Dr. David W.L. Ma

Note: Phishing Scam! If you have received a message seeking dog-sitting services, or any other service (i.e. nanny) due to my relocation to your area, please disregard and delete. I will not return calls or emails to verify that this is a scam due to the large number of enquiries.

My interest in the role of nutrition in human health began while working as a summer research student under the mentorship of Dr. M.T. Clandinin at the University of Alberta. This subsequently led to graduate work in the area of nutrition and cancer. I obtained my PhD in Medical Sciences in 2001 at the University of Alberta conducting research on the anticancer properties of conjugated linoleic acids in breast cancer. I continued to pursue further training examining the linkage between diet and cancer in my postdoctoral research at Texas A&M University. I investigated the role of omega-3 fatty acids and folate in the emerging field of membrane rafts. The study of membrane rafts such as caveolae is a new area of membrane biology which has dramatically changed our understanding of the role of lipids in regulating signal transduction pathways. In 2004, I took up a faculty position in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto as an Assistant Professor. Building on my PhD and postdoctoral work, I developed a research program investigating the effects of bioactive fatty acids (conjugated linoleic acids and omega-3 fatty acids) on breast cancer. In 2007, I joined the faculty in the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph where I am currently a Professor. Research continues to examine the role of bioactive fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) in breast cancer prevention and developing a greater understanding of fatty acids as biomarkers. I also have the immense honour, as the founding Director, to lead the ongoing work of the Guelph Family Health Study (GFHS, https://guelphfamilyhealthstudy.com). The GFHS is focused on understanding the determinants of health in families with young children and testing interventions to support healthy lifestyle habits with the goal of preventing childhood obesity. In support of training, I am the lead investigator for the SMART Training Platform, a national network devoted to capacity building in the area of Implementation Science to support the CIHR Healthy Cities Initiative. In addition to my research and training activities I actively serve my community through service on university committees, national grant review panels and active in my society serving as a Former President and currently Fellow of the Canadian Nutrition Society.

BSc - University of Alberta
PhD - University of Alberta
Postdoctoral - University of Alberta
Postdoctoral - Texas A&M University

Omega-3. The focus of my research is to better understand how dietary fats influence health and disease throughout life with an emphasis on the prevention of chronic disease. Currently, a major area of study in my laboratory is the role of omega-3 fatty acids in breast cancer prevention. We have shown that lifelong exposure to omega-3 fatty acids reduces mammary tumour development, which is mediated through changes in mammary gland development. These findings provide evidence that omega-3 fatty acids are important components of the diet and play an important role in disease prevention.

Omega-6, Trans, CLA, SAFA & MUFA. I am also interested in the role of other bioactive fatty acids including omega-6 fatty acids, trans, conjugated linoleic acids, saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in human health. Other areas of research include brain health and Alzheimer's disease, bone development, fatty liver disease and nutrigenomics.

Guelph Family Health Study. In addition, as the Director of the Guelph Family Health Study (https://guelphfamilyhealthstudy.com), I lead a multidisciplinary team investigating determinants of health and interventions for the prevention of childhood obesity

Training. As the lead applicant, I support a national network focused on Implementation Science training in Healthy Cities. Increasing urbanization creates opportunities and wicked challenges that require multidisciplinary and multisectoral approaches and interventions. Training the next generation of leaders in implementation science will provide trainees the necessary skills and perspectives to tackle the problems of today and the future.

Service. In addition to my research responsibilities I serve on several committees and former President of the Canadian Nutrition Society. I have served on CIHR and Cancer Research Society grant review panels, provided consultation for the food/fats & oils industry, and scientific leadership in the development of an unsaturated fat and cholesterol reduction health claim in Canada.

Operating Grants.
My lab is supported through research grants from CIHR (2021-2026), NSERC (2022-2027) and Heart and Stroke (2022-2024)

Major infrastructure.
1. Fatty acid research. CFI and NSERC supported gas chromatographs equipped with FID detectors for fatty acid analyses. Three instruments are setup for routine fatty acid and cis/trans isomer separation.

