Annual Celebration of Graduate Student Achievements

Predicting stroke risk using ultrasound technology

Keerthi S. Anand ‘18, Ph.D. candidate in biomedical engineering

“As one of the leading causes of death in North Carolina, ischemic strokes affect close to 300,000 North Carolinians and account for 5,700 annual deaths in our state. The primary causes are atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid artery that are vulnerable to rupturing and blocking flow to the brain. The risk of stroke doubles every decade past age 55, impacting about 30 percent of N.C.’s population. At-risk patients are screened using duplex ultrasound, which provides an image of flow velocity overlaid on a brightness map of tissue.

Carotid endarterectomies (CEA) are preventative surgeries to remove plaques, but the decision to perform these are determined by the percent flow restriction in the duplex ultrasound images. This metric neglects impacts of hazardous plaque components (lipid rich necrotic core and intraplaque hemorrhage) and the stresses on vessel walls associated with blood flow, which better confer stroke risk. In turn, most patients are predicted to undergo invasive CEA procedures unnecessarily.

My research involves developing a rapid, real-time realizable, and noninvasive method of ultrasound plaque imaging called Plane Wave-Variance of Acceleration (PW-VoA) that identifies vulnerable plaque components with high accuracy, while concurrently measuring multidimensional blood flow and dynamic stresses on the plaque surface. Through a faster, and more informative approach to evaluating atherosclerosis, we aim to better predict stroke risk and help reduce the number of invasive, and unneeded CEA surgeries performed in N.C.”

Who benefits from business attraction? Three essays

Adams Bailey, Ph.D. candidate in public policy

“Local and state governments use tools such as tax abatements, low-cost loans, and grants to lure companies to create jobs in their specific jurisdiction. Collectively referred to as economic development incentives (EDIs), these set of business attraction policies are perhaps the most ubiquitous and costly economic development tools used by the United States and its cities to facilitate growth.

While the relationship between incentives and local economic growth has been thoroughly examined, my three-paper dissertation examines how incentive policies and business attraction impact the welfare of residents and inequality within societies. Empirical papers examine how new jobs created through business attraction impacts unemployment rates and wages in communities and examine the how property prices react to EDI announcements—a key way in which EDIs can drive inequality through displacement and gentrification.

Finding that incentives have fewer than expected benefits for incumbent local workers but can drive up prices and costs of living, I argue that evaluations of EDIs should focus on the well-being of current residents and the equitable distribution of harms and benefits instead of centering solely on questions of whether incentives create growth. This work is relevant to U.S. state and local governments across the county, including in North Carolina, which look to formulate equitable development strategies that improve the well-being of their citizenry.”

Drivers of tidal creek accretion over the last century

Molly Bost ‘13 (‘16 MS; ‘22 Ph.D.), recent doctoral graduate in marine sciences

“The health of tidal creeks, which relies heavily on sediment dynamics, directly impacts the coastal communities that rely on commercial fisheries, tourism revenue, and protection from storms. My dissertation work supported a grass-roots concern among local fishermen in North Carolina, waterfront residents, and managers that tidal creeks are becoming shallower and more turbid, limiting their valuable ecosystem services.

To address this concern, I compared local watershed land-cover data for every decade since 1959 to sedimentation rates measured from sediment cores. I identified 12 tidal creeks, six in Carteret and six in New Hanover County, for this study that varied by order of magnitude in watershed area and relief, experienced different tidal ranges, and were impacted by different types of landscape change. My work provided a comprehensive record of accelerating sedimentation rates in creek beds following a land-use change but showed an opposite impact on the adjacent salt marshes over the past century.

These results revealed a disconnect between sedimentation in adjacent habitats which highlights the complexity of sediment dynamics in these important primary nursery habitats. My work will guide managers like the NC Department of Marine Fisheries who funded this research, to prioritize resources toward areas where sediment conservation or restoration is required to maintain the ecosystem function of tidal creeks and their salt marshes.”

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to fruits and vegetables for North Carolina WIC participants

Emily Duffy ‘12, (‘14 MS), Ph.D. candidate in nutrition

“My dissertation research aims to estimate the effects of a COVID-19 pandemic-related increase in the amount of money available for fruits and vegetables to mothers and children that participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) among North Carolina (N.C.) WIC participants.

