Off the Top...

Four Undergraduates Whose Research Studies Are Winning Acclaim

Four rising seniors have been named Duke’s 2025 Faculty Scholars, the highest undergraduate honor awarded by the faculty, recognizing original research and academic excellence. Jorge Mato Frontela investigates cancer biology using computational tools; Miguel Cohen Suarez is advancing sustainable organic chemistry; Fletch Rydell is solving complex problems in computer architecture; and Trisha Santanam explores the emotional power of music and sound. Each student has already made significant contributions in their field and plans to pursue a Ph.D. after graduation.

Faculty Scholars

Federally Funded Research at Duke...

As the Planet Warms, Fungi Find a Way In

As the Earth continues to experience higher-than-usual temperatures, fungi, once harmless in the environment, are adapting to survive at those higher temperatures, including those inside the human body, posing a growing threat to public health. Experts warn we could be facing a silent crisis that disproportionately endangers people with weakened immune systems. At a recent Duke-led symposium, scientists emphasized the urgent need to understand how fungi evolve in a warming world, and how extreme weather events like floods create ideal conditions for dangerous molds. This kind of cutting-edge research—possible with federal funding—is essential to develop life-saving treatments and protect both people and ecosystems from emerging fungal threats.

This work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Fungi on the Forefront

More from Duke...

From Durham to the Frontlines: Duke Nurses in the 65th General Hospital

A new story from the Duke University Medical Center Archives highlights the pivotal role Duke nurses played in both military and medical history through their service in the 65th General Hospital and the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps. As young women trained on campus and at Fort Bragg, they faced wartime challenges with resilience and compassion, caring for over 17,000 patients overseas with remarkable success. Their efforts helped fill critical staffing gaps at Duke Hospital and transformed nursing education for decades to come. Today, their legacy lives on through archival collections, commemorative monuments and the generations of nurses they continue to inspire.

Nursing News

The Power of the Cherokee Language at Duke

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Cherokee language adopted by the Cherokee Nation. This is a landmark moment in language preservation created by Sequoyah, whose descendant, Professor Courtney Lewis, now leads Native American Studies at Duke. Through events like a Cherokee Scholars conference, a new language course, and a vibrant slate of cultural programming, Duke is working to honor, preserve, and celebrate Indigenous language and identity. Next year’s “Year of American Indian Pop Culture” will spotlight contemporary Indigenous creators, reinforcing the university’s commitment to visibility, education and community.

Language Learning

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