skip to content
 

Ji-Young Lee, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Office: 211C Advanced Technology Laboratory
Phone: 860-486-1827
Email: ji-young.lee@uconn.edu

Education

  • Ph.D. 2002 Major in Nutrition, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • M.S. 1998 Major in Nutritional Science and Dietetics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • M.S. 1994 Major in Food Chemistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
  • B.S. 1991 Major in Foods and Nutrition, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea

Professional Experience

  • Associate Professor (July 2010 – Present),
    Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut
  • Assistant Professor (July 2005 – June 2010),
    Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Courtesy Appointment (December 2009 – Present),
    Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Postdoctoral Fellow (June 2002 – June 2005),
    Department of Pathology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Honors/Awards

  • Reviewer, Study section, NIH NCCAM, March 2012.
  • American Society for Nutrition, KNS Award, 2011.
  • Editorial board member, Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 2010 July-present.
  • Review editor, Journal of Medicinal Food, 2011 January-present.
  • Editorial board member, Korean Journal of Nutrition, May 2011-present.
  • Recognition of Junior Faculty for Excellence in Research, Agriculture Research Division, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2009.
  • Luella Selover Memorial Scholarship, 2001.
  • Widaman Trust Distinguished Graduate Assistant Award, 2000.
  • Undergraduate Scholarship, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea, 1989.

Society Memberships

  • Regular member, American Heart Association (Since 2010)
  • Member, Korean Society for Food Science and Nutrition (Since 2011)
  • Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science (Since 2005)
  • Regular Member, American Society for Nutrition (Since 2006)
  • Early Career Member, American Heart Association, Council of Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (2003-2010)
  • Associate Member, American Society for Nutritional Science (2003-2005)
  • Student Member, American Society for Nutritional Sciences (1998-2002)
  • Registered Dietitian, Korean Society for Registered Dietitian (Since 1991)

Research Interest

Dyslipidemia and chronic inflammation are major contributors to the development of obesity-associated metabolic disease such as atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. My research focuses on the identification of molecular mediators that are involved in the crosstalk between lipid metabolism and inflammatory signaling pathways and on the elucidation of molecular mechanisms by which dietary factors, such as fatty acids, blue-green algae, and astaxanthin, play regulatory roles in the integration of lipid metabolism and inflammation. Particular proteins of our interest include ATP binding cassette transporters, fatty acid binding proteins and histone deacetylases, which play a critical role in lipid metabolism and inflammation. My recent research has also been focused on the evaluation of dietary regulation of histone modifications to alter gene transcription.

Publications

Peer-Reviewed Articles

  1. H. J. Park, J. Lee, M.Y. Chung, Y. Park, A. Bower, S. I. Koo, C. Giardina, R. S. Bruno. Green tea extract suppressed NFkB activation and inflammatory responses in a diet-induced obese model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. J Nutr 2012: (In press).
  2. J. J. Jones, Y. Park, J. Lee, R. H. Lerman, M. L. Fernandez. A Mediterranean-style, low-glycemic-load, diet reduces the expression of HMG-CoA reductase in mononuclear cells and correlated with decreases in insulin in women with metabolic syndromes. Nutr Res 2012: (In press).
  3. Y. Park, T. X. Pham, J. Lee. Lipopolysaccharide represses the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 and scavenger receptor class B, type I in murine macrophages. Inflamm Res 2012: (Epub ahead of print January 15, 2012).
  4. T. X. Pham, Y. Park, C. S. Ku, J. Lee. Regulation of histone deacetylase expression by fatty acids in murine macrophages. Eur J Nutr 2012: (In review).
  5. J. E. Kim, R. M. Clark, Y. Park, J. Lee, M. L. Fernandez. Lutein decreases oxidative stress and inflammation in liver and eyes of guinea pigs fed a hypercholesterolemic diet. J Nutr Biochem 2011: (In review). 
  6. J. M. Seo, J. Lee, G. E. Ji, J. C. You. Down-regulation of ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 expression by unmethylayed CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODNs) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Expt Mol Med 2011: (Epub ahead of print July 11, 2011).
  7. Y. Yang, J. M. Seo, A. Nguyen, T. X. Pham, Y. Park, H. J. Park, R. S. Bruno, J. Lee. Astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis lowered plasma lipid concentrations and increased antioxidant defense in apolipoprotein E knockout mice. J Nutr 2011: (Epub ahead of print July 6, 2011).
  8. C. S. Ku, Y. Park, S. L. Coleman, J. Lee. Unsaturated fatty acids repress expression of ATP binding cassette transporter A1 and G1 in RAW 264.7 macrophages. J Nutr Biochem 2012: (Epub ahead of print December 29, 2011).
  9. J. Lee, Y. Park, S. I. Koo. ATP binding cassette transporter A-I and HDL metabolism: Effects of fatty acids. J Nutr Biochem 2011: (Epub ahead of print June 16, 2011).
  10. S. J. Ehlers, S. M. Larson, H. E. Rasmussen, Y. Park, J. Lee.  High-density lipoprotein metabolism in human apolipoprotein B transgenic/brown adipose tissue deficient mice, a model of obesity-induced hyperinsulinemia. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2011; 36:313-322. 
  11. S. L. Coleman, Y. Park, J. Lee. Unsaturated fatty acids repress the expression of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein via the modulation of histone deacetylation in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Eur J Nutr 2011; 50:323-330. 
  12. Y. Yang, Y. Park, J. Lee. In vitro and in vivo safety assessment of edible blue green algae, Nostoc commune var. sphaeroides Kützing and Spirulina plantensis. Food Chem Toxicol 2011; 49:1560-1564.  
  13. C. S. Ku, H. E. Rasmussen, Y. Park, E. D. Jesch, J. Lee. Unsaturated fatty acids repress the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 in HepG2 and FHs 74 Int cells. Nutr Res 2011: 31; 278-285.   
  14. H. J. Park, D. A. DiNatale, M-Y. Chung, Y. Park, J. Lee, S. I. Koo, M. O’Connor, J. E. Manautou, R. S. Bruno. Green tea extract attenuated hepatic steatosis by decreasing adipose lipogenesis and enhancing hepatic antioxidant defenses in ob/ob mice. J Nutr Biochem 2011; 22:151-159.
  15. V. L. Schlegel, R. Zbasnik, B. H. Lee, T. P. Carr, J. Lee, C. L. Weller, S. L. Cuppett. Characterization of potential health promoting lipids in the co-products of de-flossed milkweed. J Food Chemistry 2010; 126:15-20.
  16. E. D. Jesch, J. M. Seo, T. P. Carr, J. Lee. Sitosterol reduces mRNA and protein expression levels of Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) in FHs 74 Int cells. Nutr Res 2009; 29: 859-866.
  17. J. T. Hoi, C. L. Weller, V. L. Schlegel, S. L. Cuppet, J. Lee, T. P. Carr. Sorghum distillers dried grain lipid extract increases cholesterol excretion and decreases plasma and liver cholesterol concentration in hamsters. J Funct Food 2009; 1: 381-386.
  18. H. E. Rasmussen, I. Martinez, J. Lee, J. Walter. Alteration of the murine gastrointestinal microbiota by edible blue-green algae.  J Appl Microbiol 2009; 107: 1108-1118. 