WIC is a federal nutrition assistance program that provides access to nutritious foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education to more than 220,000 low-income North Carolinians. WIC participants receive a monthly ‘food package’ which includes foods from specific, health-promoting food groups such as whole grains, lean proteins, and fruits and vegetables.

Prior to the pandemic, WIC participants received either $9 or $11/month/person for fruits and vegetables, an amount many nutrition experts have deemed insufficient. To counteract some of the negative effects of the pandemic on low-income families, in June of 2021, WIC increased the amount of money for fruits and vegetables to about $35/month/person, an unprecedented increase.

My research uses focus groups with N.C. WIC participants and food purchasing data from a large grocery store chain with almost 500 stores in N.C. to understand the effects of this policy change on N.C. families and their food access.”

Innovative approaches to triple-negative breast cancer cells

Emily Fennell ‘17 (‘22 Ph.D.), recent doctoral graduate in pharmacology

“Breast cancer is the leading cause of new cancer diagnoses in women. In North Carolina, ~10,500 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. Nationally, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for ~10 percent of breast cancer diagnoses and is considered the most aggressive breast cancer subtype and is in need of more effective treatments. Recently, ONC201 was identified in a chemical screen as a promising new anticancer therapeutic. Despite a lack of information regarding its mechanism of action, ONC201 was moved into clinical trials for multiple cancers, including breast.

My research showed that related analogs (“TR compounds,” Madera Therapeutics, Chapel Hill, N.C.) had improved potency over ONC201 in preventing TNBC cell growth. Moreover, we demonstrated these compounds bind and activate the mitochondrial protease ClpP. I further showed ONC201/TR compounds induce mitochondrial dysfunction and significant loss of mitochondrial proteins required for energy and metabolite generation, respiration, and cell proliferation.

My current research has used “multi-omics” to detail the protein, mRNA, and metabolite-level changes occurring in TNBC cells following ONC201/TR compound treatment. From these studies, I hope to identify 1) mechanisms of growth inhibition caused by ClpP activation and 2) cancer-specific pathways that are significantly affected following ClpP activation. This information could be used to develop co-treatment regimens (existing anticancer drugs, nutritional interventions) to be used in combination with TR compounds to enhance therapeutic effects.”

On-site sanitation in North Carolina: Barriers to safe sanitation and associated adverse health outcomes

Amy Kryston, master’s degree student in public health

“The United Nations recently estimated that more than 5.75 million people in the United States lack access to safely managed sanitation. Those millions may be exposed to the effects of malfunctioning septic systems or straight piping, in which raw (i.e., untreated) sewage is piped directly from a household into nearby land or streams.

Almost half of North Carolinians use on-site sanitation systems, including septic systems or straight piping. Our research, funded by the Institute for the Environment and conducted with the Environmental Justice Action Research Clinic, seeks to address knowledge gaps regarding on-site sanitation, its social determinants, and the associated adverse health outcomes in marginalized North Carolina communities.

Our forthcoming literature review will provide the first comprehensive overview of barriers to safe sanitation throughout the U.S. and highlight how decision making and legal frameworks continue to systematically impede marginalized communities. Ongoing quantitative (spatiotemporal) work will highlight adverse health outcomes associated with malfunctioning or unsafe sanitation systems in North Carolina. Our qualitative research, including interviews with impacted populations, will give voice to the assets of and challenges faced by marginalized communities that may lack access to safe sanitation.

This research will provide data to communities and inform policy and funding decisions. It is of deepest importance to us that this research be guided by and, wherever possible, owned by communities so that they can advocate for their health and human rights, including safe sanitation.”

Produce distributed in urban and rural areas through the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina

Anna Naples, master’s degree student in public administration

“According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food insecure households not only do not have enough food, but they also consume less fruit and vegetables than those that are food secure. The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina (FBCENC) is one of the largest organizations in the state that intervenes in this problem, distributing millions of pounds of produce each year across 1,200 agencies in 34 counties.

