Nooshin KianvashRad credits UNC Greensboro with helping her to better recognize herself.
The Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) has shown her that she is indeed a leader, one whose confidence and skills continue to grow every day with each new challenge — whether pursuing better cancer outcomes in the lab, being a voice for UNCG graduate students, or sharing her passion for science at a community event.
From Setbacks to Strength
Originally from Iran, KianvashRad experienced a tumultuous arrival to the United States.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, she delayed her JSNN admission acceptance twice, and when her departure day finally arrived, she experienced challenging obstacles during her travel.
Regardless of these impediments, the University welcomed KianvashRad and assisted her through this transition. “The UNCG community is very supportive,” she says. “I felt this before even arriving in the United States.”
She admits her British English and foreign accent initially caused her some difficulty, but she soon felt like she belonged here. Participating in volunteer activities helped her merge into the campus culture.
Fighting Fungal Infections with Nanoscience
At JSNN, KianvashRad wanted to research cancer, specifically examining why some cancer patients pass away from fungal infections, not the cancer itself.
In her lab, she works on developing nanostructures to help prevent antifungal resistance in fungal pathogens. Cancer patients may develop fungal infections in the mouth, nose, throat, or skin, and over time, some fungi can become resistant to antifungal medications, reducing the effectiveness of treatment.
Therefore, KianvashRad investigates how a 3D nanomaterial affects the sensitivity of Candida albicans to antifungal drugs, with the overall goal to improve strategies to treat fungal infections.
Dennis LaJeunesse mentors her in these research efforts.
Naming him “the best advisor who exists,” KianvashRad shares that he is not only supportive of students’ research projects, but he shows up for them no matter the problem.
“If you have a question about your research, he will physically come to the lab to help,” she says. “If you are doing a particularly sensitive experiment, he will stand with you and walk through each step.”
But KianvashRad is quick to clarify that LaJeunesse does not give his students the answers. Instead, he intentionally guides students to independently secure complex answers.
Becoming a Campus Leader
KianvashRad claims UNCG taught her how to lead, but her early participation on campus reveals a different story: Her community here unearthed leadership qualities she already possessed.
Following two years as a JSNN senator for the Graduate School Association (GSA), she was elected GSA president and will serve in that capacity in the next academic year.
“I was nervous at first,” she admits, “but my mentors gave me a guide and advised me on management, so I am satisfied with my performance now.”
KianvashRad serves on the campus-wide Graduate Policy Committee and the Tuition and Fee Committee. She regularly listens to graduate students’ concerns, considering topics like health insurance, international students’ success, financial concerns, and wellness initiatives.
“I am working on a new program launching in August in which we invite companies to campus to engage with graduate students and professors, with the hope of encouraging future internships or job opportunities as well as industry and university collaboration,” she says.
KianvashRad also served as vice president and president of the Future Science Policy Leaders. The JSNN student group fosters an understanding of the intersection of science and policy by exploring science policy careers, boosting networking, and developing skills to impact policy decisions.
In her pursuit to lead with purpose, she pursued the Spartan Leadership Challenge, UNCG’s Office of Leadership & Civic Engagement’s signature leadership development series. She has now completed the Bronze, Silver, and Gold experiences.
“For my Gold Experience, I partnered with Reading Connections, a local nonprofit focused on improving adult literacy,” she says. “I introduced media into the classes to help adults learn English with greater ease.”
RECENT AWARDS
2026 Student Global Impact Award from the International Engagement Office at UNCG
2026 Graduate Student Leader of the Year at the Spartan of Excellence Awards at UNCG
2026 Organization of Distinction Award in Well-Being for Future Science Policy Leaders at the Spartan Excellence Awards at UNCG
Connecting Science to Community
In addition, KianvashRad seeks opportunities outside of UNCG’s campus to deepen her scientific knowledge and share her passion for science.
Science Outside the Lab, a week-long workshop in Washington, D.C. for graduate students and faculty, examines the intersection of government, science, and technology. KianvashRad attended in January 2024. She visited the White House, NASA, and the National Science Foundation during the program, meeting with science and policy professionals.
“I was able to ask questions, discover more about science and policy, consider career opportunities, and better understand the proposal process,” she says. “I also learned my work in bioinformatics is important to the U.S. government.”
Partnering with JSNN Associate Dean Daniel Rabinovich enables KianvashRad to share her passion for science with young students. As a JSNN outreach team member, she engages students to learn about nanoscience during Science Everywhere.
A Future In Science
KianvashRad will graduate in 2027, then seek a postdoctoral fellowship to work on pediatric cancer. But it’s apparent her scientific growth and leadership will continue.
“UNCG helps me improve myself and gives me opportunity to grow,” she says.
Written by Amy Burtch, AMBCopy
Photos by Sean Norona, University Communications, and provided by JSNN
