PROJECT SUMMARY Precision nutrition is a new and now integral component of precision medicine that exploits differences in how dietary components are absorbed, metabolized and converted to energy, and in how that energy is utilized, resulting in widely varying dietary and nutrient requirements. In Hawaii, culture and customs influence dietary preferences and economic disparities affect food access, further amplifying differences in nutritional needs and individual responses to dietary components. Recognizing the innovative new opportunities available through precision nutrition approaches, and the transformative potential for impactful nutritional health benefits, particularly to the indigenous and underserved people of Hawaii, the University of Hawaii proposes to establish a multicomponent center that enables multidisciplinary research with the thematic focus of Precision Nutrition. The overall goal of this Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Phase I proposal is the creation of an Integrative Center for Precision Nutrition and Human Health at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa (UHM), ‘integrative’ in that it will encompass the interface between precision nutrition research and human health outcomes. Our objectives are to build the foundation needed to grow a cadre of future leaders and mentors in precision nutrition, the fruits of their efforts feeding the attainment of positive impacts on human health, and to broadly disseminate and implement healthful strategies and interventions, nourishing the sustainability of this Precision Nutrition COBRE. The overall goal of creating a Precision Nutrition COBRE that fosters excellence in research, career development, and community health, will be achieved through the following three Specific Aims: Aim 1: To create an Integrative Center for Precision Nutrition and Human Health founded on impactful, scientifically rigorous research, education and training; built around a cadre of promising future scientific leaders; and fostered by outstanding individually-crafted, team-facilitated mentoring and career development activities. Aim 2: To provide research investigators education and training in cutting edge technologies and access to state-of-the-art research Core Facilities, integrating these resources with other research and training programs and facilities at UH, with community-based research in Hawaii, and with the IDeA network across the nation. Aim 3: To promote development of strong collaborative relationships between academic researchers and the community, based on culturally sensitive approaches, with the goal of achieving tangible health benefits for all. Through the combined efforts of Precision Nutrition COBRE researchers and our community partners, with the guidance of the Community Engagement and Outreach Core, we will collaboratively advance precision nutrition, share and disseminate beneficial and healthful strategies and interventions and positive outcomes throughout the community, the State and beyond. The long term goal of the Center is to promote health through the advantages of precision nutrition, implemented across the community and beyond, thereby producing lasting, far-reaching positive impacts on human health.

PROJECT NARRATIVE The Overall Goal of this Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence Phase I proposal is the creation of an Integrative Center for Precision Nutrition and Human Health at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. Precision nutrition is a new component of medicine that considers differences in how nutrients are absorbed and converted to energy, resulting in widely varying dietary and nutrient requirements. Genes, environment, culture and customs, dietary preferences and economics all contribute to nutrition and overall health. Through culturally-sensitive collaborations between academic researchers and the community, our goal is to promote better nutrition and health widely throughout the community, state and beyond.