Connie M. Weaver, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor and Head Director, NIH Botanical Center for Age Related Diseases Deputy Director, NIH Center for Translational Science Institute
Foods and Nutrition
Purdue University 700 W State Street 1264 Stone Hall, Rm 210 West Lafayette, IN 47907-2059 Phone: (765)494-8237 Fax: (765)494-0674 Email: weavercm@purdue.edu
B.S. in Nutrition at Oregon State University in 1972
M.S. in Nutrition at Oregon State University in 1974
Ph.D. in Nutrition at Florida State University in 1978
AWARDS AND HONORS
2000
Distinguished Professor of Foods and Nutrition
Purdue University
2003
W. O. Atwater Lecturership
Agricultural Research Service, USDA and American Society for Nutritional Sciences
2005
Centennial Laureate Award
Florida State University
2005
Career Award
American College of Nutrition
2006
Sigma Xi Faculty Research Award
Sigma Xi
2006
Foods and Nutrition Hall of Fame
Purdue University
2008
Harrison Award
Ohio State University
2009
ASN Robert H Herman Award
American Society for Nutrition
DISCOVERY
Our laboratory studies calcium metabolism during lifestages of high demand, i.e., building peak bone mass during adolescence and bone loss in postmenopausal women. Calcium needs in adolescence is investigated with metabolic research camps (Camp Calcium). Calcium balance is determined as well as calcium kinetics using stable isotopic tracers, total body calcium and bone mineral density using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and biochemical markers of bone turnover. Our goal is to determine the influence of diet, gender, actual calcium retention and maximize development of peak bone mass. We are also studying the relationship between dairy and calcium intake and body fat maintenance in this population.
Dietary alternatives to estrogen replacement therapy for postmenopausal women are also being investigated in our laboratory. by a novel approach of Ca-41 technology. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by decreased skeletal mass and increased susceptibility to bone fractures. The health care costs related to hip fracture alone exceed $17 billion per year in the U.S. Two strategies to prevent osteoporosis includes increasing bone mass early in life and to prevent loss later. We hope to be able to give dietary and exercise advice to help women prevent osteoporosis later in life.
The chemical form of minerals in foods and bioavailability of minerals from foods has been a theme of study in our laboratory for many years. We use isotopic tracer techniques to intrinsically label foods or salts of interest in order to study factors which enhance or inhibit absorption and their biological fate in animal models or humans. We have screened many food sources for calcium bioavailability. We have developed rat models for studying calcium kinetics and bone strength. Evaluating enhancers and inhibitors of calcium absorption by active and passive routes is our focus of one laboratory. Discovery Publications (selected)
Welch JM, Turner, CH, Devaready, L, Arjmandi, BH, Weaver, CM. High impact exercise is more beneficial than dietary calcium for building bone strength in the growing rat skeleton. Bone 42(4):660-668, 2008. doi 10.1016/j.bone.2007.12.220., NIHMS 44960.
Ariefdjohan, M., Martin, B., Lachcik, P., Weaver. C.M. Acute and chronic effects of honey and its carbohydrate constituents on calcium absorption in rats. J. Ag. Food Chem. 56:2649-2654, 2008.
Thierry-Palmer, M., Henderson V.M., Hammali, R.E., Cephas, S.; Palacios, C., Martin, B.R., Weaver, C.M. Black and white female adolescents lose vitamin D metabolites into urine. Am. J. Med. Sci. 335(4):278-283, 2008.
Braun, M., Palacios, C., Wigertz, K., Jackman, L.A., Bryant, R.J., McCabe, L.D., Martin, B.R., McCabe, G.P., Peacock, M., Weaver, C.M. Racial differences in skeletal calcium retention in adolescent girls on a range of controlled calcium intakes Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 85:1657-63, 2007.
Cheong, J.M.K., Martin, B.R., Jackson, G.S., Elmore, D., McCabe, G.P., Nolan, J.R., Barnes, S., Peacock, M., Weaver, C.M. Soy isoflavones do not affect bone resorption in postmenopausal women: A dose response study using a novel approach with 41Ca. J. Clin. Endocrin. Metab. 92:577-585, 2007.
Weaver, C.M., Cheong, J., Jackson, G., Elmore, D., McCabe, G., Martin, B. 3H-tetracycline as a proxy for 41Ca for measuring dietary perturbations of bone resorption. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research 259:1, 790-795, 2007.
Martin, B.R., Davis, S., Campbell, W.W., Weaver, C.M. Exercise and calcium supplementation: effects on calcium homeostasis in sportswomen. MSSE 39(9):1481-1486, 2007.
Weaver CM, McCabe LD, McCabe GP, Novotny R, Van Loan M, Going S, Matkovic V, Boushey C, Savaiano DA, ACT research team. Bone Mineral and Predictors of Bone Mass in White, Hispanic, and Asian Early Pubertal Girls. Calcif Tissue Int 81(5):352-363 ,2007.
