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

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 Summer Research Program 2024 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 … Read more

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 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

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

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

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

The National Science Foundation has awarded Dr. Bob Poage, Associate Professor at UNC Pembroke a grant to develop computer simulations which may be used to test new methods of treating neuromuscular diseases. This project, entitled “Presynaptic structure-function relationships that control … Read more

Congratulations to former SPIRE scholar Omar Quintero, Ph.D. for being named one of the top 100 inspiring Hispanic/Latinx Scientist in America by Cell Press. Omar is currently Associate Professor at the University of Richmond. His research focuses on the role … Read more