Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Biochemistry
University of Alabama at Birmingham
2001
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Faculty
Faculty
Delisha Stewart, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department/Office
- Microbiology
School/College
- College of Medicine
Biography
Delisha Stewart, Ph.D. is an associate professor in the Department of Microbiology at the Howard University College of Medicine. She earned a bachelor of science degree at the University of Dayton and a doctorate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), both in Biochemistry. She has completed postdoctoral training at the University of Delaware, studying prostate cancer ontology and therapeutic development, back at UAB investigating Notch signaling in osteosarcoma. Following a hiatus from academic research, she received a Re-Entry grant from the NIH-NCI to foster diversity in the Biomedical sciences and completed two additional postdoctoral fellowships at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) using genomics to study breast cancer microenvironment–immune crosstalk related to inflammation and clinical subtype aggressiveness. Her training ended at RTI International, incorporating the importance of metabolism using metabolomics to interrogate cancer progression and treatment response outcomes. In 2017, she joined the faculty at UNC-CH in the Department of Nutrition as an Assistant Professor, working at the UNC-Nutrition Research Institute in Kannapolis, NC. Her research focuses on the impact of different nutritional states on genetic-, environmental- (i.e., dietary pattern & obesity) and inflammation-driving metabolic programs that fuel cancer progression, contribute to poor chemotherapeutic treatment responses and result in disparate health outcomes in women with gynecological cancers (breast and endometrial). Having joined the faculty at Howard University (November 2024), in the College of Medicine's Department of Microbiology, she will now expand her inter-disciplinary approach to research by adding the influence of the microbiome as a contributing factor to diminished treatment response, and try to use both nutritional intervention and microbial perturbation to improve outcomes from women diagnosed primarily with aggressive forms of breast cancer.
Education & Expertise
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Biochemistry
University of Dayton
1996
Research
Research
Funding
Investigator: 2P30DK056350-21 Elizabeth Mayer-Davis (Lead PI) 4/2021-3/2026. Funding Agency: NIH/ National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Title: UNC Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC).
Co-Investigator: 1R21AG078630-01 Anthony Zannas and David Rubinow (MPI) 9/2022-3/2024. Funding Agency: National Institute on Aging (NIA) Title: Stress-stimulated immune profiles and cardiometabolic risk during the menopausal transition
Investigator: 1U2CES030857-03 Susan Sumner, Tim Fennell, Xiuxia Du (MPI) 9/2019-6/2024. Funding Agency: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Title: Human Health Exposure Analysis Resource (HHEAR): Untargeted Exposure Analysis Laboratories
Co-Investigator: 1R37CA226969-04 Victoria Bae-Jump (PI) 3/2018-2/2023. Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute (NCI). Title: Obesity-driven Metabolic and Molecular Biomarkers of Metformin Response in Endometrial Cancer
Co-Investigator: 1R21CA235029-02 Abbie E. Smith-Ryan, Victoria Bae-Jump (MPI) 1/2019-12/2022. Funding Agency: NCI (no cost extension due to COVID-19). Title: Interval Exercise Training As A Therapy For Endometrial Cancer
Co-Investigator: ID#T2017-015 Victoria Bae-Jump (PI) 11/2017–11/2020. Funding Agency: V Foundation Translational Research Grant. Title: Metabolic and Molecular Biomarkers of Metformin Response in Obesity-driven Endometrial Cancer
Principal Investigator: 3R35CA197627-03S1-05S1 Delisha Stewart (PI) 4/2018–7/2020. Funding Agency: NCI. Title: Higher Dietary Carbohydrates Detrimentally Impact Obesity-Associated Breast Cancer Chemoresistance. FAIN: 3R35CA197627 (Hursting, PI: Breaking the Obesity-Cancer Link: New Targets and Strategies)
Principal Investigator: Stewart NRI Pilot Delisha Stewart (PI) 9/2019-5/2020. Funding Agency: NRI, Institutional program. Title: Identifying and Bypassing Genetic Impairments to Improve Chemotherapeutic Efficacy
Accomplishments
Accomplishments
UNC-CH School of Public Health, Minority Student Caucus’ “50 for 50,” 2022
Showcase nominating outstanding Gillings affiliates of color who have made significant contributions to public health
NRI Annual Employee Excellence Award for the Core Value of Collaboration, 2022
Nutrition Obesity Research Center at Harvard (NORCH), Diversity Scholars Featured Investigator, 2021
Inductee in Diversity Scholars Program at the Nutrition Obesity Research Center at Harvard, 2021
Publications and Presentations
Publications and Presentations
Macronutrient-differential dietary pattern impacts on hepatic inflammation and metabolism
Macronutrient-differential dietary pattern impacts on hepatic inflammation and metabolism
Obesity is a multi-factorial disease frequently associated with poor nutritional habits and linked to many detrimental health outcomes. Individuals with obesity are more likely to have increased levels of persistent inflammatory and metabolic dysregulation. The goal of this study was to compare four dietary patterns differentiated by macronutrient content in a postmenopausal model. Dietary patterns were high carbohydrate (HC), high fat (HF), high carbohydrate plus high fat (HCHF), and high protein (HP) with higher fiber.
