Director and Chair, Ethel Austin Martin Endowed
Program in Human Nutrition & Professor
Bonny Specker
Contact Information
Ethel Austin Martin Endowed Program in Human Nutrition
South Dakota State University
EAM Building, Box 2204
Brookings, SD 57007
Phone: 605.688.4645
Fax: 605.688.4220
E-mail: bonny.specker@sdstate.edu
Education
1983
Ph.D. Epidemiology, University of Cincinnati Medical
Center
1980
M.S. Epidemiology, University of Cincinnati Medical
Center
1977
B.S. Biology, University of Cincinnati
Professional Experience
1997 – Present
Director and Chair, Ethel Austin Martin-Edward Moss
Martin Endowed Program in Human Nutrition, South
Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
Professor, Departments of Nutrition and Food Sciences,
Biological Sciences and Animal & Range Sciences,
South Dakota State University
Professor (adjunct), Department of Pediatrics,
University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
1996 – 1997
Professor of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati
Medical Center & Children’s Hospital Medical Center
(CHMC)
1989 – 1996
Associate Professor of Pediatrics & Research Associate
Professor (1989-1991), University of Cincinnati
Medical Center
1990 – 1997
Research Associate Professor, Environmental Health
(Epidemiol/Biostatistics), University of Cincinnati
Medical Center
Research Associate Professor, Radiology (Nuclear
Medicine), University of Cincinnati Medical Center
1985 – 1989
Research Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Neonatology)
University of Cincinnati Medical Center
Research Assistant Professor, Environmental Health
(Epidemiology and Biostatistics), University of
Cincinnati Medical Center
1984
Research Associate, Massachusetts Eye and Ear
Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Teaching Responsibilities
Epidemiology (NFS/BIOS 792)(2008 Spring, 2005 Spring)
Lecture on “Writing a Research Paper” to students in the
Prairie PhD Program (2007 Summer)
Lecture on “Measurement Issues” in Instrument
Construction and Evaluation with Underserved
Populations (NURS 845) (2007 Spring)
Independent Study (NFS 791), 1 semester hour
(2007 Spring)
Ph.D. Biology Seminar (BIOS 890), 1 semester hour
(2007 Spring)
“Calcium & Vitamin Requirements During Pregnancy &
Lactation” & “Vitamin B-12 in Vegetarian Mothers and
Infants” – guest lectures in Maternal & Child Nutrition,
SDSU (2005 Fall)
“Skeletal Aging” – guest lecture in Nutrition of the
Aged, SDSU (2005 Spring)
“Research Methods in the Health Sciences” – NFSH 792,
3 semester hrs (UAP/LEND & SDSU grad)
(2004 Summer)
“Research Methods in the Health Sciences” – NFSH 593,
3 semester hrs (UAP/LEND & Plains PhD)(2003 Summer)
“Research Methods” – FCS-700 & University Affiliated
Program (USD) (3 credits)(2002 Summer)
Selected Awards, Honors and Distinguished Activities
Member, Scientific Program Review Expert Panel, USDA
Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center (June 2007)
Member, NIH Integrative Nutrition and Metabolic
Processes (INMP) Study Section (2005 – Present)
Temporary Member, NIH Integrative Nutrition and
Metabolic Processes (INMP) Study Section (2004 – 2005)
Mead Johnson Advisory Board on Toddler & Children
Nutrition (2004)
Temporary Member, NIH Nutrition (NTN) Study Section,
October & June (2004)
Ad Hoc reviewer, NIH Endocrinology, Reproductive,
Nutritional & Metabolic Sciences Study Section (2004)
Temporary Member, NIH Skeletal Biology Development and
Disease (SBDD) Study Section (2004 – Present)
Data Safety Monitoring Board member for several
NIH/NIAMS sponsored grants (2003 – Present)
Working Group Leader, Pediatric Bone Disease Initiative
for the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Advocacy Committee (2003)
Research Award, Sigma Xi, SDSU Chapter (2003)
Research Interests
Dr. Bonny Specker has published extensively in the area
of bone, calcium and vitamin D metabolism, with over
120 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters. She has
had several NIH-funded research grants relating to
calcium metabolism and bone, and is currently
conducting a large NIH-funded study in eastern South
Dakota. This study (South Dakota Rural Bone Health
Study) is designed to determine bone density and later
bone loss in rural populations.
