D M Borland

RENCI, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 100 Europa Drive, Suite 540, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 USA.

50 publications 1839 – 2026

What does D M Borland research?

D M Borland studies the microscopic details of the brain's structure and the rich variety of fungi in natural ecosystems. They developed a computer program called CellPheno that can analyze 3D images of mouse brains, helping scientists understand how different brain cells interact in both healthy and diseased states. Additionally, Borland has spent nearly a decade cataloging fungi in a Florida nature preserve, identifying hundreds of species to help protect and understand biodiversity.

Key findings

  • The CellPheno program can analyze an entire mouse brain in just 15 hours, significantly speeding up research on brain structure.
  • Borland identified over 546 species of large fungi, estimating there could be between 900 and 1,200 species at a single site in Florida.
  • The research on fungi shows that there are more fungal species in the studied site than there are vertebrate animals or plants, highlighting a crucial area of biodiversity.

Frequently asked questions

Does Dr. Borland study brain diseases?
Yes, their research focuses on understanding brain structures and how brain cells interact, which is crucial for studying brain diseases.
What treatments has Dr. Borland researched?
While Dr. Borland's work doesn't focus on specific treatments, their research helps lay the groundwork for better understanding conditions that affect the brain.
Is Dr. Borland's work relevant to environmental conservation?
Yes, their extensive cataloging of fungal species is important for protecting biodiversity in ecosystems, particularly in Florida.

Publications in plain English

Contextualization or Rationalization? The Effect of Causal Priors on Data Visualization Interpretation.

2026

IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics

Wang AZ, Borland D, Calcaterra E, Gotz D

Plain English
This study looked at how people interpret charts, especially scatterplots, and found that their prior beliefs about cause-and-effect relationships can significantly influence what patterns they notice. The researchers found that when people see data that matches their expectations, they tend to accept it readily. In contrast, when the data conflicts with their beliefs, they may try to explain it away by suggesting other factors. This matters because it shows that our understanding of data can be biased by what we already think we know. Who this helps: This helps both patients and doctors by improving how data is presented and understood in medical research and communication.

PubMed

haploinsufficiency leads to molecular layer heterotopias and age-dependent cortical expansion.

2026

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology

Kyere FA, Curtin I, Wei Z, Yin MY, Xing L +31 more

Plain English
This study looked at how certain genetic mutations affect brain development in mice, which could help explain conditions like autism and large head sizes. Researchers found that brain growth happens after birth and is mainly caused by an increase in specific brain cells. They also discovered abnormal brain cell patterns in the frontal cortex that start during development and last throughout the mice's lives, which have been linked to similar issues in humans with neurodevelopmental disorders. Who this helps: This helps patients, particularly those with autism and related conditions.

PubMed

CellPheno: A High-throughput Computational Platform for Quantifying Cellular Resolution Whole Brain Microscopy Images.

2026

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology

Wei Z, Curtin I, Kyere FA, Borland D, Yi H +8 more

Plain English
This research developed a new computer program called CellPheno that quickly analyzes 3D images of entire mouse brains at the cellular level. It can process a complete brain in just 15 hours and successfully measures the size and shape of different types of brain cells in 53 mouse brains. This matters because it speeds up the study of brain structure and could improve our understanding of how various brain cells interact in health and disease. Who this helps: This helps researchers studying brain diseases.

PubMed

Beyond Correlation: Incorporating Counterfactual Guidance to Better Support Exploratory Visual Analysis.

2025

IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics

Wang AZ, Borland D, Gotz D

Plain English
This study looked at how to improve the way users analyze and understand complex data by providing better guidance during their exploration. The researchers developed a new method called counterfactual guidance, which was shown to enhance users' ability to make accurate causal interpretations of the data—specifically, it improved performance significantly when compared to using traditional correlation methods. This matters because better analysis tools can help avoid incorrect conclusions in important decision-making situations. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and analysts working with complex data sets.

PubMed

Causal Priors and Their Influence on Judgements of Causality in Visualized Data.

