Julie Marchesan has been contributing to research at Carolina for 11 years.
Julie Marchesan has worked for UNC-Chapel Hill in a variety of roles, most recently as an associate professor at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry.
What brought you to Carolina?
When I was considering options for my postdoctoral training, Steve Offenbacher and Jenny Ting were world leaders in the fields of periodontal, or gum, inflammation and innate immunity. During my first visit to Adams School of Dentistry, it became clear that both researchers were not only knowledgeable but approachable.
After receiving a PhD from the University of Michigan, I came to Carolina as a postdoc. I was interested in understanding how the innate immune response — the first line of defense against invading pathogens — could impact periodontal disease development and was committed to writing an NIH-award to support me on this journey.
There was also a general sense of camaraderie at Carolina that quickly stood out during my visit. The combination of the facilities and the people convinced me that the environment would allow me to develop the research I envisioned.
How has your role here changed over the years?
Since 2013, I have been focused on research, with 25% of my effort split between clinical care and teaching. In 2017, I transitioned from lecturer to director of a foundational course within the Doctor of Dental Surgery curriculum.
I continued leading the course during the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition between two dental curriculums. The number of students enrolled in the course (80-100 students a year) and the additional stress that arose during that period forced me to optimize my problem-solving ability. I greatly enjoyed the professional bond that developed with other course leaders.
My research group has expanded in size and across disciplines. In the dental field, I collaborate with experts in microbiology, virology, bone regeneration, dental hygiene, and endodontics. Outside dentistry, I work with researchers from the School of Medicine that are basic science experts or clinical investigators. I have also helped develop a collaboration between our clinical research and a community dental clinic, which provides care to underserved populations. The experience I had over the years at Carolina allowed me to develop as a better leader and have greater impact in the dental field.
What’s kept you at Carolina?
I came to UNC-Chapel Hill because I was seeking to expand the knowledge I had. I stayed because of the special bond I developed with the people I worked with over the years. Carolina is a special place to me — I feel that I belong here.
What contribution are you most proud of?
A $3.6 million grant that I received from the NIH last year to study innate immune sex differences in periodontal disease development. This award is the result of several years of collaborative hard work.
What is a uniquely Carolina experience you’ve had?
The national and international relevance of the research being developed here is very inspiring to me. In 2015, during my postdoctoral training, Aziz Sancar received a Nobel Prize for his work on DNA repair. Seeing a faculty member from my institution recognized for their work at the highest level was distinctive. That celebratory moment on campus helped cement the importance of elaborating a well-founded, relevant research question.
On a lighter note, meeting Santa Claus dressed up in Carolina blue during my first winter here was also a unique experience. My children were blown away to learn that UNC-Chapel Hill was so special that it justified changing the color of Santa’s outfit.
Rooted recognizes long-standing members of the UNC-Chapel Hill community who have aided in the advancement of research by staying at Carolina. They are crucial to the UNC Research enterprise, experts in their fields, and loyal Tar Heels. Know someone we should feature? Nominate a researcher.