My research study examined the difference between urban and rural counties, evaluating whether one type received a greater amount of produce per person under the poverty line over a six-month period. While each county’s status as urban or rural did not significantly correlate with the amount of produce it received, the data included other key findings. A significant number of agencies did not receive any produce, and many counties received a low amount of produce in proportion to the number of people under the poverty line.

With this data, I created a map in ArcGIS that shows how much produce was distributed to each agency, as well as county-level information. This map informs the organization of which areas should be their focus to increase equitable produce distribution. Specifically, they are using it for programs such as “pop-up” produce markets, partnerships with health care providers that connect patients to food pantries, and the mapping of chronic disease trends.”

How harmful cyanobacterial blooms affect air quality

Haley Plaas, Ph.D. student in environmental sciences and engineering

“As summers are getting hotter due to climate change, cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, are thriving more readily in important North Carolina (N.C.) water resources. These bright green algae can produce toxins which cause serious and sometimes fatal illness in humans and animals. In addition to the obvious effects that blue-green algae have on water quality, recent research has shown that blue-green algae and their toxins can get into the air, posing previously unrecognized health issues.

As blue-green algae blooms expand across N.C., it is essential to gain a better understanding of the possible threats they pose to human respiratory health. My research is shedding new light on key blue-green algae compounds in the air and the weather conditions that promote their emission from N.C .waterbodies. Working with community scientists from Edenton, N.C., in summer 2020, we detected several strains of toxic blue-green algae in the airshed of the Chowan River-Albemarle Sound estuary.

For the first time, I demonstrated a link between blue-green algae activity in the water and increased atmospheric concentrations of PM2.5, an air pollutant regulated by the EPA per its ties to heart and lung disease. This study, with related research, has provided key stakeholders with the first and only information available on the impact of blue-green algae on air quality in N.C.”

Pediatric obesity among U.S. Latinos

Sophie Ravanbakht ‘13, Ph.D. candidate in health policy and management

“Rates of pediatric obesity continue to increase despite ongoing public health efforts to improve outcomes. According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation project, State of Childhood Obesity, North Carolina currently ranks tenth in U.S. states for highest rates of pediatric obesity, with 19.8 percent of children aged 10-17 having obesity. Furthermore, research shows that in the U.S., Latino children are more vulnerable to obesity than white and Asian children.

Acculturation, the process and effects of adjusting to a new culture after immigration, has been shown to be related to obesity in immigrants and their children. One theory is that as one acculturates, they engage in unhealthy diets and sedentary activity levels normative to U.S. culture, placing them at a greater risk for obesity. Children tend to acculturate faster than adults which results in the undertaking of additional responsibilities and stressors related to their roles assisting less acculturated family members.

My research explores acculturation and acculturation-related stressors associated with weight management for foreign-born Latino caregivers and their U.S.-born children, aged eight to 13 years old, attending a specialty weight management clinic in Durham, N.C. Understanding the impact of this clinic and the barriers to weight management for this unique population through qualitative interviews using systems science methods, my findings will help shed light on how clinical providers and policymakers can improve resources, guidance, and treatment of obesity in this vulnerable, growing N.C. population.”

How perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contribute to platinum resistance in ovarian cancer

Brittany Rickard, Ph.D. candidate, in the curriculum toxicology and environmental medicine

“Compared to other gynecological tumors, patients with ovarian cancer suffer the highest mortality rates because tumors often become resistant to chemotherapy. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmental contaminants that pollute drinking water supplies across North Carolina.

A recent study reported that PFAS increase ovarian cancer cell proliferation and induce resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy, the current standard of care for ovarian cancer. As a mechanistic basis for the observed resistance, mitochondrial health improved after exposure to PFAS, and mixtures, in human ovarian cancer cell lines. As a therapeutic approach to target mitochondrial health, PFAS-exposed cells were treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT), which uses a light-activatable molecule and visible light to cause cellular damage and to promote cell death. Reduced mitochondrial health and increased cell death were observed in ovarian cancer cells that were primed with PDT prior to chemotherapy. This demonstrates that PDT sensitizes PFAS-exposed ovarian cancer cells to chemotherapy and overcomes resistance to platinum-based chemotherapeutics.

