Deborah Tate is the interim director and a professor in the Department of Nutrition. She holds a joint appointment in the Department of Health Behavior and a faculty appointment at the Nutrition Research Institute. Dr. Tate is a behavioral scientist, receiving her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Her research focuses on two main areas: (a) strategies for improving both short and long-term body weight regulation to reduce disease risks and (b) the development and translation of programs as alternatives to clinic-based care using digital and wearable technologies. She has been continuously funded in obesity, diabetes prevention and digital health intervention research by the National Institutes of Health since 2000 and is known internationally for her work in web and mobile interventions. Dr. Tate has numerous papers published in major nutrition and medical journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association, the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA-Internal Medicine,   Obesity, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Health Psychology, and others. Dr. Tate is faculty director of the UNC Weight Research Program, and for the Communications for Health Applications and Interventions (CHAI) Core a shared resource serving faculty in both the Nutrition Obesity Research Center and the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. She teaches a graduate-level course entitled “mHealth for Behavior Change”.

Dr. Tate conducted several of the first randomized trials using the Internet and new technologies to deliver behavioral treatments for obesity. She continues to conduct studies to determine which features of digital programs contribute to efficacy, how to use wearable and other passive data to inform tailoring, and what types of intervention messages and strategies work best for whom and in what contexts. Her work has focused on bringing greater specificity to digital intervention science and uses advanced intervention methodologies such as the Multiphase Optimization Strategy, multiple randomized trials (MRT) and adaptive (SMART) designs to optimize digital obesity prevention and treatment interventions. Her recent work has focused on precision public health messaging for just-in-time-adaptive interventions and precision nutrition and obesity approaches which offer high degrees of individual tailoring.  

In April 2018, Brandi was promoted to the new position of Assistant Director for Training, Programs, and Partnerships. She brings to her new position more than eight years of experience in administration and community partnership management, and 11 years of experience at the NRI. She assists Eddie Serrano, Deputy Director of Research Administration, with Institute operations, oversees HR and administrative functions, plans and implements research-related programming, and continues to be the NRI liaison with the NCRC. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Brandi is a native of Kannapolis, where she has chosen to raise her family.  

Ryan Dayvault joined the NRI in May 2008, where he serves as the Assistant to the Deputy Director and Special Projects Coordinator. A native of Kannapolis and 2008 graduate of Catawba College, Ryan holds a B.A. in Political Science with an emphasis in public administration and a minor in business administration. An avid supporter of the efforts at the North Carolina Research Campus, Ryan has served in various capacities throughout the development of this project while in college and maintaining his residency in Kannapolis.  

Brooke Giles is a 2011 graduate of Campbell University. She was promoted in July 2024 to Director of Marketing, Communications, and External Affairs. She previously served the NRI as a Communications Specialist from 2014-2017 and as Marketing Asset Manager from 2022-2024. Brooke manages a team that is responsible for a variety of communication media to stimulate interest in research, programs, events, and activities conducted by the NRI. She develops original content and suggests creative ways to attract more audiences and supporters, and promotes our brand with the goal of increasing traffic to NRI digital properties for public and donor engagement and event attendance. Brooke is the liaison to the NRI’s Board of Advisors and the primary fundraising officer. 

Amira A. Abdellatef is currently working as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at Sergey A. Krupenko Lab, Nutrition Research Institute (NRI), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Amira completed her Ph.D. in cancer biology and immunology from the Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, the University of Toyama, Japan in 2021, under the supervision of Prof. Yoshihiro Hayakawa. Before joining NRI, she completed her Research Scholar training at the University of Toyama, Japan, and a postdoctoral appointment at Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute (BBRI), North Carolina Central University (NCCU), under the mentorship of Prof. Xiaohe Yang. She is a recent recipient of the Award of Female Researchers of the University of Toyama, Japan. Her research project focuses on the function of folate enzymes ALDH1L1 and ALDH1L2 in cellular metabolism and their association with human diseases. Her project utilizes cell culture and mouse models to answer questions about the role of folate metabolizing enzymes and dietary folate in liver and brain functions, tumorigenesis, cancer progression, and metastasis. She has co-authored many peer-reviewed articles and has had several poster/oral presentations at international and local conferences. Outside of academia, she enjoys listening to music, watching movies, walking, swimming, and cooking.