2. Family health research. CFI supported BodPods and accelerometers for measuring body composition and physical activity/sleep.

3. Basic research. NSERC supported flow cytometer with cell sorting capability.

Selected Publications & Research Areas

Guelph Family Health Study - Family and Child Health. Haines J, et al. Guelph Family Health Study: Pilot Study of a Home-Based Obesity Prevention Intervention. Can. J. Public Health. 2018 Aug;109(4):549-560. PMID: 29981086

Fatty Acids in Humans - Omega-3s, Omega-6's, MUFA, SAFA, trans, & CLA. Abdelmagid SA et al. Comprehensive Profiling of Plasma Fatty Acid Concentrations in Young Healthy Canadian Adults. PLoS One. 2015 Feb 12; 10(2):e0116195. PMID: 25675440

Omega-3's and Cancer. Liu J, et al. Marine Fish Oil is More Potent than Plant-Based n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Prevention of Mammary Tumors. J. Nutr. Biochem. 2017 Dec 27 ;55:41-52. PMID: 29413488

Omega-3's and Nutrigenomics. Abdelmagid SA, et al. Ethnicity, Sex, FADS Genetic Variation, and Hormonal Contraceptive use Influence delta-5- and delta-6-desaturase Indices and Plasma Docosahexaenoic Acid Concentration in Young Canadian Adults: A Cross-Sectional study. Nutr. Metab. (Lond). 2015 Apr 21; 12:14. PMID: 25914723

Omega-3's and NASH. Arendt BM et al. Altered Hepatic Gene Expression in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is Associated with Lower Hepatic n-3 and n-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids. Hepatology. 2015 May; 61(5):1565-78. PMID: 25581263

Omega-3's and Brain. Lecques JD et al. N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Ameliorate Neurobehavioral Outcomes Post-Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the Fat-1 Mouse Model. Nutrients. 2021 Nov 15;13(11):4092. PMID: 34836347

Omega-3's and Bone. Lau BY et al. Investigating the Role of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Bone Development Using Animal Models. Molecules. 2013 Nov 15; 18(11):14203-27. PMID: 24248147

Full Listing of publications are found at: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=icnTGkcAAAAJ&hl=en

2026 Publications

Jacob R, Buchholz AC, Darlington G, Duncan AM, Vallis LA, Chaput JP, Annis A, Nixon M, Irwin JD, Morrow D, Ma DWL, Haines J. Impact of a Home-Based Obesity Prevention Intervention on Children's and Parents' BMI: Findings From the Guelph Family Health Study Randomised Controlled Trial. Pediatr Obes. 2026 Jan;21(1):e70062. doi: 10.1111/ijpo.70062. Epub 2025 Oct 22. PMID: 41125536.

2025 Publications

Sahye-Pudaruth S Sahye, Ma DWL, Prashad M, Laila A, Duncan AM, Haines J, The GFHS. Cooking skills in relation to diet quality in children: a cross-sectional analysis. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2025 Nov 6. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2025-0076. Online ahead of print. PMID: 41197118.

Iraji R, St Germain M, Grapentine S, Perreira L, Schenkel L, Al-Douri S, Hillyer LM, Cho CE, Ma DWL, Bakovic M. Homeostatic response of phospholipid pathways to PCYT2 deficiency and impaired de Novo synthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine. Sci Rep. 2025 Nov 5;15(1):38747. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-22601-2. PMID: 41193595.

Lok CE, Farkouh M, Hemmelgarn BR, Moist LM, Polkinghorne KR, Tomlinson G, Tam P, Tonelli M, Udell JA; PISCES Investigators (Ma DWL listed in appendix as coauthor). Fish-Oil Supplementation and Cardiovascular Events in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis. N Engl J Med. 2025 Nov 7. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2513032. Online ahead of print. PMID: 41201837.

Lust CAC, Hillyer LM, Pallister M, Wright AJ, Rogers MA, Rock EM, Limebeer CL, Parker LA, Ma DWL. Orally consumed cannabinoids: the effect of carrier oil on acute tissue distribution in male C57BL/6 mice. J Cannabis Res. 2025 Jul 1;7(1):38. doi: 10.1186/s42238-025-00298-4. PMID: 40597281 Free PMC article.

