As an Ohio State senior majoring in Nutrition Science, Claire Khoury is tackling a question that could impact millions of Americans: How does vitamin C deficiency influence the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in individuals with obesity?
“NAFLD is an obesity-related disorder that afflicts nearly 100 million Americans,” Khoury explains. “Our hypothesis is that vitamin C deficiency will exacerbate the severity of NAFLD pathology that is otherwise caused by obesity.”
Under the mentorship of Dr. Richard Bruno, Khoury uses Gulo-KO mice, which lack the enzyme needed to synthesize vitamin C, to model this interaction. Her work examines vitamin C status, serum levels, liver function, oxidative damage, and gut microbiota—critical factors in understanding disease progression.
For Khoury, research is more than data collection; it’s a journey of discovery. “What I like most about research is the process of investigating unanswered questions from start to finish,” she says. “Forming a hypothesis, troubleshooting protocols, analyzing data, and drawing meaningful conclusions all challenge me to use critical thinking skills.”
She also values the collaborative nature of the lab. “I enjoy learning from more experienced team members and problem-solving together,” Khoury adds. “Above all, I enjoy the process of uncovering something new driven by scientific inquiry and curiosity.”
Khoury is on track to graduate in December 2025, and her work exemplifies how undergraduate research can contribute to solving real-world health challenges.