Rate My Professor Kevin Huggins

Kevin W. Huggins, Ph.D., serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences within Auburn University’s College of Human Sciences, a position he has held since joining the institution in 2003. He earned his Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Pathobiology from Wake Forest University in 1999 and his B.S. from the University of North Florida. In addition to his teaching and research duties, Huggins acts as the Nutrition Science Undergraduate Coordinator and Assessment Coordinator for the department’s undergraduate programs. He chairs Auburn University’s Institutional Biosafety Committee and is listed among the Boshell Faculty Researchers. His administrative contributions include overseeing graduate research assistants in nutrition studies and integrating contemporary research findings into coursework on macronutrient metabolism, preparing students for careers as dietitians and medical professionals.

Huggins specializes in nutrition science, with research interests encompassing obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, and fatty acids. His work on Google Scholar has garnered over 1,735 citations across 46 publications listed on ResearchGate. Key research topics include the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on skeletal muscle protein synthesis and cognition, caffeine’s influence on force and power output during strength training in collaboration with kinesiology faculty, and the nutritional considerations surrounding GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro for weight loss and diabetes management. These medications, derived from Gila monster peptide, enhance insulin secretion, glucose uptake, and satiety, but Huggins emphasizes the need for protein-rich diets and resistance training to mitigate muscle loss and nutrient deficiencies. Select publications include “Lysosomal dysfunction produces distinct alterations in presynaptic cytokine secretion” (2007), “Sequestosome 1/p62, a scaffolding protein, is a newly identified partner of IRS-1 protein” (2012), and “Associations among eating regulation and body mass index” (2014). Through mentorship, Huggins has supported students earning awards such as the New Investigator Award from the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (2008) and Auburn University Undergraduate Research Fellowships (2006). His efforts contribute to advancing human health through evidence-based nutrition research and education.