I have over 40 years of broad-ranging research experience in the epidemiology of multiple chronic diseases and conditions with > 300 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters for an H-index ~ 85.  I am likely best known for my work on the associations of body composition, nutritional and inflammation biomarkers with diabetes, cardiometabolic diseases and cancers, as well as obesity and muscle loss (sarcopenia) in relation to frailty and disability during senescence.  A major focus of my research during the last 20 years has been breast cancer.  Formerly from New Mexico, I was PI of the New Mexico Aging Process Body Composition Study and the New Mexico site of the Health, Eating and Activity Lifestyle (HEAL) Study of breast cancer survivors.  I am currently a Co-I of the Kentucky site of the multi-centered RURAL Cohort Study.  I also collaborated in the 4-Corner's Breast Cancer Study and the Breast Cancer Research Consortium. I was a charter member of two different NIH epidemiology study sections and a An Hoc grant reviewer for over > 14 years.  I have served as the Chair of the Department of Epidemiology & Population Health since 2005.