1 week ago
On March 17, 2026, Jingting Chen of Elizabeth Brunk's lab successfully defended his thesis entitled, "Evolution on Fast-Forward: EcDNA-Driven Adaptive Trajectories at Single-Cell Resolution" and earned his PhD. Following his PhD, Jingting will be continuing his passion for cancer biology as a post-doc toward becoming an independent PI dedicated to precision medicine and improving patient outcomes.
3 weeks ago
Christopher Shelby, a doctoral student in the laboratory of Dr. Brian Kuhlman, successfully defended his PhD dissertation in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics on March 9, 2026. His dissertation, titled “Enhancing enzymatic bioconjugation efficiency via computer-based installation of a substrate recruitment domain,” focused on improving enzymatic bioconjugation through computationally guided protein design. The work highlights new strategies for increasing reaction efficiency by engineering substrate recruitment mechanisms.
4 weeks ago
We would like to honor Mary Ellen Jones, PhD. You may recognize her name from the building that sits on the edge of the UNC Medical Center campus, but Jones is recognized for so much more.
1 month ago
We have launched a new research video series to spotlight the breadth and impact of its basic science discoveries. Featuring faculty laboratories, the series uses short, professionally produced videos to share how foundational research drives advances in human health. The initiative expands the department’s reach through visual storytelling across UNC Health and university digital platforms.
1 month ago
Alumna spotlight ✨ Gabrielle Dardis ’23 marks an exciting promotion at RTI Health Solutions—click to read more about her journey after Carolina.
2 months ago
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Clint Stalnecker joined the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics as a tenure-track Assistant Professor, on December 15, 2025. He has been appointed as a full member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
2 months ago
Over half the articles in Fall 2025's issue feature our labs—discover 14 stories of innovation and student-driven science in UNC’s top research magazine. Special thanks to Carolyn Clabo!
2 months ago
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Joanna Kovalski has joined the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics as a tenure-track Assistant Professor, effective January 12, 2026. She has been appointed as a full member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
2 months ago
See platelet science in action! Watch the Bergmeier lab’s video on better transfusion strategies and bleeding disorders. Dr. Wolfgang Bergmeier and his lab are uncovering how platelet dysfunction affects bleeding and clotting in patients. Their research is shaping more effective transfusion strategies and new combination therapies to improve patient care.
3 months ago
On December 19th, 2025, Derek Bolhuis, a graduate student in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, successfully defended his thesis titled “USP37 Earns its PH-D, and How it Ensures Cell Cycle Progression.” Derek Bolhuis conducted his research jointly mentored in the labs of Drs. Nicholas Brown and Michael Emanuele.
3 months ago
His work was selected for an oral presentation, highlighted in the prestigious “Best of ASH” program, and further recognized with the inaugural ASH Richard T. Silver, MD Abstract Achievement Award for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms — a significant achievement underscoring the impact of his scientific contributions.
3 months ago
A new study from the Sancar Lab and collaborators at UNC-Chapel Hill, published in PNAS, highlights a promising future therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma (GBM), one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant brain cancers.