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[accordion title=”Nutrition Intervention Laboratory with Bod Pod & Fitmate Indirect Calorimeter ” load=”hide”]The Nutrition Intervention Laboratory is currently located on the third floor of Plaza Universitaria, Torre Sur, within Human Resources. This collaboration was achieved with the Employee Assistance Program (PAE for its Spanish acronym, Programa de Ayuda al Empleado) due to the research project, Project ABC, being directed to the university population of non-faculty employees under their mission to promote a healthy working environment by carrying out preventive activities.
Two major pieces of scientific instrumentation, the Bod Pod and Fitmate indirect calorimeter, have been moved to and set up within this space. The Bod Pod is a computerized chamber shaped like a capsule, in which the participants are able to sit. This Bod Pod uses air displacement with the whole-body measurement principle to analyze the participants’ body composition. The Fitmate indirect calorimeter is a desktop metabolic system in briefcase form that analyzes energy expenditure at rest (Resting Metabolic Rate). It includes a mask to measure respiration and it connects to a computer.
The campus safety office (OPASO) has collaborated in completing the assessment and cleaning required to set up this laboratory.
NEXT STEPS: When feasible to return to campus after the pandemic and prepare for initiating Project ABC, the Bod Pod will be calibrated, training sessions will be held for investigators and student assistants, and the investigative protocol carried out.[/accordion]
[accordion title=”Mobile Nutrition Technology Laboratory ” load=”hide”]
The Nutrition Technology Laboratory will be located in a mobile computer cart that can be transported to three different classrooms located on the second floor of the Nutrition and Dietetics Program, rather than be localized to one permanent space as originally planned. The original space is closed awaiting funding for asbestos abatement.
As the campus is currently closed to the public and the second semester of the 2020-2021 academic year has been announced as virtual, the purchase and installation of the computers and mobile cart has been postponed until the return of students to campus for use of the computers is authorized. Personnel from the Division of Administrative and Academic Technology (DTAA) and the Center for Instructional Technology (CITec) from the College of Natural Sciences will assist with the Mobile Nutrition Technology Laboratory set up.
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