On October 13, 2025, over sixty undergraduate neurobiology students visited the cryoEM core as part of their NSCI 405: Advanced Molecular Neuropharmacology course. The visit was organized by Dr. Alexandra Nowlan to enhance student learning of advanced methods used in structural biology to investigate the relationship between receptor structure and function.
The session began with a lecture titled “What is cryoEM?” delivered by the core director, Dr. Joshua Strauss. During the visit, students learned about how cryoEM technology has revolutionized the field of structural biology, and observed advanced workflows available at the core, including the 200 keV CryoTEM. Dr. Strauss highlighted the value of these sessions, noting that “these outreach activities help fill the gaps in knowledge for our students and inspire them to think about research beyond the textbook.”
The educational experience also featured presentations by faculty and staff. Dr. Ryan Gumpper, an assistant professor in the Pharmacy/Pharmacology Department, spoke to the students about his exciting research on GPCR structure and function, while Clara Lenger, an advanced lab technician, addressed advanced specimen preparation techniques that she is working on. Notably, one of the visiting students currently conducts research in Dr. Gumpper’s lab, showcasing the meaningful connections between classroom learning and hands-on research experiences available to UNC undergraduates.
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Dr. Alexandra Nowlan is a Teaching Assistant Professor in Psychology and Neuroscience (Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies).