duke molecular biology phd

G-MCB-PHD - Molecular Cancer Biology - PhD

Degree designation.

Molecular cancer biologists at Duke University seek to understand the complex regulatory mechanisms that govern mammalian cell growth and differentiation, discern how these mechanisms are perturbed in malignant cells, and how our knowledge of these regulatory mechanisms might lead to improved anti-cancer therapy. This research covers the boundaries of disciplines such as pharmacology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, and cell biology, which together are leading to greater understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying growth regulation and their alterations during tumor progression and metastasis.

The Program in Molecular Cancer Biology (MCB) includes faculty from multiple participating departments and centers across Duke University and Duke School of Medicine. Program scientists are actively engaged in dissecting the regulatory networks that control the processes of growth and development at the cellular and molecular levels, and identifying the defects that lead to oncogenic transformation. The approaches used by the investigators include genomics, genetics, cell biology, molecular biology and protein biochemistry. An ultimate goal is to identify novel candidates for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of cancer. Graduate training in this program is greatly enhanced by the collaborative interactions among investigators across the University and the School of Medicine.

How to Apply to the MCB program

Students accepted into the Program will usually have earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, chemistry or engineering. This program does not require applicants to provide GRE or other graduate entrance exam scores. If your first language is not English, you must submit English Language Proficiency Test Scores .

To apply, please visit the  Duke University Graduate School web site . All application materials should be sent to the graduate school office. Once all materials are received, the department will review the application.

We do not accept applications for spring semester matriculation.

Admissions Program Statistics for the last 10 years are available on the The Graduate School website .

The graduate training program in Molecular Cancer Biology is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and welcoming community.

The Duke Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology and the Graduate School are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in compliance with Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, as well as applicable state regulations and federal and state privacy laws. We encourage applications from all sectors of society, including those whose life experiences may include the challenge of access due to a disability. If you believe you may need and qualify for reasonable accommodations, please visit Duke’s Disability Management System (DMS)  for detailed information and procedures.

CMB Student Directory

A-B      C-D      E-F      G-H      I-J      K-L      M-N      O-P      Q-R       S-T      U-V      W-X      Y-Z

Anicka AbiChedid - 2023 Department Affilation: First Year CMB Lab: Rotation

John Amodeo  - 2020 Departmental Affiliation:  Neurobiology Lab:  Disney Lab

Kathryn Anderson  - 2020 Departmental Affiliation:  Biology Lab:  Strader Lab

Preston Anderson - 2022 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab: Sudar Rajagopal

Taylor Anglen  - 2019 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Cell Biology Lab: Gersbach Lab

Minel Arinel  - 2019 Departmental Affiliation:  Neurobiology Lab: Naumann Lab

Benjamin Arnson  - 2015 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Lab:  Dwight Koeberl, Pediatrics

Caroline Aufgebauer - 2021 Departmental Affiliation: MGM Lab: Horner Lab

Alexis Bailey - 2022 Departmental Affilation:  CMB Lab: Schmid Lab

Evangeline (Chunjing) Bao  - 2018 Departmental Affiliation:  Pathology Lab:  Soman Abraham

Emma Beane - 2022 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Nicchitta Lab

Grace Beggs  - 2015 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Biochemistry Lab:  Richard Brennan

Kate Bland - 2021 Departmental Affiliation: MGM Lab: Stacy Horner

Jovita Byemerwa  - 2017 Departmental Affiliation:  Pharmacology & Cancer Biology Lab:  Donald McDonnell

Charlene Chabata   - 2016 Departmental Affiliation:  Pharmacology & Cancer Biology Lab:  Bruce Sullenger, Surgery

Lindsey Chew - 2020 Department Affilation: First Year CMB Lab: Bowes Rickman Lab

Oliver Chung  - 2019 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Pharmacology & Cancer Biology Lab:  Zhao Zhang

Guinevere Connelly - 2021 Lab Affiliation: UPGG Lab: Dennis Ko

Olivia Conway - 2023 Department Affilation: First Year CMB Lab: Rotation

Alec D 'Alessandro  - 2019 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Cell Biology Lab:  Lechler Lab