2025

IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics

Wang AZ, Borland D, Peck TC, Wang W, Gotz D

Plain English
This study looked at how people's pre-existing beliefs can affect their understanding of causal relationships when they see data visualizations, like charts. Researchers found that even without any charts showing correlations, people still make assumptions about causality. Specifically, these assumptions can lead to incorrect beliefs about how strongly two concepts are related, influencing their confidence in those beliefs. Who this helps: This helps data visualization designers and researchers by improving how they create and interpret visual data.

PubMed

Think globally, barcode locally: nine years of macrofungi sampling reveals extensive biodiversity at the ordway-swisher biological station, a subtropical site in Florida.

2025

Fungal biology

Caiafa MV, Kaminsky L, Healy R, Sheffer LP, Willis CB +26 more

Plain English
Researchers spent nine years cataloging mushrooms and other large fungi at a Florida nature preserve, identifying over 546 species and estimating the actual total is probably between 900 and 1,200 species—meaning there are more fungal species at this one site than there are vertebrate animals or plants. They used DNA testing to precisely identify each specimen and created a reference collection for future research. This matters because fungi are essential to forest ecosystems (they help trees absorb nutrients and break down dead material), yet scientists know far less about fungal diversity than they do about plants and animals, making this comprehensive catalog a crucial foundation for understanding and protecting Florida's ecosystems.

PubMed

Using Counterfactuals to Improve Causal Inferences From Visualizations.

2024

IEEE computer graphics and applications

Borland D, Wang AZ, Gotz D

Plain English
This study looked at how people use charts and graphs to understand data and found that while these visuals can help identify relationships between different factors, they often lead viewers to mistakenly believe there are cause-and-effect relationships that aren’t supported by the actual data. Researchers identified some promising new methods to improve how we draw causal conclusions from visual data, but many of these methods still have limitations that need addressing. Improving these techniques is important because better understanding of causality can lead to more informed decisions in various fields. Who this helps: This helps data analysts, researchers, and anyone who relies on data visualization for decision-making.

PubMed

ImmCellFie: A user-friendly web-based platform to infer metabolic function from omics data.

2023

STAR protocols

Masson HO, Borland D, Reilly J, Telleria A, Shrivastava S +9 more

Plain English
This research introduces ImmCellFie, an easy-to-use online tool that helps scientists analyze how cells use energy by looking at genetic data. The platform improves upon traditional methods by considering complex biological processes, making it more accurate in measuring cell activity. This matters because better understanding of cell metabolism can enhance research in health and disease. Who this helps: This helps researchers and scientists working in biotechnology and medicine.

PubMed

Improving Visualization Interpretation Using Counterfactuals.

2022

IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics

Kaul S, Borland D, Cao N, Gotz D

Plain English
This study looked at how people interpret complex data visualizations, which can be misleading if certain hidden factors influence the results. Researchers developed a tool called CoFact that shows users alternative scenarios, helping them better understand relationships between different data features. In a user study, those who used the CoFact tool made more accurate judgments about how features related to outcomes, improving their decision-making. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and analysts who work with complex data, helping them make better-informed decisions.

PubMed

Computational Metrics Can Provide Quantitative Values to Characterize Arthroscopic Field of View.

2022

Arthroscopy, sports medicine, and rehabilitation

Barnes RH, Golden ML, Borland D, Heckert R, Richardson M +3 more

Plain English
This study looked at how well surgeons agree on the quality of arthroscopic (minimally invasive surgery) videos of shoulder operations and how this quality relates to specific video measurements, such as brightness and redness. Five orthopedic surgeons reviewed 60 video clips, rating them from poor to excellent, and found a very high agreement in their ratings (97.4%). The study discovered that better video quality was linked to higher brightness, contrast, and "entropy" (which measures complexity), while more redness (indicating bleeding) was associated with lower quality. Who this helps: This research benefits surgeons by providing a method to objectively assess video quality during arthroscopic procedures, potentially improving surgical outcomes.

PubMed

Selection-Bias-Corrected Visualization via Dynamic Reweighting.

2021

IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics

Borland D, Zhang J, Kaul S, Gotz D

Plain English
This study looked at a new method to improve how visual data is analyzed, particularly in medical fields, by reducing selection bias—errors that occur when only certain types of data are shown. The researchers developed a technique called dynamic reweighting, which adjusts the data to make visualizations more accurate. They found that this approach can significantly enhance the quality of insights gained from complex datasets, leading to better decision-making. Who this helps: This benefits doctors and researchers who rely on accurate data analysis for patient care and medical research.

