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Scientists Reveal Genetic Architecture Underlying Alcohol, Cigarette Abuse

July 19, 2022
UNC School of Medicine researchers led by Hyejung Won, PhD, used a new kind of computational tool to parse the complicated genetics that put some people at higher risk of becoming addicted to alcohol, cigarettes, and likely other substances of abuse. Full article can be found on the UNC Health...

Adam Hantman Named Yang Scholar

July 8, 2022
We are thrilled to announce that Adam Hantman was selected as a 2021-2022 Yang Family Biomedical Scholar! Please see the full story in the link in Vital Signs Congratulations to Adam and his research team on this award.  We are so glad to have you back at UNC as part...

Stimulating Brain Circuits Promotes Neuron Growth in Adulthood, Improving Cognition and Mood

May 18, 2022
Led by Juan Song, PhD, scientists at the UNC School of Medicine used optogenetic techniques to stimulate specific brain cells to increase production of neural stem cells and neurons relevant to memory and emotion processing in animal models. Full article can be found on the UNC Health and UNC School...

Scientists Detect Common Fungicide in Pregnant Women and Children

May 16, 2022
UNC-Chapel Hill scientists led by Mark Zylka, PhD, found measurable levels of a biomarker for azoxystrobin in pregnant women and young kids, and investigated the fungicide’s ability to pass from mothers to embryos in utero in mice and during lactation. Full article can be found on the UNC Health and...

Gene Therapy Could Treat Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome, Proof-of-Concept Study Suggests

May 10, 2022
Restoring lost gene activity prevents many disease signs in an animal model of the rare, single-gene neurodevelopmental condition. The UNC Neuroscience Center lab of Ben Philpot, PhD, led this research. Full article can be found here.

A New Wave of Psychiatric Care

April 25, 2022
UNC-affiliated startup Pulvinar Neuro’s novel treatment for mental illness – a technology that uses closed-loop, non-invasive stimulation of brain waves – offers hope to a rising tide of patients and recently led to the company’s acquisition by medical device leader Electromedical Products International. Full article can be found here.

Dr. Michelle Itano strives to show everyone the magic of microscopes

April 12, 2022
Since middle school, Michelle Itano has been mesmerized by the power of microscopes. These seemingly familiar pieces of technology can do so much more than simply capture images of small things. They can unveil a world beyond our imagination — one Itano strives to show as many people as possible....

Jason Stein, PhD Promoted to Associate Professor

January 12, 2022
Dr. Jason Stein has been promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Genetics, effective January 1, 2022. Dr. Stein earned his BA from the Integrated Science Program at Northwestern University and his PhD in Neuroscience at UCLA.  He served as a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Dan Geschwind...

UNC Neuroscience Center 2021 NeuroSpark Awards

December 15, 2021
We are delighted to announce the 2021 NeuroSpark awardees: “Measuring Brain-wide Responses to Neural Circuit Perturbations During Movement” Adam Hantman, Ian Yen-Yu Shih “Tracking Arousal Responses with a BOP (Biometric Ocular Photometer)” Jose Rodriquez-Romaguera, Nicolas Pegard, Rebecca Grzadzinski, Anthony Zannas “Advancing a Computational Tool to Measure Facial Grimacing Associated with...

Dr. Michelle Itano Awarded Renewal for CZI Imaging Scientist Cycle 1 Grant

December 8, 2021
Congratulations to Dr. Michelle Itano on receiving a renewal for her CZI Imaging Scientist Cycle 1 grant, for an additional 2 years, resulting in a total of 5 years of funding!! More information on Dr. Itano’s project can be found here.