Briana Davis  - 2018 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Lab:  John Rawls

Samed Delic  - 2020 Departmental Affiliation:  Biology Lab:  Onishi Lab

Hannah Devens  - 2017 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Biology Lab:  Wray Lab

Erin Dickert - 2023 Department Affilation: First Year CMB Lab: Fox Lab

Ashley DiMarco  - 2017 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Cancer Biology Program Lab:  James Alvarez, Pharmacology & Cancer Biology

Fayrouz ElWesmi - 2022 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Saskia Hemmers Lab

Jack Finlay - 2022 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Goldstein Lab

Alyssa Florwick  - 2017 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Biochemistry Lab:  Michael Boyce

Boya Gao - 2023 Department Affilation: First Year CMB Lab: Rotation

Kira Gardner - 2022 Departmental Affilation:  CMB Lab:  Wu Lab

Kyle Gibbs  - 2014 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Lab:  Dennis Ko

Dulcemaria Hernandez  - 2016 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Lab:  Jörn Coers

Lexie Hiestand - 2023 Department Affilation: First Year CMB Lab: Rotation

Zhinous Hosseini  - 2019 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Cancer Biology Lab:  Dorothy Sipkins

Jimin Hu  - 2017 Departmental Affiliation:  Biochemistry Lab:  Michael Boyce

Yul Daniel Huh  - 2017 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Cell Biology Lab:  Ru-Rong Ji, Anesthesiology

Ishak Darryl Irwan  - 2017 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Lab:  Bryan Cullen

Katherine Jacobs   - 2015 Departmental Affiliation:  University Program in Genetics & Genomics Lab:  Daniel Lew, Pharmacology & Cancer Biology

Keith (E. Keith) Keenan  - 2017 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Cancer Biology Program Lab:  Matthew Hirschey, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute

Cecelia Kelly  - 2016 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Lab:  John Rawls

Taylor Krebs   - 2015 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Cancer Biology Program Lab:  Donald McDonnell, Pharmacology & Cancer Biology

Tyler Lee - 2023 Department Affilation: First Year CMB Lab: Sheng Yang He

Liam Lewis  - 2018 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Pharmacology & Cancer Biology Lab:  Romain Cartoni

Yihan Liao   - 2015 Departmental Affiliation:  Pharmacology & Cancer Biology Lab:  Matthew Hilton, Orthopedic Surgery

Noah Linhart - 2022 Departmental Affilation:  CMB Lab:  Boyce Lab

Sophia Link - 2023 Department Affilation: First Year CMB Lab:  Terry Lechler

Bushangqing Liu - 2022 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Hartman Lab

Telmo Llanga  - 2019 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Pharmacology and Cancer Biology Lab:  Bruce Sullenger, Surgery

Matthew Loring  - 2018 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Neurobiology Lab:  Eva Naumann

Alvin Lu - 2021 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Stefano Di Talia

Raven (Yanting) Luo  - 2020 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Lowe Lab

Zhehao Ma - 2021 Departmental Affiliation: MCB Lab: Xiao-Fan Wang

Yiwei Mao - 2022 Departmental Affilation:  CMB Lab:  Soderling Lab

Riley Mangan  - 2018 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Lab:  Craig Lowe

Carl Manner  - 2020 Departmental Affiliation:  Biology Lab:  Wray Lab

Choiselle Marius - 2021 Departmental Affilation:  CMB Lab:  Ben Alman

Karina Matos  - 2020 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Eva Naumann

Timothy McCord - 2022 Departmental Affilation:  CMB Lab:  Kontos Lab

Caleb McIver - 2022 Departmental Affilation:  CMB Lab:  McDonnell Lab

Hannah McMillan   - 2015 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Lab:  Meta Kuehn, Biochemistry

Christian McRoberts Amador  - 2020 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Charles Gersbach

Elizabeth Mendes  - 2020 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Corinne Linardic

Gabriel Mesa - 2023 Department Affilation: First Year CMB Lab: Kris Woods

Monroe Monroe  - 2020 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Staci Bilbo

Federica Mosti  - 2020 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Debra Silver

Hailey Napier - 2022 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Lowe Lab

