Dr Ronan Lordan

Available to discuss new collaborations, science outreach or speaking opportunities. Feel free to make contact via email or twitter.



Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics

Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania



Editorial Roles


Editorial Roles:

Dr Lordan is an editorial board member of the journals PharmaNutrition (Elsevier) and Nutraceuticals (MDPI). He is also an active Associate Editor for Frontiers in Pharmacology, Frontiers in Immunology, and Frontiers in Nutrition.
He is also a regular guest editor for Frontiers in Public Health, Frontiers in Pediatrics, Frontiers in Pharmacology, Frontiers in ImmunologyNutrients, and Diseases.

Dr Lordan has written editorials for the journals Science, Endocrine Practice, Nutrients, and PharmaNutrition.

Nutraceuticals Editorial Board Appointment:

Appointment to the Editorial Board of Nutraceuticals as of August 2022.


Special Issues:

Special Issue in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS) MDPI: 

Biology, Physiology, and Clinical Research of Natural Products in Modern Medicine, Translational Science, and Big Data Analyses
Edited by Dr Sunil Wimalawansa Ronan Lordan

This Special Issue is receiving submissions before the deadline of the 20th June 2023
This Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences will focus on molecular research, specifically micronutrients and other natural products, their biology, and the immune system, particularly regarding COVID-19 and the prevention of other diseases, including infections.  Articles related to translational and clinical research related to natural molecules and products (not pharmaceuticals) that address molecular mechanisms of action and the interaction of nutrients on body systems, such as the immune system, are especially welcome.

The subject of molecular biology or its technical aspects alone is not helpful for other researchers and practicing clinicians.  However, molecular biological aspects and the biological and physiological roles of nutrients and natural compounds in human health would be valuable.  Therefore, we expect manuscripts to encompass a broader outlook combining biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and especially the translational and clinical aspects of molecules of interest.

We also encourage submissions on science-based policy-making processes related to natural products, especially nutrients such as vitamin D, and Big Data analyses related to infections such as COVID-19.  Submitted papers will be published online promptly once accepted after rigorous peer review.

Webpage

Special Issue in Nutraceuticals MDPI: 

Nutraceuticals for Cardiometabolic Diseases: Prophylactic and Therapeutic Research
Edited by Dr Ronan Lordan

This Special Issue is receiving submissions before the deadline of the 28th February 2023
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. A maladaptive diet and lifestyle are key contributors to the development of metabolic risk factors such as obesity as well as high blood pressure, high glucose, and high cholesterol levels, which are associated with the development of cardiometabolic diseases. Although prophylactics and therapeutics are available for prevention and treatment, there is a growing market of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals purporting to be of benefit against cardiometabolic diseases and related risk factors.

Dietary supplements and nutraceuticals are related but distinct nonpharmaceutical products. Nutraceuticals are supplements with purported health benefits that exceed their basic nutritional value. Therefore, the main difference between a nutraceutical and a dietary supplement is that nutraceuticals should not only supplement the diet, but should also contribute to the prophylaxis or treatment of a diseases or disorder. However, defining nutraceuticals is a challenge, so manuscripts describing supplements with potential prophylactic or therapeutic effects are also welcome.

This Special Issue is focused on nutraceuticals and supplements for the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic diseases. Original articles and reviews aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms that underpin the actions of nutraceuticals on cardiometabolic disesases are welcome. These include studies relating to atherosclerosis, inflammation, obesity, immune function, platelet function, cholesterol metabolism, and diabetes. In particular, human studies investigating the efficacy of nutraceuticals as preventative and/or therapeutic agents are welcome. Potential topics include but are not limited to nutraceutical actions in cultured cells, animal models, and human subjects that address aspects such as cellular responses, signal transduction, gene expression, intracellular targets, biomarkers and disease severity, and bioavailability among other topics will be considered. Articles related to nutraceutical development, regulation, and market growth are also welcome.

Webpage

Special Issue in Nutrients MDPI: 

Dietary Patterns, Physical Activity and Lifestyle in the Onset, Prevention, and Management of Noncommunicable Diseases
Edited by Dr William B. Grant and Dr Ronan Lordan 
This Special Issue is receiving submissions before the deadline of the 31st of August 2022
Noncommunicable diseases are a significant burden on global health systems. According to the World Health Organization, the top ten causes of death globally in 2019 were, in order, ischemic heart disease (9 million deaths/year), stroke (6 million), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (3 million), lower respiratory tract infections, neonatal conditions, trachea, bronchus, lung cancers, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, diarrheal diseases, diabetes mellitus, and kidney diseases. Noncommunicable diseases account for the majority of the deaths worldwide; however, COVID-19 is now also a leading cause of death worldwide.
Decades of research show that dietary and lifestyle factors can contribute to the onset and progression of many noncommunicable diseases. This Special Issue is particularly focused on receiving submissions of research that investigate detrimental dietary patterns, such as the “Western diet” and its major components (added sugar, highly processed food, meat, etc.), or lifestyle factors including air pollution/smoke exposure and low physical activity that contribute to the onset or worsening of chronic noncommunicable diseases and COVID-19. Equally, research that considers approaches that alter diet or lifestyle, which in turn modify pre-existing risk factors to reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases and COVID-19 are also welcome. Submissions of research involving animal studies, human trials, epidemiological research or metabolomics are encouraged.

