PHHI’s newest faculty expands -omics research of phytochemicals

In January, Dragan Milenkovic, Ph.D., joined the faculty at NC State University’s Plants for Human Health Institute (PHHI) as an associate professor in advanced nutrigenomics of bioactive phytochemicals. The addition of Milenkovic adds a new, complementary component to the Institute’s research portfolio. Simply put, his research goal is to evaluate the role of polyphenols in human health. To that end, Milenkovic uses multi-omics analytical approaches and integrative bioinformatics data analysis in the development of highly original, unprecedented research to unveil the protective effects of food bioactives on human health.

“This new position will allow me to broaden the scope of my research and develop new collaborations,” says Milenkovic. “My research projects are currently focused on assessing the impact of polyphenols and polyphenol-rich foods on cardiovascular, metabolic and gut health and to understand the molecular mechanisms of action underlying the observed effects using integrated multi-micro and bioinformatics.”

He plans to develop further projects aimed at assessing the impact of polyphenols on the cerebrovasculature and, therefore, on cognitive function and well-being. In the long term, his goals include developing more precise nutrition projects by evaluating factors such as age, health status or genetic polymorphisms that influence the variability of the response to polyphenols. He explains, “Identifying these factors will be essential to develop dietary recommendations regarding polyphenols to improve health.”

Milenkovic has already staffed his lab with a visiting scholar and plans to add a graduate student and postdoctoral research scholar soon. Interim director of PHHI, KP Sandeep, says, “Dragan comes to NC State highly recommended by his peers. He has already shown a great deal of enthusiasm to learn, participate and collaborate with folks at PHHI and on main campus. I look forward to seeing him excel and flourish as he builds his research program at PHHI.”

Milenkovic came to PHHI after nearly eight years with the Department of Nutrition at the University of California, Davis. Prior to that, he worked at INRAE (French National Institute for Agricultural Research) in Clermont-Ferrand/Theix, France. Born in Serbia, he pursued higher education in France, earning degrees at the University of Paris and the University of Versailles St-Quentin-en-Yvelines.

The research at PHHI, located at the NC Research Campus in Kannapolis, leverages world-leading expertise in nutrition, food and plant sciences to discover and deliver innovative plant-based strategies for advancing human health. The expertise of PHHI faculty spans five different academic departments within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, encouraging interdisciplinary research initiatives. Milenkovic is part of the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences.