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Congratulations to Ron Swanstrom, Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics who was named the Charles J. Postelle Distinguished Professor effective March 1, 2014.

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Ron Swanstrom, PhD

Dr. Swanstrom received his PhD from University of California at Irvine in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and completed his postdoctoral work at University of California at San Francisco in Microbiology and Immunology. He was recruited to UNC as an Assistant Professor in 1982, became an Associate Professor in 1989, and was promoted to Full Professor in 1994. Since 1998, he has directed the UNC Center for AIDS Research and has also served as interim chair of UNC’s Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (1997) and Department of Microbiology and Immunology (2007).

Swanstrom began his independent research career at UNC studying RNA tumor viruses. With this expertise, he became a leader in a new field when it was discovered that AIDS had a viral etiology. From that time forward, he has made both fundamental and clinically relevant observations that have made a difference in the lives of patients infected with HIV. Perhaps most important were his studies of the HIV protease and its structure; his work in this area contributed to the development of the drugs that are now the bedrock of AIDS treatment. On a national and international level, his stature and expertise in the field is renowned and he continues to be sought after in the scientific community. In line with his research accomplishments, Dr. Swanstrom is highly published and cited. He has authored over 178 scientific papers, reviews, and book chapters and has also maintained his research funding for decades. He is currently listed as the 7th highest funded researcher nationally in a Biochemistry Department as reported by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research.

His nomination is the first for this professorship which was made possible by an endowment from the late Charles J. Postelle. The professorship begins on March 1, 2014 for a five year term. Dr. Swanstrom is truly a dedicated faculty researcher whose accomplishments and service have brought distinction to the university and will continue to have a lasting impact.