Eat UniquelyAdvancing Nutrition Science for a Healthier Tomorrow

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Personalized Nutrition

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At the UNC Nutrition Research Institute, we are dedicated to unraveling the complexities of nutrition to enhance health and well-being.
Join us on our journey to discover how personalized nutrition can transform lives.

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Blake Rushing, PhD, Launches Independent Laboratory at the NRI

Blake Rushing, PhD, Launches Independent Laboratory at the NRI

Jan 15, 2026

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) is proud to recognize an important milestone in the career of Blake Rushing, PhD, Assistant Professor of Nutrition. Rushing now leads his own research program, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his work at the NRI. His laboratory focuses on understanding how nutrient metabolism shapes cancer development and treatment response.

Five Nutrition Tips That Make a Big Difference in the New Year

Five Nutrition Tips That Make a Big Difference in the New Year

Jan 1, 2026

Five Nutrition Tips That Make a Big Difference in the New YearThe UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) conducts innovative research in precision nutrition to understand why people respond differently to food. By combining scientific discovery with community outreach...

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Research Highlight

Research Spotlight

Choline, GLP-1s, and the Future of Precision Nutrition

Evan M. Paules, PhD, Hannah G. Petry, Jessica K. Sprinkles, MPH, Isis Trujillo-Gonzalez, PhD

“GLP-1 medications don’t just change your appetite. They also change how your body absorbs and handles nutrients,” noted Evan Paules, PhD, postdoctoral research fellow. “As these medications become more widely used, we need to understand how they might shift nutrient needs, including choline, so we can keep people healthy while they are on them.”

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Research that transforms lives.
PUBLICATIONS FROM OUR RESEARCHERS

prenatal Pesticide ExposurePrenatal Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure and Targeted Maternal Pregnancy Metabolomic Profiles in the NYU CHES Cohort (Read more about pesticide exposure)
diets Diet and MetabolitesBody Mass Index Modifies Associations Between Diet Quality and Circulating Metabolites: The CARDIA Study, 2005 to 2006 (Read more on the CARDIA Study)
baby Prenatal NutritionPrenatal Choline Attenuates the Elevated Adiposity and Glucose Intolerance Caused by Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (Read more prenatal alcohol exposure)
lung cancer Lung CancerProbing the metabolic regulator and candidate tumor suppressor ALDH1L1 as a target for non-small cell lung cancer gene therapy (Read more about this gene therapy)

Fuel the Future of Nutrition Research

Every study launched, every student mentored, and every discovery shared begins with people who believe in the power of research to change lives. When you make your gift to the NRI, you help fuel the discoveries that improve lives here in North Carolina and around the world. Your support of any amount ensures that what we learn in the lab reaches the people who need it most.
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Community

Get involved with the UNC Nutrition Research Institute and help us become a global leader in scientific discovery.

Study Participant
Our vision is to use scientific discovery to ensure optimal health through individualized nutrition. To do this, we need your help! Many of our research studies rely on volunteers to help us learn how nutrition science works in differing people.
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Appetite for Life

Appetite for Life is a series of community programs that bring the latest scientific research down to earth in educational and interactive lectures, demonstrations and events
Precision Nutrition Training and Mentoring

Training for Scientists

The NRI is a center for precision nutrition training through programs for graduate and medical students, post-doctoral trainees, faculty, practicing physicians and other medical providers, registered dietitians, and industry professionals.
Internships
Mentoring
NGx Short Course