Sandra Carol van Calcar, Ph.D., RD, LD
- Associate Professor of Molecular and Medical Genetics, School of Medicine
- Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition, School of Medicine
Biography
My research focuses on the nutritional management of inborn errors of metabolism, with an emphasis on conditions such as classical galactosemia, phenylketonuria (PKU), fatty acid oxidation disorders and pregnancy in individuals with these diagnoses. I’m particularly interested in improving clinical outcomes through specialized dietary treatments and advancing our understanding of long-term nutritional care in metabolic disorders.
Before joining OHSU, I worked as a metabolic dietitian in the Biochemical Genetics Program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where I provided both patient care and clinical research for individuals with inborn errors of metabolism. I completed my Ph.D. in nutritional sciences at UW–Madison in 2009. My dissertation focused on the use of glycomacropeptide as a new protein source for treating PKU.
In the Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition, I teach courses including Energy Metabolism, Protein, Antioxidant and Bone Metabolism, Maternal and Child Nutrition and Nutrition for the Older Adult. I enjoy mentoring students and supporting their development as future clinicians. I also direct the Maternal and Child Health Nutrition Training Program, where students gain applied experience in public health nutrition.
At the OHSU Metabolic Genetics Clinic, I’m part of an interdisciplinary team that provides lifelong care for individuals with metabolic conditions, many of which are identified through newborn screening.
I'm a founding member and past president of Genetic Metabolic Dietitians International. You can find a full list of my publications on Google Scholar. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and hiking in Oregon’s outdoors.
Education and training
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Degrees
- B.S., 1983, Oregon State University
- M.S., 1987, University of Wisconsic-Madison
- Ph.D., 2009, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Internship
- Dietetic Internship, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1988
Memberships and associations:
- Genetic Metabolic Dietitians International (founding member, past president)
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Society of Inherited Metabolic Disease
- American Society for Nutrition
- American Society of Public Health Nutrition
Areas of interest
- Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM)
- Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders
- Galactosemia
- IEM in Pregnancy
- Molecular and Medical Genetics
- Nutrition Management