Seminar

As a new Assistant Professor at UNC, she is combining her multidisciplinary training to uncover reciprocal interactions between the intestinal microbiota and pharmaceutical compounds, and their implications on host gastrointestinal health.

Dr. Fuglevand has a long-standing interest in understanding how the nervous system orchestrates the activities of multiple muscles in the elaboration of movement. He uses various neurophysiological approaches (recording, stimulation, inactivation) in his work and also uses computer simulation. A natural outgrowth of his research has been toward more applied investigations into methods to restore movement and sensation in paralyzed individuals.

Explore the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of academia and biotechnology in translating basic science into new therapeutics. Examine the complex process of academic drug discovery—from identifying promising molecular targets to navigating patent landscapes and bridging the gap between university research and clinical application. Dr. Ronda will also highlight how emerging tools in synthetic biology and microbiome engineering are expanding the possibilities for drug development.

Dr. Thatcher is an accomplished medicinal chemist and pharmacologist whose career is defined by pioneering work in drug discovery and translational research. His leadership in founding drug discovery centers and mentoring programs has significantly advanced therapeutic development, particularly in oncology and neurodegenerative diseases.

Carrie McDonough, PhD, associate professor of chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University, studies how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs)—persistent environmental contaminants known as “forever chemicals”— accumulate and transform in the body. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry and ion mobility spectrometry, McDonough’s group investigates how molecular structure and chemical properties determine the impact of contaminants on aquatic food webs and human health.

Ever wonder how your brain decides when to start and stop eating? Most methods for studying appetite are too slow to catch the crucial neural circuits in action. Join Ranier Gutiérrez, PhD, professor at the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico, as he unveils their new, high-resolution technique to help uncover how the brain controls appetite and the allure of highly palatable foods.

Klemens’ work bridges the gap between molecular mechanisms and whole-body health, focusing on how channels and transporters affect cardiovascular and renal function. Her research journey has taken her from studying cardiac arrhythmias to exploring how ion transport impacts blood pressure and kidney disease.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how her discoveries are shaping our understanding of hypertension and related conditions.