Chancellor Lee and senior Phu receives award for Magic of Science in 2025

Phu Nguyen, undergraduate researcher in the Strahl lab, has received The Edward Kidder Graham Award and the Bryan Public Service Award from the Chancellor.

The Special Master’s Program for employees in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics enables laboratory employees to pursue a Master’s degree on a part-time basis while working full-time in the Department. The faculty member in whose laboratory the employee works will normally be their research advisor, and must agree to the employee’s participation in the …

Dillon Sloan, graduate student in the Baker lab received an NIH Fellow (F31) National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research for his project entitled “Molecular mechanism of CCDC32 in Cardiofacioneurodevelopmental syndrome.” Dillon also has a fellowship with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

UNC Biochemistry and Biophysics faculty, students, staff, and postdocs gather for our Spring Happy Hour at Tallulas Turkish restaurant in Chapel Hill, NC. Even during challenging times, we gather together to support one another. This event was a wonderful opportunity for our community to connect, share experiences, and enjoy some delicious food. The atmosphere was …

Hümeyra Kaanoğlu (left) and Aziz Sancar (right) presenting on biochemical research conducted in the Sancar Lab.

Spotlight on Fulbright scholar from Türkiye: Hümeyra Kaanoğlu. She pursues biochemical research in Aziz Sancar’s lab that focuses on DNA enzymology and genomics, the mammalian circadian clock and DNA repair.

PRISM, a UNC School of Medicine and BioSTAR initiative, offers “Bright Futures in Science and Medicine” for postbac students. Apply by May 1 (Summer) or July 1 (Fall) 2025! Special thanks to Dr. Brian Strahl, Associate Dean for Research. To apply or learn more, please visit https://www.med.unc.edu/pbrp/. For inquiries, contact prismprogram@med.unc.edu

Mark Kowalewski successfully defended his dissertation entitled “Mucin degrading glycoside hydrolases in the gut microbiome” on March 31, 2025, under the direction of Dr. Matthew Redinbo.

Dr. Ike Emerson successfully defended his thesis, titled "Post-transcriptional mechanisms regulate cardiac sex differences," on March 28, 2025, under the direction of Dr. Frank Conlon.

Edgar Faison standing outside with arms crossed

Edgar Faison under the direction of Dr. Qi Zhang successfully defended her dissertation on March 20, 2025, and received his PhD! Program: Biochemistry and Biophysics. The title of his dissertation was “Chemical Visualization of Transient Conformational Processes in RNA”

Brandy Curtis under the direction of Dr. Amy Galdfelter successfully defended her dissertation on March 12, 2025 and received her PhD!

Brian Strahl, undergrad Phu N, Abid Khan

Phu Nguyen, an undergrad in the Strahl Lab, has recently added another accolade to his name by winning the Outstanding Presentation Award at the Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium held at Rice University. His success is a testament to his dedication and the exceptional mentorship provided by Dr. Abid Khan and Dr. Brian Strahl.

four photos in a collage summarized the research poster event

Our poster session featured over 20 of our trainees and was held on the afternoon of Feburary 26, 2025 in the Genetics Medicine Lobby.

Tag: Student News

Strahl lab undergrad receives many Awards at UNC

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics enables laboratory employees to pursue a Master’s degree

Prestigious External Fellowship Winner announced

Spring Happy Hour at Tallulas Turkish restaurant

Sancar lab trainee in the news: Hümeyra Kaanoğlu

Research Pillar: Develop Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs Today (PRISM offers postbac funding)

Mark Kowalewski earned his PhD!

Ike Emerson earned his PhD!

Congrats to Edgar Faison who earned his PhD!

Congrats to Brandy Curtis who earned her PhD!

Phu Nguyen Receives Outstanding Presentation Award at Prestigious Symposium

Biochemistry and Biophysics department hosts poster session