Clinical trial-identified inflammatory biomarkers in breast and pancreatic cancers
Clinical trial-identified inflammatory biomarkers in breast and pancreatic cancers
Breast cancer and pancreatic cancer are two common cancer types characterized by high prevalence and high mortality rates, respectively. However, breast cancer has been more well-studied than pancreatic cancer. This narrative review curated inflammation-associated biomarkers from clinical studies that were systematically selected for both breast and pancreatic cancers and discusses some of the common and unique elements between the two endocrine-regulated malignant diseases. Finding common ground between the two cancer types and specifically analyzing breast cancer study results, we hoped to explore potential feasible methods and biomarkers that may be useful also in diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer.
Increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the fields of nutrition and obesity
Research shows that a diverse faculty improves academic, clinical, and research outcomes in higher education. Despite that, persons in minority groups, usually categorized by race or ethnicity, are underrepresented in academia (URiA). The Nutrition Obesity Research Centers (NORCs), supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, hosted workshops on five separate days in September and October 2020. NORCs convened these workshops to identify barriers and facilitators for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and provide specific recommendations to improve DEI within obesity and nutrition for individuals from URiA groups. Recognized experts on DEI presented each day, after which the NORCs conducted breakout sessions with key stakeholders who engage in nutrition and obesity research. The breakout session groups included early-career investigators, professional societies, and academic leadership. The consensus from the breakout sessions was that glaring inequities affect URiA in nutrition and obesity, particularly related to recruitment, retention, and advancement. Recommendations from the breakout sessions to improve DEI across academia focused on six themes: (1) recruitment, (2) retention, (3) advancement, (4) intersectionality of multiple challenges (e.g., being Black and a woman), (5) funding agencies, and (6) implementation of strategies to address problems related to DEI.
Associations of maternal plasma and umbilical cord plasma metabolomics profiles with birth anthropometric measures
The metabolomics profiles of maternal plasma during pregnancy and cord plasma at birth might influence fetal growth and birth anthropometry. The objective was to examine how maternal plasma and umbilical cord plasma metabolites are associated with newborn anthropometric measures, a known predictor of future health outcomes.
Association between sleeping patterns and mealtime with Gut Microbiome: A Pilot Study
Association between sleeping patterns and mealtime with Gut Microbiome: A Pilot Study
Disruptions in sleep related to mealtime may contribute to gut microbial imbalances, and put individuals at higher risk for metabolic diseases. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the relationships between late-night eating habits and sleep quality and duration, with gut microbiota (GM) profiles.
Chemical exposures assessed via silicone wristbands and endogenous plasma metabolomics during pregnancy
Background
Metabolomics is a promising method to investigate physiological effects of chemical exposures during pregnancy, with the potential to clarify toxicological mechanisms, suggest sensitive endpoints, and identify novel biomarkers of exposures.
Objective
Investigate the influence of chemical exposures on the maternal plasma metabolome during pregnancy.
