Richard Bruno, PhD, RD

Assistant Professor

Office Phone: (860) 486-1608
Fax: (860) 486-3674
Email: richard.bruno@uconn.edu

Education and Training

• Doctorate of Philosophy in Human Nutrition, June 2004
  The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
  Dissertation: The Role Of Oxidative Stress and Vitamin C On Vitamin E Utilization In Humans
• Dietetic Internship, September 2001 - May 2002
  The Ohio State University; Columbus, Ohio
• Master of Science in Human Nutrition, December 1999
  University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware
  Thesis: Perceptions and Gastrointestinal Effects of Olestra
• Bachelor of Science in Applied Nutrition; Minor in Biology May 1997
  University of Delaware; Newark, Delaware

Professional Experience

• Assistant Professor 08/2005 - Present, Department of Nutritional Sciences; University of Connecticut
• Research Associate 06/2004 - 08/2005, Linus Pauling Institute; Oregon State University
• Research Assistant 06/2002 - 06/2004, Human Nutrition and Food Management; Oregon State University
• Graduate Research Associate 09/2000 - 05/2002, Department of Human Nutrition; The Ohio State University
• Graduate Teaching Associate 09/1999 - 05/2002, Department of Human Nutrition; The Ohio State University
• Tutor 05/2000 - 06/2002, Student-Athlete Support Service Office; The Ohio State University
• Health Promotion Specialist/Graduate Associate, 09/1998 - 07/1999,Employee Wellness Center; University of Delaware
• Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Spring, 1997, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics; University of Delaware

Awards and Honors

• Top 25 Dietary Supplement Paper Published in 2005, Annual Bibliographies of Significant Advances in Dietary Supplement Research, NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, 2006
• Alumnus In the Spotlight, Dept. of Human Nutrition, The Ohio State University, 2005
• 1st Prize, Ohio Agricultural Research Development Center Research Symposium, 2001
• J.F. Baldwin Scholarship Recipient, 1997
• North Atlantic Conference Academic Honor Role,1996

Professional Affiliations

• Member, American Society for Nutrition, 2006 – Present
• Affiliate Member, Connecticut Center of Excellence for Eliminating Health Disparities among Latinos, University of Connecticut, 2006 – Present
• Registered Dietitian, Commission of Dietetic Registration, 2002 - Present
• Member, Oxygen Club of California, 2002 - Present
• Member, American Dietetic Association, 2001 - Present
• Member, Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 2000 - Present
• Member, Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2000 - Present
• Treasurer, Ohio State University Nutrition Graduate Student Association, 2000 - 2002

Personal Affiliations and Community Service

• Coach and Member, USA Track & Field, 2003 - 2006
• Volunteer Pole Vault Coach, Crescent Valley HS (Corvallis, OR), 2004 - 2005
• Coach and Member, Vertical Vault Club (Salem, OR), 2003 - 2005
• Coach and Member, USA Track & Field of Oregon, 2003 - 2005
• Volunteer Pole Vault Coach, University of Delaware, 1997 - 1999
• Captain, Track & Field Team, University of Delaware, 1996 - 1997
• Member, Track & Field Team, University of Delaware, 1994 - 1997

Research

The aim of the Bruno Laboratory is targeted at understanding the mechanisms by which dietary antioxidants contribute to human health. Specifically, we are interested in elucidating the pathways by which antioxidants, such as vitamins E and C, glutathione, and phenolic compounds including green tea catechins, quercetin, and soy isoflavones, exhibit their bioactivity and regulate the initiation and progression of oxidative stress-mediated chronic diseases including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease.  In support of these goals, controlled studies are routinely conducted in human and animal models of oxidative stress such as obesity, dietary supplementation/restriction, or cigarette smoking. Ultimately, our expectation is to evaluate the mechanisms by which antioxidants regulate oxidative stress biomarkers, discover and validate novel biomarkers of oxidative stress, and to work towards developing novel dietary recommendations for achieving optimal health in humans.

