Environmental sciences and engineering professorships usher in next century of interdisciplinary research, innovation

August 19, 2020
Appointments to two prestigious professorships in the UNC Gillings School of Global Health’s Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering underscore the department’s 100-year tradition of local and global impact. Dr. Jill Stewart has been named the Philip C. Singer Distinguished Professor of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, and Dr. Gregory Characklis, the W.R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor.

Hartmann supports research, makes connections as vice president for research integration at Vanderbilt University Medical Center

August 18, 2020
Vanderbilt University Medical Center has named Dr. Katherine Hartmann vice president for research integration.

Peer support helps people cope — from police to veterans to those affected by COVID-19

August 18, 2020
In a recent journal article, Dr. Edwin B. Fisher shares findings on how telephone-based peer support can provide emotional and tangible resources for people at high risk for mental health problems. In an accompanying editorial, he discusses the additional problems callers are facing now due to the novel coronavirus.

Chatham Food Hub helps communities access local food during COVID-19 pandemic

August 18, 2020
The Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and UNC Health worked with Chatham County and N.C. State Extension partners to create a one-stop food hub at Bray Park in Siler City. The hub offers free meals and non-perishable foods for low-income customers as well as meals for purchase from local restaurants and farmers struggling to remain solvent during the pandemic.

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.

Christenson-Diver named AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow

August 10, 2020
Dr. Elizabeth Christenson-Diver, a postdoctoral research associate at the Gillings School, has been awarded a Science & Technology Policy Fellowship from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Her placement is with the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs — specifically, the Office of Canadian Affairs.

Gillings School celebrates long-term partnership with IntraHealth International

August 10, 2020
For 11 years, UNC Gillings students have turned to global health nonprofit IntraHealth International to gain real-world experience and make an international impact while still in school.

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.”

Harrison elected board vice president of the National Association of County and City Health Officials

August 4, 2020
The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) elected UNC Gillings School alumna Lisa Macon Harrison as vice president of the organization’s 2020–2021 board of directors. She has served as director of the Granville Vance District Health Department in North Carolina since 2012.