  19. H. E. Rasmussen, K. R. Blobaum, E. D. Jesch, C. S. Ku, Y. Park, F. Lu, T. P. Carr, J. Lee. Hypocholesterolemic effect of Nostoc commune var sphaeroides Kützing, an edible blue-green alga.  Eur J Nutr 2009: 48:387-394.
  20. S. Shrestha, S. J. Ehlers, J. Lee, M-L. Fernandez, S. I. Koo.  Dietary green tea extract lowers plasma and hepatic triglyceride and decreases the expression of SREBP-1c mRNA and its responsive genes in fructose-fed ovariectomized rats.  J Nutr 2009; 139:640-645.
  21. A. Mulya, J. Lee, A. K. Gebre, E. Y. Boudyguina, S-K. Chung, T. L. Smith, P. L. Colvin, X. C. Jiang, J. S. Parks.  Initial Interaction of ApoA-I with ATP Binding Cassette Transporter A1 (ABCA1) Impacts in vivo metabolic fate of nascent HDL.  J Lipid Res 2008; 49:2390-2401.
  22. X. Zhu, J. Lee, J. M. Timmins, J. M. Brown, E. Y. Boudyguina, A. Mulya, A. K. Gebre, M. C. Willingham, E. M. Hiltbold, N. Mishra, N. Maeda, J. S. Parks.  Increased cellular free cholesterol in macrophage-specific Abca1 knockout mice enhances pro-inflammatory response of macrophages.  J Biol Chem 2008; 283:22930-22941.
  23. H. E. Rasmussen, K. R. Blobaum, Y. Park, S. J. Ehlers, F. Lu, J. Lee.  Lipid extract of Nostoc commune var. sphaeroides Kützing, a blue-green alga, inhibits the activation of sterol regulatory element binding proteins in HepG2 cells.  J Nutr 2008; 138:476-481.
  24. Y. Park, H. E. Rasmussen, S. J. Ehlers, K. R. Blobaum, F. Lu, V. L. Schlegal, T. P. Carr, J. Lee.  Repression of proinflammatory gene expression by lipid extract of Nostoc commune var sphaeroides Kützing, a blue-green alga, via inhibition of nuclear factor-κB in RAW 264.7 macrophages.  Nutr Res 2008; 28:83-91.
  25. Young-Nam Kim, J. Lee, J. A. Driskell. Marginal folate inadequacy observed in a group of young children in Kwangju, Korea.  Nutr Res and Practice 2007; 2:120-125.
  26. A. Mulya, J. Lee, A. K. Gebre, M. Thomas, P. L. Colvin, J. S. Parks.  Minimal lipidation of pre-b HDL by ABCA1 results in reduced activity to interact with ABCA1. Arterio Thromb Vasc Biol 2007; 27:1828-1836.
  27. J. Lee, R. Badeau, A. Mulya, E. Boudyguina, A. K. Gebre, T. L. Smith, J. S. Parks. Functional lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency in human apolipoprotein A-I transgenic scavenger receptor class B, type I knockout mice. J Lipid Res 2007; 48:1052-1061.
  28. J. Lee, J. M. Timmins, A. Mulya, T. L. Smith, Y. Zhu, E. M. Rubin, P. L. Colvin, J. S. Parks.  Plasma HDL in human apoA-I transgenic-Abca1 knockout mice undergo normal intravascular remodeling but are hypercatabolized by the kidney. J Lipid Res 2005; 46:2233-2245.   
  29. J. M. Timmins, J. Lee, E. Boudyguina, K. Kluckman, L. R. Brunham, A. Mulya, A. K. Gebre, J. Coutinho, P. L. Colvin, T. L. Smith, M. R. Hayden, N. Maeda, J. S. Parks. Targeted inactivation of hepatic ABCA1 causes profound hypoalphalipoproteinemia and kidney hypercatabolism of apolipoprotein A-I. J Clin Invest 2005; 115:1333-1342.
  30. J. Lee, T. P. Carr. Dietary fatty acids regulate the expression of ABCA5 and ABCG8 in hamsters. Nutr Res 2005; 25:167-175.
  31. J. Lee, J. S. Parks. ATP-binding cassette AI (ABCA1) and its role in HDL formation. Curr Opin Lipidol 2005; 16:19-25.
  32. J. Lee, T. P. Carr. Dietary fatty acids regulate acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase and cytosolic cholesteryl ester hydrolase in hamsters. J Nutr 2004; 134:3239-3244.
  33. J. Lee, L. Lanningham-Foster, E. Boudyguina, T. Smith, E. R. Young, P. Colvin, M. Thomas, J. S. Parks. 2004. Pre-beta high density lipoprotein has two metabolic fates in human apolipoprotein A-I transgenic mice. J Lipid Res 2004; 45:716-728.
  34. J. Lee, N. M. Lewis, S. E. Scheideler, T. P. Carr. Consumption of omega-3 fatty acid-enriched eggs and serum lipids in humans. J Nutraceuticals Funct Med Foods 2003; 4:3-13.
  35. R. L. Cowles, J. Lee, D. D. Gallaher, C. L. Stuefer-Powell, T. P. Carr. Dietary stearic acid alters gallbladder bile acid composition in hamsters fed cereal-based diets. J Nutr 2002; 132:3119-3122.
  36. T. P. Carr, G. Cai, J. Lee, C. L. Schneider.  Cholesteryl ester enrichment of plasma low- density lipoprotein in hamsters fed cereal-based diets containing cholesterol. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 2000; 233:96-101.
  37. J. Lee, S. J. Koo. Effect of the addition of dietary fiber on the quality of Julpyun. J Kor Soc Food Sci 1994; 10(3):267-276.

