The overall objective of the University of Washington (UW) Nutrition Obesity Research Center Pilot and Feasibility (P&F) Program is to provide an infrastructure to support and effectively train the next generation of basic, translational, clinical and epidemiological scientists in the fields of nutrition, obesity and metabolism with a goal to enhance our knowledge and understanding of body weight regulation, the etiology and pathogenesis of nutrition-related disorders, to identify novel, therapeutic targets to prevent and treat obesity and to educate the broader community. The Specific Aims of the Program are to:
- To provide junior investigators of high promise the opportunity to obtain crucial pilot data needed to launch their career and to compete successfully for independent peer-reviewed funding.
- To provide a mechanism for encouraging talented junior investigators to embark on academic careers in nutrition/obesity research.
- To support pilot projects by established investigators in other research fields into the area of nutrition and obesity research.
PILOT & FEASIBILITY COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM
This year (2026), the UW NORC has collaborated with the Diabetes Research Center (DRC) in a joint Pilot and Feasibility Research Program. The program collectively offered multiple awards of $50,000/year for up to 2 years to promising investigators from any disciplinary background performing research in the fields of nutrition, metabolism, diabetes, and obesity. Proposals may include basic, clinical, translational, or population-based studies that align with one or more of the institutions’ respective research themes. Awards are funded by the NIH (P30 grants DK017047 and DK035816) and the UW.
2026 Pilot and Feasibility Awardee
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Hyunju Kim, MPH, PhD has been awarded a Pilot and Feasibility Award through the UW Nutrition Obesity Research Center for her project entitled: “Plants for the Kidneys: a pilot feeding study.”
Project description: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant public health challenge, and strategies to delay progression to kidney failure requiring replacement therapy (KFRT) are urgently needed. Although dietary interventions can slow CKD progression, current recommendations emphasize restrictions on protein, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, which can be difficult to implement and may not promote overall healthy eating patterns. Plant-based diets provide multiple health benefits and may improve CKD outcomes through reductions in metabolic acidosis and improvements in cardiovascular risk factors. However, concerns remain regarding nutritional adequacy, hyperkalemia, and hyperphosphatemia, and evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) is limited. To address this evidence gap, we will generate preliminary data to support the “Plants for the Kidneys” RCT. Using data from a well-characterized cohort of 2,539 adults with mild-to-moderate CKD, we will develop an evidence-based meal plan that emphasizes plant foods, with more than 75% of dietary protein derived from plant sources and at least four cups of fruits and vegetables consumed daily. We will then assess the feasibility and acceptability of this dietary pattern in a 2-week pilot feeding study involving 10 adults with non-diabetic stage 3A–3B CKD. Safety and tolerability will be evaluated through serum potassium measurements, while metabolic outcomes will be assessed using blood samples and 24-hour urine collections, with analytical support from the UW Nutrition Obesity Research Center Analytical Core. Findings from this Pilot and Feasibility Award will provide critical data to inform the design and implementation of a larger RCT evaluating plant-based dietary interventions in CKD.
