Dr. Nancy Ames
To examine the bioactive components in cereal grains (barley, oat, wheat, and others) and pulses, and their impact on human health; to determine the effect of processing on functionality and health benefits of grain and pulse based foods.
Current research and/or projects
Investigating the effect of pre-harvest glyphosate on quality of milling oats.
Evaluating the effect of processing methods, genotype and environment on the extractability of protein from oats and characterizing physiochemical and nutritional attributes of oat protein.
Investigating the effect of heat treatment on the storage stability, functional properties and sensory and microbial quality of food grade canaryseed groats and flours.
Determining levels of free asparagine (a precursor for acrylamide formation in baked foods) in Canadian Western Red Spring wheat varieties, and to identify effective mechanisms for its reduction.
Research and/or project statements
- goal is to work in conjunction with breeders, researchers and the agri-food industry to develop improved cultivars and food processing techniques that maximize the health properties and utilization potential of Canadian grains and pulses
- research experiments include:
- quantification and characterization of fibre, phenolics and other compounds
- pilot scale processing such as flaking, heat treatments and fractionation
- functional food formulation for quality assessment and design of clinical trial test foods
- development of in vitro methods for predicting and validating health outcomes.
- Dr. Ames’ research program provides an important link between consumer health interests, industry development of value-added agricultural products, and genetic resources for Canadian-grown grains and pulses (fork to farm).
Professional activities / interests
Definition of Whole Grains Committee - member
AAFC Women in Science - chair
Human Research Ethics Committee - chair
AAFC Ethics Committe - chair
Oat Quality Evaluation Team - member
Prairie Recommending Committee - member
Prairie Grain Development Committee - member
Healthy Grains Institute - scientific advisory board member
Quaker Oats Center of Excellence - scientific advisory board member
Verna J. Kirkness science education program - planning committee member
Education and awards
Education
1989 Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Agriculture-Crop Science, University of Guelph, Supervised by Dr. Bert Christie. PhD thesis: “Variability among strains and field isolates of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii as measured on red clover (Trifolium pratense L.)”.
1982 Master of Science, Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, supervised by Dr. Ken Clarke and Dr. Anna Storgaard
1980 Bachelor of Science, Department of Food Science, University of Manitoba
Awards
2018 Recipient of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Science
2016 Mentor of the year award in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge.
2015 American Association of Cereal Chemists International Edith Christensen Award.
2012 Accuracy Award for Analysis of Dietary Fiber, for the most accurate and precise results in 2011 for insoluble, soluble, total dietary fiber and beta-glucan.
2012 Recognition of Analytical Performance in Analysis of Dietary Fiber, with an "Outstanding Accuracy and Precision" rating for 2011 for insoluble, soluble, total dietary fiber and beta-glucan.
2010 AAFC Instant Award for achieving the Guinness world record for the biggest bowl of oatmeal, and the success of the 2010 CIFST-AAFC Conference and AAFC Food Network Meeting.
2010 Guinness World Record for the biggest bowl of oatmeal.
2008 American Association of Cereal Chemists International Accuracy Award for Dietary Fiber Analysis.
2008 American Association of Cereal Chemists International Certificate of Proficiency for Dietary Fiber Analysis.
2007-2008 Biotech Challenge Mentor of the year-Distinction, Aventis Biotech Challenge CANADA
Additional links
Key publications
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Ames, N.P., Blewett, H.J., Storsley, J., Zahradka, P., and Taylor, C.G. (2011). "Utilization of high fibre barley fractions in tortillas to reduce glycemic fractions in tortillas to reduce glycemic response in humans.", Cereal Foods World, 56(4, Suppl.), pp. A28. (Abstract)
2011 - View publication details
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Ames, N.P. (2011). "Designing Test Foods for a Clinical Trial to Meet the Requirements of a Health Claim.", Therapeutic Applications for Functional Foods Conference, St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, May 31-June 1, 2011.
