Karen Sweazea

Biography
Karen Sweazea, PhD, FAHA
Karen Sweazea is a physiologist who specializes in diabetes and cardiovascular disease. She received her PhD in Physiological Sciences from the University of Arizona where her research focused on understanding glucose homeostasis and natural insulin resistance in birds. Her postdoctoral research was designed to explore how poor dietary habits promote the development of cardiovascular diseases. She is an associate professor in the College of Health Solutions.
Professor Sweazea's current research seeks to explore potentially protective mechanisms existing in mammalian and non-mammalian organisms against complications that can arise with being overweight or having high blood sugar levels. One of the main research foci is on understanding the reasons behind the evolution of naturally high blood sugar concentrations in birds in addition to exploring the impact of urbanization and poor dietary choices on avian health. Learning how certain animals thrive under conditions that would result in pathologies for other species may help improve the treatment of diabetes. A second research focus is on characterizing the mechanisms by which high caloric intake leads to cardiovascular disease and diabetes in mammalian and non-mammalian organisms. This particular research focus also includes the exploration of potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of functional foods in an effort to improve diet and reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease in humans subjects.
Education
- Postdoctoral fellow, Vascular Physiology, University of New Mexico 2005-2008
- PhD Physiological Sciences, University of Arizona 2005
Google Scholar
Research Interests
The central focus of my research is to explore potentially protective mechanisms existing in mammalian and non-mammalian organisms against complications that can arise in diseases associated with being overweight or having high blood sugar levels.
Publications
Five most recent:
- Mayra S, Johnston CS*, Sweazea KL. (In Press) High-nitrate salad increased plasma nitrates/nitrites and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation in postmenopausal women: A controlled feasbility study. Nutrition Research.
- Crawford M, Whisner C, Al-Nakkash L, Sweazea KL*. (2019) Six-week high fat diet alters the gut microbiome and promotes cecal inflammation, endotoxin production and simple steatosis without obesity in male rats. Lipids. 54: 119-131.
- Mohr AE, Girard M, Rowe M, McGraw KJ, Sweazea KL*. (2019) Varied effects of dietary carotenoid supplementation on oxidized lipoproteins in tissues of two waterfowl species. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology – B. 231:67-74.
- Sweazea KL*, Johnston CJ, Miller B, Gumpricht E. (2018) Nitrate-rich fruit and vegetable supplement reduces blood pressure in normotensive healthy young males without significantly altering flow-mediated vasodilation: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism. 2018: Article ID 1729653, 2018.
- Ingram T, Zuck J, Borges C, Redig P, Sweazea KL*. (2017) Variations in native protein glycation and plasma antioxidants in several birds of prey. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology B. 210: 18-28.
Research Activity
- Sweazea,Karen Leanna*. Exploration of the metabolic and vascular protective effects of an organometallic complex (OMC). Isagenix International (1/1/17-05/31/19).
- Sweazea,Karen Leanna*, Johnston,Carol S. Evaluation of the protective effects of a beet juice energy drink on vascular health. Isagenix International (10/1/2015 - 8/30/2016).
- Sweazea,Karen Leanna*. Potential Therapeutic Benefits of Flaxseeds in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms. AMERIFLAX(1/1/2014 - 6/30/2015).
- Sweazea,Karen Leanna*, Johnston,Carol S. Evaluation of the Anti-aging Properties of Product B. Isagenix International (8/1/2013 - 11/30/2014).
- Sweazea,Karen Leanna*, Johnston,Carol S. Almond Ingestion to Reduce Hemoglobin A1C in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. Almond Board of CA (7/1/2012 - 12/31/2013).
Courses
Spring 2021 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
NTR 100 | Intro to Nutrition Science |
BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
CHS 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
NTR 524 | Chronic inflammation |
NTR 599 | Thesis |
NTR 692 | Research |
NTR 780 | Practicum |
EXW 791 | Seminar |
NTR 791 | Seminar |
NTR 792 | Research |
NTR 799 | Dissertation |
Fall 2020 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
HCD 400 | Interpreting Scientific Lit |
BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
CHS 492 | Honors Directed Study |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
NTR 524 | Chronic inflammation |
NTR 599 | Thesis |
NTR 692 | Research |
NTR 792 | Research |
NTR 799 | Dissertation |
Summer 2020 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
BIO 360 | Animal Physiology |
NTR 599 | Thesis |
NTR 692 | Research |
NTR 792 | Research |
NTR 799 | Dissertation |
Spring 2020 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
CHS 100 | Optimizing Health&Performance |
BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
NTR 524 | Chronic inflammation |
NTR 599 | Thesis |
NTR 692 | Research |
NTR 780 | Practicum |
EXW 784 | Internship |
NTR 784 | Internship |
NTR 792 | Research |
NTR 799 | Dissertation |
Fall 2019 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
CHS 100 | Designing Your Well-Being |
HCD 400 | Interpreting Scientific Lit |
BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BIO 591 | Seminar |
NTR 599 | Thesis |
NTR 692 | Research |
NTR 792 | Research |
NTR 799 | Dissertation |
Summer 2019 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
BIO 360 | Animal Physiology |
NTR 599 | Thesis |
NTR 692 | Research |
NTR 792 | Research |
Spring 2019 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
NTR 492 | Honors Directed Study |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
NTR 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
NTR 524 | Chronic inflammation |
NTR 599 | Thesis |
EXW 692 | Research |
NTR 784 | Internship |
EXW 792 | Research |
BDE 792 | Research |
BDE 799 | Dissertation |
EXW 799 | Dissertation |
Fall 2018 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
NTR 290 | Intro Evidence-Based Practice |
NTR 492 | Honors Directed Study |
BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
NTR 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
Summer 2018 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
BIO 360 | Animal Physiology |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
NTR 692 | Research |
NTR 792 | Research |
Spring 2018 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
NTR 290 | Intro Evidence-Based Practice |
BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
NTR 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
EXW 692 | Research |
BDE 792 | Research |
EXW 792 | Research |
EXW 799 | Dissertation |
Fall 2017 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
NTR 290 | Intro Evidence-Based Practice |
BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
NTR 532 | Pathophysiology and Nutrition |
Summer 2017 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
BIO 360 | Animal Physiology |
HSC 420 | Eval Health Sci Res |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
Spring 2017 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
NTR 492 | Honors Directed Study |
BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
NTR 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BDE 792 | Research |
Fall 2016 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
CHS 101 | The ASU Experience |
HSC 420 | Eval Health Sci Res |
HSC 492 | Honors Directed Study |
BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
HSC 494 | Special Topics |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
Summer 2016 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
BIO 360 | Animal Physiology |
HSC 420 | Eval Health Sci Res |
Honors/Awards
2017 Tenured Faculty Excellence in Service Award, School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, ASU
2016 Distinguished Service on the Comparative and Evolutionary Physiology (CEP) Section of the American Physiological Society Steering Committee Award
2015 New Investigator Award, CEP section of the American Physiological Society
2014 Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award, Faculty Womens Association, ASU
2014 Dale J. Benos Early Career Professional Service Award, The American Physiological Society (http://bit.ly/OqEWRw)
2010 Elected Member, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research and Honor Society
2008 August Krogh Young Investigator Award, The Microcirculatory Society