North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research

09/05/2025

What does a day in the life of a microbiologist look like? Erica Washington, PhD, assistant research professor at the Duke University School of Medicine, shares how she balances cutting-edge fungal research with parenting and soccer training.

Her work focuses on how fungi grow in response to natural disasters and how they might help us develop new antifungal medications. Her life outside the lab is just as inspiring.

Watch her story at the link in our comments.

08/07/2025

Every week, the average person unknowingly consumes about 5 grams of plastic. But what happens when that plastic enters our bodies?

At Duke University School of Medicine, researchers like Jason Somarelli, PhD, are leading the charge to answer that question. His team is studying how combinations of plastic additives, not just individual chemicals, affect human health.

This research could uncover which mixtures are most harmful and how they contribute to diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s and dementia.

🔗 Read more: https://today.duke.edu/2025/06/microplastics-are-everywhere-heres-what-duke-research-doing-about-health-concerns

08/07/2025

New research from Duke University School of Medicine could transform how complications related to the placenta during pregnancy are detected and prevented.

In a study led by Huanghe Yang, PhD, associate professor of biochemistry, researchers discovered that PIEZO1, a pressure-sensing protein, acts as a sensor for mechanical forces, triggering cell fusion that is essential for placenta formation.

This discovery may also lead to new insights into cancer, bone healing, and viral infections.

07/24/2025

The preliminary schedule for Bridging the Gap 2025 has been announced.
Please check it out at: https://www.ncabr.org/bridging-the-gap-2025/schedule-2025/

03/21/2025

We are excited to announce the call for presenters for Bridging the Gap 2025 is now open!
To learn more, please visit: https://www.ncabr.org/bridging-the-gap-2025/presenter-resources/

07/22/2024

The schedule for Bridging the Gap 2024 has been announced. Please check it out at https://www.ncabr.org/btg-2024-schedule/

03/18/2024

We are excited to announce the call for presenters for Bridging the Gap 2024 is now open. To learn more, please visit: https://www.ncabr.org/presenter-resources-2024/

12/11/2023

Got summer plans? Are you a high school science teacher or community college science faculty? Then we have an opportunity for you! Applications are being accepted now for the 2024 STaRS Experience at NIEHS. To learn more visit:

The North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research (NCABR) is a nonprofit science education organization dedicated to promoting public understanding of and support for bioscience research and careers.

09/19/2023

There will be a special presentation at this year's Bridging the Gap Conference by Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody addressing Mental Health in America: What Today’s Educators Need to Know.

In her presentation, Dr. Meltzer-Brody will discuss the enormous mental health needs facing our youth and how teachers can help to address the mental health crisis we face.

Register now to attend: https://www.ncabr.org/registration-2023/

06/12/2023

Registration and presenter applications are underway for Bridging the Gap 2023. To learn more, visit our website at https://www.ncabr.org/btg2023/

05/15/2023

We are excited to announce the call for presenters for Bridging the Gap 2023 is now open. To learn more, please visit: https://www.ncabr.org/presenter-resources-2023/

08/16/2022

We are excited to announce that Dr. Ann Kulze (https://drannwellness.com/) will be the opening keynote on January 31, 2023, to launch the virtual Bridging the Gap STEM Educator Wellness Reboot.

Dr. Ann is a best-selling author, physician and highly sought motivational speaker in the areas of nutrition and healthy living.

To register, visit: https://www.ncabr.org/register/

Dr. Ann is nutrition and wellness expert, physician, author, motivational speaker, foodie, mother of 4. Free wellness resources.