Deborah (Deb) Tate, PhD, has been appointed as the new director of the University of North Carolina (UNC) Nutrition Research Institute (NRI), as announced by Penny Gordon-Larsen, Vice Chancellor for Research. Tate had been serving as interim director since April 2024, a role in which she led the institute through a crucial transition period, enhancing its operations and setting a course for sustainable growth.
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Under her interim leadership, Tate focused on establishing a solid financial and organizational foundation, advancing strategic goals, and promoting collaboration within the institute and with external partners. The NRI, located on the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis, is renowned for its work in precision nutrition research, integrating insights from various scientific disciplines to explore how genetics, environment, metabolism, and behavior influence nutritional responses and overall health.
Tate is well-integrated within the Carolina research community; she is a professor in the Department of Nutrition at the Gillings School of Global Public Health, holds a joint appointment in the Department of Health Behavior, and is associated with the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Additionally, she co-directs the UNC Nutrition Obesity Research Center and is a faculty member at the NRI. An internationally recognized behavioral scientist, her research emphasizes precision nutrition, obesity and diabetes prevention, digital health interventions, and technology-driven health improvements.
Her leadership style, characterized by scientific insight and collaborative effort, positions her effectively to guide the NRI as it broadens its research capabilities, partnerships, and contributions to the university and state. The NRI Advisory Board has unanimously endorsed her appointment, reflecting their confidence in her vision for the institute. Gordon-Larsen expressed her anticipation in working with Tate as she embarks on this next phase for NRI.