Norma Berryhill Distinguished Lecture

Speaker: John B. Buse, MD, PhD
When: September 29, 2025, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Roper Hall Active Learning Theater or virtually

Please register for the in-person lecture and reception by September 12.

Register

The NC TraCS Professional Development Seminar Series is open to anyone seeking exposure to foundational concepts in clinical/translational research such as communication skills, finding funding, career planning, and implementing research. The Finding Funding module focuses on what you need to know before applying for funding for biomedical research.

Seminars in the Finding Funding module are presented every 2 weeks from September 30 - November 14, in-person on Tuesdays from 12 - 2 p.m. ET and repeated via Zoom on Fridays from 12 - 2 p.m ET.

In-person | Bondurant Hall, room 2030
Tuesday, September 30: Introduction to Sponsored Research
Tuesday, October 14: NIH 101, or Anatomy of a Request for Funding Announcement
Tuesday, October 28: Working with Foundation/Industry Sponsors/ SPIN database
Tuesday, November 11: What is a pilot study?

Virtual | Zoom
Friday, October 3: Introduction to Sponsored Research
Friday, October 17: NIH 101, or Anatomy of a Request for Funding Announcement
Friday, October 31: Working with Foundation/Industry Sponsors/ SPIN database
Friday, November 14: What is a pilot study?

Join for the topics that interest you and on the days that work for you. Please register for the Zoom-only option if you are unlikely to participate in-person as space for the in-person option is limited.

Register

Discrete Choice Modeling

This course introduces participants to discrete choice models. These econometric models are used to explain how people choose between discrete outcomes, such as mode of travel to work or type of treatment for pain. The course will cover the subset of discrete choice models known as random utility models, namely the multinomial logit and nested logit. These models are often used in disciplines such as economics, transportation, and public health. No prior knowledge of discrete choice modeling is expected. Hands-on exercises will be conducted in Python.

Random utility models are used across many disciplines. They allow one to use regression techniques to model choices between multiple outcomes, something not possible with many other models. Unlike many other models of discrete outcomes, random utility models are interpretable—it is easy to see which predictor variables are associated with which choices. Random utility models are also consistent with rational economic theory, meaning that properly specified estimates can be interpreted as willingness-to-pay and transformed into dollar amounts to understand the welfare impacts of policy. This course will prepare participants both to estimate these models and to interpret and evaluate them when encountered in practice.

Participants should be familiar with linear regression. Some understanding of binary logistic regression, as well as experience using Python, is recommended not required.

Register

Discrete Choice Modeling

This course introduces participants to discrete choice models. These econometric models are used to explain how people choose between discrete outcomes, such as mode of travel to work or type of treatment for pain. The course will cover the subset of discrete choice models known as random utility models, namely the multinomial logit and nested logit. These models are often used in disciplines such as economics, transportation, and public health. No prior knowledge of discrete choice modeling is expected. Hands-on exercises will be conducted in Python.

Random utility models are used across many disciplines. They allow one to use regression techniques to model choices between multiple outcomes, something not possible with many other models. Unlike many other models of discrete outcomes, random utility models are interpretable—it is easy to see which predictor variables are associated with which choices. Random utility models are also consistent with rational economic theory, meaning that properly specified estimates can be interpreted as willingness-to-pay and transformed into dollar amounts to understand the welfare impacts of policy. This course will prepare participants both to estimate these models and to interpret and evaluate them when encountered in practice.

Participants should be familiar with linear regression. Some understanding of binary logistic regression, as well as experience using Python, is recommended not required.

Register

Determining if things are the same: Equivalence testing and agreement

The NC TraCS Biostatistics Seminar Series is appropriate for those with a basic familiarity with statistics. These seminars introduce topics not often included in STATS 101. In this seminar, Jeff Laux, PhD, will discuss how to determine if treatments, groups, assessments, etc., are the same rather than if they're different. This includes equivalence / non-inferiority testing, and the analysis of agreement.

Register

Please note: This seminar will not be recorded and materials will be shared during the seminar or with documented attendees only. Attendance may be gathered from Zoom attendance reports.

The NC TraCS Professional Development Seminar Series is open to anyone seeking exposure to foundational concepts in clinical/translational research such as communication skills, finding funding, career planning, and implementing research. The Finding Funding module focuses on what you need to know before applying for funding for biomedical research.

Seminars in the Finding Funding module are presented every 2 weeks from September 30 - November 14, in-person on Tuesdays from 12 - 2 p.m. ET and repeated via Zoom on Fridays from 12 - 2 p.m ET.

In-person | Bondurant Hall, room 2030
Tuesday, September 30: Introduction to Sponsored Research
Tuesday, October 14: NIH 101, or Anatomy of a Request for Funding Announcement
Tuesday, October 28: Working with Foundation/Industry Sponsors/ SPIN database
Tuesday, November 11: What is a pilot study?

Virtual | Zoom
Friday, October 3: Introduction to Sponsored Research
Friday, October 17: NIH 101, or Anatomy of a Request for Funding Announcement
Friday, October 31: Working with Foundation/Industry Sponsors/ SPIN database
Friday, November 14: What is a pilot study?

Join for the topics that interest you and on the days that work for you. Please register for the Zoom-only option if you are unlikely to participate in-person as space for the in-person option is limited.

Register

Mastering communication is not easy, but it is one of the most valuable skills graduate students and postdocs can develop for sharing their research effectively. This Fall, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs is offering a three-part virtual workshop series led by Danielle Hennis from Make it Memorable, focused on strengthening communication and presentation skills. Sessions will cover advanced PowerPoint techniques, the power of scientific storytelling, and effective data visualization strategies.

Each 1.5-hour workshop is highly practical and filled with tips and exercises that you can immediately apply to your own research presentations. Please note: sessions will be live and not recorded, so be sure to take advantage of them in real time.

As a bonus, a pre-series session - Deconstructing Presentations - is available as a limited-time recording through mid-October, providing a foundation on the psychology of audience memory. Learn more about the series and access the pre-series session at research.unc.edu/postdocs.

You’ve learned the theory of creating better slides—now it’s time to put it into practice using advanced PowerPoint tools! In this hands-on PowerPoint lab, you’ll discover how to transform your slides into professional, visually engaging presentations. This session will guide you in applying key design principles, such as aligning objects to utilize the Proximity Effect, replacing ineffective images and icons, and emphasizing critical sections of charts and graphs. You’ll also learn to create infographics using PowerPoint tools, apply the Rule of Thirds to enhance image appeal, and direct your audience’s attention effectively. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have the skills and confidence to turn theory into practice and make your presentations stand out.

Register

The Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH) program mentors and trains early career investigators to become independent interdisciplinary translational science researchers who study high priority areas in women’s health, explore biological sex influences on health and disease, and incorporate research strategies to improve women's health across the lifespan. Priority research areas include maternal health, metabolic disorders, behavioral health, infectious disease, and cancer.

Applicants must hold a doctoral degree and be at or below the rank of assistant professor (or assistant professor-eligible if being recruited to a faculty position). Learn more about the program at this virtual information session. Full details on eligibility, curriculum, and the application can be found at: med.unc.edu.