Graduate Students

• Christine E. Dugan, M.S. Student (01/2006 – Present)
  Thesis Project: Dietary green tea extract in the prevention of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
  (Fall 2007, expected completion)
• Claudia Liang, M.S. Student (09/2007 – Present)
  Thesis Project: Protective effects of chlorogenic acid in a carcinogen induced colon cancer rodent model
  (Fall 2007, expected completion)
• Steven F. Yeung, M.S. Student (09/2006 – Present)
  Thesis Project: Regulation of hepatic vitamin E in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
  (Spring 2008, expected completion)
• Dana DiNatale, M.S. Student (09/2007 – Present)
  Thesis Project: Obesity-mediated regulation of green tea catechins and dietary antioxidants.
• Minyu Chung, Ph.D. Student (09/2007 – Present)
  Dissertation Project: Green tea in the protection of obesity-triggered nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.           
• Manuel Matos, Ph.D. Student (09/2007 – Present)
  Dissertation Project: Hyperglycemia-Mediated Alterations In Vascular Endothelium Function
  and Redox Sensitive Parameters

Publications

Peer Reviewed

• RS Bruno and DM Medeiros. (2000). Lutein, zeaxanthin and age-related macular degeneration. J Nutraceuticals Funct Med Foods, 3(1): 75-85.
• RS Bruno and REC Wildman. (2001). Sources, properties and nutraceutical potential of lycopene. J Nutraceuticals Funct Med Foods, 3(2): 9-23.  
• SW Leonard*, RS Bruno*, E Paterson, BC Schock, J Atkinson, TM Bray, CE Cross, MG Traber. (2003). 5-Nitro-gamma-tocopherol increases in human plasma exposed to cigarette smoke in-vitro and in-vivo. Free Radic Biol Med, 35 (12): 1560-7. *Equal contribution
• SW Leonard, RS Bruno, R Ramakrishnan, T Bray, MG Traber. (2004). Cigarette smoking increases human vitamin E requirements as estimated by plasma deuterium-labeled CEHC. Ann NY Acad Sci; 1031: 357-360. 
• RS Bruno, R Ramakrishnan, TJ Montine, TM Bray, MG Traber. (2005). alpha-Tocopherol disappearance is faster in cigarette smokers and is inversely related to their ascorbic acid status. Am J Clin Nutr; 81(1): 95-103.
• T Offer, E Ho, MG Traber, RS Bruno, FA Kuypers, BN Ames. (2005). A simple assay for frequency of chromosomal damage using human peripheral blood: Flow cytometric analysis of reticulocytes. Faseb J; 19(3): 485-7 (E-pub, Dec 15 2004).
• RS Bruno and MG Traber. (2005). Cigarette smoke alters human vitamin E requirements. J Nutr; 135(4): 671-4 (Invited Review).
• RS Bruno, SW Leonard, J Li, TM Bray, MG Traber. (2005). Lower plasma alpha-carboxyethyl-hydroxychroman after deuterium-labeled alpha-tocopherol supplementation suggests decreased vitamin E metabolism in smokers. Am J Clin Nutr; 81(5): 1052-9.
• JD Sowell, HM Conway, RS Bruno, MG Traber, B Frei, JF Stevens. (2005). Ascorbylated 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal as a potential biomarker of oxidative stress response. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci; 827(1):139-45; E-pub, Jul 14 2005.
• AW Taylor, RS Bruno, B Frei, MG Traber. (2006) Benefits of prolonged gradient separation for HPLC-MS-MS quantitation of plasma 15-Series F2-isoprostanes.  Anal Biochem, 350(1):41-51. E pub Jan 13 2006.
• RS Bruno¥, SW Leonard, R Ramakrishnan, J Atkinson, TJ Montine, TM Bray, MG Traber. (2006). Faster plasma vitamin E disappearance in smokers is normalized by vitamin C supplementation. Free Radic Biol Med; 40(4):689-97; Epub Nov 15 2005. (¥Received commentary:  Buettner GR. (2006). Commentary on "Faster plasma vitamin E disappearance in smokers is normalized by vitamin C supplementation". Free Radic Biol Med; 40(4): 555-6).
• RS Bruno, SW Leonard, S-I Park, Y Zhao, MG Traber. (2006). Human vitamin E requirements assessed with the use of apples fortified with deuterium-labeled α-tocopheryl acetate. Am J Clin Nutr; 83: 299-304.
• RS Bruno and MG Traber. (2006). Oxidative stress, vitamin E and cigarette smoking. Pathophysiology; 13(3):143-9; Epub, Jun 28 2006. (Invited Review).
• RS Bruno, Y Song, SW Leonard, DJ Mustacich, AW Taylor, MG Traber, E Ho. (2007). Dietary Zinc Restriction In Rats Alters Antioxidant Status And Increases Plasma F2-Isoprostanes. J Nutr Biochem; 18(8): 509-18; E pub, Dec 1 2006.
• J Carlstrom, JD Symons, TC Wu, RS Bruno, SE Litwin, T Jalili. (2007). A quercetin supplemented diet does not prevent cardiovascular complications in spontaneously hypertensive rats. J Nutr; 137(3):628-33.
• D Mustachich, RS Bruno, MG Traber. (2007). Vitamin E. Vitam Horm; 76:1-21. (Invited Review).
• K Nesaretnam, TH Koon, KR Selvaduray, RS Bruno, E Ho. (200x). Modulation of cell growth and apoptosis response in human prostate cancer cells supplemented with tocotrienols. European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology; accepted pending revisions.
• RS Bruno, CE Dugan, JA Smyth, DA DiNatale, SI Koo. (200x). Green tea extract protects against hepatic steatosis and injury in leptin deficient spontaneously obese mice. J Nutr, submitted 02 Aug 2007.
• AW Taylor, RS Bruno, MG Traber. (200x). Women and Smokers Have Elevated Urinary F2-Isoprostane Metabolites; Determinations using a Novel Extraction and LC-MS Methodology. J Lipid Research, submitted 10 Aug 2007.

