Blake Rushing, PhD

Assistant Professor of Nutrition

Blake Rushing, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Nutrition Research Institute (NRI), where his lab applies multi-omics approaches to investigate the metabolic mechanisms underlying cancer and other chronic, age-related diseases. His research leverages analytical chemistry techniques such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to study how nutrient metabolism can inform disease progression, therapy resistance mechanisms, and biomarker development.

Currently, Dr. Rushing is leading pan-cancer projects that integrate metabolomics and other omics data (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics) to identify dysregulation of nutrient metabolism that is both common and unique across cancer types, and how this is linked to one’s genetic features. These efforts aim to advance precision oncology by uncovering new pharmacological and nutritional strategies for cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.

Dr. Rushing also serves as the Associate Director of NRI’s Metabolomics and Exposome Laboratory (MEL), where he supports single and multi-omics precision health projects as part of major NIH-funded initiatives, including the Human Health Exposure Analysis Resource (HHEAR) and Nutrition for Precision Health (NPH) programs. In this role, he also supports many additional metabolomics projects internal and external to UNC.

Dr. Rushing earned a BS in Chemistry from Catawba College and a PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from East Carolina University. Dr. Rushing is also a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and holds and adjunct appointment in UNC’s Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine.

Dr. Rushing earned a BS in Chemistry from Catawba College and a PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from East Carolina University. Dr. Rushing is also a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and holds an adjunct appointment in UNC’s Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine.

Rushing’s Team

In the News

Every Discovery Begins with a Participant

Jun 25, 2026

Every discovery begins with a question. But at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute, many discoveries also begin with a participant willing to say yes.

In this personal essay, Brooke Giles reflects on what it is like to experience NRI research from the participant side — and why taking part in a study can help advance science, support better health and contribute to discoveries that may benefit families, communities and future generations. Continue Reading Every Discovery Begins with a Participant

The Invisible Middle of Research

Jun 17, 2026

At the UNC Nutrition Research Institute, discovery does not happen in a single moment. Between the first research question and the final publication is the careful, often unseen work of planning, recruiting participants, gathering data, building teams, and refining ideas. This invisible middle is where science takes shape. Continue Reading The Invisible Middle of Research

Don’t Miss Your Seat at NGx

Apr 23, 2026

NGx brings together forward-thinking minds at the intersection of nutrition, genetics, and health to explore where science is going next—and how it’s already shaping the way we understand and apply precision nutrition. This is more than a conference; it is a chance to engage directly with the research, the people behind it, and the ideas that are redefining the field. Continue Reading Don’t Miss Your Seat at NGx

Where Science Took Center Field

Apr 14, 2026

With more than 2,200 fans in attendance, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Atrium stadium became a place of discovery, featuring live demonstrations, hands-on STEM activities, and a community coming together around curiosity and learning. From liquid nitrogen launches to interactive science kits, the energy carried through every inning. Continue Reading Where Science Took Center Field

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Publications

Rajasekar AK, Miller GM, Motsinger-Reif A, Cui Y, Walker D, Makris K, Jarmusch A, Rushing BR, Juarez P, Hood D, Ramesh A, Mouton C, Soliman G, Chung MK. Establishing a Community of Practice for Exposomics. Exposome. 2023. Under Review

Rushing BR, Molina S, Sumner S. Untargeted metabolomics reveals mechanisms of acquired doxorubicin resistance in triple-negative breast cancer cells. Metabolites. 2023. 13(7), 865.

Lynch DH^†, Rushing BR^†, Pathmasiri W, McRitchie S, Batchek DJ, Petersen CL, Gross S, Sumner S, Batsis J. Baseline Serum Biomarkers Predict Response to a Weight Loss Intervention in Older Adults with Obesity: A Pilot Study. Metabolites. 2023. 13(7), 853.

^†Authors contributed equally to this work

Emily MJ Fennell*, Lucas J Aponte-Collazo, Wimal Pathmasiri, Blake R Rushing, Natalie K Barker, Megan C Partridge, Yuan-Yuan Li, Yoshimi Endo Greer, Laura E Herring, Stan Lipkowitz, Susan Jenkins Sumner, Edwin J Iwanowicz, Lee M Graves. Multi-omics Analyses Reveal ClpP Activators Disrupt Essential Mitochondrial Pathways in Triple-negative Breast Cancer. Frontiers Pharmacology. 2023. 14:1136317. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1136317.

Taibli KR, Dunlop AL, Barr DB, Li Y, Eick S, Kannan K, Ryan PB, Schroder M, Rushing BR, Fennell T, Chang C, Tan Y, Marsit C, Jones DP, Liang D. Newborn Metabolomic Signatures of Maternal Serum Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Levels and Reduced Length of Gestation: A Prospective Analysis in the Atlanta African American Maternal-Child Cohort. Nature Communications. 14(1):3120. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-38710-3.

Rushing BR, Wiggs A*, Molina S, Schroder M, Sumner S. Metabolomics analysis reveals novel targets of chemosensitizing polyphenols and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in triple negative breast cancer cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2023,24(5):4406. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054406