The immune system is a complex network of cells and molecules that work in concert to protect us against microbial infection and cancer. Our immune system’s ability to function proficiently is heavily dependent on appropriate nutritional intake as both under- and over-nourished individuals are at greater risk from infection.
But how exactly does nutrition impact immunity and health?
Ilhem Messaoudi, an associate professor in the Division of Biomedical Sciences at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, will address this question in a free public talk on campus on Thursday, May 21.
The hour-long lecture will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Rooms D and E, UC Riverside Extension Center, 1200 University Ave., Riverside. Seating is open. Parking is free for lecture attendees.
“In my talk, I will first provide an overview of the immune system and how it shields us from infection, followed by a discussion on the impact of caloric intake, micronutrients and alcohol on immunity,” Messaoudi said. “I will end the lecture with a discussion of the impact of maternal nutrition on the development of the offspring’s immune system.”
Messaoudi received her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Lafayette College in 1996. She then obtained a joint doctorate degree in immunology from the Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in 2001 before obtaining a postdoctoral fellowship at Oregon Health and Science University and Oregon National Primate Research Center. She joined the UCR School of Medicine faculty in January 2013.
Her lecture is the final talk in a new lecture series on the science of food and health. It is presented by the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences in partnership with the California Agriculture and Food Enterprise (CAFÉ) at UCR and the UC Global Food Initiative.
