Interests

My research, since coming to Auburn University, has primarily focused on the examination of the effects of vitamins and/or minerals taken as supplements or as part of a semi-synthetic diet on the functions of other vitamins and minerals in the body. Supplements are consumed by many groups of people, especially athletes. Semi-synthetic diets are consumed almost extensively by infants and children with inborn errors of metabolism. Most of my research in the area of inborn errors of metabolism has been with infants and children with a disorder of phenylalanine metabolism, phenylketonuria, and with infants with a disorder of galactose metabolism, galactosemia. My research interests also have been directed towards other medical conditions affecting the nutritional status of both children and adults such as iron deficiency anemia, sickle cell anemia, diabetes mellitus, renal disease, and obesity.

Selected Publications

Books

• Groff J, Gropper S. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism. 3rd ed. St. Paul: Wadsworth Publishing, 2000.
• Gropper SS. The Biochemistry of Human Nutrition. 2nd ed. St. Paul: Wadsworth Publishing, 2000.

Articles

• Fung EB, Malinauskas BM, Kawchak DA, Koh BY, Zemel BM, Gropper SS, Ohene-Frempong K, Stallings VA. Energy expenditure and intake in children with sickle cell disease during acute illness. Clinical Nutrition 2001; 20: 131 - 138.
  
  
• Malinauskas BM, Gropper SS, Kawchak DA, Zemel BS, Ohene-Frempong K, Stallings VA. Impact of acute illness on nutritional status of infants and young children with sickle cell disease. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2000; 100:330-334.
  
  
• Gropper SS, Weese SJO, West PA, Gross KC. Free galactose content of fresh fruits and strained fruit and vegetable baby foods: More foods to consider for the galactose-restricted diet. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2000;100:573-575.
  
  
• Yates LA, Soffer O, Gropper SS. Phosphate binders and mineral status of adult renal disease patients on hemodialysis. Dialysis and Transplantation 2000; 29:268, 269-272, 274, 275.
  
  
• Yates LA, Soffer O, Gropper SS. Phosphate binder therapies do not compromise the copper status of renal disease patients. Biological Trace Element Research 2000; 76:1-12.
  
  
• Gardner TAL, Yates LA, Soffer O, Gropper SS. Phosphate binder therapy and serum lipid concentrations in hemodialysis patients. Dialysis and Transplantation 1999; 28:641-647, 650-652.
  
  
• Thomas VLK, Gropper SS. Effect of chromium nicotinic acid supplementation on selected cardiovascular disease risk factors. Biology of Trace Element Research 1996; 55:297-305.
  
  
• Gropper SS, Chaung H-C, Bernstein L, Trahms C, Rarback S, Weese SJ. Immune status of children with phenylketonuria. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 1995; 14:264-270.
  
  
• Gross KC, Weese SJ, Johnson J, Gropper SS. Soluble galactose content of selected baby food cereals and juices. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 1995; 8:319-323.
  
  
• Gropper SS, Yannicelli S. Plasma molybdenum concentrations in children with and without phenylketonuria. Biology of Trace Element Research 1993; 38:227-231.
  
  
• Gropper SS, Gross KC, Olds SJ. The galactose content of selected fruit and vegetable baby foods: implications for infants on galactose-restricted diets. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 1993; 93:328-330.
  
  
• Gropper SS, Plyler AE. Metabolic effects of ingested forms of L-amino acids and whole protein. Journal of Nutritional Medicine 1994; 4:311-319.
  
  
• Gropper SS, Malinauskas B, Cloud H, Isaacs J, Trahms C. Iron deficiency without anemia in children with phenylketonuria. International Pediatrics 1994; 9:237-243.
  
  
• Gropper SS, Naglak MC, Nardella M, Plyler A, Rarback S, Yannicelli S. Nutrient intakes of adolescents with phenylketonuria and infants and children with maple syrup urine disease on semi-synthetic diet. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 1993; 12:108-114.
  
  
• Gropper SS, Acosta PB, Gropper DM. Plasma amino acid response to ingestion of L-amino acids and whole protein. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 1993; 16:143-150.
  
  
• Gropper SS, Acosta PB. Effect of simultaneous ingestion of L-amino acids and whole protein on plasma amino acids and urea nitrogen concentrations in humans. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 1991; 15:48-53.
  
  
• Stepnick Gropper SA, Anderson K, Landing WM, Acosta PB. Dietary selenium intakes and plasma selenium concentrations of formula-fed and cow's milk-fed infants. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 1990; 90:1547-1550.

Selected Research Projects (Current)

• Gropper SS. 1999-2004. Nutrient analysis and interactions. Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. Project #ALA 13-012.
  
  
• Weese J, Gropper SS, White BD, Crayton E, and Lewis B. 2001 - 2002. Diet quality and its relationship to obesity in rural Alabama African American children. U.S.D.A.

Dissertations and Theses Directed

• Kelly Gosnell, M.S., Spring 2002.
  Free and bound galactose content of baby food meats and free galactose content of infant formulas: Considerations for galactosemic infants.
  
  
• Lisa Sorrels, M.S., Spring 2002.
  Serum copper and ceruloplasmin concentrations of female collegiate athletes.
  
  
• Amanda Brown, Ph.D., 2000.
  The effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation alone or in combination with resistance training on bone mineral density in older adults.
  
  
• Michele Bader, M.S., 2000.
  Effects of non-anemic iron deficiency on serum copper and ceruloplasmin concentrations and superoxide dismutase activity in college-aged females.
  
  
• Meg Christian, M.S., 1999.
  Beta carotene supplementation and antioxidant status.
  
  
• Tracy Gardner, M.S., 1998.
  Effect of phosphate binder therapy on serum lipids in hemodialysis patients.
  
  
• Laura Yates, M.S., 1997.
  Effects of phosphate binder therapy on copper status in hemodialysis patients.
  
  
• Brenda Malinauskas, Ph.D., 1996.
  Nutritional impact of acute illness in young children with sickle cell disease.
  
  
• Vicky Thomas, M.S., 1993.
  Effects of chromium supplementation on plasma lipids and glucose tolerance of individuals with and without non- insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
  
  
• Hso-Chi Chaung, Ph.D., 1992.
  Immune status of children with phenylketonuria.
  
  
• Pey-Ying Li, M.S., 1991.
  Dietary molybdenum intakes and plasma molybdenum concentrations of children with and without phenylketonuria.
  
  
• Amy Plyler, M.S., 1991.
  Effects of ingested forms of nitrogen on plasma urea nitrogen, urinary urea nitrogen and plasma ammonia in humans.

Course Information

• Community Nutrition (NUFS 3620)
  
  
• Study Travel in Nutrition and Food Science (NUFS 4380)
  
  
• Medical Nutrition I and II (NUFS 6020 and 6030)
  
  
• Minerals (NUFS 7500)
  
  
• Macronutrients (NUFS 7520 - protein section)
  
  
• Laboratory Methods in Food Science and Nutrition (NUFS 7280 - atomic absorption)
  
  
• Research and Thesis (NUFS 7990)
  
  
• Research and Dissertation (NUFS 8990)