Ramine Alexander joined the UNC Nutrition Research Institute as Research Project Manager. Dr. Alexander received her Ph.D. and MPH from Virginia Tech. As an intervention scientist, her research interests include utilizing Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) to improve lifestyle risk factors (i.e., diet and physical activity) that have a direct relevance to obesity and chronic disease. Through CBPR approaches, a primary goal of her work is to involve the voice of the community in the research process to promote intervention sustainability. Dr. Alexander has a passion for building health equity, conducting research on the social determinants of health, and using innovative approaches to communicate science.

Onur Apaydin joined the UNC Nutrition Research Institute as a Research Specialist in the Saini Lab in September 2025. He completed his PhD in Life Sciences in Germany, where he studied macrophage signaling and extracellular matrix remodeling in cardiac regeneration, following a Master’s in Synthetic Biology. He has extensive experience with in vivo models, imaging, and transcriptomic analysis, and his background in immunology and regenerative biology supports ongoing research in the Saini Lab.

Ximena graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.A in Psychology and Social work in two years. Ximena is invested in helping the community that raised her through research and community engagement. Her interests include art, reading, music, and spending time with her puppy and family.

Jenna Baker joined the Nutrition Research Institute in June 2018. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Communication Studies. Jenna joined us from UNC Charlotte, where she served as administrative staff for five years within academic departments. She is a native of Concord and currently lives in Kannapolis with her husband. In her spare time, she enjoys exercising, traveling, or anything outdoors.

Jamie joined the NRI as the Property Security Officer in September 2021 and is the person who welcomes our employees and visitors as they enter the building. In his Property Security Officer role, Jamie is tasked with building security, directing human study participants to the appropriate locations, and serving as the central contact for our delivery vendors. Jamie will also assist Facilities with special projects on occasion, and will partner with NCRC Security, NCRC EHS, Kannapolis Police Department, and University resources on campus safety initiatives. Jamie is a retired sergeant from the Kannapolis Police Department, where he served in the Patrol, Criminal Investigation, and Vice Narcotics divisions. Additionally, he served on the agency’s Honor Guard Team and as a negotiator for their Special Response Team. He received numerous commendations and awards during his 30-year career in law enforcement.

Randy has worked in sales for over 35 years. He enjoys meeting new people with a positive attitude and a friendly smile. He enjoys traveling and camping with his wife of 35 years. They like going to estate sales and finding hidden treasures.

Reilly Becker joined the NRI in 2024 with Dr. Tate’s Lab. Reilly’s passion for science started with his Biology BS undergraduate at UNC Charlotte. He later obtained his graduate degree in Bioinformatics & Genomics from UNC Charlotte. Reilly wishes to use his skill set to benefit the field of human health in clinical research. He enjoys physical exercise, playing chess, and playing piano.

A native of Salisbury, North Carolina, Mrs. Bouk has 17 years of experience in the clinical research industry, supporting a wide range of clinical and translational research projects. Her expertise spans phase II-IV industry-sponsored clinical trials, as well as federally-funded and investigator-initiated research studies. With over 14 years supporting the Duke University research office on the North Carolina Research Campus, Mrs. Bouk worked to engage healthcare practices and local communities to enroll large-scale, longitudinal, community research studies including the MURDOCK Study and the Project Baseline Health Study. Throughout her career, Mrs. Bouk has managed cross-functional study teams across various phases of the clinical trial lifecycle. This includes handling study contracts and budgets, regulatory submissions, patient recruitment plans, primary data collection, and implementing QC and QA practices. Recently, Mrs. Bouk supported a start-up company by developing a program to identify patients through an AI-powered patient matching solution for sponsors and clinical research sites. Mrs. Bouk graduated from North Carolina State University with a B.S. in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Nutrition, and earned an MBA from Wingate University in Corporate Innovation.

Emily graduated from Catawba College with a Bachelors in Biochemistry and a minor in History in 2023. She is excited to be with the Sumner Lab and looks forward to learning everything that she can. She is a Michigan native that misses the snow but does not miss the cold. In her down time, Emily loves to read, play games, and crochet many different things.