Lust CA, Lau J, Hillyer LM, Mountjoy M, Robinson LA, Ma DW. Dietary Intake of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Prior to a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Demonstrates a Dose-Response Effect for Neuroprotective Benefits in Male C57BL/6 Mice. Curr Dev Nutr. 2025 May 27;9(6):107476. doi: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.107476. eCollection 2025 Jun. PMID: 40584775

Douglas S, Laila A, Tremblay PF, Buchholz AC, Miller AL, Pare SM, Gunn E, Duncan AM, Ma DWL, Vallis LA, Morrison KM, Haines J. Family stress and child BMIz during the COVID-19 pandemic: exploring the mediating effects of cortisol. Int J Obes (Lond). 2025 May 21. doi: 10.1038/s41366-025-01802-9. Online ahead of print. PMID: 40399447.

Bossé A., Haines J., Duncan A.M., Ma D.W.L., Tugault-Lafleur C.N. How Do Meals and Snacks Consumed in Childcare Contribute to Children's Food and Nutrient Intakes? Can J Diet Pract Res. 2025 May 13:1-8. doi: 10.3148/cjdpr-2025-008. Online ahead of print. PMID: 40358100.

Barssé DPM, Darlington G, Coyle-Asbil H, Breau B, Ann Vallis L, El Khoury D, Haines J, Ma DWL, Buchholz AC; Guelph Family Health Study. Cross-sectional Associations between Anthropometric Measures and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Among Young Children. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2025 Apr 29:1-4. doi: 10.3148/cjdpr-2025-005. Online ahead of print. PMID: 40299944.

Lo HWH, Prashad M, Duncan AM, Ann Vallis L, Haines J, Ma DWL, Buchholz AC; Guelph Family Health Study. Associations between saturated Fat from Single Dairy Foods and Body Composition in Young Canadian Children. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2025 Apr 16:1-7. doi: 10.3148/cjdpr-2025-009. Online ahead of print. PMID: 40237196.

Leung H, Acosta PFC, Landon OA, Ribau ZJ, Ann Vallis L, Darlington G, Duncan AM, Haines J, Ma DWL, Buchholz AC; Guelph Family Health Study. Plant-based Dietary Index Scores are Not Associated with Body Composition in Young Children. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2025 Apr 15:1-7. doi: 10.3148/cjdpr-2025-006. Online ahead of print. PMID: 40231640.

Sahye-Pudaruth S, Ma DWL, Duncan A, Prashad M, Laila A, Haines J; Guelph Family Health Study. Longitudinal associations between mothers' and fathers' food skills and their children's cooking skills. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2025 Jan 1;50:1-7. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2024-0519. PMID: 40209275.

Hartwig S, Rankovic A, McCrae P, Gagliardi K, Burron S, Ellis J, Ma DWL, Shoveller AK. The effects of a plant-based and a plant- and marine-based n-3 oil supplement on behavioural reactivity, heart rate variability, and plasma fatty acid profile in young healthy horses. J Anim Sci. 2025 Apr 8:skaf117. doi: 10.1093/jas/skaf117. Online ahead of print. PMID: 40202435.

Banton S, Pezzali JG, Richards T, Hillyer LM, Ma DWL, Pisco JM, Templeman JR, Shoveller AK. Feeding of a high protein, low carbohydrate diet leads to greater postprandial energy expenditure and fasted n6: n3 fatty acid ratio in lean, adult dogs compared to a moderate protein, moderate carbohydrate diet. Transl Anim Sci. 2025 Feb 6;9:txaf018. doi: 10.1093/tas/txaf018. eCollection 2025. PMID: 40051529.

Hartwig S, Burron S, Richards T, Rankovic A, Ma DW, Pearson W, Ellis J, Trevizan L, Seymour DJ, Shoveller AK. The effect of dietary camelina, flaxseed, and canola oil supplementation on skin fatty acid profile and immune and inflammatory responses in healthy adult horses. J Anim Sci. 2025 Feb 4:skaf025. doi: 10.1093/jas/skaf025. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39901745.

