Leadership

Research Interests: Dr. Young is a research scientist specializing in the field of Genetics and Metabolism. His main focus is molecular principles of auditory information processing and Gene Therapy approaches to treat neurological disorders.

Dr. David Peden serves as Clinical Director for the Center of Molecular Medicine (CMM), where he leads efforts to translate basic research discoveries into clinical trials and therapeutic applications. A professor in the Department of Pediatrics and an internationally recognized expert in translational and environmental medicine, Dr. Peden works to strengthen the bridge between CMM’s laboratory research and clinical implementation across UNC Health and the School of Medicine. Dr. Peden is also Director of the UNC Clinical Research Alliance, where he leads the Phase 1/Early Phase Research Program. He is sponsor-investigator for eight Investigational New Drug Applications with the FDA and has served as PI on several investigator-initiated phase 1 clinical trials, and as the UNC site PI for industry sponsored phase 1 asthma studies. 

Research Interests: Dr. McCown’s overall research entails the development of viral vector gene therapy for the treatment of neurological disorders. With a primary focus upon intractable temporal lobe epilepsy, Dr. McCown continues to refine the use of site directed gene therapy, as well as advance the potential of an intravenous AAV gene therapy. In addition, Dr. McCown has employed AAV capsid DNA shuffling and directed evolution in order to discover novel AAV vectors that exhibit unique, therapy related properties. These studies have resulted in the discovery of chimeric AAV vectors that upon intravenous administration, can selectively cross the seizure compromised bloodbrain barrier, as well as novel vectors that exhibit unique cell specific tropism in the CNS.

Joanna (Asia) Mieczkowska serves as Program and Business Manager for the Center for Molecular Medicine, where she oversees operational strategy, financial management, and administrative coordination to support the Center’s research and clinical missions.