News

The student awardees were selected for their publication record, influence on the research direction of their laboratory, and noteworthy and distinctive contributions to the scientific and academic community.

Duke University School of Medicine celebrated top PhD students March 17 at the Dean’s Award for Research Excellence award ceremony. The Office of Biomedical Graduate Education coordinates the annual honors, which this year recognized four outstanding graduate students for their research of cancer, brain development, brain disorders, and the role of proteins in transporting ions and lipids—an essential biological process.

Two PhD students in the Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology have been awarded 2025 American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowships.  Akua “Nana” Acheampong is a student in the lab of Laura Wingler, PhD.  Katherine Hall is a student in the lab of Nina Tsvetanova, PhD.  

Research led by Greg Wang, PhD, shows how clusters of cancer cells called NUP98 fusions lead to leukemia. The study was published in the journal in Molecular Cell.

The Duke Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology ranks seventh in the nation in NIH funding, based on grants awarded during the federal fiscal year ending September 30, 2024.

The National Institutes of Health's proposal to cap reimbursement of facilities and administrative (F&A) costs on research grants at 15% would significantly slow or cease scientific and biomedical research at Duke and other research institutions. Here is an explanation of what F&A costs are and why they are such a critical piece of the research endeavor.

Dr. Oliver is focused on understanding the biology of under-studied subtypes of lung cancer, specifically squamous and small cell lung cancer. Her lab investigates mechanisms of tumor development, plasticity, and drug resistance to uncover vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically targeted.

Nikoleta Tsvetanova, PhD, assistant professor of pharmacology and cancer biology, has been awarded the 2025 Division for Molecular Pharmacology Early Career Award from the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET).

Donald McDonnell, PhD, Glaxo-Wellcome Distinguished Professor of Molecular Cancer Biology, has been awarded the Endocrine Society’s J

G. Greg Wang is among faculty in the School of Medicine who have been promoted or appointed to the rank of full professor.