Jacob R, Buchholz AC, Darlington G, Duncan AM, Vallis LA, Chaput JP, Annis A, Nixon M, Irwin JD, Morrow D, Ma DWL, Haines J. Impact of a Home-Based Obesity Prevention Intervention on Children's and Parents' BMI: Findings From the Guelph Family Health Study Randomised Controlled Trial. Pediatr Obes. 2026 Jan;21(1):e70062. doi: 10.1111/ijpo.70062. Epub 2025 Oct 22. PMID: 41125536.

Eckert KF, Agostinelli J, Laila A, Alexander C, Parizeau K, von Massow M, Duncan AM, Hesketh KD, Ma DWL, Haines J. Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of “Supper Heroes”, a family-based sustainable diet intervention. Appetite. 2025 Feb 1;206:107849. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2025.107849. Epub 2025 Jan 7. PMID: 39788349.

Ribey SCS, Coyle-Asbil HJ, Osojnicki K, Coyle-Asbil B, Vallis LA, Darlington G, Duncan AM, Ma DWL, Haines J, Buchholz AC. Associations between objectively measured nighttime sleep duration, sleep timing, and sleep quality and body composition in toddlers in the Guelph Family Health Study. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2025 Jan 1;50:1-7. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2024-0244. Epub 2024 Nov 20. PMID: 39566036.

2024 Publications

Buchanan CDC, Ashraf R, Hillyer LM, Tu W, Kang JX, Subedi S, Ma DWL. RNA-Seq Analysis of Pubertal Mammary Epithelial Cells Reveals Novel n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Transcriptomic Changes in the fat-1 Mouse Model. Nutrients. 2024 Nov 17;16(22):3925. doi: 10.3390/nu16223925. PMID: 39599711.

Hillary W.H. Lo, Flora Zhang, Anisha Mahajan, Gerarda Darlington, Alison M. Duncan, Jess Haines, Andrea C. Buchholz, David W.L. Ma, on behalf of the Guelph Family Health Study. Dietary intake and food sources of calcium and vitamin D in young children in the Guelph Family Health Study. Int. Dairy J. 2024 Sep;156:105980. doi:10.1016/j.idairyj.2024.105980.

Coyle-Asbil HJ, Breau B, Ma DWL, Haines J, Buchholz AC, Vallis LA; Guelph Family Health Study. Compliance with the 24-hour movement behavior guidelines and the impact of sleep methods among toddler, preschool, and school-aged children enrolled in the Guelph Family Health Study. J Sci Med Sport. 2024 May 30:S1440-2440(24)00205-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2024.05.014. Online ahead of print. PMID: 38937183.

Mahajan A, Duncan A.M, Darlington G, Haines J, Ma DWL, Buchholz A.C; Guelph Family Health Study. Dietary Sugar and Anthropometrics among Young Children in the Guelph Family Health Study: Longitudinal Associations. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2024 Jun 5:1-8. doi: 10.3148/cjdpr-2024-001. Online ahead of print. PMID: 38836464.

Lau JS, Lust CAC, Lecques JD, Hillyer LM, Mountjoy M, Kang JX, Robinson LE, Ma DWL. n-3 PUFA ameliorate functional outcomes following repetitive mTBI in the fat-1 mouse model. Front Nutr. 2024 Jul 12;11:1410884. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1410884. eCollection 2024. PMID: 39070251.

Hutchinson AL, Liddle DM, Monk JM, Ma DWL, Robinson LE. n-3 and n-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Modulate Macrophage-Myocyte Inflammatory Crosstalk and Improve Myocyte Insulin Sensitivity. Nutrients. 2024 Jun 29;16(13):2086. doi: 10.3390/nu16132086. PMID: 38999834.

