SPIRE Summer Undergraduate Research Program 2026
The goals of the program are to provide undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in innovative research at UNC-Chapel Hill, develop professional skills as a scientist, and contribute to a scholarly community. Research opportunities exist in areas such as molecular … Read more
SPIRE alum featured in ChemistryWorld
Former SPIRE scholar Dr. Krystle McLaughlin shares her story working through the challenges of balancing academic faculty expectations and family life during and after the coronavirus pandemic in the latest edition of ChemistryWorld. Dr. McLaughlin is currently an assistant professor … Read more
Former SPIRE Scholar Wins Teaching Award
The University of North Carolina Board of Governors has selected 17 outstanding faculty members to receive the 2025 Awards for Excellence in Teaching. Former SPIRE scholar Antonio Baines, Ph.D. (Associate Professor, Biological Biomedical Sciences at North Carolina Central University) was … Read more
Grants Earned by Former Scholars
Former scholars continue to be productive in research and education by earning grants in their current positions. Some highlights include: Lindsey Costantini, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, North Carolina Central University) was awarded an R16 grant from the National Institute of General … Read more
IRACDA Conference 2024
The SPIRE program hosted the most recent IRACDA Conference, June 23-25, 2024 on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill with the theme “Maximizing Impact Through Research and Teaching.” The conference brought together 280 participants from the NIGMS funded IRACDA programs … Read more
SPIRE Alumni Advance in their Careers
We congratulate SPIRE alumni who have advanced in their careers and accepted new roles: Karl Castillo, Ph.D. has been promoted to Professor at UNC Chapel Hill. Thomas Freeman, Ph.D. is now Associate Vice Provost for Academic Programs at the University … Read more
SPIRE Summer Research Program 2023
SPIRE welcomes undergraduate students for 10-week research experience. Students from SPIRE’s partner institutions were selected to participate in hands-on, mentored research, engage in professional development workshops, journal clubs, and social activities. Students will present their research at a final research … Read more
SPIRE Receives Continued Funding from NIGMS 2022-2027
It is with great excitement that we announce the funding of a five-year Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA) by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). This K12 training and career development grant will provide over … Read more
Recent Awards and Grants Attained
Whitney Edwards, Ph.D. (4th year SPIRE scholar, Dr. Frank Conlon’s lab) – received a fellowship from the American Heart Association to fund her work titled TBX20/TLE Interaction Is Essential For Mammalian Heart Development Ashalla Freeman, Ph.D. (Director, Graduate Education, UNC … Read more
Pittman Receives 2021 Diversity Award
SPIRE scholar Dr. Nikea Pittman was awarded a Diversity Award from the University Office for Diversity and Inclusion which recognizes people and groups that have given their time and effort to advance diversity, equity and inclusion at Carolina and in … Read more