People

Chrystal Starbird

Chrystal Starbird completed her undergraduate work at UNC Chapel Hill and spent a few years afterwards working in academic and industry labs before returning to UNC to complete a year-long PREP program. Following this, Dr. Starbird completed her graduate work in chemical and physical biology at Vanderbilt University. She completed her postdoctoral work as a MOSAIC K99/R00 postdoctoral fellow in the Cancer Biology Center at Yale before moving into her current position as faculty in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at UNC Chapel Hill. As a non-traditional student in many ways, Dr. Starbird is a strong advocate for mentoring and publishes regularly on strategies to maximize the impact of mentoring and building a safe, welcoming lab. When not in the lab, Chrystal can usually be found searching for the next waterfall to visit with her family (partner and three children).
 
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Steven J. Moran

Steven completed his undergraduate work at Methodist University, during which he conducted microbial ecology research at UNC Chapel Hill Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead City, NC. He then went on to receive his M.S. in Biology at UNC Greensboro and Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where he fulfilled his training as a molecular virologist. Shortly after finishing graduate school, he completed postdoctoral training and a visiting postdoctoral scholarship at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and Duke University School of Medicine in molecular virology and immunology. Steven joined the Starbird lab in June 2025 as a postdoctoral research associate investigating RNA virus spread through TAM receptor tyrosine kinases using biochemical and biophysical approaches. In his spare time, he is an avid music listener and vinyl collector, appreciator of flowers, and an iced chai latte enthusiast.
 
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Maria Camila Arango

Camila received her B.S. in Physics from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2020. There she enrolled in the early entry master’s program in Applied Physics, working on characterizing protein-DNA interactions of the sleeping beauty transposase, one of the leading non-viral vectors for gene therapy, and graduated in December of 2022. Subsequently, Camila joined the Starbird lab in February of 2023 as one of the first research technicians, where she helped establish the lab. Camila returns to the Starbird lab as a graduate student, where she will investigate the lipid:receptor:ligand complex of TAM receptors using biophysical approaches such as single-molecule tracking and structural approaches like cryoEM. Camila enjoys hiking, exploring new coffee/boba places, and crafting her own jewelry.
 

Johnna Bingham

Johnna received her B.A in Biology from Mary Baldwin College (now University).  There she studied avian malarial parasite burden on nest defensive behaviors in Red-eyed Vireos. She then enrolled into the Interdisciplinary Master’s Program at NC State a program funded by NSF.  There she studied acetylene hydratase, a tungsten containing metalloenzyme important for environmental degradation of chlorinated solvents.  Johnna joined the Starbird lab in August as a rotation student studying TAM receptor ligand binding complexes with human gas6 a ligand for AXL.  Johnna enjoys playing soccer (played in college for Mary Baldwin College), bike riding and karaoke. We are excited to now welcome Johanna to the Starbird lab as a new graduate student!
 

Skylar Grimsley

Skylar received her B.S. in Biology from Norfolk State University (BEHOLD) through the Dozoretz National Institute for Mathematics and Applied Sciences Program. Before beginning graduate school, she was a participant in the Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) at the University of Illinois Chicago. Here, Skylar joined the Minshall lab in studying how elevated concentrations of glycosphingolipids in breast cancer patients, when incorporated onto the surface of endothelial cells, affect junctional stability and thus, the metastasis of breast cancer cells. Skylar excitedly joined the Starbird lab in September of 2023. She is currently working on a precision medicine research project to evaluate the function of the ABCA7 gene in lipid regulation and trafficking in the context of Alzheimer’s disease. Skylar is an avid traveler, having lived in Ohio, Virginia, Illinois, and now North Carolina in just 3 years. Skylar is also a passionate movie watcher and Atlantic Ocean enthusiast.
 

Lesley Alessandra Canseco

Lesley graduated from UNC with a B.S. in Exercise Sport Science & Biology and a minor in Chemistry! Currently, she is part of the Starbird lab as a PRISM Scholar during her gap year as she applies to medical school. Along with being an enthusiastic member of the Starbird Lab, she is a part of the CUAB committee promoting student life events on campus. She also actively participates in the UNC Pulso Scholars program, mentoring pre-medical students at UNC! Outside of the lab, Lesley enjoys hanging out with friends and watching musicals/plays (her favorite jumps between In the Heights and Chicago depending on the day) all around the Triangle. At home, she enjoys frequenting the beach and Line Dancing at her favorite spot in Carolina Beach. Lesley joined the Starbird lab in October of 2023, and her research focuses on elucidating the interactions of apolipoproteins with ABCA7 variants associated with the development of Alzheimer's Disease.
 

Nicole Fournier

Nicole received her B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of California, Riverside in June of 2021. During her undergraduate studies, she had the opportunity to participate in the UCR FIELDS program doing a summer research internship at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Her project focused on finding a way to integrate space technology with biomedical applications. After graduation, Nicole shifted focus and volunteered in an Entomology lab working with Bombus impatiens. As part of the Starbird lab, Nicole works on protein purification of TAM Receptor:Ligand complexes and uses cryoEM to look at structural changes in these complexes. Nicole has a huge passion for knowledge and is always looking to learn something new. She also enjoys traveling and wildlife conservation. You can almost always find Nicole reading a book or near a body of water.
 
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Mo’Asia Bagley

Asia is a second-year Biology major with minors in Neuroscience and Chemistry at UNC Chapel Hill. She joined the Starbird Lab in Fall 2025 as a Laboratory Assistant and is eager to begin engaging in hands-on research. Originally from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, Asia is an active member of the UNC Cheerleading Team and can be seen in person and on television supporting UNC athletic events, including basketball, football, volleyball, and gymnastics. Deeply committed to community engagement, Asia frequently volunteers and makes appearances at UNC Hospitals as a cheerleader. During her time as an undergrad, she serves as a Biology Peer Mentor and tutor and is passionate about student learning. Outside of academics, Asia enjoys thrifting, creating beaded jewelry, and pottery. She also loves live music, favorite artists including Lana Del Rey and Frank Ocean. Asia is excited to contribute to scientific discovery and make a meaningful impact within her lab community!
 

Amere Tucker

Amere is a first year Biology major at UNC Chapel Hill and a lab assistant in the Starbird Lab, which she joined in Fall 2025. Originally from Charlotte, NC, she also works as a retail associate and enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. Outside of academics, she loves thrifting, working out, exploring new restaurants, and watching her favorite film “The Princess and the Frog” and show “Hunter x Hunter”. She’s a huge fan of R&B/Soul music, with Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild as her current favorite artists. Amere is excited to expand her scientific knowledge, build meaningful connections, and contribute to the lab’s research community