Dr. Nirupa Matthan's research interests include heart disease and lifestyle risk factors with specific emphasis on objective assessment of diet quality (nutrient biomarkers) as well as disease biomarkers (metabolite signatures). Dr. Matthan also has expertise in the measurement of cholesterol absorption and synthesis markers, lipoprotein kinetics following dietary modification and targeted lipidomics. Recent projects address the role of carbohydrate and fat type on heart disease risk factors, glycemic index, fatty acid metabolism using stable isotopes, the relationship between plasma biomarkers of nutrient intake and diet quality in a family-based weight management program, and the effect of avocado consumption on changes in fat in overweight/obese Americans.