Ian Carroll

Ian Carroll, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research focuses on gastrointestinal biology and disease, with specific expertise in microbiome interactions. He directs the Carroll Lab and holds affiliations with the Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease (CGIBD), where he serves as a Microbiome Focus Area investigator.

Dr. Carroll's research centers on mechanisms through which intestinal microbiota and their metabolites influence gastrointestinal physiology, behavior, and weight regulation. His work spans microbiome dynamics in obesity, diabetes, and eating disorders, with particular emphasis on short-chain fatty acid physiology, gut-brain axis communication, and nutritional interventions. His laboratory has pioneered techniques for biological sample collection and bacterial DNA isolation from human fecal and mucosal samples.

His publication trends reveal strong focus on

• Microbiome responses to dietary interventions (fiber, almonds, purified diets)
• Longitudinal biomarker discovery using interpretable machine learning
• Clinical applications in hypertension, bariatric surgery, and anorexia nervosa
• Cross-species validation through murine models

Award Highlights:

• CGIBD Pilot and Feasibility Award (2012)

Dr. Carroll maintains active collaborations across multiple disciplines including gastroenterology, immunology, and computational biology. His work integrates molecular techniques with clinical studies to develop nutritional therapies for gastrointestinal diseases. Current research examines microbial contributions to weight regulation post-bariatric surgery and mechanisms underlying microbiome-mediated blood pressure control.

The Carroll Lab operates within the MBRB building facility, conducting translational research bridging basic microbial science with clinical applications in metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders.