5 early-career faculty win 2026 Hettleman Prizes
The annual awards go to those who exemplify groundbreaking and innovative research.
Carolina alumnus Phillip Hettleman (1921) and his wife, Ruth, established their prestigious award in 1986 to recognize the achievements of outstanding junior faculty. The recipients of the $8,000 prize will be recognized at an upcoming Faculty Council meeting. They will also present their research during UNC Research Week, Oct. 19-23.
“The most consequential investments in science are made before the outcomes are certain, when the questions are hardest and the potential is greatest. As the future of the research enterprise, early-career faculty exemplify this potential,” said Penny Gordon-Larsen, vice chancellor for research. “This year’s Hettleman Prize recipients are pursuing the questions that will shape scientific understanding and human health for decades, from how planets form in young solar systems to how RNA regulates gene expression to how communities adapt to extreme weather. Carolina’s commitment to recognizing and supporting our emerging talent reflects our passion for discovery.”
This year’s Hettleman Prize awardees are:
- Daniel Dominguez, pharmacology, UNC School of Medicine
- Miyuki Hino, city and regional planning, UNC College of Arts and Sciences, Carolina Population Center and UNC Institute for the Environment
- Andrea Knittel, obstetrics and gynecology, UNC School of Medicine
- Andrew Mann, physics and astronomy, UNC College of Arts and Sciences
- Carmina Valle, nutrition, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.
Read below to learn about their research.
Daniel Dominguez’s work is reshaping the field of RNA biology by uncovering how RNA regulation can go wrong, opening new avenues for therapeutic development and advancing a deeper understanding of fundamental biological processes.
“I am honored to receive this award, as it reflects the dedicated efforts of the students and postdocs in my group,” Dominguez said. “Their willingness to tackle difficult and complex questions and to develop innovative methods for deciphering the underlying biology has been the driving force behind our work.”
Miyuki Hino’s research is transforming how policymakers, planners, and researchers understand climate adaptation by highlighting the cumulative effects of everyday environmental stressors and the social systems that shape vulnerability.
“Receiving this award is an enormous honor and a wonderful reflection of the dedication and creativity of my students, mentors and collaborators,” Hino said. “We look forward to continuing our work to help more communities thrive in the face of climate threats.”
Andrea Knittel focuses on understanding and addressing the obstetric and gynecologic health of pregnant and postpartum individuals in prisons, bringing attention to a historically understudied population and developing evidence-based approaches to improve care.
“We cannot change what we don’t see, or don’t measure, and I look forward to continuing the work of my team shining light into an often quite dark space,” Knittel said.
Andrew Mann’s research is helping define one of the most exciting frontiers in astrophysics: understanding how planetary systems, including those that could support life, form and evolve.
“We live in a remarkable time in astronomy, as we now have the tools to catch planets in the act of forming,” Mann said. “Receiving this award highlights the growing interest in studying the origin of planets like our own.”
Carmina Valle is advancing cancer prevention and survivorship care by demonstrating how digital tools can deliver scalable and cost-efficient health interventions.
“This recognition reflects the extraordinary mentors and faculty with whom I have had the privilege of collaborating, the dedication and contributions of staff and students, and the generosity of cancer survivors who partner with us in research and inspire this work,” Valle said. “I am truly grateful for the supportive community at Gillings, Lineberger and UNC.”
