Caroline Richard

Summary:

Dr. Richard's research program focuses at understanding the independent contributions of diet, adiposity and glycemia in modulating immune function in obesity and how diet (dietary pattern, food or supplement) can precisely mitigate obesity-related immune dysfunctions. Another fundamental aspect of her research program is dedicated at understanding the importance of the different choline forms in the diet on the immune system during two important life stages: suckling and weaning periods in infant and lactating period in mother. Dr. Richard uses a 'bench to bedside' approaches to address research questions, from pre-clinical models to controlled feeding trials in humans and back to an animal models to investigate potential mechanisms. As biological sex influences overall metabolism including the immune system, understanding sex-differences in the immune system and its response to diet is an integral component of her research program. Her program will provide evidence to support food-based recommendations (ex. Specific forms of choline) that are directed at precisely improving the immune system in different health conditions.