Professor of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Professor of Medicine (Gastroenterology and Hepatology), School of Medicine
Research Health Scientist, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital

NextGen Focus Area: Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders

Scott Rector’s research takes a translational approach to examining chronic diseases and conditions such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes by employing strategies in cell culture systems, small- and large-animal models and intervention studies in humans. He is primarily focused on examining the nutritional, lifestyle and pharmacological interventions in animal models and human studies to help fight nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. 

Precision Health Impact:

• Preventing and treating chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. 
• Investigating the development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. 

Publications:

• Moore MP, Cunningham RP, Meers GM, Johnson SA, Wheeler AA, Ganga RR, et al. Compromised hepatic mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and reduced markers of mitochondrial turnover in human NAFLD. Hepatology. 2022 Nov;76(5):1452–65.
• Cunningham RP, Moore MP, Dashek RJ, Meers GM, Takahashi T, Sheldon RD, et al. Critical Role for Hepatocyte-Specific eNOS in NAFLD and NASH. Diabetes. 2021 Nov;70(11):2476–91.
• Thyfault JP, Rector RS. Exercise Combats Hepatic Steatosis: Potential Mechanisms and Clinical Implications. Diabetes. 2020 Apr;69(4):517–24.
• Cunningham RP, Moore MP, Dashek RJ, Meers GM, Jepkemoi V, Takahashi T, et al. Hepatocyte-specific eNOS deletion impairs exercise-induced adaptations in hepatic mitochondrial function and autophagy. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2022 May;30(5):1066–78.
• Yang M, Qi X, Li N, Kaifi JT, Chen S, Wheeler AA, et al. Western diet contributes to the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in male mice via remodeling gut microbiota and increasing production of 2-oleoylglycerol. Nat Commun. 2023 Jan 16;14(1):228.

Google Scholar

PubMed

Email: rectors@health.missouri.edu
Department website: https://nep.missouri.edu/faculty/scott-rector/