OFALD Spotlight Archives
McLane Montgomery
BS, Georgia College and State University
MS, Florida State University
McLane Montgomery is a third-year graduate student in the biomedical sciences doctoral program. He is a member of the Fisher-Wellman lab in the East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute. The Fisher-Wellman lab focuses on the bioenergetic function of mitochondria in the context of different cancers including colorectal cancer, acute myeloid leukemia and melanoma. McLane’s research focuses on how respiratory complex I function is altered in colorectal cancer tumors and how this alteration my help cancer cells grow. Originally from Georgia, McLane obtained his undergraduate degree from Georgia College and State University. He then went on to complete his master’s degree at Florida State University, both degrees in exercise physiology. In his free time, McLane enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, listening to music, and spending time with his cat Rudy.
Chris Geyer, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Ph.D., The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
B.S., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Dr. Chris Geyer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology at the Brody School of Medicine. Dr. Geyer has studied various aspects of mammalian spermatogenesis for the past 21 years, and his laboratory is currently focused on exploring how germ cells uniquely transition from mitosis to meiosis and how mitochondrial metabolism regulates both germ cell fate decisions and sperm motility. In terms of service, he is actively involved in leadership of the Triangle Consortium for Reproductive Biology and service as Membership Chair of the Society for the Study of Reproduction. At the Brody School of Medicine, he has served in a variety of capacities including on the research, promotion and tenure, and medical admissions committees. With Dr. John Cavanagh, he is working with colleagues in the ECU Business School to implement an MBA/PhD joint degree in 2025. He is also passionate about graduate education – with faculty colleagues, he developed and currently co-directs two graduate student courses – Molecular Cell Biology with Dr. Shaw Akula and Research Proposal Strategies with Dr. Brett Keiper. He also teaches M1 students in the Medical Histology and Cell Biology course.
He grew up in central Virginia and joined the faculty at ECU in 2010. He and his wife Catherine have two children, Nathan (19) and Sarah (16), and in his spare time enjoys kayak fishing, running, and spending time outdoors.
Uma Gaddmanugu
MD Candidate, Class of 2025
B.S Public Health, UNC, 2018
M.S. Physiology, NC State University, 2020
Uma Gaddamanugu is a third-year medical student at the Brody School of Medicine. Uma is an aspiring OB/GYN who is passionate about advancing maternal health equity through community engagement and policy reform. As a Brody Scholar and North Carolina Albert Schweitzer Fellow, Uma co-founded ECU Birth Companions, a free volunteer birth doula program at ECU Health Medical Center. Uma was recently awarded the NC Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service for the program’s contributions, which trained over 60 volunteers who supported 262 birthing patients in one year. She is also a LINC Scholar and is currently working on a Quality Improvement project to help address food insecurity at ECU’s High-Risk Outpatient OB clinic.
Prior to starting medical school, Uma spent three summers volunteering with a women’s empowerment nonprofit in rural India, where she partnered with local women to create menstrual hygiene workshops, a community health worker program, and helped establish the village’s first women’s health clinic.
Uma is a Winston-Salem native, trained Indian Classical dancer, and speaks four languages. Outside of school, Uma loves to spend time with family and friends, dancing, tackling puzzles, traveling, and listening to Beyoncé.
Linda Spell
Housekeeper
Linda Spell began employment in housekeeping at East Carolina University in 2007. Over the course of sixteen years, she has worked in various areas across the Health Sciences Campus, including the School of Medicine, Nursing, and Family Medicine buildings. She is currently working in the School of Medicine. What she especially enjoys about her work at ECU is the opportunity to grow and meet a lot of great people in her path. Before her time with ECU, she worked in home health care for 4 years.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, daughter, grandchildren, and dog, Bebee. She and her husband enjoy going for drives and exploring Eastern North Carolina on the weekends!
Zoë Terwilliger
Ph.D. Graduate, Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine
BS in Biology, Indiana University Southeast
BS in Chemistry – Biochemistry, Indiana University Southeast
Zoë is a recent Ph.D. graduate from the Physiology Department at Brody School of Medicine. She is hoping to use her experience in research to pursue a career in science communication in the pharmaceutical industry. Zoë completed her Ph.D. in the lab of Dr. Joseph McClung where her project focused on investigating genetic contributors of disease severity and disparities of limb amputation in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). During her time as a Ph.D. candidate, she co-founded the Grad PIRATE Talks, a series aimed at Promoting Inclusion through Research, Action, Teaching, and Education. She is also an outspoken advocate for graduate students and served as both the Chair of Equity and Diversity and the President of the Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) for a combined three years. In these leadership roles, she coordinated Pass/Fail opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic and developed individual travel funding opportunities for graduate students.
Zoë is an avid traveler and never misses an opportunity for a new adventure. She also enjoys hiking, yoga, running, reading, being in nature, and organizing anything and everything
Emily B. Askew, Ph.D.
