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.

Carolina Scientific magazine has 14 articles from our labs Dec 2025 issue

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!

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.

Wolfgang and Robbie during video shoot in Fall 2025

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.

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.

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.

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.

Humeyra Kaanoglu and Yasemin K. Akyel PhD

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.

On December 11, 2025, the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics came together at La Residence restaurant to celebrate our achievements from the past year. We were happy to host a fantastic gathering with approximately 85 members in attendance, marking a memorable close to 2025. We enjoyed a delicious lunch and desserts by the La Residence …

Josh with equipment at Cyro-EM core at UNC

The UNC CryoEM Core was established in 2019 to provide researchers with access to cutting-edge imaging, technical support, and training in cryoEM. Since then, it has grown significantly, developing new cryoEM technologies and serving a large user base across diverse fields in the life sciences. The core’s comprehensive services begin with project planning and extend …

large group of 70 people outside a building for the RNA retreat in May 2024

UNC is a leading center for RNA research, with laboratories exploring the form, function, and clinical applications of RNA across a wide range of pathobiology. The RNA Discovery Center (RDC) launched in 2022 is directed by Chad Pecot, MD, and co-directed by Bill Marzluff, PhD, Qi Zhang, PhD, Silvia Ramos, PhD, Keriayn Smith, PhD, and …

text "Welcome to the UNC Program in Chromatin and Epigenetics Epigenetic regulation is recognized to play a fundamental role in cell growth, cell fate and organismal development. While playing a key role in regulating our genome, much of the epigenetic machinery is found to be recurrently mutant and/or de-regulated in many human diseases including cancer. At UNC, our mission is to address the fundamental gaps in knowledge surrounding epigenetic regulation, with a long-term goal of developing novel therapeutic approaches towards treating human disease. The Chromatin and Epigenetics Research Program Our program is centered on a highly collaborative and team science environment that has a dedicated goal of solving fundamental and challenging problems in chromatin biology – with an emphasis on developing novel approaches towards treating human disease. With the large number of research faculty at UNC specializing in different areas of epigenetic research, we are optimally positioned to meet this challenge. Faculty at UNC are focused on i) the basic mechanisms of epigenetic regulation using a variety of model organisms, ii) high-throughput drug discovery efforts to"

The UNC Program in Chromatin and Epigenetics is dedicated to enhancing the epigenetics community and advancing our understanding of epigenetic regulation, a key driver of cellular growth, development, and diseases like cancer. The program aims to bring the epigenetics community together...

Tag: Faculty & Lab News

Welcome our new faculty Clint Stalnecker

Carolina Scientific Magazine showcases research in our department

Welcome our new faculty Joanna Kovalski

Bergmeier lab research video published on UNC Health YouTube

Derek Bolhuis earns his PhD

Aleksei Martianov PhD, receives the ASH Richard T. Silver, MD Abstract Achievement Award

Science, Persistence, and Firsts: The Life of Mary Ellen Jones

Humeyra Kaanoglu and Yasemin K. Akyel PhD first co-authors on Sancar lab glioblastoma research pub in PNAS

2025 Holiday Party Highlights and Awards

UNC CryoEM Core: Powering Breakthroughs in Structural Biology

UNC RNA Discovery Center: Driving Innovation in RNA Research

UNC Chromatin & Epigenetics Program Sparks Collaboration