Janet Tou

Tou’s research area of interests are investigating bioactive dietary compounds (including omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols) and their therapeutic role in diseases such as osteoporosis, polycystic kidney disease, and fatty liver disease as well as determining potential biochemical/molecular mechanisms of actions.

In addition to research Dr. Tou teaches several courses in WVU's Human Nutrition and Foods undergraduate major, as well as a graduate course focused on critically evaluating study designs and research methods. Dr. Tou has experience in industry and academia, including stops at NASA and the University of California, Berkley. Over her career Dr. Tou has conducted research on reproduction, NASA's rodent diets, hindlimb suspension, bone health, cancer, high-fructose corn syrup, polycystic kidney disease, and more. Dr. Tou also mentors many undergraduate students and boasts one of WVU's top labs for undergraduate research experience. Dr. Tou hails from Nova Scotia, Canada. She attended Dalhousie College for her BS and MS studies before going on to obtain her PhD in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto.