MPS Center News

Carolina Baseball recently used its platform to raise awareness for mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) during a special MPS Awareness Night at Bryson Field at Boshamer Stadium. The event, held during the Tar Heels’ 9–2 win over High Point, brought together members of the Muenzer MPS Research & Treatment Center, MPS families, and...

A recent event at North Carolina Central University brought students together for the Genetics-in-a-Day Careers Workshop, hosted by the UNC Program for Precision Medicine in Health Care. The workshop focused on real-world applications of genetics and highlighted the impact of metabolic disorders across clinical care, research, and patient support. The...

The UNC Muenzer MPS Research & Treatment Center continues to play a critical role in advancing treatments for rare diseases, contributing to research behind a newly approved therapy for Hunter syndrome (MPS II). A recent CBS 17 story highlights the impact of this work, including a young patient from Hillsborough...

Dr. Kim Stephens, Executive Director of the Muenzer MPS Research & Treatment Center, and Dr. Joseph Muenzer, Director of the Muenzer MPS Research & Treatment Center, are featured in this FOX8 Buckley Report segment highlighting progress in treating rare diseases, including MPS II. The segment also includes the Selser family...

The Muenzer MPS Research & Treatment Center is proud to share recent national coverage from NBC News highlighting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of a new treatment for children with Hunter syndrome (MPS II). This milestone marks an important step forward for the MPS community, particularly in advancing...

The Muenzer MPS Research & Treatment Center is proud to formally announce that there will be an MPS Awareness Day recognized in partnership with University of North Carolina Tar Heels baseball during the home baseball game as UNC takes on High Point University.on Tuesday, April 21. This special MPS Awareness...

The Muenzer MPS Research and Treatment Center team recently gathered in Chapel Hill for a team retreat focused on strengthening collaboration, aligning priorities, and planning for the future. The retreat brought together clinical, research, and administrative team members for a day of discussion and reflection. Conversations centered on ongoing projects,...

GSD Type I Presentation Highlights from Dr. Monika Williams The Muenzer MPS Research & Treatment Center recently hosted a journal club presentation by Dr. Monika Williams, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in Genetics & Metabolism at UNC, highlighting key insights into Glycogen Storage Disease Type I (GSD I). ⬇ Download Presentation...

A recent story from CBS 17 Raleigh, North Carolina, highlights the journey of Dr. Kim Stephens and her family’s experience living with Hunter syndrome (MPS II). The article also features ongoing research efforts at the UNC School of Medicine focused on developing new treatment approaches for rare genetic disorders. In...

Members of the Muenzer MPS Research & Treatment Center team recently participated in a Rare Disease awareness event at UNC Health, engaging with healthcare professionals, patients, and hospital visitors to help increase understanding of rare diseases. During the event, the team shared educational resources and spoke with members of the...

During Rare Disease Week, Dr. Kim Stephens was on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., representing the UNC Muenzer MPS Research & Treatment Center and the broader rare disease community. Advocacy is an important part of advancing research, improving access to care, and ensuring that the needs of individuals and families...

On February 12, 2026, at UNC Department of Pediatrics Grand Rounds, Liz Jalazo, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in Genetics & Metabolism, presented on the growing impact of gene therapy in neuromuscular disease care. Her presentation explored how advancements in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treatment are helping shape future approaches...