Webpage


Frontiers in Nutrition Research Topic: 

Phospholipids and Sphingolipids in Nutrition, Metabolism, and Health
Edited by Dr Ronan Lordan and Dr Christopher Blesso
Extended submission deadline: July 31st 2022

The main objective of this Research Topic is to understand the recent advances in in relation to the role of dietary phospholipids and sphingolipids in metabolism and health. This Research Topic will cover topics including: cardiometabolic diseases, inflammation, dietary intervention trials, animal models, mechanisms of disease, and preventative nutrition.

This Research Topic welcomes articles that look to understand the role of dietary phospholipids and sphingolipids in nutrition, metabolism, and health. Specifically, we welcome submissions of original research (including meta-analyses) and review articles focusing on, but not limited to, the following terms:

1. The impact of consuming foods abundant in phospholipids and sphingolipids on metabolism, health and disease prevention

2. Mechanistic studies involving the role of nutrition in the metabolism of phospholipids and sphingolipids and their impact on health.

3. Reviews focused on the state-of-the-art of dietary phospholipids and sphingolipids in metabolism and disease.

Webpage


Special Issue in Nutrients MDPI: 

Preventing the Adverse Effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 through Diet, Supplements, and Lifestyle
Edited by Dr William B. Grant and Dr Ronan Lordan 
This Special Issue is now complete. An editorial has been published.


The world is in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic continues to have a tremendous impact on society through the direct and indirect effects on health and trying to stay healthy. The primary means being used to reduce the risk of COVID-19 include social distancing, lockdowns, testing and quarantine, wearing masks, cleaning surfaces and atmospheres in closed spaces, and vaccinations. Those who develop COVID-19 may be treated with various drugs, which are still under development. No singular approach can stop the pandemic by itself. The more approaches that are employed, the better the chances are to quell its devastating effects. However, some of the approaches being used, such as lockdowns, have significant adverse effects on people and the economy. In addition, for many underdeveloped countries, the measures employed in the developed countries may not be possible or appropriate to their situations.

Thus, it is worthwhile to consider approaches that modify pre-existing risk factors to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and its impacts. One approach receiving significant attention is raising vitamin D levels though supplementation or UVB exposure. Another is the consumption of other supplements, such as vitamin C and zinc. Regarding supplements, the dose, the timing with respect to symptoms or exposure, and the serum concentrations are all important. A third is to choose foods that strengthen the immune system and avoid foods that suppress the immune system, such as those containing added sugars. Since people who are obese or have any of a number of comorbid conditions have greater risk of developing COVID-19, preventing such diseases could reduce the risk of COVID-19.

An issue being investigated now is “What is the cause of adverse effects from COVID-19 months after the primary disease symptoms have passed?”. These long-haul effects may be due to damage of epithelial layers of organs by pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which vitamin D can reduce, suggesting that vitamin D may be an important component of treatment perhaps long after the main symptoms have ceased.

This Special Issue seeks manuscripts that address natural approaches related to diet and supplements to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and its effects.

Special Issue in Diseases MDPI: 

Lipids, Health, and Diseases: The Interplay
Edited by Dr Ronan Lordan and Dr Ioannis Zabetakis
This Special Issue is receiving submissions before the deadline of 30th of January 2024:




This Special Issue will provide an open access opportunity to publish research work and review articles related to recent advances in understanding the role of lipids in health and disease and will hopefully present new molecular insights for developing potential therapeutic treatments as well as better patient diagnostic and disease prevention strategies.

Webpage

Peer Review Experience

I am an active peer reviewer journals in the fields of biochemistry, nutrition, and medicine. I have reviewed articles  for over 40 peer reviewed journals  including:

  • PLoS Medicine
  • Advanced Science
  • Journal of Translational Medicine
  • The Lancet
  • Lipids in Health and Disease 
  • European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
  • Frontiers in Nutrition
  • British Journal of Nutrition
  • Nutrients
  • Foods
Visit Publons for more information: 



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