NIH Biosketch Simplified: Embracing the New Common Forms (Part 1)
2025-04-17 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-30 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
ATTENTION all faculty, researchers, and research administrators involved in NIH submissions: Prepare for the May 2025 NIH Biosketch Updates!
Join one of our live webinars for step-by-step guidance on setting up your accounts and preparing for the new requirements.
Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Webinar Registration – Zoom
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Webinar Registration – Zoom
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Webinar Registration – Zoom
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Webinar Registration – Zoom
Thursday, April 17, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Webinar Registration – Zoom
Wednesday, April 30 from 3:00 – 4:00 PM Webinar Registration – Zoom
Who Should Attend?
Faculty, researchers, and research administrators involved in NIH submissions.
Questions?
Contact Megan Gallegos, Director of the Operational Effectiveness and Optimization Office (OEOO), at megan_gallegos@email.unc.edu.
Please Share:
Feel free to forward this email and flyer to colleagues or team members who may find this training valuable. We encourage you to help spread the word about these important updates.

Bridge Funding Applications Due
2025-04-25
Bridge funding applications are typically accepted 3 times during the academic year. A memo is sent to Department Chairs to share with their faculty giving specific due dates.
The most recent memo can be found here.
Eligibility criteria:

The grant has been reviewed and received a written critique
The PI has no more than 2 active R01s or the equivalent level of funding
The PI does not have more than $50k of additional sources of lab support, e.g. trust fund, startup, retention, royalties.
If the grant’s NIH number identifies the grant as a ‘new’ grant, the PI must include a cover letter explaining how the new grant is a repackaged version of previously funded research
The grant under consideration must be administered in an SOM unit
The department/center agrees to match the funding from the Dean’s Office.

The application for bridge funding much include:

cover letter
letter of support
current 3-4 page NIH biosketch
publications
research section of the original grant application
the NIH review of that application
a draft rebuttal for the revised application
proposed budget for the bridge funds.

Please direct questions and email your applications to Jen Brennan at OoR_Submissions@med.unc.edu.

Boost Funding Applications Due
2025-04-25
NC School of Medicine (SOM) faculty are extremely successful in their efforts to obtain funding for their research, although the SOM recognizes that it often takes multiple submissions and additional experimental data to get a new project funded, particularly as a new investigator, or with a more complex, multi-PI project.
In support of these efforts, the SOM Office of Research is inviting applications from faculty for Boost awards, which are designed to boost the chances of funding for an NIH grant (or similar) that has been reviewed favorably but needs additional revisions and preliminary data in order to be funded on resubmission. Please note that Boost awards are distinct from the OoR bridge funding program, which provides funds for bridging A1 renewal applications for ongoing, not new, projects.
The most recent memo can be found here.
Please direct questions and email your applications to Jen Brennan at OoR_Submissions@med.unc.edu.

Bridging Research Development & Administration – Post-NCURA Session
2025-05-27 15:30 - 16:00
You’re invited to join a 30-minute follow-up session hosted by the UNC School of Medicine’s Office of Research (OOR) and Operational Effectiveness and Optimization Office (OEOO), in collaboration with the UNC Office of Research Development (ORD). This session builds on the NCURA webinar on May 27 from 2:00-3:30 PM ET, “Bridging Research Administration and Research Development” and is designed specifically for UNC SOM research administrators.
📅Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
⏰ Time: 3:30 – 4:00 PM ET
📌 Register for the SOM Discussion:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/wetCAckFT82gcuTzBnrvsQ
In this SOM-focused session, we will:

Clarify the distinct yet complementary roles of Research Administration (RA) and Research Development (RD)
Share research development best practices
Highlight strategic priorities and resources to support your work

📢 NCURA Webinar Access (FREE):
Thanks to support from the SOM Sponsored Programs Administration Office (SPAO), you can register for the NCURA webinar at no cost using the link below. This access is available exclusively to UNC colleagues, so please do not share outside the institution.
🔗 Register for the NCURA Webinar
We look forward to seeing you at the discussion and continuing to strengthen collaboration across our research support community.
UNC SOM Office of Research (OOR)
Office of Operational Effectiveness and Optimization (OEOO)
Office of Research Development (ORD)