PubMed

Segmentor: a tool for manual refinement of 3D microscopy annotations.

2021

BMC bioinformatics

Borland D, McCormick CM, Patel NK, Krupa O, Mory JT +7 more

Plain English
This study introduces a tool called Segmentor, which helps researchers label and refine images of the 3D structures found in biological specimens, like mouse brains. The tool streamlines the process by allowing users to edit in both 2D and 3D, cutting down annotation time by 30% without compromising accuracy. This matters because it improves the efficiency of preparing data for training deep learning algorithms that can automatically identify important features in complex images. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and scientists working on brain structure and function.

PubMed

Enabling Longitudinal Exploratory Analysis of Clinical COVID Data.

2021

ArXiv

Borland D, Brain I, Fecho K, Pfaff E, Xu H +3 more

Plain English
This study looked at how to use visual tools to analyze a large amount of COVID-19 data collected from 998 patients over time. The researchers transformed the data to make it easier to explore and found important patterns and insights. This work matters because it could improve our understanding of COVID-19 and help develop better treatments. Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers studying COVID-19.

PubMed

Model-based assessment of mammalian cell metabolic functionalities using omics data.

2021

Cell reports methods

Richelle A, Kellman BP, Wenzel AT, Chiang AWT, Reagan T +15 more

Plain English
This study focused on how to better understand the metabolic functions of mammalian cells by using data from omics experiments, which involve analyzing large sets of biological data. Researchers developed a new method that connects this data to specific cell functions, allowing them to measure and predict how different metabolic tasks are performed in various biological samples. They showed how their approach works using different datasets, making it easier for scientists to assess cell metabolism more accurately across different conditions. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and doctors by providing a clearer understanding of cell metabolism, which is important for developing treatments and understanding diseases.

PubMed

Selection Bias Tracking and Detailed Subset Comparison for High-Dimensional Data.

2020

IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics

Borland D, Wang W, Zhang J, Shrestha J, Gotz D

Plain English
This study looked at how to improve the way researchers analyze large and complex medical data by focusing on the potential for selection bias. The researchers developed new techniques to help users visualize and track differences in the data when they create specific groups of individuals for study, ensuring a more accurate representation of the overall population. Their method included visual tools that demonstrate where selection bias might occur, which is crucial for making reliable conclusions in medical research. Who this helps: This helps researchers and doctors who analyze medical data to make better, more accurate decisions.

PubMed

Visual Analysis of High-Dimensional Event Sequence Data via Dynamic Hierarchical Aggregation.

2020

IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics

Gotz D, Zhang J, Wang W, Shrestha J, Borland D

Plain English
This research studied a new way to visualize complex event data that often comes from medical settings. The approach allows users to dynamically group and explore different types of event data, helping them find the most useful way to display information during analysis. During testing, they found that their method significantly improved decision-making by enabling more effective exploration of data patterns. Who this helps: This helps doctors and medical analysts who need to interpret complex patient data efficiently.

PubMed

Being the Victim of Intimate Partner Violence in Virtual Reality: First- Versus Third-Person Perspective.

2020

Frontiers in psychology

Gonzalez-Liencres C, Zapata LE, Iruretagoyena G, Seinfeld S, Perez-Mendez L +4 more

Plain English
This study looked at how experiencing intimate partner violence in virtual reality feels different depending on whether someone is in the victim's shoes (first-person view) or just watching (third-person view). The researchers found that men who felt more connected to a female avatar as the victim showed less bias against women, and those who experienced the scene from the victim's perspective felt more fear and vulnerability. This matters because it shows how virtual reality can be a useful tool in helping to change attitudes about violence against women and could support rehabilitation for those who commit violence. Who this helps: This helps patients, particularly those affected by intimate partner violence, as well as potentially harmful individuals undergoing rehabilitation.

PubMed

Evaluating visual analytics for health informatics applications: a systematic review from the American Medical Informatics Association Visual Analytics Working Group Task Force on Evaluation.