Matthew (Matt) Oliver  - 2017 Departmental Affiliation:  Cell Biology Lab:  Nicole Calakos, Neurology

Sooyeon Park - 2023 Department Affilation: First Year CMB Lab: Sheng Yang He

Robin Perelli  - 2019 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Cell Biology Lab:  Andrew Landstrom, Pediatrics

Jiaxuan Qi  - 2017 Departmental Affiliation:  Neurobiology Lab:  Richard Mooney

Chuping Qiu  - 2017 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Cancer Biology Program Lab:  Jason Locasale, Pharmacology & Cancer Biology

Samuel Reisman  - 2020 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Charles Gersbach

Jeffrey Reitano  - 2020 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Jorn Coers

Maria Pia Rodriguez Salazar  - 2018 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Cell Biology Lab:  Cagla Eroglu

Floyd Rubonal - 2023 Department Affilation: First Year CMB Lab: Debra Silver

Jordan Schneider - 2021 Departmental Affilation:  CMB Lab:  Chantell Evans

Khairunnisa Semesta  - 2018 Departmental Affiliation:  Pharmacology & Cancer Biology Lab:  Nikoleta Tsvetanova

Yasman Setayeshpour  - 2020 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Jen-Tsan Ashley Chi

Charles Sheehan  - 2020 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Biochemistry Lab:  Kate Meyer

Rebecca Shelley - 2022 Departmental Affilation:  CMB Lab:  Tata Lab

Joshua Silva - 2023 Department Affilation: First Year CMB Lab: Fox Lab

Jonnathan Singh Alvarado   - 2014 Departmental Affiliation:  Neurobiology Lab:  Richard Mooney

Daniel Snellings  - 2017 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Lab:  Douglas Marchuk

Chelsea (Xirui) Song  - 2018 Departmental Affiliation:  Pharmacology & Cancer Biology Lab:  Bruce Sullenger, Surgery

Fernando Souza  - 2020 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Francis Chan

Nicole Stantial   - 2015 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Lab:  Sue Jinks-Robertson

Amy Stewart   - 2016 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Cancer Biology Program Lab:  Kris Wood, Pharmacology & Cancer Biology

Samuel Strader  - 2020 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Andrew West Lab

Mollie Sweeney  - 2018 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Lab: Tobin Lab

Natalie Thomas - 2021 Departmental Affilation:  CMB Lab: Snyder Lab

Emily Troutman - 2023 Department Affilation: First Year CMB Lab: Mari Shinohara

Ashley Truong - 2022 Departmental Affilation:  CMB Lab: Gupta Lab

Ramesh Vijyendra - 2017 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Cancer Biology Program Lab:  Jason Locasale, Pharmacology & Cancer Biology

Taylor Wade - 2022 Departmental Affilation:  CMB Lab:  Gupta Lab

Stephen Walsh  - 2016 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Lab: Coers Lab

Jiacheng Wang - 2022 Departmental Affilation:  CMB Lab:  Munjal Lab

Siyao Wang  - 2019 Departmental Affiliation:  Cell Biology Lab: Bagnat Lab

Mandy (Xueying) Wang  - 2019 Departmental Affiliation:  Pharmacology & Cancer Biology Lab:  Brent Hanks, Medicine

Zihan Wang - 2023 Department Affilation: First Year CMB Lab: Rotation

Seth Weaver  - 2020 Departmental Affiliation:  CMB Lab:  Craig Lowe

Samantha Wilkison  - 2019 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Pharmacology & Cancer Biology Lab: Cartoni Lab

Jialin Wu - 2023 Department Affilation: First Year CMB Lab: Rotation

Jing Xie - 2021 Departmental Affilation:  CMB Lab:  Benjamin Alman

Yitong Xu  - 2017 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Genetics &Microbiology Lab:  Jen-Tsan Ashley Chi

Zihan Yan - 2021 Departmental Affilation:  Neurobiology Lab:  Dmitry Velmeshev

Zollie Yavarow  - 2017 - T32 Grant Funded 5T32GM007184 Departmental Affiliation:  Pharmacology & Cancer Biology Lab:  Dwight Koeberl, Pediatrics