Baseline Survey for Research Administration
2025-06-02 08:00 - 17:00
The UNC School of Medicine invites you to participate in the Baseline Survey for Research Administration, open now through June 2. This important effort, led by the Operational Effectiveness and Optimization Office, is designed to improve how we support research across SOM.
Who should take the survey?
This survey is intended for individuals who deliver, manage, or interact with research administration services. That includes:

Departmental research administrators who manage proposals, awards, budgets, and compliance
Faculty, business managers and unit leaders who rely on or engage with research admin services
Central and Compliance office staff who support or collaborate with departmental RAs
Coordinators, accountants and project managers who collaborate with department RAs

What is a departmental research administrator?
A research administrator (RA) is a professional who provides day-to-day administrative support for research projects within or for a department. They assist with grant submissions and handle budget management, regulatory compliance, monitoring expenditures, managing the purchase of research goods and services, and coordination with central offices.
Survey details:

Delivered directly to individual inboxes: search your email for the subject line: Help Shape the Future of Research Administration at SOM
Check your spam or junk folder if you haven’t seen it
Time to complete: 5–30 minutes, depending on your role
Incentive: Raffle for professional development or travel funding

Your feedback will directly inform improvements in training, tools, communication, and support across the research admin ecosystem.
Have questions? Email Megan Gallegos at megan_gallegos@med.unc.edu

Yang Family Biomedical Scholars Award Seminar
2025-07-11 12:30 - 14:00
Please join us for a seminar celebrating the outstanding recipients of the 2024-25 Yang Family Biomedical Scholars Awards. These annual awards highlight the accomplishments of recently tenured SOM faculty that are recognized for their innovative contributions to research in their fields.
The seminar will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025 from 12:30pm-2:00pm in Kirkland Auditorium, Koury Oral Health Sciences Building.

Advanced Budget Justification Development: Strategies for Success at UNC – Post-NCURA Discussion (July 24)
2025-07-24 16:30 - 17:00
Dear Colleagues,
You’re invited to join a 30-minute follow-up discussion hosted by the UNC School of Medicine (SOM) Operational Effectiveness and Optimization Office (OEOO), in collaboration with the SOM Sponsored Programs Office (SPO), the SOM Finance and Research Support Team (FiRST), and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). This session builds on the NCURA webinar on July 24 from 2:00-3:30 PM ET + 3:35-4:30 After the Show, “Advanced Budget Justification: Strategies for Success” and is designed specifically for UNC SOM research administrators.
📅Date: Thursday, July 24, 2025
⏰ Time: 4:30 – 5:00 PM ET
📌 Register for the SOM Discussion:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2q_HJtnvSoWHRZHtEQZx2Q
In this SOM-focused session, we will:

Learn what elements are typically included in a budget justification and how they support a strong submission within the UNC SOM research context,
Recognize frequent mistakes in budget justifications and how to prevent them, with a focus on common issues seen in UNC SOM proposals, and
Understand sponsor-specific expectations and how to align with the newly released F&A justification guidance from the UNC Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP).

📢 NCURA Webinar Access (FREE):
Thanks to support from the SOM Sponsored Programs Administration Office (SPAO), you can register for the NCURA webinar at no cost using the link below. This access is available exclusively to UNC colleagues, so please do not share outside the institution.
🔗 Register for the NCURA Webinar
We look forward to seeing you at the discussion and continuing to strengthen collaboration across our research support community.
Best regards,
UNC SOM Office of Operational Effectiveness and Optimization (OEOO)
UNC SOM Sponsored Programs Office (SPO)
UNC SOM Finance and Research Support Team (FiRST)
UNC Office of Sponsored Programs

AI-Driven Approaches to Validate NAMs and Reduce Animal Dependency in Biomedical Research
2025-08-13 10:00 - 11:00
Date: August 13, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Zoom http://go.unc.edu/nam-zoom (Registration Required)

Speaker:
Melissa Haendel, PhD, FACMI
Distinguished Professor, Genetics
Director of Precision Health & Translational Informatics
Deputy Director of Computational Science – NC TraCS
mhaendel@email.unc.edu

Description:
Join us for a dynamic session exploring how artificial intelligence and computational modeling are transforming biomedical science. This webinar will spotlight the critical role of AI in validating New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and reducing reliance on traditional animal models.