Zhao, Y., Fleet, J.C., Adamec, J., Terry, D.E., Zhang, X., Kemeh, S., Davisson, V.J. and Weaver, C.M. Effects of hindlimb unloading and bisphosphonates on the serum proteome of rats. Bone 41(4):646-658, 2007.
Britten, P., Lyon, J., Weaver, C.M., Kris-Etherton, P., Nicklas, T., Weber, J., Davis, C. MyPyramid food intake pattern modeling for the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. J Nutri. Ed. and Behavior 38:S143, 2006.
Books, Chapters, and Monographs Publications
Martino, HSD, Martin BR, Weaver CM, Bressan J, Moreira MA, Costa NMB. A soybean cultivar lacking lipoxygenase 2 and 3 has similar calcium bioavailability to a commercial variety despite higher calcium absorption inhibitors. J. Food Sci. 73:H33-H35, 2008.
Ariefdjohan, M., Martin, B., Lachcik, P., Weaver. C.M. Acute and chronic effects of honey and its carbohydrate constituents on calcium absorption in rats. J. Ag. Food Chem. 56:2649-2654, 2008.
Thierry-Palmer, M., Henderson V.M., Hammali, R.E., Cephas, S.; Palacios, C., Martin, B.R., Weaver, C.M. Black and white female adolescents lose vitamin D metabolites into urine. Am. J. Med. Sci. 335(4):278-283, 2008.
4. Hill, K., Braun, M.M., Kern, M., Martin, B.R., Navalta, J., Sedlock, D., McCabe, L.D., McCabe, G.P., Peacock, M., Weaver, C.M. Predictors of calcium retention in adolescent boys. J. Clin. Endocrin. Metab. 93(12):4743-4748, 2008.
Weaver CM, McCabe LD, McCabe GP, Braun M, Martin BR, DiMeglio LA, Peacock M. Vitamin D status and calcium metabolism in adolescent black and white girls on a range of controlled calcium intakes. J. Clin. Endocrin. Metab. 93:3907-3914, 2008.
Weaver, C.M. Ch. 44 Osteoporosis: The Early Years. In: Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease 2008, 2nd Ed. Coulston, AM, Boushey, CJ, eds. Elsevier, Inc. Pp 833-851.
Weaver C.M., Barnes, S., Wyss, J.M., Kim, H., Morré, D.M., Morré, D.J., Simon, J.E., Lila, M.A., Janle, E.M. and Ferruzzi, M.G.. Botanicals for age-related diseases: from field to practice. AJCN 87(2):493S-497S, 2008.
Walker MD, Novotny Rachel, Bilezikian JP, and Weaver CM, Race and Diet interactions affect the acquisition, maintenance, and loss of bone. J. Nutr. 138(6):1256S-60S, 2008.
Atkinson, S.A., McCabe, G.P. Weaver, C.M., Abrams, S.A., O'Brien, K.O. Are Current calcium recommendations for adolescents higher than needed to achieve optimal peak bone mass? The Controversy, J. Nutr. 138:1182-1186, 2008.
Barnes, S., Birt, D.F., Cassileth, B.R., Cefalu, W.T., Chilton, F.H., Farnsworth, N.R., Raskin, I., van Breemen, R.B., Weaver, C.M. Technologies and experimental approaches at the National Institutes of Health Botanical Research Centers. AJCN 87:476S-80S, 2008.
LEARNING
Courses
Nutritional Biochemistry and Physiology I (F&N 605) - The course goal is to provide a foundation in the scientific concepts relevant to nutrient metabolism and nutrient-disease interaction. Dr. Weaver contributes lectures on metabolism methodology and calcium.
Executive in the Classroom (F&N 400) - Lecture and discussion, featuring industrial and business executives in food-related areas. Emphasis is placed on careers in the food industry.
Sophomore Honors Class (F&N 290H) - Introduction to research methods and to development of Honors Proposal.
Polyphenolics in Health - Dr. Weaver contributes lectures on estrogens, phytoestrogens, and bone.
Teaching Publications (selected)
Weaver, C.M. and Daniel, J.D. The Food Chemistry Laboratory: A Manual for Experimental Foods, Dietetics, and Food Scientists, Vol. 16, ISBN 0849312930 CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL 2003.
Weaver, C.M. and Daniel, J.R. Ch. 5 Carbohydrate Functional Properties. In: Food Chemistry: Principles and Applications, Christen, G.L. and Smith, J.J., eds. Science & Technology Systems, West Sacramento, CA 2000 ISBN: 1-891796-01-1.
Charley, H. and Weaver, C.M. FOODS: A Scientific Approach. 3rd Ed. Prentice-Hall, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 1998 Pp. 581 ISBN: 0-02-321951-3.
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Contact Information
Foods and Nutrition Purdue University 700 W. State Street West Lafayette, IN 47907-2059