Yang Yu - 2023 Department Affilation: First Year CMB Lab: Rotation

Albert Zhang   - 2015 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Lab:  Dong Yan

Jessica Zhang - 2022 Departmental Affilation:  First Year CMB Lab:  Huang Lab

Huarui Zhou - 2021 Departmental Affiliation: Biology Lab: Steven Haase

Wei Zhu  - 2018 Departmental Affiliation:  Molecular Genetics & Microbiology Lab:  Raluca Gordan, Biostatistics & Bioinformatics

Primary Faculty

The department of cell biology faculty are dedicated to the latest research in cell biology as well as teaching. see also the listings of faculty by research themes in the drop down menu or click on any name to see a full profile of each faculty member.  , scott h. soderling , ph.d., professor and chair.

  Synaptic signaling to the actin cytoskeleton; synaptic basis of neuropsychiatric disorders

Michel Bagnat , Ph.D., Professor - Nanaline Duke Distinguished Professor in the School of Medicine

  Cellular mechanisms of tube formation and fluid secretion in zebrafish

Suzanne Barbour , Ph.D., Professor, Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Education

  Serves as the senior administrator in The Graduate School and responsible for all policies and procedures in the graduate programs  

Blanche Capel , Ph.D., Vice Chair of Faculty Affairs and James B. Duke Professor

  Sex determination and mammalian development

Yarui Diao , Ph.D., Assistant Professor

  Gene regulation in tissue regeneration and tumorigenesis

Stefano Di Talia , Ph.D., Associate Professor

  Quantitative systems level approach to Developmental Biology

Sharyn Endow , Ph.D., Professor

  Molecular motor structure/function

Harold P. Erickson , Ph.D., James B. Duke Professor

  Cytoskeleton of eukaryotes and bacteria; cell adhesion and extracellular matrix

Cagla Eroglu , Ph.D., Vice Chair of Research, Professor - Chancellor's Distinguished Professor of Cell Biology, and HHMI Investigator

  Synapse formation in the CNS; Role of astrocytes in synapse formation

Chantell Evans , Ph.D., Assistant Professor

  Mitochondrial regulation in neurons and neurodegenerative disease

Amy Gladfelter , Ph.D., Professor

  Mechanisms of cytoplasm organization and cell shape control in fungi and placenta

Brigid L.M. Hogan , Ph.D., Professor

  Mammalian development and organogenesis; tissue stem cells

John Klingensmith, Ph.D., Associate Professor

  Molecular genetics of mammalian development and birth defects

Akankshi Munjal , Ph.D., Assistant Professor

  Uncovering principles of tissue morphogenesis with zebrafish

Christopher V. Nicchitta , Ph.D., Professor

  mRNA localization, protein synthesis, and translational regulation

Kenneth D. Poss , Ph.D., James B. Duke Professor

  Models, concepts, and mechanisms of tissue regeneration in zebrafish

Purushothama Rao Tata , Ph.D., Associate Professor

   Genetic and epigenetic basis of cell identity and plasticity in regeneration and tumorigenesis

Rohit Singh , Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics and Department of Cell Biology

   Research interests broadly lie in the area of computational biology, leveraging machine learning to develop precision diagnostics and therapeutics

Eda Yildirim , Ph.D., Assistant Professor

  Epigenetic regulation and nuclear organization in mammalian development and disease

Molecular Cancer Biology: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics

Kevin Saunders Named Norman L. Letvin M. D. Distinguished Professor in Surgery and the Duke Human Vaccine Institute

This spring, 18 faculty members in the Duke University School of Medicine have been awarded distinguished professorships. The new distinguished professors will be honored at the annual distinguished professorship event on May 23, 2024.   

In total, 32 new distinguished professors across Duke University were approved by the Board of Trustees in February. 

Distinguished professorships are awarded to faculty who have demonstrated extraordinary scholarship in advancing science and improving human health.   

Kevin Saunders, PhD, is a professor in surgery who also has appointments in integrative immunobiology and molecular genetics and microbiology. His research focuses on vaccine and antibody development to combat HIV-1 infection and coronavirus infections. As the associate director of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI) and director of the DHVI Laboratory of Protein Expression, he focuses on two main areas of research: vaccine design and antibody isolation and engineering. Together, his research program is an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the molecular biology underlying antibody recognition of glycoproteins in order to produce protective vaccines. 

