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Steve Douglas, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Biology

  • B.S., Nutritional Sciences, University of Missouri; Ph.D. in Nutrition Sciences, Purdue University

  • (574) 372-5192

As a translational nutritional physiologist and data strategist, my research investigates the intersection of ingestive behavior, weight management, and artificial intelligence. Building upon a foundation of mechanistic studies evaluating how nutrient consumption and family-based interventions influence appetite and body weight, my current focus leverages advanced analytics and AI. By applying these modern data science techniques to large-scale epidemiological data, I aim to uncover complex, unhealthy eating patterns. My ultimate objective is to harness these data-driven insights to develop innovative, scalable interventions that effectively improve dietary habits and overall human health.

  • Facilitating interactive group discussions
  • Implementing hands-on activities with practical application
  • Leveraging technology to enhance students’ learning experience.

  1. Griffiths LA,聽Douglas SM, Raynor HA. The role of structure in dietary approaches for the treatment of pediatric overweight and obesity: A critical review.聽Obesity Reviews. Sep;22(9):e13266, 2021
  2. Douglas SM, Hawkins GM, Berlin KS, Crouter SE, Epstein LH, Thomas JG, Raynor HA. Rationale and protocol for translating basic habituation research into family-based childhood obesity treatment: Families becoming healthy together study.聽Contemporary Clinical Trial. Nov:98:106153, 2020
  3. Grider HS,聽Douglas, SM, Raynor, HA. The influence of mindful eating and/or intuitive eating approaches on dietary intake: a systematic review.聽Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Apr;121(4):709-727.e1, 2021
  4. Douglas SM, Gwin JA, Leidy HJ. Novel methodological considerations regarding the use of visual analog scale questionnaires to assess appetite control and satiety.聽Current Developments in Nutrition.聽3(6):nzz061; 2019
  5. Leidy HJ, Hoertel JA,聽Douglas SM, Higgins KA, Shafer RS. A protein breakfast reduces daily intake, hunger, and prevents body fat gain in overweight 鈥榖reakfast skipping鈥� adolescents;聽Obesity;聽Sept; 23(9):聽 1761-4; 2015
  6. Bauer LB, Reynolds LJ,聽Douglas SM, Kearney ML, Hoertel HA, Shafer RS, Thyfault JP, Leidy HJ. A pilot study examining the effects of consuming a high-protein vs. normal-protein breakfast on free-living glycemic control in overweight/obese 鈥榖reakfast skipping鈥� adolescents;聽International Journal of Obesity;聽Sept; 39(9):聽 1421-4; 2015
  7. Douglas SM, Lasley TR, Leidy HJ.聽 Consuming beef vs. soy protein has little effect on appetite, satiety, and food intake in healthy adults;聽Journal of Nutrition;聽May; 145(5):聽 1010-6; 2015
  8. Ortinau JC, Hoertel HA,聽Douglas SM, Leidy HJ.聽 Effects of higher protein vs. higher fat snacks on appetite control, satiety, and eating initiation in healthy women.聽聽Nutrition Journal;聽13(97); 2014
  9. Ortinau LC, Culp JM, Hoertel HA,聽Douglas SM, Leidy HJ.聽 The effects of increased dietary protein in afternoon yogurt snacks on appetite control and eating initiation in healthy women.聽聽Nutrition Journal;聽12(71); 2013
  10. Leidy HJ, Ortinau LC,聽Douglas SM, Hoertel HA.聽 Benefits of a protein-rich breakfast on the appetitive, hormonal, and neural signals controlling energy intake regulation to combat obesity in late-adolescent females.聽聽American Journal of Clinical Nutrition;聽97(4):聽 677-88; 2013
  11. Douglas SM, Ortinau LC, Hoertel HA, Leidy HJ.聽 Low, moderate, or high protein yogurt snacks on appetite control and subsequent eating in healthy women.聽聽础辫辫别迟颈迟别;听60; 117-122; 2013

POSTER PRESENTATIONS
2018听American Society of Nutrition Annual Meeting, Boston, MA June 2018
Douglas SM, Byers A, Leidy HJ (2018). Effects of Breakfast Type and Habitual Breakfast Patterns on Morning Appetite and Satiety in Overweight Late Adolescent Girls
2017听May Conference, May 2017
Douglas SM, Gwin JA, Leidy HJ (2017). Effects of consuming protein beverages, varying in protein source, on appetite, satiety and energy intake
2017听Experimental Biology Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL April 2017
Douglas SM, Gwin JA, Leidy HJ (2017). Effects of consuming protein beverages, varying in protein source, on appetite, satiety and energy intake
2017听Interdepartmental Nutrition Program Day, October 2017
Douglas SM, Gwin JA, Leidy HJ (2017). Effects of consuming protein beverages, varying in protein source, on appetite, satiety and energy intake
2016听Health and Human Sciences Research Week, October 2016
Douglas SM, Gwin JA, Leidy HJ (2016). Effects of consuming protein beverages, varying in protein source, on appetite, satiety and energy intake
2014听Experimental Biology Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA April 2014
Douglas SM, Lasley TR, Ortinau LC, Shafer RS, Leidy HJ (2014). The consumption of one serving of beef vs. one serving of soy at lunch on appetite control, satiety, and subsequent energy intake:聽 A practical comparison.
2014听Life Sciences Week, University of Missouri, April 2014
Douglas SM, Lasley TR, Ortinau LC, Shafer RS, Leidy HJ (2014). The consumption of one serving of beef vs. one serving of soy at lunch on appetite control, satiety, and subsequent energy intake:聽 A practical comparison.
2012听Experimental Biology Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA April 2012
Douglas SM, Ortinau LC, Hoertel HA, Leidy HJ (2012). Low, moderate, or high protein yogurt snacks on appetite control and subsequent eating in healthy women
2012听Nutrition and Exercise Physiology Research Week, March 2012
Douglas SM, Ortinau LC, Hoertel HA, Leidy HJ (2012). Low, moderate, or high protein yogurt snacks on appetite control and subsequent eating in healthy women
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
2017听Experimental Biology Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL April 2017
Douglas SM, Gwin JA, Leidy HJ (2017). Novel methodological considerations regarding the use of visual analog scale questionnaires to assess appetite control and satiety
2014听Experimental Biology Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA April 2014
Douglas SM, Lasley TR, Ortinau LC, Shafer RS, Leidy HJ (2014). The consumption of beef vs. soy lunch meals on food cravings & cortico-limbic brain regions in healthy adults
2012听Experimental Biology Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA April 2012
Douglas SM, Ortinau LC, Hoertel HA, Leidy HJ (2012). Low, moderate, or high protein yogurt snacks on appetite control and subsequent eating in healthy women

I love being active, especially with my family! Currently, I enjoy playing pickleball or disc golf whenever I can, but living on a hobby farm brings a lot of fun as well.

Being able to discuss how our faith and scripture should frame how we view and serve others in the world is an amazing opportunity to equip students to glorify God for the rest of their lives.

Outside of my research experiences listed above, I also worked at Winona IT for two years prior to transitioning here. I served many different roles there (e.g. project manager, data engineer, fractional Chief Data Officer, AI consultant, and data analyst).

Other faculty continued to praise how well faculty at Grace cared for their students and each other. This, combined with my wife’s and my desire to do more college ministry, drew us here.

I鈥檓 most looking for to ministering to college students and being able to discuss how our faith and scripture should frame how we view and serve others in the world.