Congratulations to Sarah Cohen on winning the 2025 Hettleman Prize! The prestigious prize is awarded to just five promising University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill early-career faculty members who exemplify groundbreaking and innovative research along with future career promise.
The late Phillip Hettleman, a member of the Carolina class of 1921, and his wife Ruth established the Hettleman Prize in 1986 to recognize the achievements of outstanding junior faculty. The recipients of the $8,000 prize will be recognized at an upcoming Faculty Council Meeting. They will also deliver a presentation on their research during University Research Week. Below is an excerpt from the press release about Cohen’s research.
Sarah Cohen, Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine
Research: Cohen is creating a better understanding of brain health by studying the interactions of organelles — subcellular structures like nuclei and mitochondria that perform specific jobs in cells. Her work focuses on organelle dynamics and fatty acid trafficking in and between cells, particularly in the context of the central nervous system.
Her lab uses cutting-edge multispectral imaging and computational tools to visualize and quantify these interactions in real time, revealing how disruptions in lipid trafficking contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. To do this work, Cohen and her team developed a versatile fluorescent toolkit that allows researchers to visualize dynamic membrane contact sites between organelles. These tools have been widely adopted by labs around the world, accelerating discoveries in cell biology.
Impact: Cohen is redefining how scientists understand cellular organization and its impact on brain health. Her findings advance fundamental biology and open new avenues for therapeutic strategies targeting lipid metabolism in neurological diseases. Cohen’s research has garnered funding from the NIH, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and Alzheimer’s Association
“I am honored to be recognized with a Hettleman Prize for Artistic and Scholarly Achievement,” Cohen says. “It has been a joy working with my trainees and colleagues at UNC, using advanced microscopy — supported by excellent Core Facilities — to peer inside cells. With this support, I look forward to continuing to unravel the mysteries of intracellular communication.”
Other award recipients include, Lindsey James, Eshelman School of Pharmacy; Marissa Hall, Gillings School of Global Public Health; Alex Zhukhovitskiy, College of Arts and Sciences; and Kathryn Leech, School of Education. To learn more about each winner’s work, visit read the UNC Research press release.