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Nutrition & Obesity Research Center

The Nutrition & Obesity Research Center (NORC) is an NIH-funded, university-wide research center established to foster a multidisciplinary approach to basic, clinical, and translational research with an emphasis on understanding the metabolic factors, environmental influences, and associated genetic traits underlying nutrition and obesity-related health problems.

  • Founder: Roland L. Weinsier, M.D., Dr.P.H.
  • Director: David B. Allison, Ph.D.
  • Associate Director: W. Timothy Garvey, M.D.

The NORC comprises 110 investigators from 30 academic units, with total direct funding of $37 million for nutrition/obesity research. The NORC is comprised of four research core facilities, a pilot/feasibility program, and an enrichment program.

Research Core Facilities

  • The Metabolism Core supports metabolic studies in humans and small animals.
  • The Genetics Core supports research related to gene expression, polymorphism detection, and genetic animal models.
  • The Biostatistics Core supports study design and data analysis, and methodologic research in optimal design of clinical trials for obesity.
  • The Small Animal Phenotyping Core supports research related to energy expenditure and body composition in small animals.

Pilot/Feasibility (P/F) Study Program

The program supports four to five P/F studies and a Named New Investigator.

Enrichment Program

The program coordinates the NORC Seminar Series, an annual symposium, and the center Web site.

Please be reminded to acknowledge support from the UAB Nutrition & Obesity Research Center in your publications by citing NIDDK grant # DK056336.

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