UNC Nutrition Research Institute

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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.

06/17/2026

Nutrition is not “one size fits all.”

Seeking individuals 18 years of age or older to join the Nutrition for Precision Health research study.

You can earn up to $300.

Learn more: uncnri.org/participate

06/16/2026

Want the inside scoop on all things NRI?

From breakthrough research to community stories and updates that matter, you won’t want to miss what’s next.

Join the list and stay in the know:
uncnri.org/subscribe

06/15/2026

Congratulations to Steve Hursting, PhD, and Natalia Krupenko, PhD, on being named 2026 Excellence in Nutrition Fellows of the American Society for Nutrition (FASN)!

This prestigious recognition honors nutrition professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the field through research, leadership, mentorship, and service. Dr. Hursting and Dr. Krupenko have each made significant impacts on nutrition science through their innovative research and dedication to advancing human health.

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute is proud to celebrate this well-deserved achievement and grateful for their continued contributions to our research community and the broader field of nutrition.

Please join us in congratulating Steve and Natalia on this remarkable honor!

Read more at uncnri.org/news

06/13/2026

Do you feel “out of control” around food? Do you have Type 2 Diabetes?

You may be eligible for the HONOR Study at UNC Chapel Hill — a 6-month digital program focused on improving eating behaviors and diabetes self-management.
We’re seeking adults who:
✔️ Are 18 years or older
✔️ Have type 2 diabetes (HbA1c ≥ 7.5)
✔️ Have access to a smartphone
✔️ Experience binge eating episodes
✔️ Feel “out of control” around food
✔️ Can attend group meetings via Zoom

Participants will be compensated.

Interested in learning more or seeing if you qualify? Visit uncnri.org/HONOR

06/12/2026

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/

06/11/2026

A new $12.9 million collaboration between Duke Health and UNC Health is working to improve treatment options for autistic children experiencing chronic constipation — a condition that affects an estimated 65% of children with autism.

Dr. Bruno Chumpitazi of Duke Health and Dr. Michael Kappelman of UNC School of Medicine are leading a nationwide study comparing current standard treatments with a potential new option that may better meet the needs of autistic children, especially those with food, texture, or sensory sensitivities.

For many families, gastrointestinal issues can become one of the biggest day-to-day challenges. Researchers hope this work will help improve quality of life for both children and caregivers.

The five-year study will recruit 320 children across 30 sites nationwide, with enrollment expected to begin this fall.

Read the full article at: https://bit.ly/3RzSXl1

06/10/2026

One of the standout sessions at NGx 2026 was Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan's talk on Exercise Physiology and Women's Health.

Her core message: women's health cannot be treated as a one-size-fits-all equation. The interplay of exercise, hormones, metabolism, and aging looks different at every stage of a woman's life, and our programming should reflect that.

Whether you work in clinical practice, performance, or research, the takeaway was clear: personalized approaches aren't a luxury, they're the standard we should be building toward.

Grateful for conversations like this one that push the field forward.

See more at uncnri.org/NGx-recap

06/09/2026

Research Participants Needed!

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute is looking for adults ages 40–70 to participate in an 11-week nutrition study exploring how healthy foods may help support the body.

Recruitment Requirements:
• Age between 40 and 70 years
• BMI between 18 and 30 kg/m²
• Generally healthy with no chronic disease
• Not taking medications, supplements, or antibiotics
• Not engaging in high-intensity exercise
• No allergy to milk, soy milk, green tea, blueberries, apples, or pineapples
• Non-smoking

Qualified participants may receive up to $1,000 for their time and participation.

Kannapolis, NC
[email protected]
704-250-5083
uncnri.org/participate

Help advance nutrition and health research in our community!

06/08/2026

What inspires someone to become a scientist?

For Halle Meyers, the journey has been fueled by curiosity, discovery, and a passion for understanding how nutrition impacts human health. As a graduate student in Dr. Sergey Krupenko’s lab at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute, Halle is helping advance research focused on folate metabolism, liver function, and cancer biology, contributing to the future of precision nutrition.

From her early interest in biology to her growing role in scientific research, Halle’s story highlights the dedication, mentorship, and hands-on experiences that shape the next generation of researchers.

Read more about Halle’s path and what it means to be part of the NRI community: https://uncnri.org/2026/06/03/making-of-a-scientisit/

06/07/2026

We are proud to celebrate the 2026 Excellence in Nutrition Fellows of the American Society for Nutrition (ASN), a distinguished group of scientists recognized for their outstanding contributions to nutrition research and leadership in the field.

A special congratulations to NRI faculty members Dr. Natalia Krupenko and Dr. Stephen Hursting on receiving this prestigious honor. Their dedication to advancing nutrition science and improving human health through innovative research continues to make a lasting impact.

Please join us in congratulating all of the 2026 ASN Fellows on this remarkable achievement!

Address

500 Laureate Way
Kannapolis, NC
28081

Website

http://uncnri.org/

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