Read more  about the faculty members awarded distinguished professorships.

Duke Awards 32 New Distinguished Professorships for 2024

Duke University has awarded distinguished professorships to 32 faculty and will recognize them in a ceremony at the Washington Duke Inn on May 23.

“I am very pleased to honor these faculty members with distinguished professorships,” said President Vincent Price. “Their outstanding scholarship has advanced knowledge across a wide variety of fields and made a positive impact on society, and I am proud to have them as colleagues.”

Distinguished professorships honor faculty who are well-established members of the Duke academic community and have also achieved distinction as creative scholars in their field or in their ability to transcend disciplines.

“I congratulate my colleagues on receiving distinguished professorships recognizing their impressive scholarly achievements and leadership in our academic community and beyond,” said Provost Alec D. Gallimore. “Duke is tremendously fortunate to count these bold thinkers among its faculty.”

During its February meeting, Duke’s Board of Trustees approved the awarding of Distinguished Professorships to the following faculty, effective July 1, 2024:

Lisa M. Amaya-Jackson (Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences)

Michelle Winn, MD, Distinguished Professor

Huiman Xie Barnhart ( Biostatistics & Bioinformatics)               

James B. Duke Distinguished Professor

Christopher Charles Beyrer (School of Medicine)

Gary Hock Distinguished Professor in Global Health

David B. Brown (Fuqua School of Business)

Snow Family Distinguished Professor

Doriane Lambelet Coleman ( School of Law)

Thomas L. Perkins Distinguished Professor

Erica Field (Department of Economics)

Sara Sternberg Greene (School of Law)

Katharine T. Bartlett Distinguished Professor

Simon Gray Gregory (Department of Neurosurgery)

Margaret Harris and David Silverman Distinguished Professor

Christoph Paul Vincent Hornik (Department of Pediatrics)

Samuel L. Katz Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics

Kimberly Sherell Johnson ( Department of Medicine)

Brenda E. Armstrong, M.D. Distinguished Professor

Sönke Johnsen (Department of Biology)

Ida Stephens Owens Distinguished Professor

Hui-Kuan Lin (Department of Pathology)

Fred and Janet Sanfilippo Distinguished Professor

Jianfeng Lu (Department of Mathematics)

Xunrong Luo (Department of Medicine)

Boyce Haller Distinguished Professor in Nephrology

Veronica Root Martinez (School of Law)

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett Distinguished Professor of Law

Joel Meyer (Nicholas School of the Environment)

Sally Kleberg Distinguished Professor of Environmental Genomics

Michael C. Munger  (Department of Political Science)

Pfizer,Inc./Edmund T. Pratt, Jr. University Professor

Willie John Padilla (Electrical and Computer Engineering)

Dr. Paul Wang Distinguished Professor

Michael Patrick Pignone (Department of Medicine)

Rebecca & John Kirkland Distinguished Professor

Thomas James Polascik (Department of Urology)

Lawrence C. Katz Distinguished Professor

Jonathan Posner (Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences)

J. P. Gibbons Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry

Michael Vernon Relf (School of Nursing)

Mary T. Champagne Distinguished Professor

Cynthia D. Rudin (Department of Computer Science)

Gilbert, Louis, and Edward Lehrman Distinguished Professor

Emily Ryo (School of Law)

Charles L. B. Lowndes Distinguished Professor of Law

Kevin O'Neil Saunders (Department of Surgery)

Norman L. Letvin M.D. Distinguished Professor in Surgery and the Duke Human Vaccine Institute

Kevin Lindsey Thomas (Department of Medicine)

Donald F. Fortin, M.D. Distinguished Professor of Cardiology

Georgia Doris Tomaras (Department of Surgery)

A. Geller Distinguished Professor for Research in Immunology

Qianben Wang (Department of Pathology)

Banks Anderson, Sr. Distinguished Professor

Erika S. Weinthal (Nicholas School of the Environment)

John O. Blackburn Distinguished Professor

Heather Elizabeth Whitson (Department of Medicine)

