Dr. Jennifer Monk

• B.Sc. – University of Guelph
• Ph.D. –  University of Guelph
• Post-Doctoral – Texas A&M University

My basic science research studies the effects of fatty acids and metabolites produced from microbial fermentation of non-digestible dietary precursors on i) intestinal epithelial barrier integrity and mucosal function, and ii) microbial crosstalk, via metabolite barrier translocation, extra-intestinally with skeletal muscle and adipose tissue impacting inflammatory and metabolic function.
During the COVID-19 pandemic I also pursued education research identifying pedagogical approaches to reduce academic anxiety, increase learning engagement and promote development of critical employability skills for careers in STEM.  
I also maintain an interest in food security, locally within the University and more broadly in the city of Guelph community. 
 

Basic Science Research

Van, K., Burns, J.L. & Monk, J.M. (2024). Effect of Short-Chain Fatty Acids on Inflammatory and Metabolic Function in an Obese Skeletal Muscle Cell Culture Model. Nutrients, 16(4), 500. 
        
Richard, C. & Monk, J.M. (2024). Docosahexaenoic Acid. Advances in Nutrition, 15(1), 100161. 
 
Acosta, J.E., Burns, J.L., Hillyer, L.M., Van, K., Brendel, E.B.K., Law, C., Ma, D.W.L. & Monk, J.M. (2024). Effect of Lifelong Exposure to Dietary Plant and Marine Sources of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Morphologic and Gene Expression Biomarkers of Intestinal Health in Early Life. Nutrients, 16(5), 719 (1-18). 

Woodward, B., Hillyer, L.M. & Monk, J.M. (2023). The Tolerance Model of Non-Inflammatory Immune Competence in Acute Pediatric Malnutrition: Origins, Evidence, Test of Fitness and Growth Potential. Nutrients, 15(4922), 1-29. 

Martin, J.L.A., Cartwright, N.M., Hutchinson, A.L., Robinson, L.E., Ma, D.W.L. & Monk, J.M. (2022). Differential effects of short-chain fatty acids on L6 myotube inflammatory mediator production in response to lipopolysaccharide- or palmitic acid-stimulation. Nutrients, 14(14), 2826.  

Monk, J.M., Hutchinson, A.L., *Martin, J.L. & & +Robinson, L.E. (2021). Using Immune Cell/Adipocyte Co-Culture Models to Identify Inflammatory Paracrine Signaling Mechanisms: a Process Attenuated by Long-Chain n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids. Journal of Cellular Immunology, 3(5), 326-335. 

Monk, J.M., Liddle, D.M., Hutchinson, A.L., Burns, J.L., Wellings, H., *Cartwright, N.M., Muller, W.J., Power, K.A., Robinson, L.E. & +Ma, D.W.L. (2021). Fish oil supplementation increases expression of mammary tumor apoptosis mediators and reduces inflammation in an obesity-associated HER-2 breast cancer model. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 95, 108763. 
      
Monk, J.M., Wu, W., Lepp, D., Pauls, K.P., Robinson, L.E. & Power, K.A. (2021). Navy Bean Supplementation in Established High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Attenuates the Severity of the Obese Inflammatory Phenotype. Nutrients, 13(3), 757 (1-20). 

Education Research

Ihab, I., Brendel, B.K, Law, C., Van, K., Martin J.L.A & Monk, J.M. (2024). Impact of student generated exam aids on academic performance, stress and learning approach. American Journal of Education Research, 12(2), 59-69. 

Monk, J.M., Beauchamp, D.M., von Holt, R.K. & Van, K. (2023). Effectiveness of literature critique peer discussions to build scientific literacy skills, engagement and improve learning-related emotions during COVID-19-associated online learning. American Journal of Education Research, 11(5), 305-315. 

Siby, T., Martin, J.L.A., Burns, J.M., Beauchamp, D.M., Pollock, H., Vu, J.P. & Monk, J.M. (2023). Effects of Online Career Training Modules on Undergraduate STEM Students’ Career Readiness Perceptions. American Journal of Educational Research, 11(4), 214-224. 

Van, K., *Beauchamp, D.M., Rachid, H., Mansour, M., Buckley, B., Choi, D., Prescod, A. & Monk, J.M. (2022). Impact of COVID-19-induced shift to online dietetics training on PDEP competency acquisition and mental health. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research, 83(1), 1-3. 

Beauchamp, D.M. & Monk, J.M. (2022). Effect of Optional Assessments on Student Engagement, Learning Approach, Stress, and Perceptions of Online Learning during COVID-19. International Journal of Higher Education, 10(5), 87-101.)

Brannen, S.F., Beauchamp, D.M., Cartwright, N.M., Liddle, D.M., Tishinsky, J.M., Newton, G. & Monk, J.M. (2021). Effectiveness of Group Work Contracts to Facilitate Collaborative Group Learning and Reduce Anxiety in Traditional Face-to-Face Lecture and Online Distance Education Course Formats. International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 15(2), Article 5. 

Cartwright, N.M., Patil, P., Liddle, D.M., Newton, G. & Monk, J.M. (2021). Enhancement of professional behaviours and perceptions of critical skill job preparedness through the use of a group work contract in fourth-year nutritional science students. International Journal of Higher Education, 10(2), 27-41. 

Beauchamp, D.M., Newton, G. & Monk, J.M. (2021). Adapting literature critique engagement activities for online learning due to COVID-19: use of online learning groups to promote scientific literacy capabilities in undergraduate nutrition education. International Journal of Higher Education, 10(7), 19-33. 

Cartwright, N.M., Liddle, D.M., Arceneaux, B., Newton, G. & Monk, J.M. (2020). Assessing scientific literacy skill perceptions and practical capabilities in fourth year undergraduate biological science students. International Journal of Higher Education, 9(6), 64-76. 

Food Security Research

Ahluwalia, M., Emery, H., Steadman, N., Beauchamp, D.M., von Holt, R, Cartwright N.M., Brendel, E.B.K. & Monk, J.M. (2023). Effectiveness of a sliding scale payment model at a community food market to reduce customer food insecurity status. Journal of Food Security, 11(3), 106-116. 

Ramsahoi, C.E., Sonny, S.S. & Monk, J.M. (2022). Exploring barriers to food security among immigrants: a critical role for public health nutrition. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research, 11, 1-7.