Professional Memberships
American Pediatric Society, senior member
(2006 – Present)
International Bone and Mineral Society (2003 – Present)
American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
(1992 – Present)
Society for Pediatric Research, member (1989 – 2006)
American Society for Clinical Nutrition, member
(1989 – Present)
American Society for Nutritional Sciences, member
(1989 – Present)
Professional Services and Recognition
State/National/International Committee Involvement &
Professional Activities:
Grant reviewer, Medical Council Scotland (2007)
Grant reviewer, Thrasher Research Foundation (2006)
National Dairy Council Advisory Committee
(2006 – Present)
South Dakota State Epidemiological Outcomes Working
Group (2006 – Present)
National Children’s Study Steering Committee,
NICHD/NIH (2005 – Present)
Reviewer, Effectiveness and Safety of Vitamin D,
University of Ottawa Evidence-Based Practice Centre
(2005 – 2006)
Invited Grant Reviewer for The Wellcome Trust, London
(2005)
South Dakota Department of Health Obesity Task Force
(2003 – Present)
Member of Task Force, South Dakota Nutrition Council
(2003)
Invited Reviewer for World Health Organization
document titled "Nutrient Adequacy of Exclusive
Breastfeeding for the Term Infant during the First Six
Months of Life" by N. Butte, M. Lopez-Alarcon,
B. Garza. (2002)
University Committee Involvement & Professional Activities:
SDSU, Statistics Advisory Committee (2004 – Present)
SDSU, Search Committee for Statistics faculty (2004)
SDSU, Search Committee for Nutrition faculty (2004)
SDSU, Search Committee for Vice President for Research
(2004)
SDSU, Search Committee for Asst Dean for Nursing
Research & Dept Head for Grad Nursing (2004)
SDSU, Search Committee for Dairy Sciences faculty (2004)
SDSU, Search Committee for Dairy Sciences faculty (2003)
SDSU, Search Committee for Biology Department faculty
(2002)
SDSU, Search Committee for Chair of Department of
Nutrition, Food Science & Hospitality (2002)
SDSU NFSH Departmental Graduate Committee (1999 –
Present)
SDSU Graduate Faculty (1997 – Present)
Editorial Board
Journal of Clinical Densitometry (2004-2007)
Nutrition Today
Manuscript Review: (approximately 10-12 articles/year)
Acta Paediatrica
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
American Journal of Diseases in Children
American Journal of Public Health
Bone
British Medical Journal
Journal of American College of Nutrition
Journal of Bone and Mineral Research
Journal Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Journal of Nutrition
Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
Journal Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition
Journal of Pediatrics
Lancet
New England Journal of Medicine
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Pediatrics
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Publications: (papers in primary area of
nutritional research are identified with a *, others
are a result of collaborative efforts on additional
projects)
Finn K, Johannsen N, Specker B. Factors associated with
physical activity in preschool children. J Pediatr
140:81-85, 2002.
Binkley TL, Specker BL, Wittig TA. Centile curves for
bone densitometry measurements in healthy males and
females ages 5-22 years. J Clin Densit 5:343-353, 2002.
Specker BL, Binkley TL. Randomized trial of physical
activity and calcium supplementation on bone mineral
content in 3-5 year old children. J Bone Mineral Res
18:885-892, 2003.
Johannsen N, Binkley T, Englert V, Niederauer G,
Specker B. Bone response jumping is site-specific in
children: a randomized trial. Bone 33: 533-539, 2003.
Specker BL. Role of physical activity on bone mineral
content in young children. J Musculoskeletal Neuronal
Interactions, 3:338,340, 2003.
Wosje K, Binkley TL, Kalkwarf H, Specker B.
Relationships between bone mass and circulating leptin
concentrations in Hutterites. Bone 34:1017-1022, 2004.
Specker BL. Nutritional influences on bone development
from infancy through toddler years.
