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Stanley Omaye
Photo of Stanley Omaye

Professor, State Specialist
Department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Veterinary Sciences
University of Nevada/Mail Stop 142
1664 North Virginia Street
Reno,  Nevada   89557

 

Office: (775) 784-6447
Lab: 784-6438
Fax: 784-6449
Email: omaye@unr.edu
Building: Sarah Fleischmann,  Office 005

 

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EDUCATION

B.A., Chemistry, California State University, Sacramento, CA
M.S., Pharmacology, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Ph.D., Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA

 
ACADEMIC & RESEARCH INTEREST

Nutrition & Aging:    Efficacy of antioxidant compounds on atherosclerosis and the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins.   

The incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) increases markedly with age and is the largest contributor to morbidity and premature mortality in men and women. Increased levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and free-radical mediated or oxidative damage of LDL represent a key risk factor and a key step in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Therefore, LDL oxidation and CVD are closely linked and likely contribute to adverse health consequences and death in the elderly. We have been interested in attenuating the risk of CVD by dietary or supplemental antioxidants and have tested the ability of antioxidant levels and combinations to protect LDL isolated from human blood from oxidation. 
 
Environmental Health: Health effects of air pollutants, environmental tobacco smoke, mercury contamination in Northern Nevada

 

A multi-disciplinary approach has been used to investigate potential links between health effects and various environmental pollutants. Past or ongoing projects include:
  1. Impact of regulatory changes on air pollution and health in Northern Nevada;
  2. Maternal, neonate and environmental tobacco smoke;
  3. Assessing community needs in environmental health; and
  4. Mercury and health effects in Northern Nevada. 
 Health Promoting Bioactive Compounds: Selected phytochemicals and conjugated linoleic acid.
 
There are a variety of chemicals derived from plant and animal tissue that have the potential for promoting health, when consumed. Nutraceuticals is the term coined for such bioactive compounds, i.e., chemicals found as a natural component of foods or other ingestible forms that have been determined to be beneficial to the human body in preventing or treating one or more diseases. For over a decade, we have been interested in several of such chemicals and are continuing our efforts to understand their mode of action. Many of these compounds have antioxidant properties, thus we have focused on developing a better understanding about how they impact on oxidative stress using test tube models, animal studies, and human trials. 
 
Improving Food Safety for Vulnerable Populations of Nevada
 
Preventing foodborne illness and death remains a major public health challenge and substantially reducing foodborne disease outbreaks is a goal of Healthy People 2010. CDC still estimates that 76 million people get sick, more than 300,000 are hospitalized and approximately 5,000 Americans die each year from foodborne illnesses. Those at risk are the elderly, pregnant women, infants, and young children and those with compromised immune system. Thus, one in every five individuals in the U.S. falls into one of these as-risk categories. Because of Nevada’s growing elderly and young populations and the economic dependency on food service related tourism, we are particularly vulnerable. We are involved in assisting these vulnerable populations through food safety research and education. 
 
COURSES & TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES
NUTR 325 - FOOD AND CULTURE
NUTR 326 - PRINCIPLES OF FOOD SCIENCE
NUTR 726 - SEMINAR IN NUTRITION
NUTR 728 - FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL TOXICOLOGY
NUTR 735 - MICRONUTRIENTS
NUTR 730 - MACRONUTRIENTS
 
AWARDS, HONORS, & PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
Fellow, Academy of Toxicological Sciences
Fellow, American College of Nutrition
Certified Nutrition Specialist
 
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Nevada MESA Facilitator. Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) is a college-preparation program directed at underrepresented STEM students. The program strives to increase the number of ethnic minority, low income, and first-generation college-bound students who are eligible to enter a degree program at a university, particularly UNR. As participants in MESA, students from middle and high schools participate in hands-on activities related to math, engineering, and science in addition to college-preparation workshops that help build strong academic skills and inform students about college and career opportunities.

 
 
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS

 