Our featured speaker, Dr. Melissa Haendel, a national leader in biomedical data science and translational informatics, will share insights into how AI-driven models are accelerating the development of human-relevant systems such as organoids, iPSCs, and digital twins. Learn how these innovations are reshaping disease modeling, therapeutic testing, and our understanding of human biology.

This event is the first installment in the UNC School of Medicine AI in Research webinar series.

Pioneering the Future of Biomedical Science: NAMs, NATs, and Core Collaboration at UNC
2025-08-21 15:00 - 16:00
Date: August 21, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Zoom http://go.unc.edu/cores-zoom (Registration Required)

Speakers:
Scott T. Magness, PhD
Faculty Advisor, Advanced Analytics Core, EpCulture Services
Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Medicine, and Cell & Molecular Physiology
scott_magness@med.unc.edu

Adriana S. Beltran, PhD
Faculty Director, Human Pluripotent Cell Core
Breast Cancer Organoid Biobank
Associate Professor, Genetics
adriana_beltran@med.unc.edu

Description:
As biomedical research evolves, so do the tools and models we use to understand human health. Join us for an engaging webinar exploring how UNC’s core facilities are advancing the use of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and New Approach Technologies (NATs) to reduce reliance on animal models and accelerate translational discovery.

Hear from two leading experts:

Dr. Scott T. Magness, Faculty Advisor of the Advanced Analytics Core and Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Medicine, and Cell & Molecular Physiology
Dr. Adriana S. Beltran, Faculty Director of the Human Pluripotent Cell Core, Breast Cancer Organoid Biobank and Associate Professor of Genetics

They will share how their cores support cutting-edge research using organoids, iPSCs, and other human-relevant models, and how interdisciplinary collaboration is key to unlocking the full potential of NAMs and NATs.

This session is ideal for investigators interested in applying for the Fall 2025 Emerging Challenges in Biomedical Research (ECBR) pilot funding, or anyone seeking to integrate NAMs and NATs into their research with the support of UNC’s core infrastructure.

Session 2: Practical AI Tools for Medical Researchers: No-Code to Pro-Code
2025-09-15 11:00 - 12:00
Presenters: Peter Leese, MSPH & Josh Fuchs, PhD
Date and Time: September 15, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Zoom Registration: https://go.unc.edu/AI-Tools
This session will introduce a variety of practical AI tools utilized in research, ranging from non-technical ChatGPT-like interfaces to advanced coding support.

Navigating RFPs with Confidence: Best Practices and Pitfalls at UNC (A Post-NCURA Webinar Discussion for SOM Research Administrators)
2025-09-18 16:30 - 17:00
UNC Zoom Registration (4:30-5 pm): https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aqg6bHRqSta6KQBv21Y8qA
NCURA Webinar Registration (2-3:30 pm): https://onlinelearning.ncura.edu/p/250918RFPXL

Lessons Learned, Readiness Earned: Audits A Post NCURA Webinar Presentation for SOM Research Administrators
2025-09-29 16:30 - 17:00
UNC Webinar Registration (4:30-5 pm): https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mDigMZHSSKSlaGxixShz4Q
NCURA Webinar Registration (2-3:30 pm); https://onlinelearning.ncura.edu/p/250929auditsXL

Research Compliance at UNC: From Proposal to Closeout (A Post NCURA Webinar Presentation for SOM Research Administrators)
2025-10-15 14:00 - 14:30
Wednesday, October 15th – UNC Webinar Registration (2:00 – 2:30 pm ET):https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bwLHlStvTgaWN7u3pkjNIw
Tuesday, October 14th – NCURA Webinar Registration (2-3:30 pm ET): https://onlinelearning.ncura.edu/p/251014ResearchComplianceXL

UNC School of Medicine Research Week
2025-10-20 08:00 - 2025-10-24 17:00

School of Medicine Art in Science Competition Winners Display
2025-10-20 08:00 - 2025-10-24 17:00
From 10/20 through 10/24, images submitted by this year’s winners of the School of Medicine Art in Science Competition will be on display in the first floor lobby of Bondurant Hall.

