Ghada Soliman

At the molecular level, cells senses and responds to environmental cues such as energy level, glucose, protein and mitogens via a-sensing protein termed the mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR). mTOR is a central regulator of normal cell metabolism and cancer metabolism. As such, dysregulation of mTOR signaling pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases including insulin resistance, diabetes and cancer. Her research interests focus on the role of mTOR signal transduction in pancreatic diseases including diabetes, metabolic disease and pancreatic cancer. Research models used in the laboratory include cell culture, mouse models of pancreatic cancer, and clinical samples. My transdisciplinary research portfolio spans cardiometabolic and cancer research, chronic disease prevention, population health, school nutrition, systems biology, and laboratory-based nutrient metabolism. The research integrates nutrigenomic regulation of the Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, targeted metabolomics, diet, and exposomics, as well as the use of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) databases to investigate the causal role of mTOR and nutrients in diabetes and obesity, to explain health outcomes, and inform repurposing opportunities of FDA-approved mTOR inhibitors. She has a well-established track record, both in research and teaching, and taught several courses on human nutrition across the life-course, community nutrition education, and nutrient metabolism. Dr. Soliman’s Public health nutrition research is centered on optimal nutrition as an integral part of public health promotion and disease prevention. Her community nutrition research focuses on childhood obesity prevention, school nutrition, adult obesity and weight management among individuals, community, and across populations, as well as wellness programs in the workplace. To promote optimal health; the comprehensive weight management programs emphasize nutritious well-balanced diet, physical activity, and behavioral modification to achieve and sustain healthy weight.