Kalli Brock joined the NRI as part of the Finance Team in 2023. She brings financial and administrative experience from her past position in administration at a local Charlotte eye doctor. Kalli is inspired by the NRI’s mission and thrilled to be a valuable part of our team. Outside of work, Kalli is passionate about music and art.

Sam has worked in the healthcare field for over 20 years, mostly in pediatrics, but most recently in public health. She received an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Cabarrus College of Health Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from South University. Sam has lived in Cabarrus County for 15 years, is a self-proclaimed foodie, and loves traveling to find new things to eat! She also enjoys cold weather, spending time outdoors with her family, and taking care of her family’s farm animals – alpacas, goats, and chickens.

Walden joined the NRI in September 2015, in the role of Technology Support Technician. He has a passion for all things technology related, and enjoys tinkering and learning about new tech. He comes to the NRI after serving T-Mobile, AT&T, and CompUSA. He is excited to bring that knowledge and passion, as well as a strong desire to help people, to the NRI. Walden is currently attending UNC-Charlotte, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with a concentration in Software, Systems, and Networks.

Yuheng joined UNC Chapel Hill NRI in January 2025 as a doctoral student in Nutrition. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Clinical Nutrition from the University of California, Davis, and his Master of Science in Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition from Tufts University. At the Nutrition Research Institute, Yuheng works closely with Dr. Susan Sumner and Dr. Blake Rushing, focusing on precision nutrition and metabolomics.

Madeline joined the NRI in March 2019 and began her doctoral studies in fall 2020. She completed her undergraduate program at the University of Alabama, where she graduated in 2018 with a major in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Spanish. Madeline works with Dr. Natalia Krupenko to research the role of folate in promoting human health and preventing disease.

Bryan Chuprinko is a Program Manager at Coddle Creek Capital, overseeing life science programs. He has collaborated with UNC-NRI on behalf of Coddle Creek Capital to bring value to the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC).

Brendon Coats is currently pursuing a BS in Biology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He started at the NRI as an intern in January of 2022, and now is a Research Technician in the Smith Lab, where he is excited to gain experience in the research field. He hopes to enroll in graduate school and earn his master’s after UNC Charlotte.

Rachel Joined the UNC Chapel Hill NRI in August 2020 as a Research Technician in the Sumner Lab. As a local of Rowan County, specifically China Grove, she graduated from Catawba College in 2020 with a B.S. in Biochemistry. She has always wanted to have some kind of involvement at the NCRC ever since she saw the campus being built as a little girl. Since joining Sumner’s lab, Coble returned to school to further her education. Pursuing her Master’s degree in Informatics and Analytics with a Bioinformatics concentration has been a transformative journey, significantly enhancing her expertise in handling and interpreting complex data sets. By learning analytical techniques and informatics tools, she is equipped to process vast amounts of metabolomic data with greater accuracy and efficiency. The skills and knowledge gained through her Master’s program enable her to contribute more to her metabolomics research, drive impactful data-driven insights, and support the NRI’s goals in advancing metabolomics.

Spencer joined the NRI in 2025 after studying culinary and nutrition at JWU Charlotte and pursuing to learn as much as he possibly can, as well as contributing his skills to the NRI. He aspires to go back to school to further his education in nutrition and medical science. Spencer grew up in southern NC with his parents and two younger siblings. He studied at JWU Charlotte and UNC Charlotte. His hobbies involve cooking, video games, and building Lego sets.

Melissa Cole began her tenure at the NRI in early July 2024. She brings with her 20 years of experience in graphic design and marketing across various industries. A resident of the Concord area for over a decade, Melissa enjoys traveling and spending time with her family in her free time.

In 2009, Shena joined the North Carolina Research Campus as a member of Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute. In 2011, she began her professional career in higher education at NRI. Since then, Shena has served at UNC Charlotte and the Town of Davidson. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the College of New Jersey. In 2022, Shena rejoined NRI as Personnel Administrator.

Lydia joined the NRI with Dr. Voruganti’s lab in August 2022 and is looking forward to contributing to the body of knowledge in the field of nutrition. Lydia graduated from the University of Tennessee with a BS in Nutrition in 2017. She completed a Dietetic Internship with Lenoir-Rhyne University and earned her RD credential in the summer of 2019. Lydia worked as a clinical dietitian while pursuing her MS in Nutrition, graduating from the University of Alabama in the summer of 2021. In her spare time, Lydia enjoys spending time with her husband and dog in the great outdoors.