Hettleman Talks
2025-10-20 12:00 - 13:00
Enjoy presentations by this year’s recipients of the Phillip and Ruth Hettleman Prizes for Scholarly Achievement. The talks will provide an engaging look into these distinguished early career scholars’ work. The late Phillip Hettleman, a member of the Carolina class of 1921, and his wife Ruth established their prestigious named award in 1986 to recognize the achievements of outstanding junior faculty.
2025 Hettleman Winners
Sarah Cohen, Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine
Cohen is creating a better understanding of brain health by studying the interactions of organelles — subcellular structures like nuclei and mitochondria that perform specific jobs in cells. Her work focuses on organelle dynamics and fatty acid trafficking in and between cells, particularly in the context of the central nervous system.
Her lab uses cutting-edge multispectral imaging and computational tools to visualize and quantify these interactions in real time, revealing how disruptions in lipid trafficking contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. To do this work, Cohen and her team developed a versatile fluorescent toolkit that allows researchers to visualize dynamic membrane contact sites between organelles. These tools have been widely adopted by labs around the world, accelerating discoveries in cell biology.

Core Facility Technology Talks
2025-10-20 13:00 - 16:00
UNC Chapel Hill core facilities provide centralized access to expertise, technology, and instrumentation. New services and equipment are added every year. These technology talks, held during the 2025 UNC Research Week, will highlight some of the new capabilities of our core facilities- from AI analysis capabilities to mixed method study design to biomarker analysis, proteomics, to new RNA extraction techniques there is sure to be a talk here for you!

Hybrid Event:
In-Person: Mary Ellen Jones 3112
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fw4h3C41TwWHdj4zt5jVzg#/registration

Jefferson-Pilot Fellowships in Academic Medicine and James W. Woods Junior Faculty Awards Seminar
2025-10-21 10:30 - 11:30
The Jefferson-Pilot Fellowships in Academic Medicine and James W. Woods Junior Faculty Awards are amongst the most prestigious awards given to School of Medicine junior faculty members. Both awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the recipients and bestow a monetary award that the awardees can use at their discretion to further their research programs.
The 2025-26 recipients of the Jefferson-Pilot Fellowships in Academic Medicine are Bianca Allison, MD, MPH, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, and J. Justin Milner, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology.
The winners of the James W. Woods Junior Faculty Award are Matthew Vogt, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Microbiology & Immunology, and Leon Coleman, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology. This year’s winners are highly deserving of these awards.
Don’t miss a seminar honoring Drs. Allison, Milner, Vogt, and Coleman held on Tuesday, October 21 at 10:30 – 11:30 AM in MBRB G-202 during UNC Research Week! If you have any questions, please email Dr. Janelle Cross (Janelle_Cross@med.unc.edu).
Congratulations again to this year’s recipients!

Introducing BioSTAR
2025-10-22 10:30 - 12:00
Highlighting the work of the Office of Biomedical Science Training and Research (BioSTAR) supporting graduate and postdoctoral training in the School of Medicine. See our new logo, learn about our programs, meet the staff, and win prizes! This is an in-person event.
Roper Hall Room 1101

Research & Discovery Fair
2025-10-22 11:00 - 14:00
FPG Carolina Student Union, Great Hall The fair will feature over 25 research labs and projects, including three SOM-affiliated labs:
Closed Loop Engineering for Advanced Rehabilitation (CLEAR) Core, BME Applied Biomechanics Lab, and the Frohlich Lab.
Research & Discovery Fair – University Research Week

Session 3: From Keywords to Conclusions: AI’s Role in Literature Reviews
2025-10-27 11:00 - 12:00
Presenters: Beth Moreton, MLS & Luke Barron, MSLS
Date and Time: October 27, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Zoom Registration: https://go.unc.edu/AI-HSL
This session will cover ethical considerations, practical caveats, and findings from the Health Science Library’s recent evaluation of generative AI tools like Elicit, Consensus, and Undermind. We will also explore tools for data analysis and visualization and discuss the application of AI in systematic reviews.

