2021 Faculty Speakers

Mark T. Heise, Ph.D., is a virologist whose lab uses molecular virology, immunology, and quantitative genetics methodologies to understand the biology and pathogenesis of emerging viruses such as SARS-CoV2 and influenza virus. The overarching goal of this research is to use this information to facilitate the development of safer and more effective vaccines and antiviral therapies against these pathogens. Dr. Heise’s group has also been at the forefront of developing models of virus-induced disease and then using those models to develop and test antivirals and vaccines against emerging alphaviruses and coronaviruses. His laboratory has also been a leader in the use of systems genetics methods to understand why some individuals are at increased risk of developing virus-induced disease.

Postdoctoral Training: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Graduate School: Washington University in St. Louis

Ana Cristina G. Felix, MD is a physician-educator with a clinical focus on Neurology, trained in Vascular Neurology. She currently serves as an embedded Neurologist in the Internal Medicine and Geriatrics Specialty Clinics where she serves to improve access to specialty care and reduce the burden of neurological disorders. She also works as the lead neurologist for the Brain and Body Health Program at UNC, a program that works with the NFL Trust and retired athletes. As an educator, Dr. Felix co-leads the foundational course in Neurosciences for the School of Medicine and serves as Academic Advisor to a cohort of 70-80 students annually. Dr. Felix’s research interests include stroke and headache prevention as well as improving neurologic education for students, colleagues, patients, and families alike. Dr. Felix led early exploration of the use of telemedicine in Robeson County and area with no inpatient neurologists and the highest burden of stroke in NC. Dr. Felix is currently a Medical Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor and has receive numerous awards at UNC and at the national level for her teaching of medical students.

Fellowship: Vascular Neurology, Lahey Clinic, Boston

Residency: TUFTS/Lahey Combined Neurology Program, Boston, MA

Internship: St Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Boston, MA

Medical School: University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Languages spoken: Advanced/Fluent English, Portuguese, Spanish. Limited proficiency: Afrikaans, French

Paul Guido, MD is a clinical endocrinology fellow who is currently completing his training in the University of North Carolina department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. He treats adults with a wide variety of endocrine conditions and diabetes in the clinic and in the hospital. He has clinical interests in thyroid disease, tumors of the endocrine system, and the impact of cancer immunotherapy on endocrine function. He also enjoys teaching internal medicine residents and medical students in the clinic and the hospital and demonstrating thyroid ultrasound and biopsy techniques.

Fellowship: Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism — University of North Carolina

Residency: Internal Medicine — University of North Carolina

Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University