Isabella joined the Sumner Lab as a student intern in 2023. She is an undergraduate student pursuing a BSPH in the Nutrition program through the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, as well as a minor in Chemistry. As Isabella aims to attend medical school following her undergraduate career, she is eager to learn from Dr. Sumner and her team. In Isabella’s free time she enjoys running, baking, and crafting.

George Flentke received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where his dissertation focused on the structure and catalytic activity of the enzyme UDP-galactose-4-epimerase,  which is crucial for galactose metabolism. His postdoctoral research in Biochemistry and Pharmacology at Tufts University / New England Medical School focused on the design of inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase enzymes, which control immune function and HIV infection.  After returning to UW-Madison he continued working with the immunosupressives cyclosporine and rapamycin. He is an experienced enzymologist/protein chemist and synthetic organic chemist. Currently, he manages Dr. Smith’s lab, where he investigates the mechanism by which alcohol alters ribosomal signaling and mTOR activity in alcohol-exposed neural crest.

Walter Friday, a Kannapolis native, recently returned to Cabarrus County to get married. He is a 2010 graduate of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College with an AAS in Biotechnology. He is pleased to be working at the Nutrition Research Institute as a research technician. He enjoys spending time with his wife, reading, and traveling.

Tyisha Harper joined UNC Nutrition Research Institute in December 2021 as a Project Coordinator in the Goode Lab. She is originally from Milwaukee, WI, and relocated to the Charlotte area with her new husband. She is excited to learn and develop her research career here. Tyisha likes to travel, go bowling, and spend lots of quality time with her family. Tyisha is motivated by  spiritual affirmations and her favorite one is Psalm 46:5, “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”

Carolyn Harris rejoined the NRI on November 8, 2022 as Special Assistant with NRI’s Human Resources. In 2007, she joined the NRI as executive assistant to Institute Director, Steven Zeisel . She retired in 2018. Her previous work experience includes office management/administration and human resources within the Department of Defense and private sector organizations. In addition to her part-time employment, Carolyn spends her time traveling, trying various exercise programs, reading and volunteering with non-profit organizations. She is a graduate of Montreat College.

Julie joined the NRI in 2012 as a Project Manager for Dr. Philip May focusing on the prevalence, child characteristics, and maternal risk factors of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in the United States and South Africa. She earned her doctorate from the UNC-CH Department of Nutrition in 2021 and has been a postdoctoral research associate at the NRI in the May lab and the Cheatham lab. Julie earned her BS in Health Science from Truman State University and a Masters in Public Health, with a concentration in Health Education and Health Behavior, from UNC-CH. Julie is also a Certified Health Education Specialist.

Elizabeth joined the Cheatham team in January 2024 as an intern. More recently, she joined as a study coordinator after graduating from Belmont Abbey College with a BS in Biology in May of 2025. She was also a part of the women’s lacrosse team at Belmont Abbey. She is passionate about learning more in the field of clinical research and is excited to work with Dr. Cheatham in her lab. In her free time, she likes to be at the beach, exercise, read, and spend time with friends and family.

David Horita joined the NRI in 2013 as a grant writer. He assists faculty by identifying funding opportunities and writing/editing research proposals. David developed research and writing experience in metabolism and cell signaling during his 13 years as a faculty member in Biochemistry at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He did postdoctoral work at the NCI/NIH and obtained a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Wisconsin and a BA in chemistry from Carleton College.

Yanping Huang is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Dr. Susan Smith’s Lab. She is from China, where she earned her PhD degree. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and running.

Joshua Hyatt is the dedicated Maintenance Supervisor here at the NCRC. Originally from Charlotte, NC, Joshua moved to Kannapolis in 1991 to attend A.L. Brown High School. Since then, Kannapolis has become his home, and he is committed to giving back to the community.

Joshua’s involvement in local activities extends beyond his professional life. He has spent over a decade on the HS football sidelines as a valued member of the “Chain Crew” and has been engaged in the Middle School Running Club. His passion for community service and youth development reflects his deep-rooted connection to Kannapolis.