2026 Pilot and Feasibility Award Call – is now closed.
Previous UW NORC P&F Program Awardees
Leticia Sewaybricker, MD, PhD
Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine
Use of hypothalamic imaging in infants to understand postnatal weight gain
07/01/2024 -
Kendra Francis-Stream, MD
Department of Pediatrics
Mechanisms of exclusive enteral nutritional therapy in Crohn’s disease
07/01/2024 -
Karolline May, PhD
Department of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Nutrition
SCFA Serve as a Direct Link Between Gut Microbiota and Adipocyte Metabolism via FFAR2 Signaling, Thereby Beneficially Regulating Whole-Body Homeostasis
01/01/2024 - 12/31/2024
Vitor Oliveira, PhD
School of Nursing
Relationship Between Myosteatosis, Sarcopenia, Physical Activity, and Diet Among Adults with HIV
01/01/2024-12/31/2024
Carlos Campos, PhD
Department of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Nutrition
Uncovering Behavioral Representations of Energy State
07/01/2023 - 06/30/2025
D. Taylor Hendrixson, MD
Department of Pediatrics and Division of Neonatology
The Plasma Metabolome, Gut Microbiome, and Growth in HIV-Exposed Uninfected Infants
07/01/2023 - 06/30/2025
Kim Alonge, PhD
Department of Medicinal Chemistry
Role of Hypothalamic PNNs in Nutrient and Hormone Sensing Dysfunction in Obesity
07/01/2022 - 06/30/2024
Oleg Zaslavsky, PhD
School of Nursing
Pilot Evaluation of a Mobile Intervention to Support Mediterranean Diet (MedD) for Persons with Mild Alzheimer Disease and Alzheimer Disease Related Dementia’s (AD/ADRD) and Frailty
07/01/2022 - 06/30/2024
Ana Valencia, PhD
Department of Radiology
The Role of Mitochondrial Metabolism in Weight Loss in the Context of Obesity
03/01/2022 - 02/28/2023
Barbara Juarez, PhD
Department of Psychiatry
Effect of a High-Fat Diet on VTA Dopamine Neuron Activity and Behavior
04/01/2022 - 03/31/2023
Meghan Koch, PhD
Fred Hutch Cancer Center
Regulation of White Adipose Tissue Function and Energy Balance by Breastmilk Antibodies
07/01/2021 - 06/30/2023
Jarrad Scarlett, MD, PhD
Department of Pediatrics
Hypothalamic Mechanisms of FGF1-Mediated Remission of Diabetic Hyperglycemia
07/01/2016 - 06/30/2018
Mauricio Dorfman, PhD
Department of Medicine
The Role of CNS CX3CL1-CX3CR1 Signaling in Estrogen-Mediated Protection Against Obesity and Diabetes
07/01/2015 - 06/30/2017
Jenny Kanter, PhD
Department of Medicine
A Novel Model of Type 2 Diabetes-accelerated Atherosclerosis
07/01/2014 - 06/30/2016
Davene Wright, PhD
Department of Pediatrics
Parent Attitudes Toward Child Health and Weight
07/01/2014 - 06/30/2016
Michelle Averill, PhD
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
The Effects of Dietary Glycemic Load on Postprandial Lipemia and HDL Composition and Function
07/01/2013 - 06/30/2015
Laura den Hartigh, PhD
Department of Medicine
Trans-10, Cis-12 Conjugated Linoleic Acid Enhances Lipid Utilization in Adipocytes by Increasing Mitochondrial Metabolism and Insulin Resistance
07/01/2012 - 06/30/2014
Katya Rubinow, MD
Department of Medicine
Androgen-mediated Pathway in the Regulation of Insulin Sensitivity in Men
07/01/2012 - 06/30/2014
Joshua Thaler, MD, PhD
Department of Medicine
The Development Role of PPAR-y in Adult Metabolism
07/01/2011 - 06/30/2013
Mario Kratz, PhD, MS
Department of Epidemiology and Medicine
Vitamin D and Low-grade Adipose Tissue Inflammation
07/01/2011 - 06/30/2013
Tomas Vaisar, PhD
Department of Medicine
Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Diet Supplementation on HDL and its Biological Activity
07/01/2009 - 06/30/2011
Carole Wilson, PhD
Medical University of South Carolina
ADAM17-mediated Proteolysis in Diet-induced Obesity
07/01/2009 - 06/30/2011
Andrew Hoofnagle, MD, PhD
Department of Laboratory Medicine
HDL and Cardiovascular Risk in Chronic Kidney Disease
07/01/2007 - 06/30/2009
P&F Program Leadership
Greg Morton, PhD
Program Director
gjmorton@uw.edu
Ana Valencia, PhD
Assistant Program Director
apv4@uw.edu