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Plants for Human Health Institute

Researcher works with carrots to study pigmentation, domestication

Sep 28, 2023

What Makes a Carrot Orange?

Three recessive genes are required to give carrots their orange color – and the beneficial precursor of vitamin A. 

an Alaska native bog blueberry on a tree

Aug 1, 2022

Beneficial Berries

Through a longstanding collaboration with communities in Alaska, Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences’ Mary Ann Lila is researching the health benefits a local berry has on sled dogs. 

two scientists in white lab coats in a research lab

Oct 20, 2021

Connecting Agriculture and Human Health to Fight Food Insecurity

Food insecurity — the inability to attain affordable, nutritious food — and food waste are global issues. At NC State University, research in agriculture and human health collide to discover solutions to these challenges in the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences. 

Student and professor holding a beverage product they developed in a grocery store.

Jan 28, 2021

Big Idea Ventures Taps NC State Food and Agricultural Innovation

North Carolina State University's strengths in food and agricultural innovation are center stage in a new venture aimed at fueling economic growth in rural areas. 

3-D printed mask

Jun 10, 2020

CALS Employees Step Up to Help Colleagues Feel Safe

Home delivery of handcrafted hand sanitizer. A patiently 3D-printed mask. Two ways CALS people show they care about co-workers. 

Fresh NC strawberries for sale at the State Farmers' Market.

Feb 13, 2018

NC State Receives $1 Million FFAR Grant to Improve Human Health

NC State researchers seek to improve the nutritional density of common fruits and vegetables in a range of consumer products. This work will enable food companies to develop products that more effectively deliver the health benefits of fruits and vegetables. 

Sirius Li

Jul 11, 2016

Li Wins Early Career Award

Dr. Xu “Sirius” Li, NC State University assistant professor of plant and microbial biology, was recently named a winner of the Phytochemical Society of North America’s Arthur C. Neish Young Investigator Award. 

Carrots

May 12, 2016

Carrot genome sequenced

NC State University horticultural science researchers are part of a team that sequenced the carrot genome, creating one of the most complete vegetable genome assemblies to date. 

Dec 1, 2015

Kannapolis students become scientists for a day

A select group of aspiring young scientists donned lab coats at NC State University's Plants for Human Health Institute recently as they got to conduct hands-on experiments alongside scientists in five laboratories. 

Nov 30, 2015

Scientists savor sweet potatoes

Dr. Mary Ann Lila hopes research she recently conducted will inspire consumers to maximize sweet potatoes’ health benefits year-round. She found that these vegetables’ functional ingredients can be incorporated into many different snack foods, baby foods, military rations and more.