Our Team
Janice Jin Hwang, MD, MHS
Principal Investigator
Associate Professor of Medicine
Chief of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at UNC-Chapel Hill
Email: janice_hwang@med.unc.edu
Janice Jin Hwang, MD, MHS is Chief of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She earned her AB in molecular biology from Princeton University and her MD from Harvard Medical School, followed by residency training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where she also served as Chief Resident. Dr. Hwang went on to complete her fellowship in endocrinology and metabolism at Massachusetts General Hospital before joining the faculty at Yale School of Medicine.
Her NIH-funded work employs advanced neuroimaging to explore the links between metabolic disorders and cognitive health across the lifespan. At UNC, she is deeply committed to training the next generation of endocrinologists and clinician-scientists, mentoring students, residents, and fellows. Nationally, she contributes to the American Diabetes Association and NIH through scientific review and planning committees. Dr. Hwang has contributed her expertise in diabetes and obesity nationally, with interviews in The New York Times here, here and here, Scientific American, and The Atlantic.
Dr. Hwang is passionate about helping people with diabetes and obesity. Her research focuses on how these conditions affect the brain and metabolism, with the goal of finding better ways to improve health and quality of life.
Brooke is from Richmond, Virginia and attended the College of William & Mary. She then earned her MD and PhD from UNC’s MSTP and pursued Internal Medicine residency and Endocrinology & Metabolism fellowship through UNC’s PSTP. She is thrilled to be working with Dr. Hwang’s group and learning about translational human physiology! Upon graduation from fellowship this summer, she will transition into a faculty position in the Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism. In her free time, Brooke enjoys group fitness, reading, and baking.
Brooke Matson, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Email: brooke_matson@med.unc.edu
Ying works as the lab manager and research technician. Her role involves maintaining a clean and safe lab environment, preparing samples, running tests, maintaining lab equipment, ensuring accurate data collection and analysis, and collaborating with other scientists and researchers. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and fishing, which helps her unwind and stay curious both in and out of the lab.
Ying Cao
Lab Manager and Research Technician
Email: ying_cao@med.unc.edu
Joseph Palmiotto
Clinical Research Assistant
Email: joseph_palmiotto@med.unc.edu
Joseph is from Mahopac, New York and attended SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Purchase. He earned his degree in psychology from SUNY Purchase. He is excited about the lab’s research and hopes to continue to make contributions in the field. Upon gaining more experience in research, he hopes to pursue a PhD degree. In his free time, Joseph enjoys spending with his dog, working out at the gym, and traveling.
Victoria Burnette is a UNC PRISM Scholar currently serving as a research assistant in the Endocrinology Department under Dr. Hwang. She graduated from Wake Forest University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, a minor in Chemistry, and a concentration in Medical Spanish (Go Deacs!). She aspire to attend medical school and pursue a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology, with a commitment to advancing health equity and reducing disparities in healthcare access within my community. Beyond academics and research, She is an avid reader with a particular love for dystopian fiction, a regular at hot yoga, and always on the lookout for the next great matcha spot.
Victoria Burnette
Clinical Research Assistant
Email: victoria_burnette@med.unc.edu
Hanna DeBord is a UNC Prism Scholar and recent graduate of Yale University (B.S. Biomedical Engineering). Originally from Alleghany County, NC, Hanna has a passion for improving rural healthcare. She is interested in pursuing an MD/PhD focusing on Biomedical Engineering and Medical Device Design. In the lab, Hanna works as a clinical research coordinator, focusing primarily on the ODEX, APOE, PET, and Transport studie. In her freetime, she plays bluegrass music, writes poetry, paints, and enjoys spending time with her family.
Hanna DeBord
Clinical Research Assistant
Email: hanna_debord@med.unc.edu
Brian is coming from California, where he did his undergrad majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California San Diego. He moved to North Carolina to pursue his MD/PhD, where he is now in our lab to do his PhD in Cell Biology and Physiology. His research interests lie in the intersection between the brain, diabetes, and circadian rhythms. Outside of the lab, you might catch him cafe hopping, running, or cooking.
Brian Khov
MD/PhD Student
Email:brian_khov@med.unc.edu
Zumin earned his master’s degree in Human Development and Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education and majored in psychology and cognitive science at the University of Virginia. He is passionate about uncovering the neural mechanisms that underlie typical and atypical development in children, and how environmental factors influence neural development. He is a current rotation student working in Dr. Hwang’s lab. Outside of the lab, Zumin is a big foodie and loves to explore new restaurants!
Zumin Chen
Rotation Neuroscience PhD Student
Email: zumin_chen@med.unc.edu
Eileen is from New Jersey and is currently studying Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Her hope is that her current studies, research, and volunteer experiences will provide a strong foundation and inspiration for a future in the medical field. She is excited to be working with Dr. Hwang and the rest of the team, where she can continue building on her neuroscience knowledge in the context of endocrinology. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, eating good food, and reading.
Eileen Wang
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Email: eileenyw@unc.edu
Former Postdoctoral/Resident/Fellow Trainees
2018–2020 – Felona Gunawan, MD – Now Assistant Professor, Baylor School of Medicine
2017–2019 – Lisa Parikh, MD – Now Assistant Professor, Yale School of Medicine
Former Medical & Undergraduate Trainees
2021–2023 – Jelani Deajon-Jackson – Post-graduate
2021–2022 – Tammy Chung – Undergraduate
2019–2021 – Charles Watt – Post-graduate
2018–2019 – Jolanta Pach – Post-graduate
2017–2019 – Derek Groskreutz – Post-graduate
2016–2018 – Wai (Katherine) Lam – Post-graduate
2015–2017 – Muhammad Hamza – Post-graduate
2016 – Erica Yuhan Xue, MD – Medical Student (NIDDK Summer)
2014–2015 – Janice Kim, MD – Medical Student
2017 – Anika Hall, MD – Medical Student (NIDDK Summer)
Contact Us
Brain Metabolism Lab at UNC School of Medicine
Division of the Endocrinology and Metabolism
BrainMetabolismLab@med.unc.edu
Biomedical Research Imaging Center at UNC
125 Mason Farm Road Marsico, Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Brain Metabolism Lab
Burnett-Womack Building, 160 Dental Cir, Chapel Hill, NC 27514