Microbiology and Immunology

�� Study Reveals Possible Effects of Air Quality Changes Associated with Global Warming on Human Airways

Kristi Pollum — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 18:22:10 +0000

A study now published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, reveals how global warming could exacerbate lung diseases by dehydrating and inflaming human airways. �� Marsico Lung Institute members Brian Button, PhD, is senior author and Alessandra Livraghi-Butrico, PhD, is co-author.

Carolina Biologist Wins Wolf Prize in Agriculture

Kristi Pollum — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 18:55:31 +0000

Jeffery L. Dangl, a biologist at ��-Chapel Hill, was part of an award-winning trio of researchers who received the 2025 Wolf Prize in Agriculture “for groundbreaking discoveries of the immune system and disease resistance in plants.”

New Assay Promises Accurate Diagnosis and Surveillance of Dengue and Zika Viruses

Kristi Pollum — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 20:13:38 +0000

Aravinda de Silva, PhD, MPH, a member of the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, has designed a new blood test to accurately diagnose dengue and Zika Viruses, to improve surveillance and advance vaccine development.

Some Viruses ‘Freeze’ Their RNA to Replicate, �� Study Says

Kristi Pollum — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 19:11:33 +0000

Researchers have discovered that RNA in Zika virus can freeze itself in time to further its spread in the body, revolutionizing how researchers study disease-causing viruses.

Three Drug Cocktail Shows Potential to Boost CAR-T Cancer Therapy

Kristi Pollum — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 19:52:26 +0000

Preclinical research findings from �� Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center identified a cocktail of three different drugs that can be used to generate more robust immune system CAR-Ts (chimeric antigen receptor-T cells) to fight cancer. This finding may have a significant impact on improving the production of CAR-T cells for clinical use. The research findings appeared in Nature Immunology.

Matthew Greenwald, Drake Philip, and Caitlyn Molloy win 2023 Awards for Excellence and Innovation

bay512 — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 20:16:01 +0000

This year’s recipients of The G. Phillip Manire Graduate Student Excellence in Research Award were Matthew Greenwald  and Drake Philip, and The D. Gordon Sharp Graduate Innovator Award was awarded to Caitlin Molloy.

The G. Phillip Manire Graduate Student Excellence in Research Award of $1,000 is given annually to an outstanding MCRO graduate student who is judged to have carried out the most significant and impressive research project during their career at ��.

New Research Shows That Bacteria Get “Hangry,” Too

charisse — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 17:21:04 +0000

Adam Rosenthal, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, shows that genetically identical cells within a bacterial community have different functions, with some members behaving more docile and others producing the very toxins that make us feel ill.

Kelly Olsen defends her PhD!

charisse — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 17:13:37 +0000

Kelly Olsen defended her doctoral dissertation, Shared Minor Histocompatibility Antigen Discovery and Targeting in the Context of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant for Hematologic Malignancies. The presentation took place on Friday, February 24, 2023.

Her research, which was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Benjamin Vincent, focused on the discovery of shared, leukemia-specific minor histocompatibility antigens for therapeutic applications in acute myeloid leukemia. In addition, Kelly was awarded the M&I Scientific Achievement Award. Kelly will return to medical school this summer to complete her clinical rotations.

Congratulations, Dr. Olsen, and thank you for your contributions to M&I scientific advancement!

Scientists Create Long-acting Injectable Drug Delivery System for Tuberculosis

charisse — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 22:30:48 +0000

In 2020, more than 1.5 million people around the world died of tuberculosis (TB), marking the first time in more than a decade that annual TB deaths had increased and demonstrating the global need for better access to treatments.

9th Annual Graduate Student Welcome Event

charisse — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 19:48:44 +0000

Family and guests attending the 9th Annual Graduate Student Welcome Event

The Department of Microbiology & Immunology at �� Chapel Hill held their 9th Annual Graduate Student Welcome event on May 20^th, 2022. The program commenced with a symposium where new students presented on their chosen research projects. Families and guests of the students were invited to tour the Microbiology & Immunology facilities and attended an orientation to learn about life as a graduate student, �� Chapel Hill, and the MCRO Ph.D. program. The event ended with a reception, held at the Carolina Club, where the new students received their white coats for the first time.

