Dr. Xiaoxin Chen, associate professor in the Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, has received a grant of $275,000 from the N.C. Biotechnology Center to develop a model of human gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett’s esophagus (BE) using the esophagus of a pig. Esophageal adenocarcinoma, the most rapidly increasing cancer in this country, occurs as a result of GERD and BE.

Dr. Cecelia Steppe-Jones has received a grant of $49,250 from the UNC General Administration to improve students’ performance at Hillside New Tech High School in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The program includes mentor relationships, online courses for high school freshman and the development of a blended learning model for teachers, combining online and face-to-face instruction.
 

Dr. Kevin Williams, associate professor in the Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE), has been awarded a grant of $362, 905 from the National Cancer Institute to identify novel anti-cancer therapeutics.

Dr. Liju Yang, assistant professor at BRITE, has received a grant of $6,300 from the National Science Foundation to make a presentation at the  Institute of Biological Engineering (IBE) annual conference in Atlanta. Yang’s presentation is titled “Biosensors, Biochips and Micro/Nano Devices Symposium.” The symposiums provide undergraduate and graduate students opportunities to present their research and to interact with engineers, scientists, technologists and educators in the biological engineering community.   

Dr. David Jolly, chair of the Department of Public Health Education, received a $8,400 grant from the United Way of the Greater Triangle to implement the “Heart Healthy Lay Community Health Worker Project.” The project will provide training and ongoing support to eight lay community health workers. Participants will be recruited from residents of the Durham Housing Authority.

Dr. David Kroll, chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences in BRITE, has received a grant of $232,126 from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of General Medical Sciences for the NCCU RISE program. The program goal is to increase the number of students majoring in biology, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences and psychology that attain doctoral degrees and proceed to postdoctoral research training.

Dr. Kizhanipuram Vinodgopal, chair of the Chemistry Department, has received a grant of $4,414 from Purdue University to develop an advanced electric drive vehicle education program. The program will develop a modular curriculum for electrochemical systems to be used in both undergraduate and high school chemistry curriculum and delivered in a distance education platform.