Category: PULM

Dr. Nadia Hoekstra, UNC Pediatric Pulmonology, has been selected for the UNC School of Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program Faculty Award. Her project will explore innovative uses of artificial intelligence and digital stethoscope technology to improve detection of aspiration risk in infants. The award offers the resources and community needed...

Dr. Andre Espaillat, Division of Pulmonology, has been named a recipient of the IQVIA Pediatric Clinical Research Scholar Award. The award supports his efforts to advance data-driven research in children’s respiratory health while strengthening clinical research capacity across the department. Congratulations!

Pediatrics hosted its annual Thomas F. Boat Evening of Scholarship on May 11, 2026, in Roper Hall, bringing together trainees and faculty to present and award research spanning basic science, clinical care, quality improvement, and education. The event featured a keynote by Bob Vinci, MD, and highlighted outstanding projects and...

A newly established lectureship, the Department of Pediatrics Dr. Margaret W. Leigh Lectureship, will honor the legacy of Margaret “Magee” W. Leigh, MD, a now-retired physician in the UNC Division of Pediatric Pulmonology and a highly respected leader in the field. The new lectureship will bring world-renowned experts to UNC...

UNC researchers have received ~$7.3M from NHLBI to lead the Rare Bronchiectatic Diseases Consortium, advancing research on four rare lung diseases that cause progressive bronchiectasis. The effort builds on UNC’s national leadership and aims to accelerate discovery, clinical trials, and new therapies for underserved patient populations.

Martina Gentzsch, PhD was promoted to Professor of Pediatrics effective February 1, 2026. Dr. Gentzsch’s research focuses on uncovering potential targets for therapy of chronic lung diseases

Dr. Dosier joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Associate Professor in the division of Pediatric Pulmonology on January 20, 2026. Dr. Dosier received her BS in 2005 from the University of Southern California, and earned her medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2010....

UNC Children’s is proud to announce that The Duke Endowment has awarded $700,000 to launch “Expanding Care for Infants and Children with BPD across North Carolina – an Interdisciplinary Care and Outreach Program”, a new statewide initiative led by Nicole Stephenson, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of...

Dr. Despotes joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the division of Pediatric Pulmonology on July 31, 2025. Dr. Despotes received her BS from the University of Notre Dame in 2011. She earned her medical degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2015....

Dr. Nadia Hoekstra, Instructor in Pediatric Pulmonology, has been named a UNC School of Medicine Simmons Scholar. Congratulations!