-Huang/Guarana For Weight Loss: A randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial. Int J of Obesity 25: 316-324 2001
           
JA Nasser PhD, HR Kissileff PhD, CN Boozer DSc, CJ Chou PhD, FX Pi-Sunyer MD PROP Taster Status and Fatty Acid Perception. Eat Behav 2001 2:237-245

J A Nasser Taste, Food Intake and Obesity. Obesity Revs 2001 2: 213-218.
           
CN Boozer, PA Daly, PJ Hummel, JA Solomon, D Blanchard, JA Nasser, R Strauss, T Meridith  Herbal Ephedra/Caffeine For Weight Loss: A 6 Month Trial. Int. J of Obesity 2002 26: 593-604
           
J Nasser  Energy Intake.  In: The Obesity Databook/North American Association for the Study of Obesity. 2000
           
JA Nasser, ME Gluck, A Geliebter Impulsivity and Test Meal Intake in Obese Binge Eaters. Appetite 2004 43: 303-307.

JA Nasser, SA Hashim, PA Lachance  Calcium and Magnesium ATPase Activities in Lean and Obese Women of Varying BMI. Obesity Research 2004 12:1844-1849.
JA Nasser, Integration of nutritional assessment into the DSM-IV evaluation for Binge Eating Disorder. SCAN Pulse 2007

JA Nasser, SM Evans, A Geliebter, FX Pi-Sunyer, RW Foltin Use of an operant task to estimate food reinforcement in adult humans with and without BED. (Obesity in press).

JA Nasser, E Boo, A Geliebter, FX Pi-Sunyer  Effect of Food Deprivation State on Memory for Food Eaten. (in preparation)

Substance Abuse Publications
           
SM Evans, J Nasser, SD Comer, RW Foltin. Smoked Heroin in rhesus monkeys: effects of heroin extinction and fluid availability on measures of heroin seeking.  Pharm Biochem Behav 2003 74: 723-737.
           
CL Hart, AS Ward, M Haney, J Nasser, RW Foltin, Methamphetamine Attentuates Disruptions in Performance and Mood during Simulated Night Shift Work. Psychopharmacology 2003 169:42-51.
           
M Haney, CL Hart, S Vosburg, JA Nasser, Bennet A, Zubaran,C, RW Foltin  Marijuana withdrawal in humans: Effect of Oral THC or Divalproex.  Neuropsychopharmacology 2004 29: 158-170.

Hart, CL, Haney, M, Nasser, JA, Foltin, RW Combined Effect of Methamphetamine and Zolpidem on Behavior of Shift Workers. Pharm Biochem Behav 2005 81:559-568.
           
JA Nasser, Wolper, C, Hashim, SA  Recommendations for Dietary Carbohydrate Intake for Recovering Alcoholics.  (in preparation).

Other Publications
E.E. Howell, J.A. Nasser, K.J. Schray; Coated Tube ELISA: Factors Affecting Sensitivity. J. Immunoassay 2:205-225,1981.
           
J. Kang, P. Kaladas, et al A Highly Sensitive EIA Involving “Common Capture” Particles and Membrane Filtration. Clin Chem 32:1682-1686 1986.

Invited Oral Presentations
                                                                                    
J Nasser, V. Wang, G. Chen, J. Solomon, S. Heymsfield, C. Boozer, Herbal Ma-Huang/Guarana For Weight Loss: A Randomized Double-Blind, Clinical Trial. Exp Bio 1999

JA Nasser  Food Reinforcement and Binge Eating Status, Psychopharmacology Grand Rounds, New York State Psychiatric Institute, July 2000.

JA Nasser, SM Evans, RF Foltin  Mood and Gender correlates of food-reinforced operant task performance in humans.  Satellite Meeting on Food Reward, Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior, Cincinnati Ohio, July 2004. (I also chaired this session)

JA Nasser Binge Eating in the Obese: Physiology and Behavior Interactions, Texas Dietetic Association Obesity Conference AustinTX April 2005

JA Nasser Taste perception and Binge eating influences on food intake  in obese  humans. Nestle Research Center, Lausanne Switzerland, April 2005.
           
JA Nasser, FX Pi-Sunyer, A Geliebter  Maintenance of food reinforcement after a preload is related to Binge Eating status.  SSIB, Pittsburgh PA, July 2005.
           
JA Nasser Application of the laboratory test meal to the clinical evaluation of eating disturbances in humans.  Columbia University Appetitive Seminar, March 2006
           
JA Nasser, RW Foltin, N Abumrad, JD Salamone  Are High Sugar/High Fat food combinations the dietary equivalent of a drug "Speedball". Symposium for Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior, Naples FL, July 2006. (Organized and chaired symposium in addition to giving a presentation).
           
JA Nasser, A Geliebter  Discrimination between Binge Eating Disorder and Obesity, Renfrew Foundation Annual Meeting, Philadelphia PA, November 2006

            JA Nasser, Taste and Food Intake in Post Bariatric Patients, Dept of Surgery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, December 2006

            JA Nasser, Comparison of Food Reinforcement Between Humans with and without Binge Eating Disorder. Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior, Colorado Springs, CO  July 2007.

            JA Nasser, Do High Fat/Sugar Combinations mimic Drug "Speedballs". Division on Substance Abuse, Dept of Psychiatry, Columbia U College of Physicians and Surgeons.  Oct 2007.

Student Mentorship

Doctoral Students:                    Janis Solomon, Applied Physiology, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1998-2002
                                                Carla Wolper, Nutrition Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, 2003-2007

Masters Students:                     Mandy Bischel, Institute of Human, Nutrition Columbia University, 2006-2007
                                                Jeff Hall, Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, 2005-2006
                                                Dawn Wedow, Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, 2005-2006
                                                Tiffany Kammerman, Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, 2005-2006.
                                                Rachel Waxman, Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, 2004-2005
                                                Henry Rodriguez, Public Health Nutrition, Hunter College, 2004-2005
                                                Shadra Agarwal, Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, 1999-2000
                                                Gloria Shen and Victor Wang, Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, 1998-1999

Dietetic Externs/Interns:  Julie Simpson and Ronnie Fortunato, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1999-2000
                                                Karen Tracey, Nicole Elias, Elizabeth Woods, Wendy Segal, Rachel Patterson, Suki Scott, Hunter College, 2006-2007

Intel Science Student    Eunice Boo, J F Kennedy High School, Bellmore NY 2004
                                               
Professional Organizations
American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Dietetics Association
American Society for Nutrition
International Association for the Study of Obesity
The Obesity Society
Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior

Personal/Laboratory Website(s)

The New York Obesity Research Center