Nutrigenomics Graduate Certificate

The Nutrigenomics Graduate Certificate within the School of Integrative and Functional Medicine is a distance education program that focuses on the scientific study of whole-genome sequences and patterns of gene expression.
Genes are critical for determining function, and nutrition modifies the extent to which different genes are expressed. Thereby, modulating whether individuals attain the potential established by their genetic background.

Nutrigenomics refers to the study of the effects of nutrients on the expression of an individual’s genetic makeup. Recently, this definition was expanded to include nutritional factors that defend the genome against damage.
The Nutrigenomics Graduate Certificate includes instruction in molecular and cellular biology, genetics, protein technologies, genomic sciences and techniques, bioinformatics, and scientific and research ethics.
Meet Our Nutrigenomics Faculty


VALENTIN PRISECARU, MS | Nutrigenomics Program Director
Valentin Prisecaru attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he received B.S. (1999) and M.S. (2002) degrees in Food Science and Human Nutrition studying the effects of various protein and carbohydrate ingredients and percentages on satiety, fullness, energy levels, blood glucose levels, and ABO blood groups in a nutrition/energy bar format.
In 2003 Valentin became a doctoral candidate at the University of Illinois, with concentrations in Physical Chemistry and Nutrition, where he used Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and FT-NIR imaging to model and develop biomedical algorithms for cancer and cardiovascular disease.
PETER D’ADAMO, ND, MIFHI | Esteemed Nutrigenomics Lecturer
Dr. D’Adamo is a physician, researcher, software engineer, and author. He was the Distinguished Professor of Clinical Sciences at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut.
Via his DataPunk portal (www.datapunk.net) he has developed and personally coded a variety of bioinformatics applications that allow for real-time analysis of an individual’s genomic, microbiome, detoxication variation. His best-known projects are Opus23, a clinical genomic/microbiome analysis tool; and SWAMI, a program that devises complex one-of-a-kind diet and health protocols.

Nutrigenomics studies include various aspects of:
- transcriptomics – transcription factors and dietary signaling routes
- genome tools and how to apply them
- bioinformatics and how to make nutrigenomics data useful
- nutrigenetics and sensitizing genotypes
- use of models: animal and human studies
- relationships between nutrigenomics and complex diseases
- dietary stress and inflammation
- arch for molecular biomarkers with nutritional systems biology
- nutrigenomics and development of functional foods
- nutrigenomics and personalized diets
- regulatory, legal, and ethical issues of nutrigenomics, etc.
We fulfill our mission and goals through an integrated curriculum. Therefore ensuring that our students attain the following learning outcomes:
- Obtain an increased level of competence appropriate for an industry-credentialed nutritional specialist or other nutritional medicine health professional.
- Possess critical thinking skills to adapt to changing clinical environments and patient needs.
- Exhibit professionalism through consistent ethical behavior.
- Demonstrate communication skills for effective communication with patients, families, and other healthcare providers.
Students progress through the curriculum and meet course learning objectives that culminate in the accomplishment of the above learning outcomes.
Credits: 20
Duration: 2 semesters
Tuition: $515 per credit
Curriculum
SCI602 | Genomic Screening | 2 Credits |
SCI600 | Nanoscience and Nanotechnology | 2 Credits |
NUT503 | Diet, Genes, and Nutrition | 3 Credits |
SCI605 | Foodomics | 3 Credits |
NUT502 | Nutrition Assessment | 3 Credits |
GASTP503 | Nutrigenomics and Proteomics | 3 Credits |
GASTP505 | Food & The Senses | 3 Credits |
NUT590 | Medical and Professional Ethics | 1 Credit |
Plan of Study
Semester 1 | |
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology | 2 Credits |
Nutrigenomics and Proteomics | 3 Credits |
Nutrition Assessment | 3 Credits |
Medical and Professional Ethics | 1 Credit |
9 Credits | |
Semester 2 | |
Genomic Screening | 2 Credits |
Foodomics | 3 Credits |
Food & The Senses | 3 Credits |
Diet, Genes, & Nutrition | 3 Credits |
11 Credits |
Nutrigenomics Graduate Certificate Program / School of Integrative and Functional Medicine Application Requirements:
- 3 letters of reference
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume
- Official transcripts from all higher education institutions
- Personal statement letter
- Copies of TOEFL or IELTS scores, if applicable
- Application, $35.00 application fee (non-refundable) click here to apply
Nutrigenomics Graduate Certificate Program Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor, Master, or Doctorate degree from a regional, national, or international equivalency accredited agency recognized by the United States Department of Education in a related field.
- A GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for the last degree earned.
- If the applicant’s first language, or the language of instruction, is not English, English proficiency examination scores are required.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) minimum scores are 550 (pBT) or 213 (cBT) or 79 (iBT).
- The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) minimum score required is 6.5.
- The PTE Academic minimum score required is 53.
- Active/Current Medical and/or License/Certification recommended for the nutrigenomics graduate certificate.
- Interview with JPU representative