After receiving their white lab coats, embroidered with the department logo, the 13 new students recited a graduate student oath, which they collectively wrote and agreed upon:

Caroline Yu, Damania lab
Steve Longworth, Damania lab
Kyle Shifflet, Dittmer lab
Megan Perkins, Dittmer lab
Melina Richardson, Moody lab
Jaclyn Higgins, Baric and Heise labs
Anfal “Fulla” Abdelgadir, Gralinski and Heise labs
Sarah Bennett, Vincent lab
Jamie Liu, Lai lab
Morgan McCullough, Mock lab
Leslie Kent, Tamayo lab
Cynthia Thomas, Duncan lab
Ben Darwitz, Thurlow lab

New Microbiology & Immunology graduate students reading their oath.

Their oath was recited as follows:

“I, [NAME], have entered the serious pursuit of new knowledge as a member of the community of scientists in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. As I embark on my Ph.D. training, I willingly pledge the following:
I will contribute constructively to the culture and well-being of the department and larger community;
I will foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable being their full selves, including, but not limited to disability status, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, race, and ethnic background;
I will strive to ensure that the results of my research and other scientific activities ultimately benefit humanity and cause no harm;
I will endeavor to always be ethical and moral, conducting myself with scientific integrity and intellectual rigor in my research and professional life with an uncompromising respect for truth;
I will convey these scientific principles in my chosen profession, in mentoring, and in public debate;
I will actively participate in outreach and community-building to engage the next generation of scientists;
I will seek to clearly communicate my work to increase public understanding of science, including scientific principles, and its humanitarian goals.
By pronouncing this Graduate Student Oath, I declare my commitment to these professional standards and goals.”

Shane Falcinelli receiving his award from program director Dr. Bob Bourret.

Ashelyn Sidders receiving her award from program director Dr. Bob Bourret.

Senior MCRO students were also celebrated at the reception with the announcement of awards and graduated students:

The 2022 Graduate Education Advancement Board Impact Award was awarded by the �� Graduate School to Suruchi Shrestha (Lai lab). A Transportation Grant, also awarded by the Graduate School, was given to Jake Dillard (Heise lab).

Two awards were awarded from the �� Department of Microbiology & Immunology: the 2022 G. Philip Manire Graduate Student Excellence in Research Award to Shane Falcinelli and the 2022 D. Gordon Sharp Graduate Innovator Award to Ashelyn Sidders.

In addition, Drake Philip (Lazear lab) was acknowledged for the rare achievement of receiving an Honors Grade on his Written Preliminary Examination. Drake also had received a National Institutes of Health Individual Predoctoral National Research Service Award (F31) in Fall ‘22.

Leslie Kent (Tamayo lab) received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship in Fall ’21.

David Aponte Diaz (Cameron lab) was welcomed into the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Graduate Diversity Enrichment Program in Spring ’22.

Three current students received ImPACT Awards to fund internships and explore possible careers:

Sarah Barr (Bourret lab), White Labs Brewing, Asheville, NC
Taylor Tibbs (Whitmire lab), Education & Training Systems International, Chapel Hill, NC
Mercedes Warren (Tamayo lab), Becton Dickinson, Durham, NC

The following students earned their Ph.D. degrees in academic year 2021-22, and their immediate career plans follow (*students with pending graduation in Summer 2022):

Kenny Dinnon (Baric lab), postdoc with Nobel Laureate Charlie Rice at Rockefeller University
Chris Genito (Ainslie lab), postdoc with Lance Thurlow, �� Chapel Hill
Alexi Van Ess (Shank lab), Associate Manager of Laboratory Operations, Q2 Solutions, Durham, NC
Lacey Lopez (Arthur lab), Medical Writer, Education & Training Systems International, Chapel Hill, NC
Andy Hale (Moorman lab), Scientist, TorqueBio, Durham, NC
Jenna Beam (Conlon lab), Senior Research Associate at Arcaea, Boston, MA
LaKeya Hardy (Burks lab), Assistant Director of Postbaccalaureate Programs and Scientific Outreach, Office of Graduate Education, ��
Becca Casazza (Lazear lab), postdoc with Carolyn Coyne at Duke University
Hyejeong Kim*, (Cameron lab), active duty in the South Korean military
Claire Johnson*, (Garcia-Martinez lab), postdoc with Gregory Smith at Northwestern University
Calvin Yeager*, (Cameron lab), dental school to prepare for research on oral pathogens
Jada Suber*, (Burks and Iweala labs), postdoc with Daniel Dwyer at Harvard Medical School

Faculty, family, and guests celebrating MCRO student achievements at the event reception.