This research will continue to highlight the importance of understanding environmental exposures when considering cancer treatment approaches. This is particularly relevant for North Carolinians, as communities along the entire Cape Fear River Basin are hotspots for PFAS pollution. Findings from this work support blood PFAS testing in ovarian cancer patients to identify those likely to fail on chemotherapy and the clinical integration of PDT for appropriate patient populations.”

Gestational exposure to coal-fired power plant-related air pollution and adverse birth outcomes

Adrien Wilkie (‘17 MSPH; ‘21 Ph.D.), recent doctoral graduate in epidemiology

“Coal-fired power plants (CFPP) are major contributors of ambient sulfur dioxide (SO₂) air pollution. Epidemiological literature suggests an adverse association between gestational SO₂ exposure and preterm birth (PTB). PTB is strongly associated with infant mortality and increased risk for later life morbidities. North Carolina (N.C.) depends on coal combustion for electricity. To address a 2002 N.C. policy, 14 of the largest N.C. CFPPs either installed desulfurization equipment (scrubbers) or retired coal units, resulting in substantial reductions of SO₂ air emissions.

My dissertation 1) characterized N.C.’s electricity generation profile from 2000-2019, 2) investigated whether SO₂ air emission reduction strategies at N.C. CFPPs were associated with changes in prevalence of PTB in nearby communities, and 3) evaluated associations between gestational SO₂ exposures and PTB in N.C. Despite the stark drop in reliance on CFPPs for energy in N.C., and subsequent drop in emissions, CFPPs contribute ~60 percent of SO₂ air pollution as of 2017.

These findings suggest a reduction of PTB among residents 4 to 10 miles of CFPPs that installed scrubbers compared to those living 10 to 15 miles. Additionally, we observed adverse associations between gestational SO₂ exposures and PTB, with some evidence of effect measure modification by race/ethnicity. The U.S. and many other countries are making important decisions regarding the move away from or reinvestment in coal for electricity generation; research that considers the climate and health impacts of CFPPs can inform such decisions.”

Jocelyn Burney ‘14, Department of Religious Studies, College of Arts and Sciences

2023 Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award, Humanities and Fine Arts

Fragment to fragment: Building Jewish communities in the late Roman Aegean (2nd-6th centuries CE)

Dissertation Adviser: Jodi Magness

“During the late Roman Period (2nd-6th centuries CE), large numbers of diasporic Jewish communities lived in the Mediterranean region. Unfortunately, their history, beliefs, and practices are difficult to reconstruct because virtually no written documents produced by these communities survive. My dissertation sheds new light on the religious lives of diaspora Jews in mainland Greece, the Aegean, and western Turkey by analyzing the archaeological remains they left behind, with specific focus on the funding, building, and maintaining of synagogues over multiple generations.”

Julie Kafka (‘18 MPH, ‘22 Ph.D), Ph.D., MPH, Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global of Public Health

2023 Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award, Social Sciences

Intimate partner violence as a precipitating factor for suicide: Strengthening data systems and identifying opportunities for prevention

Dissertation Adviser: Beth Moracco

“Being in an abusive romantic relationship can increase a person’s risk for depression and suicidal thoughts; however, it is unclear how often intimate partner violence (IPV) is a contributing factor for suicide. I developed a supervised machine learning tool using natural language processing to record information about IPV exposure prior to suicide based on text from death investigation reports from a national suicide mortality data system. Findings highlight the value of applying data science methods to public health research while showcasing the need to address the overlapping risks for self-directed violence and interpersonal harm.”

Qiang Zhang (‘21 Ph.D.), UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering

2023 Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award, Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Engineering

Ultrasound imaging and surface electromyography-based voluntary effort prediction and control strategies for ankle assistance

Dissertation Adviser: Nitin Sharma

“My dissertation investigates the neuromuscular signals sensing fusion approaches to detect human ankle joint motion intent and incorporates surface electromyography (sEMG) signals and/or ultrasound (US) imaging signals in the closed-loop control of neurorehabilitative robotic devices, including functional electrical stimulation (FES) and powered lower-limb exoskeletons, for individuals with mobility deficits due to neurological disorders, such spinal cord injury, stroke, and multiple sclerosis.”

