Saroja Voruganti, PhD
Director of Clinical Research Core, Professor of Nutrition
saroja@unc.edu
704-250-5009
Lab Website
Dr. Saroja Voruganti, Professor of Nutrition, is working on building a nationally and internationally recognized research program in nutritional genomics at UNC. A unique field, nutritional genomics seeks to identify genetic susceptibility to diseases, effect of genetic variation on nutrient metabolism and the effect of nutrients on gene expression. She has extensively investigated the interplay between nutritional and genetic factors influencing disease risk in ethnically diverse populations, especially minority populations such as Mexican American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Parsi Zoroastrian and Hispanic children populations. Her research is focused on uncovering new connections between genetics, nutrition, and epidemiology that can lead to more accurate determination disease risk and new treatment options for metabolic diseases. The key areas of her research program include:
- Gene-nutrient interactions affecting purine metabolism and related neurodegenerative diseases
- Genetic and environmental factors affecting complex diseases such as obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes in ethnically diverse populations
Lydia Goss Dooley, MS, RD
Graduate Student, Voruganti Lab
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.
Emilio Salazar Garduno
Clinical Research Coordinator, Voruganti Lab
Emilio graduated from UNC Charlotte with a BA in Biology in 2023. He worked as a phlebotomist for almost three years. He's passionate about bridging healthcare gaps and expanding medical access to underrepresented communities. Emilio is also an advocate and promoter of higher education. He volunteers for RAO Community Health in Charlotte, NC. He hopes to become a PA and is interested in infectious diseases, internal medicine, and dermatology. He enjoys running, traveling, and trying new foods in his free time!
Faustina Jeyaraj, MS
Graduate Student, Voruganti Lab
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 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 Joglekar
Research Technician, Voruganti Lab
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.
Baba Mass
Research Specialist, Voruganti Lab
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.
Kendra Lynn Nelson, MPH, RD
Graduate Student, Voruganti Lab
Kendra joined the Voruganti Lab at the NRI in August 2019 where they focus on the role of nutrition and genetics in obesity and cognitive decline. In May 2016 they received their undergraduate degree in Nutrition from Southern Utah University. There they conducted research focusing on the accuracy of consumer fitness trackers and their value as an assessment tool in dietetics practice and future nutrition research. Kendra worked as a public health sanitarian prior to attending UNC's MPH/RD program from which they graduated in December 2019, earning their registered dietitian credentials shortly afterward.
Sai Sravani Vennam, MS
Research Associate, Voruganti Lab
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.
NGx: A short course in Nutrigenetics, Nutrigenomics and Precision Nutrition – Day Four
The NRI presented its annual NGx short course May 16-19, in Concord, NC, for graduate students, health professionals, and nutrition scientists. See recaps of Days One, Two and Three. The last day of the NGx course focused on childhood obesity, giving participants a...
NGx: A short course in Nutrigenetics, Nutrigenomics and Precision Nutrition – Day One
Registrants from across the country joined NRI professors in Concord, NC, on May 16 for the first day of a short course on Nutrigenetics, Nutrigenomics, and Precision Nutrition. This course is designed for graduate students, health professionals, and nutrition...
PUFA Metabolism Affected by Genetics and Diet
While polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are widely considered to be among the “good” dietary fats, clear evidence of their health benefits in humans is surprisingly limited. One of the likely causes of this ambiguity is the complexity of PUFA metabolism in the...
UNC nutrition experts uncover structure of enzyme that could aid in disease treatment, prevention
This article was published originally by the Gillings School of Global Public Health on January 25, 2022. New findings from researchers at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) have revealed the structure of an enzyme that plays a key role in predicting whether a...