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Bob Duronio, PhD, has been named Interim Chair for the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.


Bob Duronio, PhD, has been named Interim Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, effective Aug. 1. It was announced in March that William Goldman, PhD, would be stepping down as chair after 10 years in the position.

Duronio currently serves as the UNC School of Medicine’s Associate Dean for Research. In addition, he holds appointments as a professor of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences and a professor of genetics in the School of Medicine. He is a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and directs the Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences.

A decorated researcher and fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Duronio’s research focuses on the genetic and epigenetic control of animal development, with a specific emphasis on DNA replication and mechanisms of gene expression that regulate progression through the cell cycle. Duronio has received multiple awards including the Ruth and Phillip Hettleman Prize for Artistic and Scholarly Achievement, a Damon Runyon Scholar Award, a National Science Foundation Career Award, and recognition as an Academic Leadership Fellow at UNC’s Institute for the Arts and Humanities.

“Dr. Duronio brings ample scientific and administrative experience to this role and we are confident that he will provide strong leadership during the department’s transition to a new chair,” said Wesley Burks, MD, Executive Dean of the UNC School of Medicine.

A national search for a permanent chair for the department is currently underway.