Dr. Chrystal Starbird
Welcome to the Starbird Lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Our lab is broadly focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of disease.
Building a scientific environment where everyone is supported fully in the development and pursuit of their ideas so that they can bring their creativity and curiosity to research.
Apr 28, 2026 - New Chapter 🎉
We have some really awesome (and kind of bittersweet) news. Our wonderful Research Technician, Nicole, will be leaving us soon. But don't fret everybody because SHE'S GOING TO GRAD SCHOOL 🎉 Our girl accepted an offer from UNC Chapel Hill and will be attending the BBSP program starting this Fall 2026. We are so incredibly proud of our resident Kookaburra. We're sad to see her go but happy that she's spreading her wings and leaving the nest. If you see her soaring around campus be sure to say hi!
Mar 02, 2026 - From the lab bench to the Bay 🧬✨ #SFBiophysics #BPS2026
The Starbirdaires had a fantastic time at the Biophysical Society conference this past week in San Francisco. We are so very fortunate to have had the opportunity to present our science to the community! Big shout out to all the cool people we met and all the great ideas we were given while there. Look out soon for updates from us about how presentations went (once I gather all the pictures 👀)!
Structural insights into the role and targeting of EGFRvIII
Atrish Bagchi, Steven E. Stayrook, Katerina T. Xenaki, Chrystal A. Starbird, Sofia Doulkeridou, Rachid el Khoulati, Rob C. Roovers, Karl R. Schmitz, Paul M.P. van Bergen en Henegouwen, Kathryn M. Ferguson, Structural insights into the role and targeting of EGFRvIII, Structure, 2024, , ISSN 0969-2126 [DOI]
Transforming myself and academia for good
Chrystal Starbird, Transforming myself and academia for good, Cell, Volume 184, Issue 4, 2021, Pages 851-853, ISSN 0092-8674 [DOI]