Teaching Associate Professor
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
B.S., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Post-doctoral Fellowship: Brody School of Medicine
Dr. Emily Askew is a dedicated Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Brody School of Medicine. With a passion for the anatomy education of professional and graduate learners, Dr. Askew serves as the Course Director of the M1 Gross Anatomy and Embryology course, Instructor in the M1 Neuroscience course, and teaches within other anatomy courses spanning diverse health science disciplines (Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesia). Dr. Askew also helps oversee the Anatomical Gift Program, embodying a deep sense of responsibility in managing this vital aspect of the anatomy teaching program.
Committed to enhancing medical education at Brody School of Medicine, Dr. Askew actively participates in curricular committees, serving on the Foundational Sciences Curriculum Committee and as a resource member on the Executive Curriculum Committee. Additionally, she has taken a keen interest in accreditation efforts within the school and currently serves as the Chair of the Continuous Quality Improvement Committee.
Born and raised in Wilson, Dr. Askew currently resides there with her husband, Scott, two children, Sam (13), and Addison (9), and their 7-month-old goldendoodle, Nelly.
J. Benjamin S. Wise
MD Candidate, Class of 2024
M.A. The Johns Hopkins University, Applied Economics
B.A. The College of William and Mary, Economics and Philosophy
Ben is a 4th year medical student at the Brody School of Medicine. He is applying to residency in Psychiatry and eventually hopes to pursue a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship. He has pursued a variety of interests since moving to Greenville to study medicine including his pun-laden leadership of the local chapter of Walk with A Doc, a national organization promoting wellness and community engagement. He served as Simulation Lab Advisory Board Student Representative and as president of the Med-Peds Interest Group. More recently, he co-led a clothing drive to benefit indigent patients in the inpatient psychiatry ward and volunteering on a research project to improve pathology education. He was just selected for the NC Medical Society’s Future Clinician Leaders College, Class of 2024. He can be found around Brody from time to time because he loves mentoring the younger classes of medical students and napping in the Zen room.
Ben lives in Greenville with his wife Christine Malumphy, an assistant capital defender, their daughter Alice Wise, and their loyal hound Penny Lane. They enjoy exploring new hikes, chasing lizards and other reptiles, visiting science museums, and finding hidden restaurant gems across North Carolina.
Charmaine Bond, MSW/LCSW
Social Work Practitioner
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Charmaine Bond is a social worker within the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. She has been employed in this capacity since January 2011. As a Social Worker she supports, advocates, and links her patients/families to needed resources. Charmaine is innovative, knowledgeable, and resourceful. She loves community service and outreach. She serves on several committees, coordinates fundraising initiatives, and assists in the planning of outreach events/activities (Carnival for a Cause, World Sickle Cell Day, educational conferences, teen retreats, support groups and etc.). She is also a board member for Jalen Nation, LLC and Gabby’s Legacy Organization (non-profit organizations that provide support to children in eastern NC diagnosed with cancer).
Charmaine has a passion for people and helping others. She has built trusting relationships with her patients and their families. Many of them call her “mom” or “auntie.” Charmaine prides herself on treating others with dignity and respect. She is devoted to community service and outreach. She is forever grateful to her division chief, Dr. Beng Fuh for his unwavering support and encouragement. He allows her to use her creativity and interests to make a difference in the lives of others.
Charmaine is a member of the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers (APOSW), and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). She is also a proud and active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.,
Charmaine is married to Milton, Brody RISE Program Director; they enjoy exploring new restaurants, spending time with family/friends and traveling.
Collin Brinkley
PhD Student, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine
MS in Forensic Science (Emphasis in Analytical Chemistry), Towson University
BA in Biochemistry, University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
Collin is a PhD student in the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology and a member of Dr. Abdel-Rahman’s lab. Collin’s research uses both cell culture and animal models to investigate novel cellular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy. In particular, why progression and severity are more pronounced in young women. In addition to his research, Collin currently serves as President of graduate students in the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Secretary for the Brody Graduate Association, and is a panel member on the Student Conduct Board.
When not working in the lab, Collin enjoys spending time with his dog Catcher on the family farm, hanging out with friends, gardening, and cheering on his Ole Miss Rebels!
Donald L. Norris II, MD, FACEP
Clinical Associate Professor
Division Chief of Education
Department of Emergency Medicine
Emergency Medicine Residency, East Carolina University (’03)
MD, Marshall University (’00)
BA, West Virginia University
Dr. Norris joined the faculty at ECU in July 2022. Dr. Norris is passionate about medical student and residency education. He currently serves on the Brody School of Medicine Admissions Committee and is actively involved in teaching both students and residents both in the emergency department and in the simulation center. In his new role as Division Chief of Education, he oversees the educational mission in the Department of Emergency Medicine. In this role he will continue to develop the EM clerkship and residency programs as well as help mentor faculty within the department.
Academic areas of interest include decision making in emergency medicine with a specific focus on cognitive errors in thinking, direct observation in the clinical setting and virtual reality simulations.