Brian J. Bennett, Ph.D., joined the UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) in 2011 as assistant professor. Dr. Bennett researches genetic susceptibility to cardiovascular disease and obesity and investigates the effects of diet on these metabolic diseases.
His work has helped identify new indicators of disease such as trimethylamine N-oxide’s (TMAO) association with cardiovascular disease. Dr. Bennett’s studies regarding TMAO have stimulated his current interest in understanding how the gut microbiome affects cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Bennett has published more than 30 peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals including: Cell, Cell Metabolism and Nature. Dr. Bennett is a recipient of a National Institute of Health K99/R00 “Pathways to Independence” award. This highly competitive award is designed to enhance the research performed by beginning professors.
Dr. Bennett earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Ithaca College, his Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences from the University of New Hampshire, and his Ph.D. from the University of Washington. He conducted his post-doctoral training in molecular genetics at the University of California, Los Angeles. In addition to his appointment at the NRI, Dr. Bennett has a joint appointment in the Departments of Genetics and Nutrition at UNC-Chapel Hill.
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