The project titled, Building Community Across Divisions: Celebrating Success and Collaboration at the Nicholas School of the Environment was awarded one of six Faculty Advancement Seed Grants for 2025-26 with the theme, “Deepening Engagement and Improving the Faculty Experience.” Dr. Brian McAdoo (NSoE) and an interdisciplinary team plan to celebrate the successes of environmental science with a series of field trips to develop stronger relationships and be reminded of their shared purpose. Find… read more about Dr. Brian McAdoo awarded OFA seed grant »
Stephen L. Hayes is the new Esbenshade Assistant Professor of the Practice of Art, Art History and Visual Studies, whose art, draws on social and economic themes ingrained in the history of America and African Americans. Dr. Divine Kumah is the new Charles H. Townes Associate Professor of Physics, whose research interests are in experimental condensed matter physics and are aimed at understanding the novel electronic and magnetic properties which emerge at the interfaces between crystalline materials. Click… read more about Professors Hayes and Kumah honored with named professorships »
Dr. Lee D. Baker (Cul Anth & AAAS) has been appointed Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education. Dr. Baker has been a member of the faculty for 30 years with long experience in leadership as Chair of the Arts & Sciences Council, Dean of Academic Affairs and Chair of Cultural Anthropology, among others. The position’s primary mission is to provide a transformative educational experience to all undergraduates at Duke by offering academic support, research and scholarly community, and experiential… read more about Dr. Lee Baker Appointed Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education »
Dr. Kerry Haynie (Poli Sci) will begin a new term as Dean of Social Sciences on July 1st following three years in the role. Dr. Haynie, who recently received the 2025 Mac Jewell Enduring Contribution Award of the American Political Science Association’s State Politics and Policy Section for the lasting influence on the field, will oversee the Division of Social Sciences, which includes 11 departments and programs, two certificate programs, and affiliations with 15 centers, institutes, and schools. Click… read more about Dr. Kerry Haynie reappointed Dean of Social Sciences »
Dr. Nwora Lance Okeke (SoM) received the 2025 Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) Award for Contributing to the Diversity and Inclusiveness of the Translational Workforce. Dr. Okeke is known as a transformative leader in the field of HIV research and clinical practice, who founded the Duke Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Evidence2Practice (E2P) initiative, an NIH-funded outreach program to promote careers in HIV patient-oriented research and implementation to HBCU students. Read more… read more about Dr. Lance Okeke received ACTS award for diversity and inclusion »
The web series “Left of Black”, received the honor of nomination for Best Video Series in the category of Science & Education in the 29th Annual Webby Awards, the leading international award honoring excellence on the internet. For fifteen years, Left of Black, created by Dr. Mark Anthony Neal (AAAS), has been the premiere platform to spotlight the increasingly essential subject of Black Studies and its relevance to university pedagogy and the world-at-large. Read more read more about Left of Black Web Series Nominated for the 29th Annual Webby Awards »
At the African American Legacy in Gardening and Horticulture Symposium, a day of exploring aspects of African American connections to land history and healing, Dr. Jarvis McInnis (English) challenged the notion that Black communities are disconnected from nature. Using the framework of his newest book Afterlife of the Plantation, he emphasized how stories and landscapes serve as bridges between past and present and how literary traditions have captured Black ecological thought. Read more here. read more about Dr. Jarvis McInnis, Amplifying Black Voices in Environmental Literature and Media »
Dr. Naiima Khahaifa (AAAS) joined Duke in 2024 and as an Assistant Professor of African & African American Studies at Trinity. Dr. Khahaifa is studying the relationships between solidarities and tensions that emerge, particularly between Black incarcerated men and Black women correctional officers. She is now the recipient of the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) Fellowship that will allow her to continue investigations for her book project, “Making Prisons Work”. See the abstract here read more about Dr. Naiima Khahaifa receives ACLS Fellowship »
Following the publication of her book, Tackling the Everyday: Race and Nation in Big-Time College Football, Dr. Tracie Canada (Cul Anth) has been recently awarded a prestigious NSF CAREER award, The Science of Risk Assessment. The award provides Dr. Canada 5 years to study decision-making processes in adolescence and young adulthood regarding their risks of injury, especially concussion and brain trauma. Congratulations Dr. Canada! See the award details here read more about Dr. Tracie Canada awarded NSF Career Award »
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 »
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 »