UNC Nutrition Research Institute

UNC Nutrition Research Institute The UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI), located on the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapol

Part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the NRI seeks to understand the variance in people’s DNA, metabolism and nutrient requirements and how this impacts their health. Long term, the NRI’s discoveries will lead to individually tailored nutrition recommendations that will allow people to customize their diets in order to maximize wellness and reduce risk of disease.

AGILE is a research study that tests a weight management program brought to you by researchers at the University of Nort...
05/29/2026

AGILE is a research study that tests a weight management program brought to you by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

This 12-week program is designed to help young adults ages 18–39 build healthier eating and activity habits using a smartphone app, digital tools, and personalized messages.

Study participants will receive this program free of charge and will receive a $30 gift card for completing the final measurement at 12 weeks, along with the scale and Fitbit upon completion.

See if you qualify: https://uncnri.org/agilestudy/

05/28/2026

NGx 2026 brought together scientists, clinicians, and graduate students to explore how genetics, lifestyle, metabolism, and behavior all shape individual responses to nutrition and exercise.

One of the many engaging sessions featured Dr. Saroja Voruganti’s presentation on “Genetic Diversity and Nutrient Response in Precision Nutrition,” which highlighted how genetic variation may influence nutrient metabolism, disease risk, and overall health outcomes.

Her presentation reflected a central theme woven throughout the conference: nutrition is not one-size-fits-all. As precision nutrition research continues to evolve, understanding how biology, environment, and lifestyle interact may help guide more personalized approaches to health and disease prevention.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute for a week of collaboration, discovery, and forward-thinking conversations about the future of nutrition science.

See what you missed at uncnri.org/NGX-recap

🎗️ Cancer Survivors: Join a Virtual Wellness Study!Are you a cancer survivor ages 18–39 looking to reach a healthier wei...
05/27/2026

🎗️ Cancer Survivors: Join a Virtual Wellness Study!

Are you a cancer survivor ages 18–39 looking to reach a healthier weight? You may be eligible for a research study designed to help improve diet, fitness, and overall well-being.

What you’ll get:
• A comprehensive, virtual weight loss program
• Tools and strategies to support healthier habits
• Participation from anywhere—no in-person visits required

What to expect:
• Random assignment to 1 of 2 study groups
• 4 virtual check-ins over 12 months (baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months)
• Surveys + tracking of weight, activity, and diet

Compensation is provided for completing study visits

Interested? Reach out to learn more! uncnri.org/participate

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute is hiring a full-time Dietetic Research Assistant to join our Clinical Research Cor...
05/27/2026

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute is hiring a full-time Dietetic Research Assistant to join our Clinical Research Core team in Kannapolis, NC.

This position supports innovative nutrition and clinical research studies through precision food preparation, participant support, dietary interventions, and metabolic kitchen operations. We’re looking for a motivated candidate interested in nutrition, food science, clinical research, culinary preparation, or healthcare.

Preferred experience includes nutrition or food service, food safety and preparation, clinical research, and ServSafe certification. Bilingual (Spanish) candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

This is a one-year, full-time time-limited position with opportunities for professional development and hands-on research experience.

Learn more and apply today! uncnri.org/employment



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The UNC Nutrition Research Institute is excited to welcome John A. Batsis, MD, as Medical Director of the Clinical Resea...
05/26/2026

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute is excited to welcome John A. Batsis, MD, as Medical Director of the Clinical Research Core (CRC).

A physician-scientist and dual-appointed associate professor in the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Dr. Batsis brings expertise in obesity, healthy aging, nutrition, and patient-centered research.

His work focuses on helping older adults maintain strength, mobility, independence, and quality of life, while exploring how obesity treatments, nutrition interventions, and digital health technologies impact aging populations.

As Medical Director, Dr. Batsis will help strengthen the connection between nutrition science, clinical research, and patient care through the CRC, where research ideas become real studies involving real people.

“Participants are not simply ‘subjects’ in a study; they are partners who make the research possible,” said Dr. Batsis.

We look forward to the leadership and collaborative perspective he brings to NRI’s growing research efforts.

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. This Memorial Day, ...
05/25/2026

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. This Memorial Day, the UNC Nutrition Research Institute reflects with gratitude on their sacrifice and the freedoms they helped protect.

Looking to make an impact on your health—and get compensated for it? We’re recruiting adults for a research study explor...
05/22/2026

Looking to make an impact on your health—and get compensated for it?

We’re recruiting adults for a research study exploring how SPM Active® (omega-3 fish oil) may impact overall health.

You may qualify if you:
• Are age 25–65
• Have a BMI between 30–40
• Do NOT smoke, have a fish allergy, or take medication for diabetes, asthma, or autoimmune conditions

What’s involved?
• 2 in-person visits at the NRI (includes fasting blood draws + wellness surveys)
• Take 2 fish oil capsules daily for 3 months
• 2 convenient telehealth check-ins

Compensation up to $375 total:
• $50 after Visit 1
• $100 at 6 weeks
• $225 after Visit 2

Interested or want to learn more?
uncnri.org/participate

That’s a wrap on NGx!Our final day featured outstanding presentations from:• Dr. Steve Hursting, PhD: Obesity Treatment ...
05/20/2026

That’s a wrap on NGx!

Our final day featured outstanding presentations from:
• Dr. Steve Hursting, PhD: Obesity Treatment with GLP-1s and Implications for Cancer Risk and Prevention
• Dr. Blake Rushing, PhD: Precision Nutrition Enabled by Multi-Omic and Lifestyle Data Integration
• Dr. Ramine Alexander, PhD: Behavioral and Physiological Pathways Linking Eating Patterns and Health

We also concluded the event with closing remarks and poster awards presented by Dr. Saroja Voruganti, PhD.

Congratulations to all of our poster award winners, and thank you to our speakers, attendees, and organizers for making NGx such a successful and inspiring event!

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute is hiring Dietetic Technicians to support innovative nutrition and clinical researc...
05/20/2026

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute is hiring Dietetic Technicians to support innovative nutrition and clinical research studies as part of our Clinical Research Core team in Kannapolis, NC.

This position plays an important role in dietary research interventions, including precision food preparation, quality control, participant food distribution, and detailed research documentation for the Nutrition for Precision Health Study and additional clinical studies.

We’re looking for candidates with strong attention to detail and experience or interest in nutrition, food science, culinary preparation, healthcare, or clinical research. Preferred qualifications include food safety knowledge, ServSafe certification, CITI training, and bilingual Spanish-speaking skills.

This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience working alongside research teams focused on advancing precision nutrition and improving human health while building valuable professional skills and career experience.

Apply today to join our growing research team. uncnri.org/employment



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500 Laureate Way
Kannapolis, NC
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