Dr. Brian Spurlock is a Research Assistant Professor in the Li Qian Laboratory and the McAllister Heart Institute (MHI) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Cell Physiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2020, where his doctoral research focused on the role of mitochondrial dynamics in tumor-initiating cells and cancer biology. Following his Ph.D., he continued his research at UAB as a Researcher III before joining UNC in 2021 as a postdoctoral fellow in the Li Qian Laboratory.
Dr. Spurlock’s research explores how mitochondrial dynamics and cellular energetics influence cell fate, with a particular focus on direct cardiac reprogramming and heart regeneration. His work integrates stem cell biology, mitochondrial biology, and regenerative medicine to better understand the mechanisms that drive tissue repair and the conversion of fibroblasts into functional cardiomyocytes. His research has been supported by prestigious fellowships from the National Institutes of Health, including a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (F32), and the American Heart Association. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in leading journals, including Cell Reports, eLife, Science Advances, and JACC: Basic to Translational Science. In addition to his research, Dr. Spurlock is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of scientists and advancing science communication.