Journals
Omaye, S. T., Elsayed, N. 2012, Antioxidants to supplement or not to supplement that is the question., Antioxidants, 1, 1-3.  
Nakamura, Y. K., Dubick, M. A., Omaye, S. T. 2012, Gamma-glutamylcysteine inhibits oxidative stress in human endothelial cells., Life Sciences, 90, 116-121.  
Nakamura, Y. K., Omaye, S. T. 2012, Metabolic diseases and pro- and prebiotics: Mechanistic insights, Nutrition & Metabolism, 9, 1-9.  
Nakamura, Y. K., Dubick, M. A., Omaye, S. T. 2012, Modulation of oxidative stress by ?-glutamylcysteine (GGC) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomer mixture in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, Food and Chemical Toxicology, Vol 50, Issue 6, Pg 1854-1859   Read More...
Murphy, M. T., Zhang, F., Nakamura, Y. K., Omaye, S. T. 2011, Comparison between Hydroponically and Conventionally and Organically Grown Lettuces for Taste, Odor, Visual Quality and Texture: A Pilot Study, Food and Nutrition Sciences, 2, 124-127   Read More...
Huang, Y., Yang, W., Omaye, S. T. 2011, Intimate Partner Violence, Depression and Overweight/Obesity, Aggression and Violent Behavior, 16, 108-114   Read More...
Nakamura, Y. K., Omaye, S. T. 2010, Lipophilic compound-mediated gene expression and implication for intervention in reactive oxygen spcies (ROS)-related diseases., Nutrients, 2, 725-736  
Soni, M. G., Thurmond, T. S., Miller, E. R., Spriggs, T., Bendich, A., Omaye, S. T. 2010, Safety of vitamins and minerals: Controversies and perspective., Toxicological Sciences, 118(2), 348-355  
Yang, W., and Omaye, S. T. 2009, Air pollutants, oxidative stress and human health., Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis 674:45-54.  
Nakamura, Y. K., and Omaye, S. T. 2009, Conjugated linoleic acid isomers’ roles in the regulation of PPARgamma and NF-kappaB DNA binding and subsequent expression of antioxidant enzymes in human umbilical endothelial cells., Nutrition 25: 800-811.  
Wilson, M., Surrendera-Babu, A., Omaye, S. T. 2009, Food safety behaviors of adult/elderly caregivers in Nevada., J Food Safety 29: 163-175  
Wilson, M., Surrendera-Babu, A., Omaye, S. T. 2009, Survey of Food Safety Behaviour in Nevada Child Caregivers, International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health 2: Publication), 1: 116-126  
Nakamura, Y. K. and Omaye, S. T. 2009, Vitamin E-modulated gene expression associated with ROS generation., J Functional Foods 1:241-252.  
Nakamura, Y. K., and Omaye, S. T. 2008, alpha-Tocopherol modulation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell expression of Cu/Zn superoxide and catalase and lipid peroxidation through alteration of PPARgamma and NF-kappaB DNA binding activities., Nutr Res 28: 671-680  
Nakamura, Y. K. Flintoof, N., and Omaye, S. T. 2008, Conjugated linoleic acid modulation of risk factors associated with atherosclerosis, Nutrition & Metabolism   Read More...
badr El-Din, N. K. and Omaye, S. T. 2007, Concentration dependent antioxidant activities of conjugated linoleic acid and alpha-tocopherol in corn oil, Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 87: 2715 —2720  
Cirico, T. L., and Omaye, S. T. 2006, Additive or synergetic effects of phenolic compounds on human low density lipoprotein oxidation., Food Chem Toxicol 44: 510-516.  
Nakamura, Y. K., Read, M. H., Elias, J. W., and Omaye, S. T. 2006, Oxidation of serum low-density lipoprotein and antioxidant status in young and elderly humans., Arch Gerotol Geriatrics 42: 265-276.  
Book or Chapter(s) in Books
Dubick, M. A., and Omaye, S. T. 2007, Grape wine and tea polyphenolics in the modulation of atherosclerosis and heart disease., Nutraceutical Handbook, 2nd edition (Wildmann, R., Ed.) CRC Press  
Todd, S. J. T. and Omaye, S. T. 2006, Maternal environmental tobacco exposure and in utero and adverse birth outcomes., Inhalation Toxicology, 2nd edition, Salem, H. and Katz, S. A., Eds., pp, 875-912, CRC Press, Roco Ratan, FL.  
Omaye, S. T. 2004, Food and Nutritional Toxicology, CRC Press  
Omaye, S. T. 2004, Introduction to food toxicology, In: Pesticides, Veterinary and Other Chemical Residues in Food. Watson, D., Ed., Woodhead Publishing Ltd., pp, 1-26.  
Bulletin/Reports
Nakamura, Y. K., and Omaye, S. T. 2009, Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-mediated gene expression and implications for atherosclerosis., International Atherosclerosis Society (IAS) commentaries. March 16, 2009. http://www.athero.org/commentaries/comm891.asp  
Nakamura, Y. K., and Omaye, S. T. 2009, Vitamin E-modulated ROS generation and ROS-related diseases., International Atherosclerosis Society (IAS) commentaries. October 5, 2009. http://www.athero.org/commentaries/comm934.asp