dr. MR (Marco) Mensink

Dr Mensink received his MSc in Health Sciences, specialization movement sciences, in 1995, and his medical degree (MD) in 1998 from Maastricht University. He completed his PhD in 2003 at the same university, within the project: "Relevance of genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes". Main research question was: "Can lifestyle favourably affect the natural history in subjects at high risk for type 2 diabetes (IGT)?", with special attention for the role of skeletal muscle fatty acid metabolism. After a post-doc period on muscular fat accumulation and insulin action, he moved in 2008 to Wageningen University, Division of Human Nutrition and Health,

Since 2019 his work is positioned in the chair ‘Nutritional Biology’, which primarily focuses on the significance of nutrition to maintain or improve a persons’ physical and cognitive performance during ageing, recovery and rehabilitation. Dr Mensink is responsible for the research theme ‘Nutrition, Physical activity and Sports’, and involved in the research themes ‘Protein Digestion & Absorption’ and ‘Nutrition and aging’; and he is responsible for body composition and energy metabolism methodology in the division of Human Nutrition & Health (Health Research Unit). Next to academic teaching activities, Dr Mensink developed the MOCC 'Nutrition, Exercise and Sports' Since 20121 he also serves as a co-director of the ENLP essentials seminar.

Research interest is how nutrition and physical activity can regulate energy metabolism and affect health and performance. In the research line Protein digestion and absorption, the focus is on dietary protein quality. How well are proteins and amino acids digested and utilised, and what is their role in the preventing muscle mass loss during ageing or disease or in optimizing (exercise) performance. Within the research line Nutrition, Physical activity and Sports, the goal is to understand how nutritional status is linked to exercise and training adaptation. Target group ranges from patients and persons with a sedentary lifestyle to recreationally-active and elite athletes.

Research theme Nutrition, Exercise and Sports
Research theme Protein digestion & Absorption
Research theme Nutrition and Ageing
Chairgroup Nutritional Biology
Division of Human Nutrition and Health