The Future of the NRI with Deborah F. Tate, PhD

We are pleased to share that Deborah F. Tate, PhD, has been named director of the UNC Nutrition Research Institute.

Dr. Tate has served as interim director since April 2024, guiding the NRI through a period of transition while laying the foundation for its next chapter. Under her leadership, the Institute has strengthened its operations, sharpened its strategic direction, expanded collaboration, and continued advancing research to better understand how nutrition can improve human health.

An internationally recognized behavioral scientist, Dr. Tate is a professor in the Department of Nutrition at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and holds a joint appointment in the Department of Health Behavior. Her research focuses on precision nutrition, obesity and diabetes prevention, digital health interventions, and the use of emerging technologies to help people improve their health.

Vice Chancellor for Research Penny Gordon-Larsen, PhD, said Dr. Tate’s experience and leadership make her well suited to guide the Institute into its next chapter.

“Dr. Tate has provided steady, thoughtful leadership during a pivotal time for the NRI. She brings the right combination of scientific excellence, collaborative spirit, and institutional understanding to lead the Institute forward, and I am confident she is the right person for this role.”

As Dr. Tate steps into the role permanently, we asked her to reflect on what she has learned as director, what this new chapter makes possible, and where she sees the NRI and nutrition science heading next.

Has your perspective on the NRI changed since moving from faculty member to director?

Absolutely. As a faculty member, I was naturally focused on advancing my own research program and collaborations. As director, I’ve had the privilege of seeing the full breadth of talent across the Institute and how our collective contributions are far greater than any one lab. It has reinforced my belief that the NRI’s greatest strength is our people and the collaborative environment that allows innovative ideas to flourish.

 

What is something about becoming permanent director that feels different from serving in the interim role?

The past two years as interim director have given me a deep appreciation for the Institute, its people, and its potential. Becoming permanent director doesn’t change my commitment to the NRI, but it allows me to focus more intentionally on long-term priorities and investments that will position the Institute for sustained success. I’m excited to work alongside our faculty, staff, trainees, and supporters to build on the strong foundation already in place.

 

Why is precision nutrition so central to the NRI’s mission?

Precision nutrition isn’t something we added to our mission; it’s why the NRI was created. Nearly twenty years ago, our founding director, Dr. Steve Zeisel, was already asking a simple but transformative question: Why do people respond differently to the same foods and diets? His pioneering research showed that genetic and metabolic differences can influence nutrient needs and health outcomes, helping lay the scientific foundation for what we now call precision nutrition.

That question remains at the heart of our work today. Our researchers are building on that legacy by exploring how genetics, metabolism, the microbiome, behavior, and other factors interact to shape health across the lifespan. What’s especially exciting is that the broader scientific community is now embracing this vision, and many of the ideas that were once considered innovative have become central to the future of nutrition science.

Because precision nutrition has been embedded in the NRI’s mission from the very beginning, we are uniquely positioned to continue leading the field and translating discoveries into solutions that improve health.

 

What gives you the most optimism about the future of nutrition research?

Nutrition science is entering a new era. Advances in genomics, metabolomics, microbiome science, wearable technologies, and artificial intelligence are helping us understand nutrition in ways that weren’t possible even a decade ago.

At the same time, there is growing recognition that nutrition plays a fundamental role in preventing and managing chronic disease. Together, these advances create tremendous opportunities to generate knowledge that can improve health across the lifespan.

The NRI enters this next chapter with a strong foundation, ambitious goals, and an enduring commitment to advancing the science of precision nutrition. We are grateful to have Dr. Tate leading the Institute forward, with a continued dedication to building strong connections across campus and throughout our broader community. We are also grateful to each of you for being part of the NRI community.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Tate on her appointment as director of the UNC Nutrition Research Institute.