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Gang XiView profile

Associate Professor

• Signal Transduction
• Protein Posttranslational Modification
• Vascular Smooth Muscle Biology
• +4 more

Gang Xi, PhD serves as Associate Professor of Medicine within the Department of Medicine's Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. His research program investigates molecular mechanisms underlying vascular dysfunction in metabolic and renal diseases. Education: Undergraduate: Zhejiang University, China MS: Zhejiang University, China PhD: University of Minnesota Twin Cities Fellowship: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Research Focus: Dr. Xi's work centers on protein posttranslational modifications (phosphorylation, oxidation, ubiquitination) and signal transduction under hyperglycemic/oxidative stress conditions. His NIH-funded research examines vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype exchange in diabetic and uremic environments, while concurrently investigating autoantigen identification for minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) to enable precision diagnostics and individualized therapies. Research Support: Current work includes NIH-funded investigations into vascular smooth muscle cell regulation under metabolic stress conditions. Dr. Xi maintains active research collaborations within the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, mentoring trainees in molecular pathophysiology of diabetic complications and glomerular diseases.

Anne-Marie W. TurnerView profile

Assistant Professor

• HIV Latency
• Vascular Biology
• Epigenetics
• +5 more

Anne-Marie W. Turner serves as Assistant Professor of Medicine within the Department of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, with primary affiliation in the Division of Infectious Diseases and active collaboration with the HIV Cure Center. Her research spans two interconnected domains: HIV latency mechanisms and vascular biology, leveraging epigenetic approaches across both fields. Her research program focuses on epigenetic regulation in disease contexts , initially examining HIV latency through chromatin family proteins using small molecule inhibitors, shRNA knockdown, and CRISPR-targeting. Recent work has expanded significantly into vascular biology, with first-author publications in Nature Genetics (2022) and multiple high-impact cardiovascular papers since 2021. Key methodologies include single-nucleus chromatin accessibility profiling, nanopore-based integration site mapping, and bivalent chemical degraders (PROTACs). Current projects characterize intact provirus integration sites and investigate vascular calcification mechanisms through multi-ancestry genomics. Her publication trajectory reveals a strategic expansion from HIV-focused work to broader applications of epigenetic expertise in cardiovascular disease. Recent articles demonstrate leadership in single-cell meta-analysis of atherosclerosis, coronary artery calcification genetics, and vascular smooth muscle biology, often using innovative techniques like long-read nanopore sequencing. This interdisciplinary approach connects chromatin regulation across infectious and cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Turner maintains active collaborations across UNC departments including Biochemistry and Biophysics, the Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, and the HIV Cure Center. Her work receives substantial interdisciplinary recognition through co-authorship in journals spanning virology, cardiology, and genomics.

• Medical Education
• Student Wellbeing
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• +3 more

Dr. Yvonne Mbaki is a Reader in Medical Education (equivalent to Associate Professor) at Queen Mary University of London's Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, where she serves as Head of MBBS Year 1 and Deputy Head of MBBS (Early Years Curriculum). Her academic foundation includes a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Bradford, followed by an MSc in Neuroscience and PhD in Urology Pharmacology from University College London. Her research focuses on: Innovations in medical education pedagogy and curriculum design Student wellbeing during educational transitions Decolonizing medical curricula through equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) frameworks Physiological and pharmacological foundations of medical education She maintains active leadership roles in professional organizations including the Association for the Study of Medical Education (ASME), where she served as Honorary Secretary and EDI Lead. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals two distinct research phases: Early career focus on urological pharmacology and smooth muscle physiology (2008-2018) Current specialization in medical education research (2021-present), particularly addressing EDI reforms, student support systems, and pedagogical innovations Awards recognizing her contributions: Senior Fellowship of Advance HE (2018) Team Lord Dearing Award for enhancing student experience (2020) Individual Lord Dearing Award (2023) ASME Impact Award for curricular decolonization framework (2021) As academic lead for early medical training, she oversees curriculum delivery for 1000+ students annually and has pioneered virtual peer mentoring partnerships between institutions. She coordinates multidisciplinary teams implementing wellbeing initiatives and EDI reforms across the medical program.