In his spare time, Joshua enjoys a range of hobbies, including playing golf, tinkering with vintage electronics, and collecting radio-controlled trucks and cars. His diverse interests and commitment to his community make him a well-rounded and valued member of the NCRC team.

Sherry has worked in the healthcare field for over 25 years as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Most of that time was spent in Internal Medicine. She is a graduate of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. She has lived in Kannapolis most of her adult life. She enjoys vacationing with her family and spending time outside.

Scott Jaworski joined the NRI in May 2008, where he serves as the Applications Analyst and IT Consultant. Scott brings years of experience in the University IT field, having worked in the IT Technical Support field both as a student and staff member at UNC Charlotte, where he graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science in 2001.

Faustina hails from South India. She completed her BS in plant biotechnology from Stella Maris College in Chennai, India and her MS in biotechnology from Sathyabama University in Chennai, India. She eventually moved to the US for her husband’s job and joined Rowan-Cabarrus Community College to find a door that would lead to a career in research. She joined the Voruganti lab as an intern from RCCC in January 2019 and is now a PhD candidate in the same lab. Faustina is excited to be a part of NRI and the remarkable research that is happening here. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the beaches and mountains of the Carolinas with her husband and kids.

Ketan went to school at East Carolina University, but grew up nearby in Concord, NC. He majored in Neuroscience and has previously worked in microbiology labs at ECU’s Dental School. Ketan wants to pursue a career in academia and perhaps pharmaceuticals. He loves working in labs, and in his time at NRI, he hopes to pick up new techniques and expand his repertoire. In the near future, he also hopes to learn more about genetic data analytics, artificial intelligence, and the cognitive processes that power them. In his free time, Ketan enjoys exploring Charlotte, which he describes as a vibrant city.

Kevin started working with the state 5 years ago with UNC Charlotte and recently transferred to UNC Chapel Hill. When he’s not at work, he can be found working on their small farm. Kevin enjoys pretty much anything outdoors.

Mengxuan Lai joined the NRI in August 2025 as a doctoral student in Nutrition. He completed his undergraduate study at China Agricultural University and earned his Master of Science in Food Science from Cornell University. After graduation, Mengxuan contributed his skills to functional foods and nutritional research as a R&D engineer for five years, which inspired him to go back to school to further his education in nutrition. At the NRI, Mengxuan works closely with Dr. Blake Rushing, focusing on metabolomics.

Addison joined the NRI in December 2023 as a research technician for All of Us (AoU) and Nutrition for Precision Health (NPH). While growing up in Hickory, NC, Addison developed a love for science in medicine, leading her to graduate from NCSU in 2023 with a BS in Human Biology. Addison hopes to continue onto PA school one day but is excited to gain clinical lab experience at NRI. Outside of work and school, Addison enjoys playing with her schnauzer, crocheting, and cooking.

Monia joined the NRI in September 2021 as a member of the Finance and Grants team. She graduated from Johnson & Wales University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. Monia is excited to be part of the team at NRI. In her spare time, Monia enjoys reading, photography, and painting.

Nina joined the NRI as a Research Assistant for the Tate Lab in June 2025. She is pursuing a B.S. in Human Science at Georgetown University and previously assisted with cancer and neuroscience research at GUSOM. Although Nina attended school in D.C., she is originally from Concord, NC, and is excited to be raising her new daughter close to home. In hopes of attending medical school in the future, with an interest in pediatrics, she is grateful for the opportunity to learn and gain experience. Nina’s hobbies include all forms of art, especially drawing, photography, and karaoke.

Christopher was hired on the NRI maintenance team through UNC Charlotte in March 2023, and transitioned to UNC Chapel Hill in August 2024. He is a 2002 graduate of Catawba College where he received his B.S. in Information Systems with a concentration in computer programming and a minor in business administration. He also obtained his North Carolina Structural Pest Control License in 2018. Christopher is a native of China Grove where he currently lives with his wife and 3 daughters. In his spare time, he likes hunting, fishing, and working on and driving his old cars!