Letters to the Editor

• RS Bruno, SW Leonard, R Ramakrishnan, J Atkinson, TJ Montine, TM Bray, MG Traber. (2007).  Response to Harri Hemila, “Conclusions about intervention effects should not be based on surrogate end points”. Free Radic Biol Med, 42(4):579-80; Epub 2006 Dec 15

Book Chapters

• RS Bruno and MG Traber. (2006). Vitamin E: Antioxidant benefit of alpha and gamma tocopherols? In: Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, 2nd Edition (Wildman REC, ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group; submitted
• RS Bruno, REC Wildman, SJ Schwartz. (2006). Lycopene: Source, properties and nutraceutical potential. In: Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, 2nd Edition (Wildman REC, ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group; submitted
• RJ Sokol, RS Bruno, MG Traber. (2005). Vitamin E and vitamin K metabolism. In: Physiology Of The Gastrointestinal Tract, 4th Edition (Johnson LR, ed.). San Diego, CA: Elsevier. In press.
• RS Bruno and REC Wildman. (2000). Lycopene: Source, properties and nutraceutical potential. In: Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, (Wildman REC, ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Scientific Presenations

Oral

• RS Bruno. (2004). The role of oxidative stress on vitamin E utilization in humans.  Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Ohio State University; Columbus, OH.
• RS Bruno. (2004). The role of oxidative stress on vitamin E utilization in humans.  Pharmavite LLC; North Ridge, CA.
• RS Bruno. (2004). Diet and lifestyle: The effect of free radicals on our body’s need for vitamin E.  Association for Office Professionals, Oregon State University; Corvallis, OR.  
• RS Bruno. (2005). Does oxidative stress alter vitamin E utilization in humans?  Department of Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, Oregon State University; Corvallis, OR.
• RS Bruno. (2005). Human clinical trials evaluating the role of oxidative stress on vitamin E utilization.  Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut; Storrs, CT.
• RS Bruno. (2005). Human clinical trials to evaluate vitamin E bioavailability, utilization and metabolism. Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Sciences, University of Connecticut; Storrs, CT.
• RS Bruno. (2006). Oxidative Stress-Mediated Alterations of Vitamin E Pharmacokinetics in Humans.  Department of Animal Sciences, University of Connecticut; Storrs, CT.
• RS Bruno, DA DiNatale, CE Dugan, JA Smyth, SI Koo. (2007). Obesity-Triggered Hepatic Steatosis and Injury In Spontaneously Obese Mice Are Attenuated By Green Tea Extract.  4th International Diet and Optimum Health Conference; Portland, OR (No Abstract # / Oral Presentation).

