Enrichment Program
About the Enrichment Program
The Colorado NORC's Enrichment Program (ENP) aims to promote research in obesity and nutrition on campus, foster the development of the next generation of scientists, and recruit new scientists to pursue research questions that are aligned with the NORC’s objectives.
The program achieves this through the following avenues:
The Enrichment Program sponsors several journal clubs every year that are typically held from September-June. Some of these journal clubs include FAT Chat, BAT Chat, Physical Activity Methods and Muscular Skeletal Working Group.
Two main events are held per year to foster collaboration and community - a summer workshop and a member retreat.
The CU NORC brings in guest speakers to campus to present in areas related to nutrition or obesity for a variety of seminars throughout the year in departments including Endocrinology, Nutrition and the Diabetes Research Center.
Every quarter, we publish a newsletter highlighting important updates and events from the NORC, NIH, CU and others.
ENP Team
Darleen Sandoval PhD
Professor
Associate Director, Associate Director of Enrichment
- Department of Pediatrics
- Section of Nutrition
- Pediatric Nutrition (SOM)
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism
My research focuses on the role of the gut-brain axis in regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism and follows along two general themes. The first focuses on the role of a gastrointestinal peptide, GLP-1, in regulation of energy and glucose homeostasis. GLP-1 is made in the gut, the pancreas, and the brain and my work seeks to understand the role of the various sources of this peptide in normal glucose regulation, how dysregulation of GLP-1 is involved with the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and how increases in GLP-1 seen with bariatric surgery contribute to diabetes resolution. The second focuses on the adaptations of the gut-brain axis with bariatric surgery and how this contributes to the profound weight-loss and improvements in glucose and lipid homeostasis seen with these surgeries. I have served on numerous committees including the ADA scientific sessions organizing committee, NIH Study Section (IPOD and currently NIDDK-C), and the Endocrine Society Annual Meeting Steering Committee. I am also proud to have co-founded the Women’s Interprofessional Network of the American Diabetes Association with Dr. Jane Reusch, for which I am also currently co-chair.