Book Chapters

  • S. J. Ehlers, H. E. Rasmussen, J. Lee.  Lipids. In: Nutrition and Exercise Concerns of Middle Age, J. Driskell, eds. CRC Press., 2009, p 53-85.
  • H. E. Rasmussen, J. Lee. Total Fats, Saturated Fats and Cholesterol. In: Sports Nutrition: Fats and Proteins, J. Driskell, eds. CRC Press., 2007, p 15-36.
  • J. Lee, S. H. Mitmesser, T. P. Carr. Cellular cholesterol metabolism. In: Molecular Nutrition, J. Zempleni and H. Daniel, eds. CABI Publishing, Oxfordshire, U.K., 2003, p 309-319.

Grants

  • United States Department of Agriculture, AFRI, “Bioactivity of astaxanthin in the prevention of hepatic inflammation”, 02/01/2012-01/31/2015.
    Role in project: Principal Investigator
  • Institute of Health, “Evaluation of athero-protective role of blue-green algae”, 09/30/2009-08/31/2012.
    Role in project:  Principal Investigator
  • State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, “The effect of chokeberry polyphenols on biomarkers of cardiovascular disease and antioxidant defense in former smokers”, 01/01/2012-12/31/2013.
    Role in project: Co-Principal Investigator 
  • University of Connecticut Faculty Large Grant, “Regulatory mechanism for adipocyte fatty acid binding protein expression by fatty acids in macrophages”, 7/01/2011-6/30/2012.
    Role in project: Principal Investigator
  • National Egg Board, “Effect of egg intake on reverse cholesterol and insulin resistance in subjects classified with metabolic syndrome “, 09/01/2010-08/31/2011.
    Role in project: Co- Principal Investigator
  • United States Department of Agriculture, Hatch, “Transcriptional regulation of fatty acid binding protein 4 by dietary fatty acids in macrophages”, 10/01/2011-9/30/2016.
    Role in project: Principal Investigator
  • United States Department of Agriculture, National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program, “Regulation of cholesterol absorption by plant sterol and stanol esters”, 08/01/2007-07/31/2010,  
    Role in project: Co-Program Director (PD: Timothy Carr, University of Nebraska-Lincoln).
  • United States Department of Agriculture, Hatch, “Identification and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds with Cholesterol-lowering and Anti-inflammatory Properties from a Blue-green Alga Nostoc commune”, 01/01/2007-12/31/2012.
    Role in project: Principal Investigator
  • Nebraska Gateway for Nutrigenomics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Vice Chancellor of Research, “Regulation of histone deacetylase 3 by fatty acids”, 12/01/2009-11/30-2010,
    Role in project: Principal Investigator
  • United States Department of Agriculture, National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program, “Evaluation of the Bioactivity of Green Tea in an Animal Model of Hepatic Oxidative Stress”, 01/01/2008-12/31/2009.
    Role in project: Collaborator  
  • Faculty Seed Grant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Research Council, “Modulation of cholesterol transporters in macrophages during inflammation”, 01/01/2009-12/31/2009.
    Role in project: Principal Investigator
  • Strategic Cluster Grant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, “Pilot work in preparation for the R21 grant submission”, 02/20/2009-12/31/2009.
    Role in project: Co-Principal Investigator
  • National Science Foundation, SBIR Phase II (IIP-0724411), “An innovative photobioreactor for commercial production of Astaxanthin from genetically improved Haematococcus pluvialis strains”, 07/01/2007-06/30/2009.
    Role in project: Collaborator
  • Institute of Agricultural and Natural Resources Equipment Grant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Purchase of an infrared imaging systems for research and teaching purposes, 02/01/2008-06/01/2008.
    Role in project: Co-investigator.
  • Faculty Seed Grant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Research Council, “Transporter-mediated mechanism for the absorption of cholesterol and plant sterols”, 01/01/2007-12/31/2007.
    Role in project: Principal Investigator
  • Interdisciplinary Grant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Research Council, “Identification of bioactive compounds with cholesterol-lowering and anti-inflammatory properties in Nostoc commune, a blue-green alga”, 01/01/2007-12/31/2007.
    Role in project: Principal Investigator
  • Layman Award, University of Nebraska Foundation, “Regulation of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 by fatty acids”, 05/01/2006-04/30/2007.
    Role in project: Principal Investigator