Pare SM, Gunn E, Morrison KM, Miller AL, Duncan AM, Buchholz AC, Ma DWL, Tremblay PF, Vallis LA, Mercer NJ, Haines J. Testing a Biobehavioral Model of Chronic Stress and Weight Gain in Young Children (Family Stress Study): Protocol and Baseline Demographics for a Prospective Observational Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2024 Jun 20;13:e48549. doi: 10.2196/48549. PMID: 38900565.

Whittle RH, Kiarie EG, Ma DWL, Widowski TM. Feeding flaxseed to chicken hens changes the size and fatty acid composition of their chicks’ brains. Front Physiol. 2024 Jun 7;15:1400611. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1400611. eCollection 2024. PMID: 38911324. Impact factor for 2023 – 3.2.

Sahye-Pudaruth S Sahye, Ma DWL, Prashad M, Haines J, The GFHS. Early life involvement in food skills is associated with children’s cooking skills: A longitudinal analysis. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2024 May 1;49(5):718-722. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2023-0497. Epub 2024 Jan 15. PMID: 38224581.

Acosta JE, Burns JL, Hillyer LM, Van K, Brendel EBK, Law C, Ma DWL, Monk JM. 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. 2024 Mar 1;16(5):719. doi: 10.3390/nu16050719. PMID: 38474847.

Saher A, Tang L, Douglas S, Jacob R, Walton K, Sadowski A, Ma DWL, Haines J; Guelph Family Health Study. Fathers’ use of social media for social comparison is associated with their food parenting practices. Appetite. 2024 Mar 1;194:107201. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107201. Epub 2024 Jan 6. PMID: 38191076.

Burns J.L., Bhattacharjee A., Darlington G., Haines J., Ma D.W.L, The Guelph Family Health Study. Parental Cooking Confidence is Associated with Children’s Intake of Fish and Seafood. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2024 Mar 1;85(1):54-57. doi: 10.3148/cjdpr-2023-012. Epub 2023 Jul 5. PMID: 37403973.

Laila A, Gallant M, Bain M, Alexander C, Reis L, Welboren A, von Massow M, Parizeau K, Walton K, Ma DWL, Haines J. Household Food Waste Intervention Is Feasible, Acceptable, and Effective. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2024 Feb;56(2):110-117. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2023.11.004. PMID: 38325952.

Ashraf R, Duncan AM, Darlington G, Buchholz AC, Haines J, Ma DWL; Guelph Family Health Study. The degree of food processing contributes to sugar intakes in families with preschool-aged children. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2024 Feb;59:37-47. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.11.010. Epub 2023 Nov 24. PMID: 38220399.

Burron S, Richards T, Krebs G, Trevizan L, Rankovic A, Hartwig S, Pearson W, Ma DWL, Shoveller AK. The balance of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in canine, feline and equine nutrition: exploring sources and the significance of alpha-linolenic acid. J Anim Sci. 2024 Jan 3;102:skae143. doi: 10.1093/jas/skae143. PMID: 38776363.

Saher A, Tang L, Douglas S, Jacob R, Walton K, Sadowski A, Ma DWL, Haines J; Guelph Family Health Study. Fathers' use of social media for social comparison is associated with their food parenting practices. Appetite. 2024 Mar 1;194:107201. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107201. Epub 2024 Jan 6. PMID: 38191076.

Ashraf R, Duncan AM, Darlington G, Buchholz AC, Haines J, Ma DWL; Guelph Family Health Study. The degree of food processing contributes to sugar intakes in families with preschool-aged children. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2024 Feb;59:37-47. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.11.010. Epub 2023 Nov 24. PMID: 38220399.

Sahye-Pudaruth S Sahye, Ma DWL, Prashad M, Haines J, The GFHS. Early life involvement in food skills is associated with children's cooking skills: A longitudinal analysis. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2024 Jan 15. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2023-0497. Online ahead of print. PMID: 38224581.

• University of Guelph-Humber, Kin*2020 Fundamentals of Nutrition: Pharmacology and Toxicology
• University of Guelph-Humber, Kin*4400 Individual study, literature review
• University of Guelph, 3rd year individual study and 4th year research projects
• University of Guelph, UNIV*6900, SMART Training Platform Methods Cafe

Updated January 2026