2011 - View publication details
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Ames, N.P. (2011). "Formulating High Fibre Foods with Oat and Barley: Benefits and Challenges.", 2011 International Annual Meeting of the American Association of Cereal Chemists (AACC): Rice Division Lunch, Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, CA, October 15-19, 2011. (Presentation)
2011 - View publication details
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Ames, N.P., Storsley, J., Gamel, T.H., and Tosh, S.M. (2011). "Validating the health benefits of barley foods: Effect of processing on physiological properties of beta-glucan in test foods.", Cereal Foods World, 56(4, Suppl.), pp. A28. (Abstract)
2011 - View publication details
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Gliwa, J., Gunenc, A., Ames, N., Willmore, W.G., Hosseinian, F.S. (2011). Antioxidant activity of alkylresorcinols from rye bran and their protective effects on cell viability of PC-12 AC cells. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, [online] 59(21), 11473-11482. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf2023353
2011 - View publication details
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Yan, W., Fetch, J.M., Frégeau-Reid, J., Rossnagel, B., Ames, N. (2011). Genotype × location interaction patterns and testing strategies for oat in the Canadian prairies. Crop Science, [online] 51(5), 1903-1914. http://dx.doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2010.09.0548
2011 - View publication details
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Mitchell Fetch, J.W., Brown, P.D., Ames, N., Chong, J., Fetch, J.G., Haber, S.M., Menzies, J.G., Tekauz, A., Townley-Smith, T.F., Stadnyk, K.D. (2011). Summit oat, 91(4), 787-791. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjps10158
2011 - View publication details
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Mitchell Fetch, J.W., Brown, P.D., Ames, N., Chong, J., Fetch, T.G., Haber, S.M., Menzies, J.G., Tekauz, A., Townley-Smith, T.F., Stadnyk, K.D. (2011). Stainless oat. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, [online] 91(2), 357-361. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJPS10159
2011 - View publication details
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Ames, N.P., Blewett, H.J., Harding, S., Zahradka, P., and Taylor, C.G. (2010). "Investigating the role of high fibre barley ingredients on glycemic response.", 2010 Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology (CIFST) and AAFC Conference, Fairmont Winnipeg Hotel, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, May 30-June 1, 2010, # 05-5. (Abstract)
2010 - View publication details
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Ames, N.P., Blewett, H.J., Zahradka, P., and Taylor, C.G. (2010). "Investigating the role of high fibre barley ingredients on glycemic response and lipogenesis.", 49th Meeting of the Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology (CIFST) and AAFC Conference: "Safe and Healthy Food: Harvesting the Science", Fairmont Winnipeg Hotel, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, May 30-June 1, 2010. (Presentation)
2010 - View publication details
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Abumweis, S.S., Jew, S., Ames, N.P. (2010). Β-glucan from barley and its lipid-lowering capacity: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, [online] 64(12), 1472-1480. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2010.178
2010 - View publication details
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Clarke, F.R., Clarke, J.M., Ames, N.A., Knox, R.E., Ross, R.J. (2010). Gluten index compared with SDS-sedimentation volume for early generation selection for gluten strength in durum wheat. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, [online] 90(1), 1-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJPS09035
2010 - View publication details
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Ames, N.P. (2009). "Barley beta-glucan and its cholesterol lowering capacity: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.", 19th International Congress of Nutrition, Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Bangkok, Thailand, October 4-9, 2009. (Poster)
2009 - View publication details
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Ames, N.P. (2009). "Current Oat Quality Research Update.", Prairie Oat Breeding Consortium (POBC) meeting and tour, AAFC Cereal Research Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, July 21, 2009. (Presentation)
2009 - View publication details
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Ames, N.P. (2009). "Fibre and carotenoid analysis of kale-based beverage. Results delivered to Sunflower Organics, Inc., February 2009." (Technology transfer)
2009 - View publication details
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Ames, N.P. (2009 Internal). Expanding the Utilization of Manitoba Oats in Food Markets. Final Scientific Report to Agri-Food Research and Development Initiative (ARDI), March 16, 2009. (Report)
2009 - View publication details
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Ames, N.P. (2009 Internal). Alberta Barley Commission Project 30 321: Health Canada Barley Claim. Final Report to Alberta Barley Commission, February 23, 2009. (Report)
2009 - View publication details
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Ames, N.P. (2009 Internal). Amylose analysis of starch and flour samples. Report to the Food Development Centre (FDC), Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI), July 2009. (Report)
2009 - View publication details
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Ames, N.P. (2009 Internal). Investigating the Role of High Fibre Barley Products in the Prevention and Management of Diabetes - Determining the Role of Starch Composition on the Glycemic Response to Barley. Year 2 interim report to Alberta Barley Commission, February 23, 2009. (Report)
2009 - View publication details
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Ames, N.P. (2009). "Beta-glucan analysis on barley. Results delivered to Dr. Martin Nyachoti, Department of Animal Science, University of Manitoba, June, 2009." (Technology transfer)
2009 - View publication details
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Contact
Research facility
Expertise
Affiliations
Research Scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Adjunct Professor, Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, Canada