Genetics & Metabolism
Pediatric Genetics and Metabolism offers diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling for children and adults with disorders known or suspected to be inherited from a family member, resulting from a change in a person’s genetic code. Such disorders include birth defects, chromosomal abnormalities, unexplained mental retardation and inborn errors of metabolism. Our providers play a vital role with the State of North Carolina’s Newborn Screening Program, frequently identifying and treating disorders in newborn from across the state before the effects of a genetic disorder are irreversible. Our faculty are intentionally known for cutting-edge research and new treatments developed from clinical trials spanning decades.
The Mission of the Division of Genetics and Metabolism is to:
- Provide state of the art care and support to children and adults with genetic and inherited metabolic disorders
- Develop and implement innovative diagnostic tests and treatments for genetic and inherited metabolic disorders through cutting-edge research
- Educate students, clinicians, patients and their families as well as the wider community about genetics and genomics
GENETICS & METABOLISM NEWS
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Welcome New Physician Faculty: Michael Adams, MD
Michael Adams joined the Division of Genetics and Metabolism as a Clinical Instructor on February 1, 2023. Dr. Adams earned a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at Duke University in 2010 and his MD with us at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2016. He completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center in 2019, followed by a Clinical Genetics Fellowship with the Pediatric Division of Genetics and Metabolism at UNC in 2021. He has been maintaining his clinical skills with us in Pediatrics while doing post-doctoral work with the Carolina Health Informatics Program at UNC since 2021. Congratulations Michael!
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Welcome New Researcher: Sara Powell, PhD
Sara K. Powell joined the joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Genetics and Metabolism on September 1, 2022. Dr. Powell earned her PhD in Genetics and Genomics from Duke University in 2014. Dr. Powell began her post doctoral training with the UNC-CH Gene Therapy Center in 2014 and has been a Senior Research Assistant in the McCown Lab since 2021. Congratulations Sara!
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Welcome New Researcher: Tierra Bobo, PhD
Tierra Bobo joined the joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Genetics and Metabolism on August 1, 2022. Dr. Bobo received her PhD from The Ohio State University in Human Molecular Genetics in 2016. She also, received her Bachelors of Science Degree in biological science from The Ohio State University in 2010. Most recnetly, Dr. Bobo has been a Post Doctoral Research Assistant the Gene Therapy Center working with Dr. Haiyan Fu. Congratulations Tierra!
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Welcome New Genetic Counselor: Raphael Smith, MS
Raphael Smith joined Genetics and Metabolism on August 1, 2022. In 2005, Mr. Smith received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the Appalachian State University. He received a Master of Science in Genetic Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in May 2022. Welcome Raphael!