Cathy Spangler ‘16 (‘22 Ph.D.), Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics

2023 Dean’s Distinguished Dissertation Award, Biological and Life Sciences

Exploring the mechanistic basis of nucleosome interactions

Dissertation Adviser: Robert McGinty

“My dissertation research sought to uncover the structural basis of how nucleosomes, the fundamental DNA packaging unit within chromatin, are recognized by various nuclear proteins that regulate gene expression. By revealing atomic-level details about these nucleosome-protein interactions, this work provides a basis for the rational design of targeted therapeutics for leukemia and other diseases.”

David Aponte-Díaz

David Aponte-Díaz, a Ph.D. candidate in microbiology and immunology, is the 2023 recipient of the Boka W. Hadzija Award for Distinguished University Service by a Graduate or Professional Student.

Aponte-Díaz, a native of Puerto Rico, attended Penn State University before coming to UNC-Chapel Hill to pursue his Ph.D.

Díaz’s many nominations noted his excellent fit for this award because of his dedication to furthering education for his peers and local/global communities. His pursuit of excellence and graduate student thriving serves his department and beyond.

“Not only is he a gifted scientist and educator, but he is also a highly motivated and innovative thinker who embraces new experiences and eagerly faces new challenges. He is a natural leader who effortlessly instills confidence in those who work with and around him, empowering them to perform with excellence,” wrote one nominator.

It is an honor to bestow the 2023 Boka Hadzija Award for Distinguished Service on David Aponte-Díaz for their outstanding service to the University community.

Mackenna Wood, physics and astronomy

How can astronomers better determine the planetary evolutionary process, and what does geological evidence show? What made the Earth capable of supporting life, and what other planets can?

Wood tackled these questions and received the top prize during UNC-Chapel Hill's annual Three Minute Thesis competition.

“This professional development opportunity helps graduate students develop communication skills to convey their research in effective ways—and showcase the value of graduate education in our state and beyond,” said Beth Mayer-Davis, dean of The Graduate School.

View Mackenna Wood's campus 3MT presentation.

Zach Ward

Zach Ward, student services coordinator for the curriculum in global studies, is the 2023 recipient of the Excellence in Graduate Student Services Award.

“Zach Ward truly cares about the students. Many of us make the most of his evergreen “open door” policy just to chat because he's such a kind, open-minded, and brilliant person. Whether sharing recommendations for barbecue restaurants or coordinating social and community-building activities with the students, Zach is truly beloved by the department’s students and the faculty.”

It is an honor to present the 2023 Excellence in Graduate Student Services award to Zach Ward in recognition of their tremendous dedication to graduate students in the curriculum in global studies.

Jeff Sekelsky

Jeff Sekelsky is a professor in the departments of genetics and molecular biology.

Several people nominated Sekelsky for this award because of his testament to exceptional leadership in the UNC School of Medicine Office of Graduate Education. Sekelsky advocates for student interests and training. He maintains an open-door policy and regularly meets with students facing challenges in their graduate career.

“When I needed support regarding a cultural issue causing me distress, I reached out to Jeff who provided one-on-one support,” one nomination read.

It is an honor to present 2023 Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Student and Academic Program Support to Jeff Sekelsky, in recognition of their tremendous dedication to graduate students in genetics and molecular biology.

Terry E. Rhodes

The Graduate School is pleased to name Terry E. Rhodes as the 2023 recipient of the Dean’s Award for Significant Contributions to Graduate Education. Rhodes, former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor emerita of music, Tar Heel alumna and parent, also served as a faculty member for 35 years. A lifelong advocate for the arts and humanities, she became dean in March 2020, previously serving as interim dean for one year. In 1987, she joined the faculty and has served the University in a variety of roles, including director of UNC Opera, chair of the department of music and faculty marshal. She is the first faculty member from the fine arts to be named dean of the College since it took its modern-day name in 1935.

In making the award, Beth Mayer-Davis, dean of The Graduate School, noted:

“The Graduate School is grateful Terry’s many contributions to graduate students at Carolina. From advocating for students from many areas of graduate study to securing funding for our students to thrive, her service to our University is well deserving of recognition.”