Duke School of Medicine Distinguished Professor in Neuroscience

Kanecia Obie Zimmerman (Department of Pediatrics)

Wilburt C. Davison Distinguished Professor

Lee Zou ( Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology)

George Barth Geller Distinguished Professor

In addition, four faculty members awarded Distinguished Professorships that took effect July 1, 2023, will also be honored at the ceremony:

Elisabeth D. de Fontenay (School of Law)

Karl W. Leo Distinguished Professor of Law

Kafui  Dzirasa  ( Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science)

A. Eugene and Marie Washington Presidential Distinguished Professor

Alec Gallimore ( Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science)

Alfred J. Hooks E '68 Distinguished Professor

Miriam Treggiari (Department of Anesthesiology)

Paul G. Barash Distinguished Professor of Anesthesiology

For a complete list of Duke’s Distinguished Professors, please visit the Provost’s Office website .

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New England Biolabs, Inc

Staff scientist – applied molecular biology (1663).

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New England Biolabs (NEB) is seeking a motivated and creative scientist to lead an independent, fully funded research group. The group will propose and execute pioneering, discovery-based investigations into nucleic acid enzymes. The group will work collaboratively with the Applied Molecular Biology Division and NEB departments to identify and study novel enzymes that enable groundbreaking methods and tools for advances in the life sciences.

Primary responsibilities:

Develop a research program for an independent, dynamic research group

Efficiently identify and lead research projects into exciting novel nucleic acid enzymes

Utilize a broad collection of state-of-the-art platforms and methods to inform and fully realize project potential

Share breakthroughs and results through publications, conference presentations, collaborations, and supporting NEB product and method development

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Ph.D. in a molecular biology related field

Diverse scientific background, with success in multiple projects and areas

Proven ability to innovate as demonstrated through publication record

Strong communication skills

In order to be considered for this position, please submit your resume directly to us using either the job link in our Handshake job posting or via our company website at https://www.neb.com/about-neb/careers .

EEO Statement

New England Biolabs is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community; as an EEO/AA employer, New England Biolabs considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. More in-depth details of EEO are available here.

Information regarding New England Biolabs commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion can be found here.

New England Biolabs is a participating employer in the Employment Verification ( E-Verify ) program.

Secondary Menu

Lucia Strader Part of “Ag Tech Corridor” Project with $1M from National Science Foundation

March 26, 2024.

Trinity Communications

As North Carolina’s top economic driver, agriculture is practiced in every corner of the state. But most of the research and technological innovation that could be available to the $103 billion industry comes from companies and universities in the comparatively small, urban areas of the Triad and Triangle.

That imbalance can leave farmers without exposure to research-based techniques and new technologies, particularly those that can help lower the barriers to market entry for limited-resource farmers, said Gregory Goins, Ph.D., associate dean for research in the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State UniversityCollege of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (N.C. A&T).

Starting this spring, N.C. A&T will lead a project that aims to break that bottleneck. Funded by a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engine s , the project, called Climate-Responsive Opportunities in Plant Science (CROPS), brings together researchers from Duke, East Carolina University, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University; specialists and county agents from N.C. Cooperative Extension; industry partner N.C. Biotechnology Center; and nonprofit research institute Research Triangle International with the N.C. Community College System. Together, they will create a plan to develop a 42-county Agricultural Tech Innovation Corridor to enable improvements in agriculture to reach underserved areas of the state faster. 

Through a mix of educational programming, workforce development activities and startup grant funding, the 10 institutions will provide educational programs that deliver up-to-date information on such topics as farming technologies, agricultural business management and natural resource conservation, Goins said.

“It takes the proverbial village to translate new technologies and knowledge into adoption,” said Sharlini Sankaran, Director of External Partnerships at Duke University. “We’re very proud to be a part of the CROPS coalition that will bring inclusive perspectives to achieve transformational and sustainable change for our ag community.”

The project also proposes ways to help small producers identify new crops and livestock enterprises that have the potential to increase farm income and assists them in developing community-based local food systems.

The program also has a strong work force development component to foster small-scale farmland economic performance as well to increase diversity in farming, Goins said. The program will stress climate-smart techniques and ways to create climate resilience, and provide information about technologies to help agricultural operations thrive. Programs are free to participants.

