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Welcome to the Department of Genetics
Message From Our Chair
Manuel-de-Villena
Chair
Professor
UNC Department of Genetics
The mission of the department is to provide basic and applied genetic/genomic research, education and training at the interface between biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, mathematics, the social sciences, public health and medicine in order to have a profound effect on how medicine will be practiced in the future.
Our graduate programs train students to be creative, sophisticated research scientists prepared to pursue careers focused in genetics and genomics working in academic science, government, or commercial positions. Students conduct their dissertation research using diverse experimental approaches – from classical genetics to the most modern molecular methods – to address a broad range of contemporary problems in biomedical science.
The Department also includes a clinical arm focused on medical genetics, which covers the broad spectrum of clinical genetic research from disease prevention to diagnosis and treatment. This specialty includes evaluation, mutation discovery, counseling and risk assessment through analysis and genetic testing. Locating the clinical group alongside basic scientists facilitates integration of cutting edge genetic research with patient care.
Department News
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Department of Genetics Publications for July 26 – August 8, 2020
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and staff published nine papers during July 26 – August 8, 2020.
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Karl Shpargel, PhD Awarded R56 from NIDCR
Dr. Karl Shpargel (Assistant Professor, Genetics) was awarded an R56 grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) for his project titled “Enhancer Activation Roles and Mechanisms in Craniofacial Development”.
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Department of Genetics Publications for July 12-25, 2020
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published twelve papers during July 12-25, 2020.
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Erin Heinzen Cox, PharmD, PhD Awarded R01 from NINDS
Dr. Erin Heinzen Cox (Associate Professor, Pharmacy and Genetics) received an R01 grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) for her project titled “Defining Disease Mechanisms in SLC35A2 Epilepsy”.
The UNC Department Genetics is proud to announce the formation of the Bryson Program for Judicial Science Education!
For more information, including our mission, goals, board members and training videos, please visit the new website here!
Highlighted Faculty
Will Hannah, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Will Hannah joined the Department of Genetics in July 2019 as a Clinical Assistant Professor. He obtained his MD at UNC School of Medicine and was a resident in Internal Medicine and Clinical Genetics and Genomics at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center/Case Western Reserve University. More…
Genetics News- Three Teams Received Emerging Challenges Grants to Combat COVID-19 June 11, 2020
- Ting Elected President of American Association of Immunologists May 26, 2020
- First-in-Kind Study Reveals Genetic Markers of Type 2 Diabetes in East Asians May 6, 2020
- Cell Types Underlying Parkinson’s Disease and Other Brain Disorders Identified April 27, 2020
- UNC Researchers Featured in Podcast on Future Pandemic Readiness April 23, 2020