Heather Blewett, PhD

Image Heather Blewett
Research Scientist

  • Design and conduct scientific research as it relates to the influence of food on human health and metabolism.

  • Document scientific productivity/recognition in the form of authorship/editorship of research results in recognized journals and/or published reports, books, papers, or other communications.

  • Write grant applications to secure funding for research program.

  • Manage human resources and budgets.

  • Interact with industry and other stakeholders to garner support and research direction.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
IH Asper Institute, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Current research and/or projects

  • Investigating whether de-hulled flaxseed maintains the concentration of health promoting bioactives while sufficiently reducing the concentrations of anti-nutrients found in whole ground flaxseed. (Project lead= Heather Blewett).
  • A randomized, controlled, cross-over trial examining the effect of yellow pea flour in bread on post-prandial glycaemic response in health adults. (Project lead= Heather Blewett).
  • Eastern Prairie Living Labs -Management practices for annual crops that increase efficiency of nutrient use and reduce losses to air and water (Role =detection, enumeration and viability assessment of microbial communities in soil using flow cytometry).

Research and/or project statements

  • The research program supports the agri-food sector through improving the competitiveness and adaptability of the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products and generating new knowledge, fostering innovation and increasing adoption and commercialization of agricultural, agri-food and agri-based products, processes or practices.

Professional activities / interests

  • My research expertise is centered on nutrition & immunology.
  • I have been leading clinical trials with the ultimate goal of filling the gaps in the scientific literature to substantiate health claims for Canadian food products.  Examples of health claims I have worked on include LDL cholesterol lowering, reduction in post-prandial glycaemic response and increased satiety.  I have an interest in exploring the reduction in incidence, duration and severity of the common cold as well as prebiotic claims.
  • I have been exploring the effect of Canadian food products on immune function in the context of chronic disease (ie. cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity).

Education and awards

  • 2009/2-2011/4: Post-doctorate, Clinical trials & vascular function, St. Boniface Hosptial Research Centre.
  • 2006/5-2008/12: Post-doctorate, Nutritional immunology, University of Alberta.
  • 1999/9-2007/2: Doctor of Philosophy, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba.
  • 2005/9-2006/10: Certification in Higher Education Teaching, University of Manitoba.
  • 1995/9-1999/5: B.Sc. (Hons.) Foods and Nutrition, University of Manitoba.

Additional links

http://www.sbrc.ca/blewett/

Key publications

  1. Merrells, K.J., Blewett, H.J., Jamieson, J.A., Taylor, C.G., and Suh, M. (2009). "Relationship between abnormal sperm morphology induced by dietary zinc deficiency and lipid composition in testis of growing rats.", British Journal of Nutrition, 102(2), pp. 226-232. doi : 10.1017/S0007114508159037

    2009 - View publication details

  2. Blewett, H.J., (Blewett H.J., nee Hosea), Cicalo, M.C., Holland, C.D., and Field, C.J. (2008). "The immunological components of human milk.", Advances in Food & Nutrition Research, 54, pp. 45-80.

    2008 - View publication details

  3. Blewett, H.J., (Blewett H.J., nee Hosea), Goruk, S.D., Eklund, M., Mosenthin, R., Christopherson, R.J., and Field, C.J. (2008). "Piglets fed a weaning diet containing small amounts of arachidonic acid and docosahexaneoic acids have a lower proliferative response to dietary protein ex vivo compared to controls.", ImmuNet Retreat 2008, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, June 15-20, 2008, pp. 61. (Poster)

    2008 - View publication details

  4. Blewett, H.J., Gerdung, C.A., Ruth, M.R., Proctor, S.D., and Field, C.J. (2008). "Vaccenic acid alters immune function in JCR:LA-cp rats.", Alberta Diabetes Institute (ADI) Research Day, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, September 26, 2008. (Poster)

    2008 - View publication details

  5. Blewett, H.J., (Blewett H.J., nee Hosea), Goruk, S.D., Eklund, M., Mosenthin, R., Christopherson, R.J., and Field, C.J. (2008). "Piglets fed a weaning diet containing small amounts of arachidonic acid and docosahexaneoic acids have a lower proliferative response to dietary protein ex vivo compared to controls.", Experimental Biology 2008, Nutritional Immunology Poster Competition, San Diego, CA, USA, April 5-9, 2008, published in FASEB Journal, 22 (Meeting Abstract Supplement) 450.3. (Presentation)

    2008 - View publication details

  6. Blewett, H.J. and Field, C.J. (2008). "Dietary supplementation with glutamate in the weaning diet of piglets results in higher jejunal mucosal IFNg mRNA levels in response to enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli.", WCHRI's 1st Annual Research Day, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, November 30, 2008, pp. 52. (Poster)

    2008 - View publication details

  7. Blewett, H.J., (Blewett H.J., nee Hosea), Rector, E.S., and Taylor, C.G. (2008). "Altered ex vivo cytokine production in zinc-deficient, pair-fed and marginally zinc-deficient growing rats is independent of serum corticosterone concentrations.", British Journal of Nutrition, 100(4), pp. 820-828. doi : 10.1017/S0007114508942148

    2008 - View publication details

  8. Blewett, H.J. (2008). "Exploring the mechanisms behind S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) in the treatment of osteoarthritis.", Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 48(5), pp. 458-463. doi : 10.1080/10408390701429526