“The future of agriculture depends heavily on our ability to increase plants’ resilience to environmental and climate challenges.”  said Lucia Strader , professor of Biology at Duke University. “But scientists can’t work in a vacuum to achieve this transformation. We have to listen and be responsive to the needs and challenges of our farmers and growers, and CROPS will be pivotal in making those conversations happen.”

“New farmers, underserved farmers and those with small-scale acreage need information to develop farm management practices to implement methods that protect the environment, produce the highest quality food and provide a reliable family income,” Goins said. “Our team seeks to develop a plan to bring information from industry to farmer, particularly in underserved areas, to help them mitigate climate impacts, lower the barriers to market entry that they face, and boost the agricultural sector’s economic output.”

N.C. A&T is the first and only historically Black university to lead one of NSF’s “Engines,” grant-funded projects designed to promote science and technology as regional economic drivers. With a potential investment of $1.6 billion in the next decade, Engines is one of the largest investments in regionally-based research and development in U.S. history, according to the foundation. Since January, the foundation has awarded 10 projects in 18 states. North Carolina is the only state with three Engines awards.

The program will begin this spring with listening sessions across the state, said Biswanath Dari, assistant professor and natural resource specialist at N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

“We will make farmers the crucial role-players in this project by going to them and seeing what they need,” he said. “Then, we’ll address those needs with farmer-focused, participatory programs.”

“We have all the resources in higher education, and agriculture, right here in North Carolina, to make a difference to small growers,” said Mark Blevins, Ed.D., assistant administrator of N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension. “CROPS not only brings farmers, funders and researchers together, it brings universities and business agencies together to serve them in ways that haven’t been done before. Together, we can do more than any of us can do on our own.”

Content adapted with authorization from NC A&T

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RESEARCH TECHNICIAN II

Durham, NC, US, 27710

School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Job Description:

The Principles of Tissue Morphogenesis (Munjal Lab) in the Department of Cell Biology at Duke University School of Medicine seeks a motivated laboratory technician to work on developmental biology questions with zebrafish. The ongoing projects (supported by NIH) include understanding the molecular, cellular, and extracellular contributions during tissue development. The candidate will contribute to these research projects, perform general laboratory and zebrafish maintenance, order reagents and consumables, and assist with training other personnel, such as undergraduates.  

Specific responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Husbandry, breeding, and genotyping of lab zebrafish colony

• Generating CRISPR mutants or transgenic animals by microinjection

• Performing molecular biology, including making DNA constructs, guide RNA synthesis

• Assisting laboratory personnel with data collection/imaging when appropriate

• Preparing chemicals, reagents, and solutions for general laboratory use

• Compiling, analyzing, documenting, and drawing conclusions from experimental results

• Reviewing chemical safety, laboratory manuals, and scientific literature for information applicable to research experiments

• Assisting in training new personnel

We are a young and growing lab (2 years old!) with a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative team. The PI’s mentoring philosophy is to help mentees in their unique career development trajectory, strongly emphasizing feeling fulfilled and independent. This is an excellent opportunity to gain academic research experience before graduate or medical school.

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced, and great ideas accelerate the translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. The university is located in Durham, North Carolina– a beautiful town in the Research Triangle Park area with great food, music, and art. The RTP area has two other universities and several tech companies, making it a strong intellectual hub for young professionals. There are several walking, hiking, and biking trails in the area.

Support will be for a minimum of one year, with the potential of renewal depending on the needs of the lab and/or funding. Salary is commensurate with Duke guidelines and applicant experience. The start date is June 1st, 2024, with some flexibility. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, and contact of two references to  [email protected] . Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Applications should have a bachelor’s degree in a related scientific discipline, 1 or more years of college-level laboratory experience, the ability to work in a team, and good organizational skills. Preference will be given to candidates with zebrafish husbandry experience and/or molecular biology techniques.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunities without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Minimum Qualifications

Work generally requires a bachelor's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology or other directly related scientific field.

None required above education/training requirement. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Nearest Major Market: Durham Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Duke is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual’s age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.