NCCIH Research Blog

Nutrition Research and Intramural Program Featured at Advisory Council Meeting

September 22, 2021

Partap S. Khalsa, D.C., Ph.D.

Director

Division of Extramural Activities

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Nutrition research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the annual report on the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health’s (NCCIH) intramural research program were among the highlights of the September 10 meeting of our advisory council.

Nutrition Research at NIH

Christopher Lynch, Ph.D., acting director of the new NIH Office of Nutrition Research, discussed the role of his office in bringing together the many NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices with an interest in nutrition; the implementation of the 2020–2030 Strategic Plan for NIH Nutrition Research; and the start of the Nutrition for Precision Health program, which will conduct a nested study within the All of Us Research Program to explore how individuals respond to different diets.

You can see Dr. Lynch’s presentation in the Council meeting video. NCCIH is looking forward to partnering with Dr. Lynch and the Office of Nutrition Research as we expand our portfolio of research on nutrition and health.

New Directions for the Intramural Research Program

David Shurtleff, Ph.D., deputy director of NCCIH, who is also serving as acting scientific director of the NCCIH Division of Intramural Research, explained the division’s plans to expand the presence of pain research at NIH by providing support for collaborative research and a hub for the NIH community to come together to learn about and develop new ideas in pain research and treatment. View Dr. Shurtleff’s presentation.

Dr. Shurtleff welcomed Miroslav Bačkonja, M.D., who is joining the division as supervisory physician, and reviewed the work being done by each of the division’s laboratories and the NIH Pain Research Center. Alex Chesler, Ph.D., one of the division’s section chiefs, presented an update on his laboratory’s research on the role of the PIEZO2 protein in touch and pain. View Dr. Chesler’s presentation.

Other Presentations

Other presentations at the meeting included:

Helene M. Langevin, M.D. presented the director’s report, which included updates on several workshops and funding opportunities. View the director’s report.
A presentation on the NCCIH clinical research toolbox and clinical trials oversight process by Dr. Robin Boineau, M.D., M.A., director of NCCIH’s Office of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs. View Dr. Boineau’s presentation.
An update on the recent NCCIH–U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) forum on enhancing measurement of well-being, presented by Emmeline Edwards, Ph.D., director of the NCCIH Division of Extramural Research, and Benjamin Kligler, M.D., ex officio Council member from the VA. View the presentation.
Presentation and Council approval of two research concepts:
- Fostering Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Health Among Children in School Settings: Opportunities for Complementary and Integrative Health. View the presentation.
- Expansion of NIH–VA–Department of Defense (DoD) Pain Management Collaboratory Research Activities. View the presentation.

How To Submit Public Comments

Because this Council meeting was held virtually, it was not possible for members of the public to make comments in person. Instead, written comments, up to 700 words in length, will be accepted until Saturday, September 25. You can send your comments to me by email (khalsap@mail.nih.gov) and they will be added to the official meeting minutes.