Office of Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development
Q3 Newsletter
MAP 2025-2026
The 2025-2026 Mentoring Advice Program (MAP) has welcomed the 7th cohort of MAP participants. These participants will be attending 10 sessions dedicated to helping early-career faculty develop valuable skills. Each mentee has been paired with a mentor to work on goals they’ve set for themselves. Congratulations to them all for demonstrating commitment to career growth!
BSOM offers Distinction Tracks aligned with its core missions. These tracks formally recognize exceptional student accomplishments and support professional development by allowing students to explore areas of personal interest. The OFALD team, M2 Student Ben Greenly and his mentor, Dr. Mary Katherine Donovan celebrated his accomplishments at the final poster reception in July.
Dr. Sky Reece, Teaching Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology is pictured with a D1 student at the School of Dental Medicine. The SoDM celebrates the campus partners like Dr. Reece who help to deliver important pieces of the basic sciences education.
TEAME COHORT 2025
TREASURED VISITORS
Teammates from the football team recently visited the local children’s hospital in honor of the Paint it Gold game for pediatric cancer.
RESEARCH DISTINCTION TRACK
Orientation for the Research Distinction Track Scholars was recently held by the Office of Medical Education. This event was a kickoff to the Leadership Development thread. Dawn Young and Daniel Stevens led a session that allowed the scholars to explore their own style and philosophy.
FAIR USE OF COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS
Dr. Philip Boyer, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology, discussed major features of copyright law as it relates to materials used in medical education and how unattributed use of items created by someone else constitutes plagiarism. Participants examined factors which provide guidance regarding protected use of copyrighted materials and determined appropriate attribution.
CV/RESUME BUILDING
Dr. Salma Syed, Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, facilitated a workshop discussing the importance of a CV/resume and explored key elements to effectively highlight experience and skills. while maintaining clarity and professionalism.
New M1 curriculum
NIH/NICHD R01 GRANT
Title: Membrane protein-mediated signaling as a driver of spermiogenesis – investigating new molecules and mechanisms
Dr. Chris Geyer was awarded with a 4th NIH grant in July, 2025. Dr. Geyer’s lab recently discovered a gene called TMC5 that is essential for the final steps of making mature, functional sperm. Azoospermia, is a major cause of male infertility. The lab is now using advanced imaging, gene editing, and lab models to better understand how TMC5 works, which could lead to new insights into the causes of infertility.
BSOM QUARTERLY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
In September, Amanda Williams, Deputy General Counsel and Associate Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs, and Executive Dean Higginson provided the BSOM Leadership Academy with important legal updates, upcoming changes scheduled for implementation by Spring 2026, and other key information relevant to the institution.
Participants look forward to the final quarterly session of 2025 which will be held December 16 at AHEC.
Welcome New BSOM Faculty
Dr. Ahmed Elamir - Radiation Oncology
Dr. Brianna Williams - Psychiatry and Behavior Medicine
Dr. Lori Sampsell - Comparative Medicine
Dr. Steve Mow - Family Medicine
Dr. Katie Murphy - Family Medicine
Dr. Sean Vidulich - Family Medicine
Dr. Aaron Parkinson – Family Medicine
Dr. Katayoon Dowlatshahi - Family Medicine
Dr. Robin Wolschendorf - Pediatric Cardiology
Dr. Meredith Sooy Mossey - Pediatric Cardiology
Dr. Lauren Davis - Pediatric Critical Care
Dr. Qiao Wang - Public Health
Dr. Kryscilla Yang - Surgery
Dr. Ashley Quinn- Surgery
Dr. Meshka Anderson - Surgery
WELCOME ABOARD, SIMULATION EDUCATORS!
BSOM MISSION CHAMPION
Dr. Jennifer Stahl was recently honored with the Mission Champion Award. She is a compassionate mentor and leader, continuously enhancing educational programs to support fellows' growth. Dr. Stahl was named the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Robert & Jon Shaw Distinguished Professorship and also received the Dr. Robert Shaw Pulmonary Award for her dedication to the PCCM Fellowship.