Anju Lulla, PhD joined the NRI as a Research Associate in August 2018. She received her Phd from St. John’s University, NY, in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a focus in pharmacology. Prior to joining NRI, Anju was a research assistant at UNC Charlotte in the Bioinformatics Department. She brings with her expertise in bioinformatics and statistical analyses of genomic and microbiome data. She is working with Dr. Katie Meyer to study associations between nutritional metabolites, gut microbiome and cardiovascular health.

Chrysa Mahoney is a Research Assistant at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Nutrition Research Institute (NRI). She joined the NRI in 2023 to work with Dr. Tate on the All of Us (AoU) Research Program and the Nutrition for Precision Health (NPH) study supported by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). Chrysa has 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry in a variety of therapeutic areas and especially enjoyed working on therapies for T2DM and obesity.

Baba graduated from Gambia College School of Education with an AS in science and mathematics. He taught Junior Secondary School science for three years before migrating to the U.S. to pursue higher education. Baba joined the Voruganti lab as a student intern from RCCC before officially joining the team as research technician in July 2015.

Steve May joined the UNC Chapel Hill Nutrition Research Institute in January 2025. He grew up in Concord, N.C., and worked for the Kannapolis Police Department, where he retired as a Lieutenant after 30 years of service. After retirement, he worked in the private sector for 14 years before coming onboard the Nutrition Research Institute. He and his wife Melody, a Kannapolis native, have a daughter, a son, and two grandsons.

Ashlyn graduated from James Madison University with a B.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition in May 2025. Ashlyn’s coursework has exposed her to many different areas of nutrition, but she’s especially drawn to precision nutrition and its potential to prevent disease and enhance overall health outcomes. Ashlyn is also passionate about expanding access to nutrient-dense foods and ensuring equitable nutrition education for all communities. She is eager to contribute to the Tate Lab, where she can spread her enthusiasm for nutrition and support the innovative research being done. Looking ahead, she plans to pursue a PhD in nutritional sciences, focusing on metabolism and precision nutrition, as well as complete an ACEND-accredited internship to become a registered dietitian.

Susan McRitchie, MA/MS has over 10 years of experience conducting biostatistics in the field of metabolomics, and has over 15 years of experience using biostatistics in clinical and epidemiology investigations. She is the lead biostatistician and program manager for the NIH Common Fund Metabolomics and Clinical Assay Center (PI, Susan Sumner) for the Nutrition for Precision Health study, for the NIEHS Human Health Exposure Analysis Resource program (MPI, Sumner/Du/Fennell), and for the Metabolomics and Exposome Laboratory at the UNC Chapel Hill Nutrition Research Institute (Director, Sumner). In these roles, she participates in working groups of the NIH consortium involving data management, data quality, and omics analysis, and leads data analysis. She has trained over 20 students, postdoctoral fellows, early career and senior faculty to conduct statistical and multivariate analysis in metabolomics investigations. Susan McRitchie earned a MA in mathematics from UCLA and a MS in Biostatistics from UNC Chapel Hill.

Halle earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Minor in Anthropology at St. Mary’s College of Maryland in May 2020. After moving to Charlotte, Halle joined the NRI in August 2020 as a Research Technician in Dr. Sergey Krupenko’s Lab, where she studies the role of folate in liver function and cancer disease. Halle plans to further her education in the research field within the next couple of years.

Tim is the Food Services Supervisor for the Lettuce Eat Café at the Nutrition Research Institute. He brings more than 30 years of experience in food service to our team and was trained at the prestigious Johnson and Wales University. Tim is a local resident who relocated to his home community after a successful career in the resort hospitality industry, having served sitting U.S. presidents. Since returning to the area, he has been the Executive Chef of The Club at Irish Creek and was the owner of Chef’s Choice Gourmet Pastries. In 2014, he joined the University of North Carolina’s Nutrition Research Institute to manage and grow the Lettuce Eat Café for NC Research Campus patrons and the larger Kannapolis community. His passion for the culinary arts and nutrition is evident in the food he creates.

Sabrina graduated from UNC Charlotte with a degree in biology, working in a bioinformatics lab during her time there. She began as a student intern in the Sumner lab and is now working as the Assistant Laboratory Manager. She is very excited to continue working with all the amazing people at the NRI. In her spare time, Sabrina enjoys cooking, kayaking, fishing, and dirt biking.

