The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) founding director Lonnie G. Bunch III spoke in a panel discussion at Duke School of Law, joined by Dr. Trina Jones (Law), and Dr. Thavolia Glymph (History). Dr. Bunch tells the story of the creation of the museum in his new book “A Fool's Errand: Creating the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the Age of Bush, Obama, and Trump.” At Duke, he shared the philosophies that guided his vision for the… read more about Drs. Jones and Glymph hosted Lonnie G. Bunch III for Duke Law panel discussion »
Dr. Kerry Haynie (PoliSci) was awarded the 2025 Mac Jewell Enduring Contribution Award of the American Political Science Association’s State Politics and Policy Section for the article, “Agenda Setting and Legislative Success in State Legislatures: the Effects of Gender and Race,” published in the Journal of Politics (1999). The award is given to the author(s) of a book or article published at least ten years prior that stands as an enduring contribution to the literature and will be presented in May at the… read more about Dr. Kerry Haynie awarded the 2025 Mac Jewell Enduring Contribution Award »
In a ceremony hosted by President Price, Provost Gallimore, and Vice Provost Watts Smith, Drs. Jasmine Cobb (AAAS), Brian McAdoo (NSoE), Tamika Nunley (History), Phia Salter (Psychology), and Gustavo Silva (Biology), have been awarded the prestigious Bass Chairs. This honor recognizes their contributions to undergraduate teaching and research. Members of the Bass Society of Fellows hold a named professor title for a five-year term, along… read more about Congratulations to the 2025 Duke Bass Chairs »
Dr. William “Sandy” Darity (Sanford) is among nearly 250 leaders from academia, the arts, industry, policy, research and science elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, one of the oldest learned societies in the United States. Dr. Darity’s research focuses on inequality by race, class and ethnicity, stratification economics, schooling and the racial achievement gap. Induction ceremonies for new members will take place in Cambridge, Mass., in October 2025. Congratulations Dr. Darity! Find out… read more about Dr. William Darity elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences »
As Keohane Distinguished Visiting Professor, Dr. Ashon Crawley (UVA) presented a series of public events at Duke and UNC on the theme of “Otherwise, We Are Down South Folk — Dirt, Water, Air.” Dr. Crawley’s art focuses on reconnecting people to place, his research and teaching experiences range from Black studies, performance theory, sound studies, philosophy and theology to Black feminist and queer theories. His three public events all connected to the Keohane theme for this year, Arts and the American… read more about Meet Dr. Ashon Crawley, Keohane Distinguished Visiting Professor for 2024/25 »
A newly formed team of Duke University researchers called Climate and Fungi (CLIF) research team led by Dr. Asiya Gusa (MGM), Dr. Andrew Jones (Pratt) and Dr. Erica Washington (MGM), collected samples from Black Mountain, one of the areas hit hardest by flooding during hurricane Helene. Every sample contained thriving fungal communities, even when taken from already mitigated areas, raising concerns about the efficacy of current remediation protocols. As climate change… read more about Drs. Gusa, Jones and Washington investigate post-disaster risks from fungi »
Dr. Allison Martin (SoM) has been awarded the 2025 Fund to Retain Clinical Scientists (FRCS) research supplement award. FRCS supports junior physician-scientist faculty members who manage significant caregiving responsibilities. Dr. Martin is an Assistant Professor of Surgery, and her research focuses on gastrointestinal surgery, surgical oncology, and societal determinants of health. Read more about the award here. read more about Dr. Allison Martin awarded the 2025 Fund to Retain Clinical Scientists »
Dr. Vicki Bogan (Sanford) is known for making complex financial concepts accessible, blending research with real-world applications. The honor places her in the top 5% of all undergraduate instructors in Trinity, based on student course evaluations in categories such as overall quality of the course, overall quality of the instructor, and intellectual stimulation. To earn this recognition, faculty had to receive strong student evaluations in at least one course and rank among the top instructors in… read more about Dr. Vicki Bogan Receives Honor as Top-Rated Instructor »
Dr. John Brown (Music) who has been serving as Vice Provost for the Arts since 2020 , has announced plans to return to his faculty position as of June 30th. "Serving as vice provost for the arts has been an incredible honor,” Brown said. “Over five years, we've all seen significant change, healing and unity through arts”. The vice provost for the arts is responsible for the overall direction of the arts across Duke, including overseeing Duke Arts Presents and the Rubenstein Arts Center. Provost Gallimore… read more about Dr. John Brown stepping down as Vice Provost for the Arts »
Dr. Gentzon Hall (SoM), was quoted about his experience in The Graduate School’s new mentorship training series given by the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) last fall. He shared that his own journey to Duke was influenced by his mentor whose dedication to teaching and research left a lasting impact on him. “Mentorship isn't just about imparting knowledge,” Hall said. “It’s about shaping the careers and lives of students.” Read the full story here read more about Dr. Gentzon Hall affirms the importance of mentorship »
