James E. Bear

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.

• 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