Abstracts and Posters

• RS Bruno and REC Wildman. (2000). Olestra: perceptions and gastrointestinal symptoms. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology; San Diego, CA. FASEB J; 14(4):A223.
• M Noseworthy, M Levy, RS Bruno, and TM Bray. (2000). Hyperoxia exposure decreases BBB integrity and increases brain oxidative damage in protein-energy malnourished rats.  Oxygen Society; San Diego, CA.  Free Radical Biol Med; 29: 256 (Suppl. 1).
• RS Bruno, AR Smith, J Eckel, VP Wright, MA Levy, TM Bray, TL Clanton. (2001). Acute lung injury is induced by short-term protein deficiency (PD) in CD-1 mice.  Oxygen Society; Research Triangle, NC.  Free Radical Biol Med; 35:58 (Suppl. 1).
• RS Bruno, AR Smith, T Clanton, TM Bray.  (2002). Short-term protein deficiency increases oxidative stress and induces emphysema in the lung of CD-1 Mice.  Oxygen Club of California; Santa Barbara, CA.
• AR Smith, RS Bruno, J Eckel, PT Diaz, TL Clanton, TM Bray.  (2002). Lung morphometric changes following protein energy malnutrition: effects of tobacco smoke exposure.  American Thoracic Society; Atlanta, GA.
• RS Bruno, R Ramakrishnan, TM Bray, MG Traber. (2003). Vitamin E kinetics in cigarette smokers are related to vitamin C status.  Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine; Seattle, WA.  Free Radical Biol Med; 35:70 (Suppl. 1).
• T Offer, E Ho, RS Bruno, MG Traber and BN Ames. (2004). A Flow-Cytometry Based Micronucleus Assay.  Oxygen Club of California; Santa Barbara, CA.
• SW Leonard, RS Bruno, R Ramakrishnan, TM Bray, MG Traber. (2004). Cigarette smoking increases human vitamin E requirements, estimated using plasma deuterium-labeled CEHC.  New York Academy of Sciences; Boston, MA.
• RS Bruno, SW Leonard, R Ramakrishnan, T Montine, TM Bray, MG Traber.  (2004). Vitamin C spares alpha- and gamma-tocopherols in cigarette smokers.  Society for Free Radical Biology and Medicine; St. Thomas, VI.  Free Radical Biol Med; 37(1001): S132.
• RS Bruno, SW Leonard, J Li, TM Bray, MG Traber. (2005). CEHC is not a useful biomarker to evaluate vitamin E status.  Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology; San Diego, CA.  FASEB J ; 19(4): A65.8.
• AW Taylor, RS Bruno, MG Traber, B Frei.  (2005). LC-MS Quantitation of F2-isoprostanes: Is slower better?  American Society for Mass Spectrometry; San Antonio, TX.
• RS Bruno, SW Leonard, S-I Park, Y Zhao, MG Traber.  (2005). Vitamin E Bioavailability Following A Novel Technique of Vacuum Impregnation of Apples.  Diet and Optimum Health; Portland, OR.
• RS Bruno, Y Song, SW Leonard, AW Taylor, MG Traber, E Ho. (2006). The role of dietary zinc restriction on antioxidant status and oxidative stress.  Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology; San Francisco, CA.  FASEB J ; 20: Abstract 404.10.
• DD Dinatale, CE Dugan, JA Smyth, SI Koo, RS Bruno. (2007). Green tea extract protects against obesity-triggered hepatic injury in spontaneously obese mice.  Frontiers in Undergraduate Research, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.
• U Vaishnav, MJ Puglisi, JO Leite, JS Volek, RS Bruno, SI Koo and ML Fernandez. (2007). Effect of green tea extract on postprandial lipid response to an oral fat load. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology; Washington, DC.  FASEB J.  Abstract 847.9.
• CE Dugan, DA Dinatale, JA Smyth, SI Koo and RS Bruno. (2007). Green tea extract attenuates hepatic steatosis and injury in leptin-deficient mice.  Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology; Washington, DC.  FASEB J. Abstract 542.7.
• AW Taylor, RS Bruno, MG Traber. (2007). Quantitation of Human Urinary F2-Isoprostanes and their Metabolites by Mixed-Mode SPE and HPLC-MS-MS. American Society for Mass Spectrometry; Indianapolis, IN.

Outreach and Extension

• RS Bruno. (2006). Vitamin E: One Of Nature’s Many Antioxidants.  E-Extension bulletin.
• Radio Interview Guest (Dec 2006), The Wayne Norman Show; Wili-AM Radio (Willimantic, CT).  The Wayne Norman Show is the longest continuously running morning show in Connecticut. The station is broadcasted to ~100,000 Eastern Connecticut residents and is listened to by 5,000-10,000 individuals daily.
• CE Dugan and RS Bruno. (2007). Tea: If Only All Accidents Were This Healthy.  Home & Garden News; University of Connecticut Home & Garden Education Center, March/April 2007.
  The Home & Garden News is a subscription-based (~630 subscribers) bimonthly newsletter distributed by the Home & Garden Education Center in College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut. 

News and Updates

February 5, 2008 - "What's Happening"
The Spring-Fall 2007 edition of the Department of Nutritional Sciences newsletter, "What's Happening," is available as a pdf here.

Positions Open

Pre-Doctoral Fellowships Available
The Department of Nutritional Sciences is offering 3 pre-doctoral fellowships for outstanding students for 3 years.

Assistant Professor
The University of Connecticut invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences. This is a nine-month, tenure track, research and teaching position.