Skip to main content

PHHI Postdoc Jump-starts Campus Collaboration

Written by: Jennifer Woodford, N.C. Research Campus

At the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) in Kannapolis, the N.C. State University Plants for Human Health Institute (PHHI) and the Dole Nutrition Research Laboratory have collaborated to form a joint industry-academic postdoctoral position, the first of its kind at the NCRC. Dr. Scott Neff was hired by PHHI in June 2012 to fill the newly created position.

The joint postdoctoral position made sense for PHHI and Dole because the identification and characterization of phytochemicals is at the core of each of their research programs. Phytochemicals are bioactive compounds that occur naturally within fruits and vegetables and provide health benefits linked to the prevention of many diseases.

“We’re on very parallel paths,” said Dr. Mary Ann Lila, director of PHHI. “We’re looking at different crops, but we have very similar interests that make us a natural fit for partnerships and collaborative research. We both work to get products that are efficacious for human health out to the marketplace, and we want to work together toward that common goal.”

View the full story on the N.C. Research Campus website.