What’s new in the Department of Neurology
Meet our new physicians |
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 Paul Carney, MD joined us this fall from the University of Florida in Gainesville where heheld a variety of positions including the B.J. and Eve Wilder Chair Endowed Professor for Epilepsy, and Professor of Neurology, Pediatrics, Neuroscience, and Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Carney will serve as Professor and Chief of Pediatric Neurology. |
 Rebecca Traub, MD joined UNC’s Department of Neurology as an Assistant Professor, specializing in neuromuscular medicine and general neurology. Most recently, Dr. Traub was an Assistant Professor for the Department of Neurology at Columbia University where she also completed her residency and fellowship. |
Research |
 The lab work of Timothy Gershon, MD, PhD, and graduate student Patrick Lang was featured in the November 1st issue of Development. The paper, first-authored by Lang, shows that the DNA repair protein ATR is required for both cerebellar development and medulloblastoma. The researchers also presented a brain-permeant, nano-particle formulated ATR inhibitor that they will test as a novel chemotherapy agent. Cover image: chromosomes of an ATR deficient cerebellar progenitor. |
| Assistant Professor Yen-Yu Ian Shih, PhD earned two NIH BRAIN Initiative grants. The first is a $2.5 million award aimed at helping researchers understand the cellular and molecular underpinnings of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The second grant is for $150,000 to build a novel electrode array that can be used during fMRI scans. The end result of these combined projects could vastly improve our understanding of brain function and how neural circuits are connected. |
Awards |
 Jessica Shurer, LCSW, Coordinator of the National Parkinson Foundation Center of Excellence at UNC, has been the chairwoman of the Moving Day NC Triangle Parkinson’s fundraising effort since she started the inaugural event in 2013. In October 2016, Moving Day NC Triangle had 1,400 attendees and raised over $210,000, which is split between national and local Parkinson’s initiatives. This year the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) gave Jessica an award for her service and asked her to cut the ribbon to start the walk. Dr. Nina Browner, Dr. Daniel Roque, and multiple therapists from the UNC Parkinson’s rehabilitation team helped to staff tables for both the NPF and the UNC / Duke Centers of Excellence. |
 Mark Vavrousek, IT Manager for Neurology, Neurosurgery and Urology, was one of six recipients to receive a university-wide award in October for outstanding information technology support. The award is made once a year and candidates are nominated by faculty and staff. Mark also received the award in 2013 and will be on awards committee next year. |
Events |
 Drs. Albert Hinn, Bradley Vaughn, Deanna Sasaki-Adams and Gary Gala were the guest lecturers at the Friday Center’s semiannual series in October titled What’s The Big Idea? Thinking About the Brain. |
 The Department of Neurology held its annual Welcome Reception on Thursday, September 29th to introduce and honor the new residents, fellows, and faculty. The event was held at the Meadowmont Grill at The Rizzo Conference Center in Chapel Hill. |
 Alzheimer’s North Carolina, the Raleigh-based nonprofit and advocacy organization, welcomed about 80 attendees to Dr. Daniel Kaufer’s presentation on Lewy Body dementia at Paragon Bank in Raleigh on November 1st. |