Author Archives: Morgan Duerden

Pulmonologist Kunal Jakharia, MD, has always been passionate about a career in medicine. He grew up in India where his father is a family physician. Dr. Jakharia enjoys gardening, traveling and trying new cuisine, and cooking. He also speaks English, Hindi, Gujarati and Marathi.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute renewed the Jensen Lab’s R01 funding for 5-years at $2.48 million for its project, “Metabolic mechanisms of cardioprotection through alpha-1A adrenergic receptor activation.” The grant will support ongoing investigation of the adaptive effects of alpha-1A adrenergic receptors on mitochondrial function in the heart. The...

Cassi Frank, MMSc, PA-C, works with the benign hematology group at UNC Eastowne as a physician assistant. She is also a graduate student and mother who enjoys reading, playing the piano and all things chocolate! 

Drs. Janet Rubin and Maya Styner were among the women scientists recognized in a thematic issue of Experimental Biology and Medicine for their paper, "The Skeleton in a Physical World." Both women were acknowledged as leaders dedicated to advancing the scientific knowledge of their field and inspiring the next generation...

Watch an interview with Dr. Shakira Grant and Jiona Mills on Barriers to Participation in Hematology Trials at the 2022 ASH conference.

Kenichi Okuda, MD, PhD, has been awarded a $2.83M, five year, grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for his project, “Mucociliary innate defense mechanism in the human distal airway.” “Airway mucociliary clearance is a regionally coordinated critical innate defense system for maintenance of lung health, with...

David J. Weber, MD, MPH, has been appointed to the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). As a member, Dr. Weber will provide advice and guidance to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A total of 14 non-federal employee voting...

Todd H. Baron, MD, MASGE, has been honored with the Rudolf Schindler Award, the most prestigious award from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). “The Schindler award is the most prestigious award from the ASGE, and I have been fortunate enough to have worked directly with – and been...

It’s the beginning of 2023. Many people are taking longer walks, watching what goes on their plate or quitting unwanted habits to improve their mental and physical health. The UNC Department of Medicine is creating strategies to help employees bring that same focus to their wellbeing at work. “When I...

The Tar Heel Boot Camp is an intense two-day education event for providers in adult critical care settings. It incorporates a multidisciplinary approach to didactic and experiential learning and will offer over ten critical care topics and several intensives to include an introduction to point of care ultrasound.  Learn More or...

Ann Collins, PA-C, is a physician assistant with the Division of Infectious Diseases. It is her goal to learn more about HIV and contribute to the research that improves the lives of those living with HIV. Outside of work, Anne is a mom and lover of all things outdoors. 

Bobby Ijeoma, MD, previously volunteered as a part of a mental health initiative in a community clinic caring for patients who were often refugees and working through trauma and PTSD. In his free time he enjoys music, running, and board games with friends.