    2008 - View publication details

  9. Blewett, H.J., (Blewett H.J., nee Hosea), Gerdung, C.A., Ruth, M.R., Martin, T.J., Goruk, S.D., Vine, D.F., Proctor, S.D., and Field, C.J. (2007). "The effect of dietary trans vaccenic acid on immune function in JCR:LA-cp rats.", CLA Summit 2007 – Harvesting the Future, Kananaskis, AB, Canada, May 8-10, 2007. (Poster)

    2007 - View publication details

  10. Blewett, H.J., (Blewett H.J., nee Hosea), Goruk, S.D., Eklund, M., Mosenthin, R., Christopherson, R.J., and Field, C.J. (2007). "Peyer’s Patch cells proliferate less in response to ovalbumin and soy in vitro when arachidonic acid and docosahexaneoic acid are included in the weaning diet of piglets.", Canadian Nutrition Congress (CNC2007) & Joint Annual Meeting of the CAOCS, CSAS, and CSNS, Winnipeg Convention Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, June 18-21, 2007, pp. 71. (Poster)

    2007 - View publication details

  11. Blewett, H.J., (Blewett H.J., nee Hosea), Gerdung, C.A., Ruth, M.R., Martin, T.J., Goruk, S.D., Vine, D.F., Proctor, S.D., and Field, C.J. (2007). "Dietary trans vaccenic acid may favorably alter immune function in JCR:LA-cp rats.", Canadian Workshop on Conjugated Linoleic Acid 2007 (CLA2007), Winnipeg, MB, Canada, June 18-19, 2007, pp. 106. (Workshop)

    2007 - View publication details

  12. Blewett, H.J., (Blewett H.J., nee Hosea), Rector, E.S., and Taylor, C.G. (2007). "Dietary zinc deficiency lowers the proportions of splenic CD90⁺ (Thy-1⁺) B-cells and late thymic emigrant T-cells in growing rats.", British Journal of Nutrition, 98(6), pp. 1108-1111. doi : 10.1017/S000711450777188X

    2007 - View publication details

  13. Blewett, H.J., (Blewett H.J., nee Hosea), Rector, E.S., and Taylor, C.G. (2006). "The lower proportion of CD90+ T cells in zincdeficient rats is due to a smaller proportion of late thymic emigrants.", Canadian Society for Clinical Nutrition's 5th Annual Scientific Meeting, Edmonton, AB, Canada, May 25-27, 2006, Published in: Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 31(3), pp. 331-365. (Abstract)

    2006 - View publication details

  14. Blewett, H.J., (Blewett H.J., nee Hosea), Mollard, R.C., Weiler, H.A., Rector, E.S., and Taylor, C.G. (2005). "Long term dietary supplementation of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and gender alters the proportion of naïve helper and cytotoxic T cells in rats.", Experimental Biology 2005, San Diego, CA, USA, April 2-6, 2005, Published in: FASEB J., 19(4), A441. (Poster)

    2005 - View publication details

  15. Blewett, H.J., (Blewett H.J., nee Hosea), Burr, L., Noto, A., Mollard, R.C., Weiler, H.A., and Taylor, C.G. (2005). "Gender differences and increased eicosapentaenoic acid in lymphocyte phospholipid fatty acid composition after long term dietary supplementation of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in rats.", Experimental Biology 2005, San Diego, CA, USA, April 2-6, 2005, Published in: FASEB J., 19(4), A441. (Poster)

    2005 - View publication details

  16. Blewett, H.J., (Blewett H.J., nee Hosea), Mollard, R.C., Weiler, H.A., Rector, E.S., and Taylor, C.G. (2005). "Altered cytokine production with dietary supplementation of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids early, mid, late or throughout growth in rats.", 2nd Northern Lights Summer Conference (48th CFBS Annual Meeting), University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, June 21- 24, 2005, Published in: CFBS Proceedings. 48: 43. (Poster)

    2005 - View publication details

  17. Blewett, H.J., (Blewett H.J., nee Hosea), Rector, E.S., and Taylor, C.G. (2005). "Age-related changes in p56lck protein levels and phenotypic distribution of T lymphocytes in young rats.", Clinical and Developmental Immunology, 12(1), pp. 75-84.

    2005 - View publication details

  18. Blewett, H.J., (Blewett H.J., nee Hosea), Taylor, C.G., Wood, T., Mollard, R.C., and Weiler, H.A. (2004). "Zinc-deficient rats have more limited bone recovery during repletion than diet-restricted rats.", Experimental Biology and Medicine, 229(4), pp. 303-311.

    2004 - View publication details

  19. Blewett, H.J., (Blewett H.J., nee Hosea), Rector, E.S., and Taylor, C.G. (2004). "Dietary repletion can replenish reduced T cell subset numbers and lymphoid organ weight in zinc-deficient and energy-restricted rats.", British Journal of Nutrition, 91(5), pp. 741-747.

    2004 - View publication details

  20. Blewett, H.J., (Blewett H.J., nee Hosea), Rector, E.S., and Taylor, C.G. (2003). "Zinc-deficient rats have fewer recent thymic emigrant (CD90+) T lymphocytes in spleen and blood.", Journal of Nutrition, 133(12), pp. 4239-4242.

    2003 - View publication details

Contact

Research facility

Morden Research and Development Centre
Route 100, Unit 100-101
Morden, MB R6M 1Y5
Canada

Expertise

Food›Nutrition›Health Benefits
Health›Human Health Risk Assessment
Sciences›Scientific research

Affiliations

  • 2014/1: Associate Editor -Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, Canadian Science Publishing.
  • 2014/1: Adjunct Professor -Physiology and Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba.
  • 2012/7: Adjunct Professor -Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba.
  • 2011/5: Principal Investigator -Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine, St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre.

Language

English