Ramer-Tait named Maxcy Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources

February 9th, 2022

Lincoln, Neb. —Amanda Ramer-Tait, an associate professor of immunology and microbiology in the Department of Food Science and Technology, has been named Maxcy Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The endowed professorship recognizes Ramer-Tait's international reputation as an expert in the interactions of diet, the microbiota, and gut health and underscores IANR's research focus on food science and health. 

A growing body of research is revealing important connections between diet, the gut microbiota (the large community of microbes that reside in the human gastrointestinal tract) and an individual’s immunological and metabolic health. Such findings are valuable, for example, in developing dietary approaches to prevent and treat a variety of human diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases, metabolic syndrome and cancer.

Ramer-Tait has led various IANR research projects in this field, receiving major funding awards and explaining the findings through publication and presentations in the United States and internationally. The research has shown, for example, that certain types of dietary fibers known as prebiotics can improve glucose metabolism, insulin responsiveness and even anti-tumor immune responses. Some dietary fibers require the gut microbiota to provide beneficial health effects while others do not, the research showed.

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Story by Geitner Simmons | IANR News