Anh earned her Ph.D. in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology from the UNC-Charlotte. She completed her M.S. in Bioinformatics from UNC-Charlotte and a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Studio Art from UNC-Chapel Hill. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and art.

Bryan Munoz joined the NRI in February 2022 as a postdoctoral research associate. Dr. Munoz attended EARTH University in Costa Rica, majoring in Agricultural Sciences, then continued his graduate career at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and North Carolina State University, where he earned his doctoral degree in Nutrition and Horticultural Sciences. Dr. Munoz has worked with plants his entire life, and is interested in learning new techniques in molecular biology and animal models.

Carolyn Munson graduated in 2015 from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College with an AAS in biotechnology. She is working as a research technician in the Surzenko Lab at the NRI. Much of her work is directed by Dr. Natalia Surzenko performing immunohistochemistry work.

Michelle Nanney joined the Human Research Core of the NRI in 2023 as a Policy and Procedure Writer. Her past experience includes clinical trial process improvement, manufacturing process management & operations, ISO 9001 quality development, and technical writing. Her educational background includes a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Texas A&M University, along with an MBA and MS in Strategic Management from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

Dwight was born and raised in Thomasville, N.C. He is an outdoorsman that loves to hunt and fish. He is the youngest of 4 kids. He love music, his kids, and his grandson. He also loves spending time with his beautiful wife! They love to travel and do all kinds of activities together.

Kendra completed their BSc in Nutrition at Southern Utah University, the MPH/RD Nutrition program at UNC-Chapel Hill, and came to the NRI in 2019 to join the Voruganti Lab as a doctoral student. Under Dr. Saroja Voruganti, Kendra focused on investigating the role of genetic factors and obesity in the association between uric acid and cognitive decline. After completing their PhD in 2025, Kendra joined Dr. Deborah Tate’s lab at the NRI as a dietitian and post-doctoral research associate focused on the Nutrition for Precision Health study.

Carsyn manages community outreach events, donor engagement programs, and institute-wide special events that highlight the NRI’s research in nutrition and human health. She joined the NRI in 2021 as a Lab Animal Coordinator in the Cheatham Lab, where she supported research on prenatal alcohol exposure in combination with choline and DHA supplementation. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Wingate University.

Evan Paules joined the NRI in August 2016 as a doctoral student under the mentorship of Dr. Zeisel. Following his graduation, Evan joined the lab of Dr. Hursting where he is now a postdoctoral researcher. Evan is currently investigating the determinants of heterogenic responses to dietary interventions in individuals. Evan attended Rider University where he graduated with a double major in Biochemistry and Behavioral Neuroscience. He was also a member of Rider University’s Division 1 swim team for all four years while he attended Rider.

Betty has served Lettuce Eat Café customers with a positive attitude and a smile since joining the NRI in 2016! She is a career service industry professional. Betty is a North Carolina native, growing up in the eastern part of the state, and raising her family locally. In her spare time, Betty enjoys classic titles from her extensive movie collection and enjoys time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren!

Hannah obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics in May 2022 from Texas Tech University. She joined the NRI and began her doctoral studies in Fall 2022. She works in the Mooney Lab to research fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

Nathan graduated from UNC at Greensboro in May 2023 with a BS in Psychology and a Minor in Statistics. He is from Gold Hill, NC and has family from Kannapolis. Nathan is excited to join Dr. Mooney’s lab and to learn all that he can during his time at the NRI. In his free time, he enjoys gardening, spending time with his dogs, and kayaking.

Molly has many interests. She is a foodie and enjoys trying new dishes. She likes to travel and tends to focus on the museums, architecture, and of course, the food. Molly’s hobby umbrella covers things she can create using fabric, yarn, embroidery floss, or paint. She also loves reading and watching movies. Her Netflix watch list is a mile long, and her Kindle queue stays full!

Julian is a Kannapolis native who is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Religious Studies. He is a Chancellor’s Science Scholar and worked at the NRI as an undergraduate. Julian is a research assistant in Dr. Goode’s lab, where he is engaging in qualitative research around eating disorders and engaging in the community. He is interested in exploring a possible career in research, but would like to go to medical school to become a pediatric oncologist. Some of Julian’s interests include reading, riding motorcycles, hiking, and making a positive impact.