2025 Tate Holbrook Annual Sickle Cell Disease Update
The dynamic day held on September 6, at AHEC focused on exploring cutting-edge research in sickle cell care, engaging in impactful discussions around treatment, access, and patient support. Jacque Sauls’ commitment to the field was celebrated with presentation of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor in the state. The award was presented by North Carolina State Representative Dr. Tim Reeder. Jacque’s impact to the community has been truly invaluable and appreciated by the families she served.
Country Doctor Museum
FROM REFLECTION TO PRACTICE: DEVELOPING YOUR TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
The Skills of Networking
RESOLVING LEARNER CONFLICTS
Dr. Carl Haisch, Vice Chair of Education, Professor of Surgery, gave a presentation on Resolving Learner Conflicts in early October. Participants were able to learn more about avoiding conflict with learners and outlined the steps to take in dealing with conflict in a healthy and respectful manner.
OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM (ORP)
Trina Baker opened the floor for questions to participants at this session in September. The program is an option or alternative to the North Carolina Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) for faculty and staff. Under the ORP, an employee controls their investment choices, distribution methods, and retirement goals, whereas the State controls the investments under TSERS.
WELCOME ABOARD, ACADEMIC AFFAIRS LEADERSHIP!
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
Above and Beyond Spotlights
Brody Alumni Reunion 2025
This annual celebration is the largest alumni gathering of the year. Everyone is welcome including BSOM faculty, staff, students, ECU Health residents, and fellows, as well as friends and family! Don’t miss the fun! Register today! The weekend kicks off with the Brody Tailgate on Saturday, November 8, as ECU takes on Charlotte. This a fun, family-friendly event! Show your Pirate Pride and reconnect with the Brody community!
Congratulations to Dr. Stefan Clemens, Department of Physiology, who recently published the article Sleep Related Movement Disorders: What's New and Changing Clinical Practice in the Journal of Sleep Research. Dr. Clemens also submitted the article: Dopamine Receptors in Restless Legs Syndrome and Augmentation: A Novel Perspective Focused on D1 and D3 Receptor Dynamics in the Official Journal of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society,
Teachers of Quality Academy
The ECU Office for Faculty Excellence and the ECU Faculty Senate are excited to offer workshops on Reappointment, Tenure and Promotion as a series! Most sessions will be recorded and posted. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this series, please contact the ECU Office for Faculty Excellence at ofe@ecu.edu or (252) 328-1426.
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The Office for Faculty Excellence has joined with campus partners to offer a Grant Writing Series which discusses topics such as grant-making, to proposals, reviewers, eTRACS, funding and more!
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Activate your FREE membership to the NCFDD for on-demand access to mentoring, tools and support for faculty. Need to activate your free membership?
1) Go to https://www.ncfdd.org/join
2) Choose your institution from the drop-down menu.
3) Select “Activate my Membership”
4) Complete the registration form using your ecu.edu email address (i.e. @ecu.edu)
5) Go to your ecu.edu email to find a confirmation email. Click “Activate Account” in the confirmation email
BSOM Summer Program for Future Doctors
The Summer Program for Future Doctors (SPFD) is a great opportunity for students on the pre-med track to strengthen their knowledge of the basic sciences, enhance their critical thinking skills, gain a better understanding of the application and admissions process to medical school and assess their ability to successfully handle the demands of medical school.
27th Neuroscience Symposium
The Eastern Carolina Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience (ECCSfN) invites you to attend the 27th Annual Neuroscience Symposium! It is open to anyone with an interest in neuroscience (research, clinical, and applied). The event will be held in-person and offers a wonderful line-up of talks from experts from Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and East Carolina University. It will also have a poster session involving presentations from undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, resident physicians, and medical students. The Symposium will again be held on Halloween and costumes are encouraged! Dr. Andrew West will be the keynote speaker to provide: Genetic Risks and New Toxicant Challenges in Neurodegenerative Diseases
SAVE THE DATE!
BSOM Medical Education Day will be held: April 30, 2026
10th Annual Quality Health Improvement Symposium will be held January 28, 2025
Visit the Office of Faculty Affairs & Leadership Development Website