Departments & Divisions
Institutes and Centers
Monica Serra, PhD
Associate Professor
Research Health Scientist
I have a broad background in nutrition, obesity, and exercise physiology. I am a research investigator in the Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology & Palliative Medicine and the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies at UTHSCSA, as well as at the Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital with the San Antonio Geriatrics Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC). I am a Registered Dietitian and Certified Athletic Training, collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to design, conduct, and analyze randomized controlled trials focusing on the clinical application of lifestyle interventions in the prevention and treatment of obesity, chronic disease, and disability in older adults.
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Professional Background
Education
- 2009 - PhD - Exercise, Nutrition, and Preventive Health - Baylor University
- 2005 - MS - Nutrition - Case Western Reserve University
- 2003 - BS - Athletic Training - Duquesne University
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Research & Grants
The long-term goal of Dr. Monica C. Serra’s research is to better understand the mechanisms by which lifestyle interventions, such as exercise training and nutritional modification, can optimize health in older adults. A main focus of her research is on the effects of intentional weight loss and exercise training on body composition, cardiometabolic fitness, and diabetes risk in overweight older adults. Additionally, her research involves the development of rehabilitation protocols to reduce fatigue and improve quality of life and muscle metabolism in older adults with chronic disease and disability.
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Publications
Serra MC, Ryan AS, Sorkin JD, Favors KH, Goldberg AP. High Adipose LPL Activity and Adipocyte Hypertrophy Reduce Visceral Fat and Metabolic Risk in Obese, Older Women. Obesity, 2015, Vol 23, No 3: pp 602-7.
Serra MC, Blumenthal J, Addison O, Miller A, Goldberg AP, Ryan AS. Effects of Weight Loss with and without Exercise on Regional Body Fat Distribution in Postmenopausal Women. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2017, Vol 70, No 4: pp. 312-320.
Serra MC, Ryan AS, Ortmeyer HK, Addison O, Goldberg AP. Resistance Training Reduces Inflammation and Fatigue and Improves Physical Function in Older Breast Cancer Survivors. Menopause, 2018, Vol 25, No 2: pp: 211-216.
Serra MC, Beavers DP, Henderson R, Kelleher JL, Kiel J, Beavers KM. Effects of a Hypocaloric, Nutritionally Complete, Higher Protein Meal Plan on Regional Body Fat and Cardiometabolic Biomarkers in Older Adults with Obesity. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2019, Vol 74, No 2: pp 149-155.
Serra MC, Accardi CJ, Ma C, Park Y, Tran V, Jones DP, Hafer-Macko CE, Ryan AS. Metabolomics of Aerobic Exercise in Chronic Stroke Survivors: A Pilot Study. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, 2019, Vol 28, No 12: pp 104453.
Serra MC, Ryan AS, Hafer-Macko CE, Yepes M, Nahab F, Ziegler TR. Dietary and Serum Omega-6/Omega-3 Fatty Acids are Associated with Physical and Metabolic Function in Stroke Survivors. Nutrients, 2020, Vol 12, No 3: pp: 701.
Complete List of Published Work in MyBibliography: