DR. HEATHER J. LEIDY
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, PURDUE UNIVERSITY (USA)
Heather J. Leidy, PhD is an Associate Professor and Director of the NIH-supported Clinical Research Center in the Department of Nutrition Science at Purdue University. Dr. Leidy received her BS in Biology from Shippensburg University and taught junior-high biology in the Pennsylvania public school system for several years. She then went on to complete her MS and PhD in Physiology at Penn State University as well as a Post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Nutrition Science and the Ingestive Behavior Research Center at Purdue University.
As a nutritional physiologist, she incorporates a ‘pipet to dinner-plate’ approach by examining the ingestive (i.e., eating) behavior signals by which the consumption of increased dietary protein improves weight management in humans. This line of research has led to the development of novel dietary strategies for the prevention and/or treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Specific focus areas include the effects of protein quantity, quality, and timing of consumption on the appetitive, hormonal, and neural signals controlling appetite, satiety, and food cravings. She has over 50 original research publications and has given over 100 invited research talks in this area.
In 2015, Dr. Leidy received the American Society of Nutrition Mead Johnson Nutrition Award to young investigators in recognition of outstanding research in environmental & nutritional physiology. The award was based on her most recent works focusing on the importance of consuming a high-protein breakfast for satiety, glycemic control, and weight management in overweight young people who habitually skip breakfast. Her funding has included both industry support and NIH.