Rita Strakovsky, Ph.D., R.D.

Rita Strakovsky

Contact Me

Associate Professor of Human Nutrition

Phone:
517-353-3352

Email:

EDUCATION/DEGREE INFORMATION

Ph.D.: University of Illinois, Urbana – Champaign (Nutritional Sciences)

R.D.: University of Illinois, Urbana – Champaign (Registered Dietitian)

B.S.: University of Illinois, Urbana – Champaign (Molecular and Cellular Biology)

Postdoctoral Research: University of Illinois, Urbana – Champaign (NIEHS/EPA Children's Environmental Health Research Center):

  • T32 postdoctoral fellow in Endocrine, Developmental & Reproductive Toxicology
  • K99/R00 postdoctoral research associate, Illinois Kids Development Study (I-KIDS)

 

RESEARCH INTEREST

My research focuses on various modifiable lifestyle and environmental factors that can be targeted to protect maternal and child health.

I have worked extensively in rodent pregnancy models to study the effects of maternal diet or exposure to environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on the epigenetic regulation of energy metabolism in offspring. Driven by findings from these studies, my current research in human populations uses molecular epidemiology and biostatistics techniques to address several questions related to the health of mom and her developing fetus during pregnancy:

  • Does exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in pregnancy impact maternal hormone levels and how does that impact fetal development via dysregulation of fetal fatty acid supply? (supported by K99/R00 award from NIEHS)
  • Does exposure to phthalates in pregnancy impact maternal long-term cardiometabolic health, and does hormonal disruption mediate this relationship? (supported by R01 award from NIEHS)
  • Do mixtures of dietary micronutrients impact length of gestation, and does diet quality or exposure to environmental chemicals modify this relationship? (supported by Administrative Supplement from NIH Office of Dietary Supplements)
  • How does maternal obesity and adiposity impact biomarkers of reproductive endpoints in newborns, and does this differ in male vs. female babies? (supported by R03 award from NICHD).
  • Is perinatal obesity associated with maternal mitochondrial epigenetic disruption and is that related to newborn weight or gestational age at birth? (supported by pilot grant from Michigan Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes cohort (ECHO))

 

RESEARCH TOPICS

Maternal obesity and lipid metabolism
Maternal macronutrient intake and metabolic diseases
Endocrine disrupting chemicals
Epigenetics and Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD)
Placenta
Women's cardiometabolic health

 

NCBI Publications

 

RDSTP

Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).