Fibroids, a type of benign tumors, are more common in Black women, and they develop them at an earlier age with more severe symptoms. In this SoM Magnify article, Dr. Whitney Robinson (SOM) discusses her personal and professional connections to uterine fibroids and how her experiences have given her ideas and deepen her commitment to identify gaps and improve treatment for this underfunded and understudied condition. Dr. Robinson wants to give more options to women with fibroids, and she, working with… read more about Dr. Whitney Robinson reveals disparities in fibroid care »
In a talk to Fuqua’s LinkeIn page, Dr. Christopher Eaglin (Fuqua) makes a compelling case for the benefits of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) to lead sustainable and flourishing societies. In a series of recently accepted manuscripts, Dr. Eaglin discusses how SMEs offer significant benefits to their communities, their employees, and the entrepreneurs who lead them–individuals driven by purpose, autonomy and control. Watch the video here and access the papers in the Fuqua website.… read more about Dr. Christopher Eaglin: How Small Firms Help Sustainable Economies »
In this new profile Dr. Tracie Canada (Cul Anth) talks about her long-term ties to Duke as an alum and now faculty, her mentors, and her recently published book, Tackling the Everyday: Race and Nation in Big-Time College Football (UC Press, 2025). Dr. Canada also discusses Health, Ethnography, And Race Through Sports (HEARTS) Lab, her social sciences research hub connecting students, scholars, and the broader community through projects focused on sports in North Carolina. Learn more about Dr. Canada’s work… read more about Dr. Tracie Canada: Caring for Black Football Players On and Off the Field »
Dr. Patrick Smith is an Associate Research Professor of Theological Ethics and Bioethics (Divinity), and an Associate Professor in Population Health Sciences (SoM), and his work is at the intersection of bioethics, racial inequalities in health, and Black Church studies. In this recent spotlight, Dr . Smith talks about his family’s historical experiences in the Civil Rights Movement, his love for jazz, and how his philosophical ethics training brings unique perspectives to his teaching and leadership… read more about Dr. Patrick Smith: Making Bioethics about the People »
In a conversation with Dean Mary Klotman, Dr. Asiya Gusa (MGM) described her research on the intersection between climate and health. Her lab is studying the ways that environmental fungi adapt in response to stress to survive the environment-to-host transition, develop drug resistance and cause persistent human disease. Dr. Gusa describes the benefit of working in the Duke environment that brings together multiple disciplines to develop better antifungal drugs and novel therapies. Learn more about Dr… read more about Conversation with Dr. Asiya Gusa on Climate & Health »
Dr. Tomi Akinyemiju (Population Health) advocates for a greater emphasis on prevention and health equity arguing that Duke has an obligation to address health concerns in the local community. By using more personalized approaches for prevention, and using big data, AI and machine learning for risk prediction, Duke will be better equipped to identify emerging trends to get ahead of the curve and be better prepared to address problems like novel pandemics. Learn more here. read more about Dr. Tomi Akinyemiju on the future of Biomedical Science and Health Care »
Congratulations to Drs. Mike Wiley (Education) and Javier Wallace (AAAS) whose proposals were awarded funding for the 2025 Reuben-Cooke Fellows and Projects. The goal of the initiative is to generate collaboration between students and faculty that honors Ms. Reuben-Cooke’s legacy through North Carolina research and courses. Recipients will teach a course related to their funded project. Find out more about their new projects here. read more about Drs. Wiley and Wallace named 2025 Reuben-Cooke Fellows »
Dr. Opeyemi Olabisi (Medicine) was elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), one of the nation’s oldest medical honor societies. Dr. Olabisi’s research aims to develop innovative prevention and cure for POL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD), the most common form of genetic kidney disease in African Americans. Each year, the ASCI Council considers membership nominations of several hundred physician-scientists and recommends up to 100 candidates for election based on outstanding… read more about Dr. Opeyemi Olabisi elected to American Society for Clinical Investigation »
In a recent article to Nursing Outlook, Drs. Derrick Glymph, Ernest Grant and Michael P. Cary (Nursing) contribute to an oral history to emphasize the importance of mentorship, community support, and resilience as Black men in nursing. Systemic barriers such as implicit bias, limited access to advanced education, and lack of mentorship have been well-documented, but there is little literature highlighting the specific journeys of Black male nurse leaders and the strategies that facilitated… read more about Black Male Nurse Leaders Inspire Confidence and Resilience »
In an in-depth interview, Dr. Wylin Wilson (Divinity), author of Womanist Bioethics (2025) and Economic Ethics & the Black Church (2017) talks candidly about her childhood, hearing stories from family and community members with a recurring theme- the suffering of African Americans within the healthcare system. She gives a glimpse into her newest book, which is a response to Black Women’s health crisis in the U.S., opening space for conversation and social action centering race,… read more about How & Why Dr. Wylin Wilson Is Helping To Change Our World »
