Category: Infectious Diseases
UNC Infectious Diseases Division Launching COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial
Cindy Gay, MD, MPH Led by Cindy Gay, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, clinical researches are leaning on years of experience and expertise to partake in a large phase 3 clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine. In February 2020, as bits of data about the SARS-CoV-2 virus started to emerge, Gay and UNC infectious diseases colleagues beg … Read more
NIH Awards Cohen, FHI $9.2 Million for Development of COVID Prevention Studies
Myron Cohen, MD The National Institutes of Health has awarded Myron Cohen, MD, and Family Health International $9.2 million to support research through the new COVID Prevention Network (CoVPN). The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health formed the COVID Prevention Network (CoVPN) to better coordinate the national research respon … Read more
Scholars Named to Physician Scientist Training Program
Clockwise, from top left: Alena Markmann, MD, PhD, Erin Steinbach, MD, PhD, Peyton Thompson, MD, Tessa Andermann, MD, PhD As part of the Forward Together Strategic Plan, the UNC School of Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) supports a small number of clinicians committed to translating research findings to advance the practice of medicine in addition to providing … Read more
Sickbert-Bennett Offers Suggestions For Sending Children Back to School Safely
Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS, associate professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases and director of UNC Medical Center Infection Prevention, offered tips on WRAL News for parents as they make plans to send kids back to school. Sickbert-Bennet suggested that parents should start looking for the best mask now, and that kids should … Read more
Private Schools Look To New Air Filtration Systems to Limit Virus Spread in Classrooms
David Wohl, MD David Wohl, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, told WRAL News that a special air filtration system might help reduce the risk for spreading coronavirus but the science isn’t really clear. “One concern I do have is that, if we do put in a really nice, fancy-dancy filtration system, will we then think, well, we could not wear masks?” Wo … Read more
Boyce Leads UNC Research Team Studying Antimalarial Drug to Prevent COVID-19
Ross Boyce, MD A UNC research team led by Ross Boyce, MD, is conducting a randomized clinical trial on the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in preventing novel coronavirus infections in U.S. healthcare workers. The study is funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), which hosts an established network of 850,000 clinicians and hundreds of health care sy … Read more
Wohl Discusses Surge in Coronavirus, Reopening Schools, and Airborne Transmission
David Wohl, MD, interviewed by WRAL. As the highest daily numbers of COVID-19 cases are reported globally, David Wohl, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, talks with WRAL about schools reopening, recognizing a hybrid system that can reduce the density of students makes a lot of sense. He also acknowledged that many people remain divided about student … Read more
HIV and Coronavirus: Q & A with David Margolis
David Margolis, MD David Margolis, MD, director of Carolina’s HIV Cure Center, was interviewed by “The Well” on how HIV and SARS-CoV-2 differ, how far the science has evolved since HIV first emerged, and why he’s hopeful about a COVID-19 vaccine. David Margolis knows viruses. He has spent his career working to eradicate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS. T … Read more
Wohl Says Risk of Being Infected With COVID-19 Has Increased Since May
David Wohl, MD As NC planned to reopen under Phase Two of Governor Roy Cooper’s plan, reporters consulted with UNC and Duke physicians about their comfort level in visiting restaurants dining rooms, barbershops and church services. In a follow up this month, the same experts, including David Wohl, MD, were asked how they felt about sending kids back to school, patronizing bars, g … Read more
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Expecting the Unexpected
Myron Cohen, MD Myron Cohen, MD, and several colleagues in the division of infectious diseases and the UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, were featured in this in-depth “Time and Tenacity” Endeavors magazine article on HIV and COVID-19 research. Since HIV became a pandemic, more than 75 million people have been infected with the virus and about 32 million ha … Read more
Companies Hire Epidemiologists To Provide Reopen Guidance During Pandemic
David Weber, MD, MPH A Washington Post article recognizes how navigating the pandemic has become complicated for businesses and reports companies are hiring epidemiologists to help guide their efforts to reopen and stay open. David Weber, MD, MPH, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, acknowledged the complications, and has been working with UNC to determi … Read more
Experts Warn Of New Concern On How Coronavirus Spreads
David Wohl, MD, Credit: WSOC-TV A growing number of epidemiologists believe the coronavirus can float much longer in the air than previously thought, potentially making it more potent and dangerous. A WSOC-TV Charlotte news story suggests people need to do more to ensure safety, not less. In an interview, David Wohl, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious disease … Read more