blake_rushing@unc.edu
704-250-5089
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.
From Genes to Cancer Risk: Student Research in Precision Nutrition
Graduate students at the NRI are uncovering how genetics and multi-omics can transform nutrition into a more precise, preventive, and personal science.
Understanding Your Metabolism: How Nutrition Affects Energy Use
Join us on Wednesday, August 20 at noon for a free virtual Appetite for Life event with UNC Assistant Professor of Nutrition Blake Rushing, PhD.
Understanding How a Common Food Toxin Affects the Body
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a harmful mycotoxin produced by certain fungi and commonly found in staple foods like rice, corn, wheat, and nuts. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), mycotoxin contamination affects up to 25% of...
Discover the NRI’s Impact: FY24 Report
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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
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