Rapid funding aids COVID-19 research by top Gillings scientists
August 11, 2020 The innovative Fast Grants program, designed to fund important research rapidly, provides a combined $280,000 to Drs. Lisa Gralinski and Timothy Sheahan for COVID-19 research.
Single-shot COVID-19 vaccine protects non-human primates
August 10, 2020 The development of a safe and effective vaccine is a key step in ending the COVID-19 pandemic. A group of scientists now report that a leading candidate COVID-19 vaccine raises neutralizing antibodies and robustly protects non-human primates against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Meshnick, influential scientist, generous mentor and keen-witted satirist, dies at 68
August 6, 2020 “He was one of our kindest, most courageous and most impactful faculty members,” said a longtime colleague of Dr. Steven Richard Meshnick. “His passing is devastating and will be a huge personal and professional loss.”
NSF funds UNC scientists to explore potential COVID-19 aerosol transmission
August 3, 2020 In an effort to further our understanding of how COVID-19 is spread, the National Science Foundation has funded a team of researchers at the Gillings School, led by Dr. Barbara Turpin, to study the SARS-CoV-2 virus' potential for aerosol transmission.
Primary care providers have a role to play in the treatment of opioid use disorder
August 3, 2020 Policies have recently been expanded to encourage primary care providers to administer buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid use disorder – a strategy that appears to be effective according to a new study from researchers in the Department of Health Policy and Management.
Some sexual minority groups are disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence
August 3, 2020 A new study from researchers at the UNC Gillings School finds that certain groups of sexual minorities are more likely to experience physical, psychological and sexual violence at the hands of a romantic partner.
Americans are consuming less sugar but more nonnutritive sweeteners
July 29, 2020 A new study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics shows that United States household purchases of foods and beverages containing caloric sweeteners declined between 2002 and 2018. However, purchases of products containing both caloric sweeteners and nonnutritive sweeteners increased.
Suzanne Maman named associate dean for global health
July 28, 2020 Dr. Suzanne Maman has been appointed associate dean for global health, the Gillings School’s chief global leader and liaison, responsible for evolving global strategy and global health initiatives. She will begin this role on Sept. 1.
Antibody research shows promise in fight against COVID-19
July 23, 2020 Based on positive results published as a preclinical study, potently neutralizing antibodies show promise as a therapy for preventing and treating COVID-19. The monoclonal antibodies were isolated from the blood of a couple from Wuhan, China, who were diagnosed with COVID-19.
UNC researchers discuss pitfalls of convenience samples for COVID-19 antibody testing
July 23, 2020 Drs. Alison Aiello and Bonnie Shook-Sa of the UNC Gillings School and Dr. Ross Boyce of the UNC School of Medicine published a viewpoint piece on the downsides of certain types of early SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence studies.