SHIRE 101: Introducing UNC’s New Platform for Data-Driven Clinical Research
2025-12-11 10:00 - 11:00
Join us for the fourth session in our AI in Research series as Emily Pfaff,
Paul Kovach, and JP Powers, present an in-depth look at SHIRE. As of
November 3, the Secure Health Informatics Research Environment
(SHIRE) will be the default environment for data-driven research using
UNC Health’s electronic health record data. In this webinar, we’ll
demonstrate everything you need to know to get started, from logging in
and finding your data, to starting analysis, to budgeting for your next
project. We’ll also touch on more advanced features, such as deploying
large language models to leverage AI tools in your research.

Register: https://go.unc.edu/SHIRE-webinar

Overview of 2026 NIH Requirements: Biosketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support
2026-01-12 11:30 - 12:30
Hosted by RAISE for SOM faculty and administrators.
Presented by Health Sciences Librarian, Katherine Howell.
Webinar Registration – Zoom

Informational Zoom Webinar: THE CLINICAL RESEARCH ALLIANCE AT UNC
2026-01-20 10:00 - 11:00
Join Dr. David Peden, Director & Chief Research Officer, and Michael Sledge, Vice President & Chief Business Officer, to discuss the UNC Clinical Research Alliance. The Clinical Research Alliance unites leading investigators, expert operations teams, and dedicated staff to drive innovative clinical research. Through collaboration across departments and disciplines, we provide the oversight, resources, and expertise needed for efficient, high-quality studies. Our mission: translate discovery into better care, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen health in North Carolina and beyond.
Register at: https://go.unc.edu/CRA-webinar

Conversation Around Authorship Disputes
2026-02-16 12:00 - 13:00
“Conversation Around Authorship Disputes”
RAISE is excited to host Eric Everett, Director of Research Integrity, Ethics and Education in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research for a conversation around how to avoid and navigate authorship disputes at UNC.
Monday, February 16th from 12 PM-1 PM.
Register here
Contact Allison George with any questions
Please see the attached flyer.

Deerfield Town Hall
2026-02-26 12:30 - 13:30
Deerfield Town Hall
February 26, 2026
12:30 – 1:30 pm
MBRB G-202

In-person event only

10th Annual Oliver Smithies Nobel Symposium Featuring Dr. Jennifer Doudna
2026-03-26 15:00 - 16:30 | Medical Biomolecular Research Building (MBRB) Room 2204, 111 Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, United States
The 10th Annual UNC Oliver Smithies Nobel Symposium is excited to feature Dr. Jennifer Doudna, the 2020 Nobel laureate in Chemistry, as this year’s distinguished speaker. Dr. Doudna is renowned for her groundbreaking work in characterizing and developing the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system, a revolutionary technology transforming fields ranging from agriculture to medicine. She is currently a Distinguished HHMI Investigator at UC Berkeley, a director at the Innovative Genomics Institute, and a co-founder of Mammoth Biosciences, which develops CRISPR-based diagnostics and therapeutics.
The Oliver Smithies Nobel Laureate Symposium is an annual event which invites prominent Nobel Laureates to share their stories, groundbreaking work, and highlight the experiences and driving forces that led to their success. This year, Dr. Doudna will present her talk titled “CRISPR-powered gene editing for human and planet health.”
This event is free and open to the public!
Event Details:

Date: March 26th, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM (Doors will open at 2:30 pm)
Location: UNC Medical Biomolecular Research Building (MBRB), Room 2204

This is a unique opportunity to hear from one of the leading scientists of our time and learn about cutting-edge research that is shaping the future of healthcare and beyond. Join us for an inspiring lecture with Dr. Doudna as she shares her remarkable journey to the Nobel Prize! There will be a meet-and-greet to follow.
This event is proudly supported by: UNC School of Medicine, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, The American Society of Gene + Cell Therapy, UNC Chapel Hill’s Chapter of Sigma Xi The Scientific Research Honor Society, BioSTAR, Retired Faculty and Professionals Association, Carolina Seminars, and UNC Department of Chemistry.

For more information about the Oliver Smithies Nobel Symposium, please visit: https://go.unc.edu/Oliver-Smithies
