YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS!
Your generosity and support have been critical to making these achievements possible. We are grateful for your continued commitment to our work and mission. Together, we are advancing nutrition science and paving the way for a healthier future.
“I came for the research and stayed for the people. NRI is an intensely collaborative and innovative institute and helped us advance our research into areas and questions we only dreamed of answering before. Best of all, our findings are making a difference for real people. Win-win!”
Susan Smith, PhD
Professor of Nutrition
Fueling Discovery:
Your Support Transforms Health and Nutrition Research
Watch as our researchers, administration team, and faculty share firsthand the tremendous impact that funding has had on the UNC Nutrition Research Institute. From advancing critical research on nutrition’s role in disease prevention to supporting community health programs and educational initiatives, their stories reveal how donor support fuels our mission.
Stories of Purpose: Letters from the NRI Family
Each contribution enables our scientists to pursue groundbreaking studies in nutrition, disease prevention, and overall health, ultimately benefiting individuals and communities near and far. The following letters remind us that behind every donation is a shared commitment to a healthier future. Thank you for helping fuel discoveries that truly make a difference.
Read each letter by clicking on the image below.
Deborah Tate
Interim Director
Julian Robles
Research Technician
Shena Cunningham
Personnel Administrator
Making a Difference Together
Jenna Baker
Executive Assistant
“Research at the NRI offers a solid foundation for understanding the basics of a healthy lifestyle and simple ways to implement it at home. By sharing practical meal preparation tips and strategies for smarter grocery shopping, it can have a significant impact on overall health.”
Rachel Goode, PhD, MPH, LCSW
Associate Professor of Social Work
“Nutrition is such a key factor in affecting our quality of life, and for helping us to thrive. We know our communities are navigating natural disasters, poverty, and employment challenges. If we can come up with a way to make nutrition knowledge and behavior accessible to all, we will position ourselves to transform the lives of so many.”
Jose Luis Garduno Hernandez
Research Technician, Trujillo Lab
“Health stems from correct and precise nutrition tailored to everyone. Conducting nutrition research has a high impact on public health, as we focus on preventing diseases before they occur. Even when diseases do arise, nutrition can serve as a valuable tool in improving quality of life and enhancing treatment outcomes, showcasing the fundamental role that proper nutrition plays.”
Tim Mills
Foods Services Supervisor
“Working at the NRI has shown me just how powerful nutrition is at influencing every aspect of my health. I’ve noticed that not only do I feel better physically—having more energy and fewer aches—but I also think more clearly and feel more balanced. It’s been eye-opening to see how small, intentional changes in diet can add quality and vitality to each day. I now realize nutrition isn’t just about physical health; it also supports mental clarity, and resilience, and truly adds life to my years.”
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