Kelly A. Tappenden

Regulation of small intestinal function by various nutrients and gastrointestinal-specific peptides.

Dr. Tappenden’s research program is directed at achieving a greater understanding of the regulation of small intestinal function by various nutrients and gastrointestinal-specific peptides. Through the use of preclinical animal models simulating necrotizing enterocolitis, short bowel syndrome, diarrheal diseases (Salmonella typhimurium), and specialized nutrition support (enteral and parenteral nutrition) structural and functional adaptation of the intestine are explored. A necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) neonatal piglet model is used to examine cellular mechanisms and regulation of nutrient processing within the compromised intestine. Since NEC commonly results in short bowel syndrome (SBS), the lab also focuses on understanding the mechanisms whereby short-chain fatty acids, the products of dietary fiber fermentation, prebiotics and probiotics modulate intestinal adaptation. Other scientific contributions include the identification of cellular and functional markers of intestinal adaptation that can be used to assess the efficacy of therapeutic strategies for humans with SBS. Ultimately, these research efforts will optimize the quality of life for individuals with intestinal failure. Dr. Tappenden's group receives research support from the National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Agriculture and private industry.

Dr. Tappenden's Lab Website

Selected Publications

Tappenden KA, Deutsch AS. The physiological relevance of the intestinal microbiota - contributions to human health. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 2007; 26(6):697S-683S.

Commare CE, Tappenden KA. Development of the infant intestine – implicationsfor nutrition support. Nutrition in Clinical Practice 2007; 22(2):159-173.

Thymann T, Burrin DG, Tappenden KA, Bjornvad CR, Jensen SK, Sangild PT. Formula-feeding reduces lactose digestive capacity in neonatal pigs. British Journal of Nutrition 2006; 95:1075-1081.

Tappenden KA. Mechanisms of enteral nutrition-induced intestinal adaptation. Gastroenterology 2006;130(2 Suppl 1):S93-S99.

Jeppesen PB, Sanguinetti EL, Buchman A, Howard L, Scolapio JS, Ziegler TR, Gregory J, Tappenden KA, Holst J, Mortensen PB. Tuduglutide (ALX-0600), a dipeptidyl peptidase-IV resistant glucagon-like peptide-2 analog, improves intestinal function in short bowel syndrome patients. Gut 2005;54(9);1224-1231.

Courses recently taught:

FSHN 420 - Nutritional Aspects of Disease

University of Alberta, 1996

2007 College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2007 Teacher Fellow Award from the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture 2005 American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Dudrick Research Scholar Award, 2004 College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Faculty Award for Excellence in Research, 2003 American Society for Nutrition Sciences Bioserv Award, 2001 Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition Outstanding Faculty Award, 1999 International Life Sciences Institute – North America Future Leader Award, 1999 University of Illinois Nutritional Sciences Graduate Student Association Faculty Award, 1998 National Institute of Health Promising Young Investigator Award, 1998 American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Harry M. Vars Award, 1998 American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Dietitian Research Award

Dr. Tappenden received her B.S. and Ph.D. in Nutrition and Metabolism at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. Dr. Tappenden is also a Registered Dietitian, having completed clinical training at the Misericordia Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. After completing a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Texas-Houston Medical School, she joined the faculty at UIUC in August 1997 as an Assistant Professor of Nutrition. In 2003, she was promoted to Associate Professor with indefinite tenure.

Dr. Tappenden enjoys teaching within her own laboratory, advanced undergraduate and graduate nutrition courses. While working in Dr. Tappenden’s research group, many of her colleagues-in-training have received prestigious awards from the University of Illinois, the American Society of Nutritional Sciences and the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Dr. Tappenden works mostly on academic programs as an Associate Dean of the Graduate College. For her efforts in the classroom, Dr. Tappenden has been listed on the University of Illinois Incomplete List Of Teachers Ranked As Excellent by Their Students nine times in the past eleven years. In 2004, Dr. Tappenden was appointed to the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Academy of Teaching Excellence.