Human Research Core Lab
The Human Research Core provides human nutrition research investigators with multi-disciplinary services and equipment in one location. The core is complete with examination rooms and equipment, phlebotomy and processing laboratory, pharmacy, and furnished consultation rooms. For nutrition intervention studies, the HRC offers a metabolic kitchen specifically designed to support nutrition research.
State-of-the-Art Resources and Support
• Human metabolism and body composition assessments
• Clinical laboratory and support services
• Preparation and delivery of precisely designed meals for study participant
The HRC is available for academic, public and private research. The core encourages collaborative as well as independent research and is committed to conducting innovative, basic, and translational science to support the understanding of precision nutrition. These advances in science promote the prevention and reduction of chronic disease and obesity.
Services
The Human Research Core offers these clinical services for academic, public and private research:
Consultation
Study Design
IRB Submission
Scheduling
Subject Recruitment
Telephone Screening
Informed Consent
Anthropometric Measurements
Clinical Services
Hgb A1c Testing
Glucometer
Medical Screening
Phlebotomy
Pregnancy Test
Processing of Samples
Urine and Stool Collection
Nutrition Assessment
Diet Recall
Food Records
Diet Design
Recipe Development
Equipment
Body Composition Laboratory
Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) (GE Lunar iDXA)
Whole-Body Densitometry BodPod® and PeaPod®
Clinical Laboratory
Transient Elastography-FibroScan® 502 Touch (Echosens™)
Facilities: General Exam Rooms (4), and Consultation Rooms (2)
Human Whole-Room Calorimeter
Metabolic Research Kitchen
Specimen Collection & Processing
Hours of Operation
The hours for the Human Research Core vary according to the requirements of the research studies in progress at any particular time. Please contact the HRC at (704) 250-5035 for more information.
Human Whole-Room Calorimeter
Our advanced research suite uses indirect calorimetry to evaluate a research participant’s 24-hour energy balance (intake and expenditure). The suite is equipped with a bed, treadmill, bathroom, airlock chamber for entry of food, ports for blood draws and entertainment options. Data can be collected without interruption during meals, sleep and light activity. Monitoring, consenting, scrubs, supplies, technicians and analysis upon completion are included. The Whole-Room Calorimeter is essential for studies on energy balance and fuel use.
Metabolic Research Kitchen
Investigators work with a Registered Dietitian to design, prepare and serve precisely composed meals with a safe, accurate and consistent approach. The kitchen is equipped with commercial appliances and professional software. A spacious dining area, adjacent to the kitchen, is available to accommodate up to 50 research participants for diet intervention studies.
HRC Staff
Saroja Voruganti, PhD
HRC Director, Associate Professor of Nutrition
saroja@unc.edu
704-250-5009
Samantha Carroll, BSN, RN
HRC Manager
samantha_carroll@unc.edu
(704) 250-5083
