Four appointments in 2020 have expanded the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases’ Leadership Team. The team’s members bring unique expertise, experience, and perspectives from across the University of North Carolina’s health science schools to set strategy and lead the growth of one of UNC’s preeminent research centers.
“Since our founding in 2007, the Institute has grown into a premier academic health center that advances UNC’s goal of becoming a leading global public university,” says Institute Director Myron Cohen, MD. “We conduct preeminent research along with excellent service and clinical care, but it’s our culture of collaboration and trust that truly distinguishes us. Tapping the remarkable energy of these colleagues will strengthen our Leadership Team while building the pipeline of global health leaders that the world needs in the years ahead.”
Named to the team in 2020 are:
Jonathan Juliano, MD, Associate Director
Jonathan Juliano runs a molecular parasitology and genetics laboratory at UNC and serves as associate program director of the Infectious Diseases fellowship program. With over a decade of experience working overseas and in programmatic development, he brings an interest in strategic planning and strengthening the research infrastructure to his appointment to the Leadership Team.
Yuri Fedoriw, MD, Global Cancer Pathology Director
Yuri Fedoriw’s research interests focus on the biology and classification of lymphoproliferative disorders, primarily associated with HIV infection. Collaborating with our team in Malawi, he runs weekly telepathology conferences to support both the clinical and research efforts. Clinically, he supports the selection and interpretation of immunohistochemical stains for cancer diagnosis, educating laboratory staff and pathologists, and verifying diagnoses in Chapel Hill. With new research funding, he is extending UNC’s telepathology cancer services from Malawi throughout sub-Saharan Africa, and ultimately developing a regional infrastructure for diagnosis and tissue-based studies.
William Fischer, MD, Director of Emerging Pathogens
With growing expertise in critical care medicine and severe viral pathogens, William Fischer has been at the frontlines of UNC Health’s treatment team as COVID-19 hit North Carolina in 2020. The World Health Organization has deployed him overseas to help manage the Lassa Fever outbreak in Nigeria, Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and COVID-19 in Asia and Europe.
Michael Herce, MD, MPH, MSc, Associate Director of Operations
Michael Herce’s clinical work includes HIV care, tropical medicine, and tuberculosis management. His research interests are in global health equity, clinical and public health program implementation, and issues of access to HIV prevention, treatment and care for key and marginalized populations in sub-Saharan Africa. He plans to support the Institute’s fundraising, strategy development, and partnership building, particularly with local governments and NGO partners. He also plans to promote and coordinate synergies between the Institute, Infectious Diseases Division, and global health researchers in the UNC School of Medicine, UNC Gillings School of Public Health, and other UNC schools, institutes, and departments.
The newest appointees join the current Leadership Team:
- Myron Cohen, MD, Director
- Peggy Bentley, PhD, Associate Director for Education
- Jeff Stringer, MD, Associate Director for Research
- Irving Hoffman, PA, MPH, Director of International Operations
- Clare Barrington, PhD, Latin America Programs Director
- Anthony Charles, MD, MPH, Director of Global Surgery
- Amanda Corbett, PharmD, Global Pharmacology Coordinator
- Joseph Tucker, MD, PhD, MA, China Projects Director
- Robin Criffield, BA, Program Administrator
- Diana Stanley, MSPH, Administrative Director for Research and Compliance