Teaching Activities

Graduate Students and Postdocs

  • Chai Siah Ku, PhD in Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, In progress.
  • Cindy Yang, PhD in Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, In progress.
  • Casey Wegner, PhD in Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, In progress.
  • Tho Pham, PhD in Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, In progress.
  • Bohkyung Kim, Postdoc. University of Connecticut, October 2010 – Present.
  • Chai Siah Ku, MS in Nutrition, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Completed in August 2010.
    Thesis title: Regulation of ATP binding cassette transporter A1 and G1 expression by fatty acids.
  • Sara Coleman, MS in Nutritional Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Completed in May 2010.
    Thesis title: Unsaturated fatty acids repress the expression of adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein, aP2, in RAW 264.7 macrophage.
  • Heather Rasmussen, PhD in Nutrition, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Completed in December 2008.
    Dissertation title: Biological functions of a blue-green alga, Nostoc commune var. sphaeroides kutzing (N. commune).
  • Sarah Ehlers, MS in Nutrition, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Completed in May 2008.
    Thesis title: Modulation of high-density lipoprotein metabolism in obesity-related insulin resistance.
  • Jeongmin Seo, Postdoc, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, March 2008 – January 2010.
  • Heather Rasmussen, Postdoc, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, January 2009 – June 2009.

Courses

  • NUSC 4236 Principals of Nutrition, Spring 2012, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, enrollment 60.
  • NUSC 4237W Writing in Nutrition, Spring 2012, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, enrollment 20.
  • NUSC 6313 Nutrition and Gene Expression, Spring 2011, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut.
  • NUSC 5398-001 Special Topics: Inflammation, Diets and Chronic Disease, Fall 2010, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut.
  • NUTR 455 Advanced Nutrition, Spring 2008, 2009, 2010, Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
  • NUTR 896 Atherosclerosis, Fall 2008, Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
  • NUTR 986 Graduate Seminar, Fall 2008, Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
  • NUTR 921 Nutrition Seminar, Spring 2008, Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
  • NUTR 498 Research Experiences, 2006-2009, Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 
News and Updates

Spring 2013 Seminar Series
A Seminar Series Presented by the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut
More Information

 

Scholarships

Please go to the CANR Scholarships and Financial Aid page for Scholarship information