Dr. Asiya Gusa (SoM) co-authored a collaborative work on the dual role of fungi as a species-threatening force capable of devastating bats and frogs, and yet vital to the ecosystem and everyday life. The February issue of Nature Magazine features a review entitled “Fungal impacts on Earth’s ecosystems” they examine the fungal threats facing civilization and investigate opportunities to use fungi to combat these threats. Find out more. Nature Article link (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-… read more about Dr. Asiya Gusa: Fungi are Earth’s Friend and Foe »
Dr. Nathaniel Mackey (English) is the Reynolds Price Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing at Duke University and has been an intellectual and creative force for five decades. Dr. Mackey was a longtime professor at UC Santa Cruz and his poetry has always born a kind of mystic relationship with music. In an interview for UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, Dr. Mackey talks about his connections with jazz and collaborations with musicians that shaped his career. Read the full story here! read more about Celebrated Poet Dr. Nathaniel Mackey on Connections between Jazz and Language »
Dr. Kiesha Bentley-Edwards (Medicine), has been named to the 2025 Office for Faculty leadership programs at Duke University School of Medicine. She joins the Academic Leadership, Innovation, and Collaborative Engagement (ALICE) program, a 10-month leadership development opportunity for mid-career women faculty in the School of Medicine. The program empowers participants with in-depth experiences in leadership skill development, personal reflection and goal setting, peer mentoring, and structured 360-degree… read more about Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards named to Leadership Programs »
Dr. Kevin Saunders (Surgery) is the Associate Director of the Duke Health Vaccine Institute (DHVI). He said vaccine research has entered the rational design phase: “We’re working with molecules we’ve computationally designed.” Dr. Saunders is excited about the future of vaccines in human health. Dr. Saunders and the DHVI have three different programs that are all being spearheaded by groups at Duke: a pan-coronavirus vaccine, a pan-influenza vaccine, and an HIV vaccine. Read more read more about Dr. Kevin Saunders on What Comes Next Regarding Vaccines »
The way football is played and who plays it, from the pee-wees to the pros tells us so much about race, labor and power in the United States. Dr. Tracie Canada’s (Cul Anth) interview with NPR’s podcast “Code Switch” speaks about how Black college football players are nudged towards more physically taxing positions, which affects who gets injured, how they're cared for, and who benefits from it. Listen to the episode here.Dr. Canada's new book Tackling the Everyday is available at UC Press read more about Dr. Canada on NPR’s Code Switch: What Football Tells Us About Race in the U.S. »
A new documentary short film, “C.B.: Power to the Player”, tells the story of Dr. C.B. Claiborne, the first Black basketball player at Duke, and the changes his activism wrought that are felt even now. Drs. Javier Wallace and Martin Smith (Education) are co-leaders on the project. The two former college athletes conduct research and teach about the historical and cultural significance of the intersections between athletics and activism. Read more on Duke MagazineThe website… read more about Drs. Wallace and Smith: New documentary on C.B. Claiborne’s contribution to change Duke »
Dr. Thavolia Glymph (History) was awarded the Raymond Gavins Distinguished Faculty Award from the Cook Society honoring those whose work, research and service reflect Cook’s social activism and leadership. A historian of the U.S. South, Dr. Glymph has produced histories that uncovered important new stories that have reshaped our historical understanding of the Civil War and much of U.S. history.This award is named after Dr. Glymph’s late history department colleague (Dr. Raymond Gavins), the first… read more about Dr. Thavolia Glymph, 2025 Cook Society Honoree »
In an AAMC viewpoint article, Dr. Damon Tweedy (Psychiatry), describes a health care system built on the assumption that the mind and the body basically exist on different planets. From his training in medical school, to his practice today as Professor of Medicine at Duke, Dr. Tweedy outlines his experience of the breakdown between physical versus mental health care and the solutions he would like to see happen. Read his interview to AAMC here.Dr. Tweedy is the author of the 2024 book Facing the Unseen: The… read more about Dr. Damon Tweedy brings physical and mental health together »
Dr. Mark Anthony Neal (AAAS) delves into the evolution of Sam Cooke’s music and his own connection to the legend. Dr. Neal remembers being a 9-year-old child in 1975 in the South Bronx when Sam Cooke was the voice in the K-Tel commercials that introduced him to the music his parents had listened to. Neal expertly unfolds Sam Cook’s musical history that has complex roots in gospel, soul, and the civil rights movement. Read the full article here read more about “Nearer to Thee”: The Still Evolving Legacy and Politics of Sam Cooke by Dr. Mark Anthony Neal »
In a recent Duke Today article, Vice Provost John V. Brown (Music) shares his insights on teamwork and finding harmony between their music and professional careers. Dr. Brown discusses the roles and responsibilities of musicians individually and as part of team: “practicing is what you do individually”. But Dr. Brown says he’s seen both colleagues and students have lightbulb moments when playing in groups. They often see how their instrument fits in with the larger picture. Read more read more about Dr. John Brown is Striking a Chord in Life and Work »