Tim joined the NRI as our Morning Shuttle Driver after retiring from a 26-year career at the Kannapolis Police Department. He worked in community policing, vice narcotics, and criminal investigations during his tenure there. As a native of Columbia, Missouri, Tim has lived in Kannapolis for 28 years. He served our country in the US Navy for 11 years, including deployment to Beirut, and in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In his spare time, Tim runs an average of 3-4 miles every day. He works part-time at the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Stadium, greeting guests and providing customer service to all who attend games. He is excited about serving our community at the NRI as well!

Tom Sawyer joined the CRC in May 2023 as a Clinical Study Coordinator. He earned an AAS in Medical Laboratory Technology from Central Piedmont Community College and worked for 5 years in immunotherapy cancer research. He is excited to move into nutrition research and gain new experiences.

Jon Shea joined the Nutrition Research Institute in the summer of 2017. He is a graduate of UNC Charlotte’s Bioinformatics Master’s program. He has worked in several areas in the NRI including project manager, study coordinator, lab manager, and research core administration before settling into the Finance team as a Budget Analyst.

George Slebioda, a resident of North Carolina since 1989, moved here to work for Turf Grass Construction and Management for River Run C.C. in Davidson, NC. Retiring from sales in 2019, George has been working part-time for the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers as the mower operator for their ballfield. He also works part-time for the Swanee Theater in downtown Kannapolis. He enjoys casual bike riding several days a week, along with the outdoors, old cars, and old music.

Kevin joined the Cheatham Lab in September 2025 as a Research Assistant after graduating from UNC Asheville with a BS in Health and Wellness Promotion. As a Kannapolis native, Kevin took part in many studies as a participant from ages 7 through 22 and has continued that passion for research into his career at the NCRC. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys Disc Golf, Ultimate frisbee, and running.

Julie joined the NRI in 2009 with Dr. Carol Cheatham’s Nutrition & Cognition Lab where she helped launch some of the first human studies completed on the NCRC.  In her time with the NRI, she has had the pleasure of working with Dr. Philip May on his Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) research and founding director, Dr. Steven Zeisel, on his choline biomarker study.  She has coordinated studies with babies, toddlers, school age children, and adults.  Julie earned a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications and a Masters in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Julie is currently working on multiple projects, including the Nutrition for Precision Health study.  After living in Chapel Hill, Boston, Niger, and Asheville, Julie is a returned Kannapolis native who has enjoyed watching the area’s residents grow and learn in partnership with the research being conducted.

Sai Sravani Vennam is from the southern part of India. She joined the Voruganti Lab in March 2023. She completed her master’s degree in bioinformatics and genomics at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, which has provided her with a deep understanding of biological systems and their complexities. She is currently working as a Research Associate in the Voruganti Lab at NRI, where she is able to put her knowledge into practice. Her work involves utilizing computational tools and techniques to analyze and interpret complex biological data, with a focus on understanding disease mechanisms and developing innovative treatment strategies. She describes herself as a committed and passionate professional who is determined to enhance the fields of bioinformatics and genomics through cutting-edge research and innovative concepts.

Robert Weimer joined the UNC Nutrition Research Institute in January 2025 after earning his B.S. in Nutrition and Medical Science and M.S. in Human Nutrition from the University of Delaware. With a passion for culinary medicine, Robert is excited to contribute to the Tate Lab and support the advancement of precision nutrition research. His research interests center on clinical body composition and metabolism assessment methods, focusing on innovative approaches to understanding and improving metabolic health. Robert aspires to integrate metabolic health practices into routine primary medical care and empower individuals to adopt sustainable strategies for achieving long-term health and wellness.

Thomas is from Chattanooga, TN. He graduated in May 2022 from Grove City College with a BS in Biochemistry.

Rebecca is an RN with nearly 30 years of experience in nursing, including 13 years of coordinating and managing clinical trials for a community cancer center, and six years of performing quality assurance on cancer registry data submitted to the state registry. She is excited to be part of the research being conducted at the NRI and to work with participants in the Human Research Core.

Braden Yorke is an undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, pursuing a degree in Nutrition Science and Research. Braden is an intern in Dr. Sumner’s lab at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute, where he hopes to explore the field and learn as much as possible.