J Nutr 134:691S-695S, 2004.
Specker BL. Vitamin D requirements during pregnancy.
Amer J Clin Nutr 80:1740S-1747S, 2004.
Binkley T, Specker B. Increased periosteal
circumference remains present 12 months after an
exercise intervention in preschool children.
Bone 35:1383-1388, 2004.
Specker B, Binkley T, Fahrenwald N. Rural vs.
non-rural differences in BMC, volumetric BMD, and bone
size: a population-based cross-sectional study.
Bone 35:1389-1398, 2004.
Ballard TLP, Clapper A, Specker B, Binkley T, Vukovich M.
Effect of protein supplementation during a 6-mo
strength and conditioning program on insulin-like
growth factor I and markers of bone turnover in young
adults. Am J Clin Nutr 81:1442-1448, 2005.
Johnson J, Mistry V, Vukovich M, Hogi-Lorenzen T,
Hollis B, Specker B. Bioavailability of vitamin D
from fortified process cheese and effects on vitamin D
status in the elderly. J Dairy Sciences 88:2295-301,
2005.
Specker B, Schoenau E. Quantitative bone analysis in
children: Current methodologies and recommendations.
J Pediatr 146:726-731, 2005.
Schroder BG, Griffin IJ, Specker BL, Abrams SA. Human
intestinal calcium absorption from a carbonated dairy
soft drink is greater than absorption from fat free
milk and calcium-fortified orange juice. Nutr Res
25:737-742, 2005.
Klein GL, Fitzpatrick LA, Langman CB, Beck TJ,
Carpenter TO, Gilsanz V, Holm IA, Leonard MB,
Specker BL. The state of pediatric bone: Summary of
the ASBMR pediatric bone initiative. J Bone Miner Res
12:2075-2081, 2005.
Specker B, Binkley T. High parity is associated with
increased bone size and strength. Osteoporosis
Internat 16:1969-1974, 2005.
Binkley T, Johnson J, Vogel L, Kecskemethy H,
Henderson R, Specker B. Bone measurements by
peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) in
children with cerebral palsy (CP). J Pediatr
147:791-796, 2005.
Niederauer CM, Binkley TL, Specker BL. Effect of
truncal adiposity on plasma lipid and lipoprotein
concentrations. J Nutr Health Aging 10:154-160, 2006.
Specker B. Influence of rapid growth on skeletal
adaptation to exercise. J Musculoskeletal Neuronal
Interactions 6:147-153, 2006.
Ballard TL, Specker BL, Binkley TL, Vukovich MD.
Effect of protein supplementation during 6-month
strength and conditioning program on areal and
volumetric bone parameters. Bone 38:898-904, 2006.
Johannsen D, Johannsen N, Specker B. Influence of
parent’s eating behaviors and child-feeding practices
on children’s weight status. Obesity Res 14:431-439,
2006.
DeJongh E, Binkley T, Specker B. Fat mass gain is
lower in calcium-supplemented than in un-supplemented
preschool children with low dietary calcium intakes.
Amer J Clin Nutr 84:1123-1127, 2006.
Specker B, Binkley T, Vukovich M, Beare T. Volumetric
bone density and bone size in sleep-deprived
individuals. Osteoporosis Internat 18:93-99, 2007.
Havill L, Mahaney M, Binkley TL, Specker BL. Effects
of genes, gender, age and activity on BMC, bone size,
and areal and volumetric BMD. J Bone Miner Res
22:737-746, 2007.
Abou-Samra H, Specker B. Walking age does not explain
term versus preterm difference in bone geometry.
J Pediatr 151:61-66, 2007.
Osowski J, Beare T, Specker B. Validation of a food
frequency questionnaire for assessment of dietary
calcium intake in rural populations. J Amer Diet
Assoc 107:1349-1355, 2007.
Abou-Samra H, Beare T, Specker B. Pedometer readings
and self-reported walking distances in a rural
population. J Rural Health, in press
Books, Chapters, and Invited Papers:
Specker BL. Are Activity and Diet Really Important
for Children’s Bone?” Nutrition Today 37:44-49, 2002
Chesney RW, Specker BL, McKay CP. Mineral metabolism
during pregnancy and lactation. IN: Disorders of Bone
and Mineral Metabolism, 2nd edition. Coe and Favus, eds.
Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins: New York, 2002,
pp. 347-359.
McKay CR, Specker BL, Chesney RW. Bone and mineral
metabolism during childhood. IN: Disorders of Bone
and Mineral Metabolism, 2nd edition. Coe and Favus,
eds. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins: New York, 2002,
pp. 360-380.
Kalkwarf HJ, Specker BL. Bone mineral changes during
pregnancy and lactation. Endocrine 17:49-53, 2002.
Specker BL. The role of calcium in bone health during
childhood. IN: Osteoporosis Japan, 10:11-16, 2002.
Specker BL. Determinants of bone mineral content in
children. IN: Calcium in Childhood. Annales Nestle',
Vol. 60, 2002.
Specker, BL. Nutrition in pregnancy and lactation. IN:
Nutrition and Bone Health. Holick and Dawson-Hughes,
eds. Humana Press Inc: Totowa, 2004, pp. 139-156.
Specker BL. Impact of micronutrient deficiencies on
bone growth and mineralization. IN: Micronutrient
Deficiencies during the Weaning Period and the First
Years of Life, edited by S Zlotkin and J Pettifor.
Nestle Nutrition Workshop Series, Vol. 54, Krager
Publishing; Basel Switzerland, 153-172, 2004.
Vukovich M, Specker B. Influence of physical activity
on calcium and bone. IN: Calcium and Bone Health.
Weaver and Heaney, eds. Humana Press Inc: Totowa,
227-246, 2005.
Kalkwarf H, Specker B. Vitamin D metabolism in
pregnancy and lactation. IN: Vitamin D, 2nd ed.
Feldman, Pike and Glorieux, eds. Elsevier, Inc: 2005.
Specker B, Vukovich M. Evidence for an interaction
between exercise and nutrition for improved bone
health during growth. IN: Physical Activity,
Nutrition and Bone Health During Growth. Daly and
Petit, eds. Krager: Basel, 50-63, 2007.
Baker R, Cabellero BH, Specker B. Nutrient intakes of
toddlers versus recommendations. IN: Toddler
Nutrition, monograph. Mead Johnson, Inc., in press
Abstracts (abstracts presented as posters or platform
sessions are marked with an *):
Wosje KS, Binkley TL, Specker BL. High parity is
associated with greater bone size later in life.
Presented at the American Society for Bone and Mineral
Research annual meeting, San Antonio, September 2002.
Specker B, Binkley TL, Wermers J. Randomized trial of
physical activity and calcium supplementation on BMC
in 3-5 year old healthy children. Presented at the
American Society for Bone and Mineral Research annual
meeting, San Antonio, September 2002.
Mahaney MC, Havill LM, Binkley TL, Specker BL.
Effects of genotype-by-sex, -age, and -physical
activity interactions on bone phenotypes in a human
genetic isolate. Presented at the 17th International
Puijio Symposium on Physical Activity and Health:
Gender Differences Across the Lifespan.
Kuopio, Finland, June, 2003.
Havill LM, Mahaney MC, Binkley TL, Specker BL. Genes,
gender, age, and activity in a human genetic isolate:
Variation in BMC and BMD. Presented at the 17th
International Puijio Symposium on Physical Activity
and Health: Gender Differences Across the Lifespan.
Kuopio, Finland, June, 2003.
Specker BL, Binkley TL, Wittig T. South Dakota Rural
Bone Health Study: Gender differences in bone vary by
age and are not due to body size of activity. Presented
at the 17th International Puijio Symposium on Physical
Activity and Health: Gender Differences Across the
Lifespan. Kuopio, Finland, June, 2003.
Binkley TL, Wermers J, Specker BL. Increases in bone
area and periosteal circumference are greater with
gross motor vs. fine motor exercise in preschool
children: a persistent effect 12 months post-
intervention. Presented at the American Society for
Bone and Mineral Research annual meeting, Minneapolis,
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