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James E. Bear, PhD, is a UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center member and cell biologist with interests in the regulation of actin dynamics, directional cell motility and invasive tumor cell behavior

PhD
Professor, Cell Biology and Physiology, and Pharmacology
Co-Leader, UNC Lineberger Cancer Cell Biology Research Program
UNC-Chapel Hill
Cancer Cell Biology

Area of Interest

I am a cell biologist with interests in the regulation of actin dynamics, directional cell motility and invasive tumor cell behavior. I have expertise in multiple imaging modalities including quantitative live-cell microscopy and intravital imaging of tumors and tumor-associated cells using multi-photon microscopy. Since coming to UNC-Chapel Hill as an assistant professor in 2003, I have risen through the ranks to full professor. In 2014, I became the co-leader of the Cancer Cell Biology Program at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. In addition, I serve in several leadership capacities such as serving as the founding faculty advisor of the newly created Hooker Imaging Core. I have a strong commitment to graduate and postdoctoral training having trained 10 PhD students and 9 postdoctoral fellows in the last 15 years, including three that are already in faculty positions.

Find publications on PubMed

Awards and Honors

  • Jeffrey Houpt Distinguished Investigator Award, 2017
  • Omicron Delta Kappa, Honoris Causa, Davidson College circle, 2015
  • Judge, Olympus BioScapes Image Competition, 2013
  • Ruth and Phillip Hettleman Prize for Artistic and Scholarly Achievement, 2010
  • HHMI Early Career Scientist, 2009-2015
  • Jefferson-Pilot Award, 2008
  • Sontag Foundation, Distinguished Scientist Award, 2006
  • Melanoma Research Foundation Junior Faculty Award, 2005
  • V Foundation Scholar Award, 2004
  • Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Special Fellow, 2001-2004
  • Anna Fuller Molecular Oncology Fellow, 1999-2000
  • Phi Beta Kappa, Davidson College chapter, 1993
  • Samuel H. Bell Memorial Scholar, Davidson College, 1989-1993