PRESENTATIONS
Delisha A. Stewart. 2024. Invited speaker at the inagural Atrium Health Levine Cancer Oncology Nutrition Symposium hosted by the South Piedmont Area Health Education Center (AHEC). Nutrition-dependent approaches to improve treatment response in Breast cancer. Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, NC. March 15, 2024
Delisha A. Stewart. 2023. Director and speaker for the Nutrition Research Institutes’ Summer Virtual Internship Program. Introduction of Nutrition 101. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Nutrition Research Institute; Kannapolis, NC (Zoom). June 20, 2023.
Delisha A. Stewart. 2023. Invited speaker at Kannapolis City Schools March Motivational Month, WoderWomen in STEM Careers series. A. L. Brown High School, February 28, 2023.
Yuan-yuan Li, Herman L. Freeman, III, Susan L. McRitchie, Wimal W. Pathmasiri, Susan J. Sumner and Delisha A. Stewart (presenter). 2022. Metabolic and inflammatory differences in breast cancer chemotherapeutic response identify targetable pathways. 12th American Association for Cancer Research-Japanese Cancer Association joint conference on Breakthroughs in Cancer Research: Translating Knowledge into Practice; Maui, HI. December 13, 2022.
David H. Lynch (presenter), John A. Batsis, Curtis L. Petersen, Susan Sumner, Delisha Stewart, Susan McRitchie, Jan Busby-Whitehead. 2022. Changes in Inflammatory Markers after a Dietary and Exercise Intervention in Older Adults with Obesity. 12th Annual Alliance for Healthy Aging Conference; Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. October 10, 2022.
Delisha Stewart. 2022. Invited speaker for the Nutrition Research Institutes’ Summer Virtual InternshipProgram. Introduction of Research Methods (Part 1 and Part 2). University of North Carolina at ChapelHill Nutrition Research Institute; Kannapolis, NC (Zoom). June 16, 2022.
Delisha Stewart. 2022. Invited open forum panel speaker for the Cabarrus County Schools STEMersionat UNC Nutrition Research Institute. March 28, 2022; NRI.
Delisha Stewart. 2022. Invited international presentation for 10th Edition – Webinar on Breast Cancer, for research on Metabolic differences in breast cancer chemotherapeutic response identify targetable pathways. February 16, 2022 (GMT - London Time), Zoom; Breast Cancer Webinar | GICBC 2022 | Feb16-17, 2022.
Delisha Stewart. 2021. Panelist for the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill’s Research Week program discussing Undergraduate research experiences at the Nutrition Research Institute; Kannapolis, NC (Zoom; recorded session can be found on YouTube: https://youtu.be/F3k7c5wmkhA).
Delisha Stewart. 2021. Invited speaker for the Nutrition Research Institutes’ Summer Virtual Internship Program. Elements of good mentorship and restarting through the COVID-19 pandemic. July, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Nutrition Research Institute; Kannapolis, NC (Zoom).
Herman L. Freeman, III, Yuan-yuan Li, Susan L. McRitchie, Wimal W. Pathmasiri, Susan J. Sumner, Baba B. Mass, Brea C. Nance, Saroja Voruganti and Delisha A. Stewart (presenter). 2021. Identification of genetic and metabolic impairments to improve chemotherapeutic efficacy. May, American Association for Cancer Research – Annual Meeting, Virtual II Conference.
Delisha Stewart. 2021. Invited faculty seminar on Identifying Drug Metabolism Genetic Impairments for Bypass to Improve Chemotherapeutic Efficacy, April, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Nutrition Research Institute; Kannapolis, NC (Zoom).
Delisha Stewart. 2021. Invited panelist for Diversifying the Gillings Research Workforce: NIH Diversity Supplement Workshop, March, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill, NC (Zoom).
Delisha Stewart. 2021. Presentation on collaborative R01 grant application (June submission) to Malnutrition and Inflammation Task Force, March, Levine Cancer Center-Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC (Zoom).
Delisha Stewart. 2020. Invited talk for Gillings School of Global Public Health, Lunch with the Dean seminar series. Chapel Hill, NC. Dec.