2019

Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association : JAMIA

Wu DTY, Chen AT, Manning JD, Levy-Fix G, Backonja U +10 more

Plain English
This study reviewed how healthcare data visualizations and analytics are evaluated in clinical settings. The researchers analyzed 76 articles and found that most studies focused on how healthcare providers use these tools, with many relying on direct observation and surveys for feedback. The findings highlight the need for better evaluation practices and suggest that standard methods could improve how these tools are assessed in different healthcare environments. Who this helps: This benefits healthcare providers and researchers developing visualization tools for clinical use.

PubMed

Ontology-Based Interactive Visualization of Patient-Generated Research Questions.

2019

Applied clinical informatics

Borland D, Christopherson L, Schmitt C

Plain English
This study focused on Crohn's disease and colitis, two chronic conditions that significantly impact patients' lives. Researchers created an interactive website for patients to share their experiences and suggest new research ideas, which helps researchers identify the most relevant topics for further study. They developed a new tool that organizes these suggestions, making it easier for researchers to find and prioritize important patient-generated questions. Who this helps: This helps patients and researchers studying Crohn's disease and colitis.

PubMed

Offenders become the victim in virtual reality: impact of changing perspective in domestic violence.

2018

Scientific reports

Seinfeld S, Arroyo-Palacios J, Iruretagoyena G, Hortensius R, Zapata LE +4 more

Plain English
This study looked at how using virtual reality to let male domestic violence offenders experience life as a female victim of abuse affected their ability to recognize emotions. Before the virtual experience, these offenders struggled to identify fear in women's faces, often mistaking fear for happiness. After the experience, their skills improved significantly; they became better at recognizing fear and less likely to mislabel it as happiness. This is important because it shows that changing how offenders view situations can help them understand the emotions of others better, potentially reducing aggressive behavior. Who this helps: This benefits domestic violence offenders by helping them develop empathy and emotional awareness.

PubMed

The Cell Cycle Browser: An Interactive Tool for Visualizing, Simulating, and Perturbing Cell-Cycle Progression.

2018

Cell systems

Borland D, Yi H, Grant GD, Kedziora KM, Chao HX +5 more

Plain English
Researchers created an online tool called the Cell Cycle Browser (CCB) to help people visualize and understand how cells progress through their life cycle. This tool allows users to simulate changes in cellular activities and see how these changes affect the cell cycle. By using the CCB, users can predict outcomes when certain molecular activities are adjusted, making it easier to understand important processes in cell behavior. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and scientists studying cell biology and related medical fields.

PubMed

Contextual Visualization.

2018

IEEE computer graphics and applications

Borland D, Wang W, Gotz D

Plain English
This study looked at how missing information in complex data can lead to misleading results when using visual tools for analysis. The researchers identified different types of unseen information that can cause these issues and emphasized the need for better visualization methods to help users recognize and address these problems. Improving how we visualize data can lead to more accurate findings, which is important for making informed decisions. Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers who rely on data analysis for clinical decisions.

PubMed

Data-Driven Healthcare: Challenges and Opportunities for Interactive Visualization.

2016

IEEE computer graphics and applications

Gotz D, Borland D

Plain English
This study looked at how using advanced data visualization tools can improve healthcare by helping doctors make better diagnoses and tailor treatments for patients. The research found that as healthcare becomes increasingly digital, there's a need for enhanced ways to visualize complex data, which can lead to more accurate medical interventions. These improvements are important because they can ultimately result in better patient outcomes and more efficient use of resources in healthcare settings. Who this helps: This benefits doctors and patients by enabling more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans.

PubMed

Innovative information visualization of electronic health record data: a systematic review.

2015

Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association : JAMIA

West VL, Borland D, Hammond WE

Plain English
This research paper looks at different ways to visualize data from electronic health records (EHRs) from 1996 to 2013. The study reviewed 891 articles and narrowed it down to 18 that best showed how these visual tools can make sense of complex health data. Key findings highlight tools like LifeLines and its updates, which help display data for individual patients or larger groups effectively using colors and interactive features. This matters because better visualization can improve how healthcare data is used for knowledge discovery, ultimately enhancing patient care. Who this helps: Patients and healthcare providers who need clearer insights from health data.

PubMed

Appearance normalization of histology slides.

2015

Computerized medical imaging and graphics : the official journal of the Computerized Medical Imaging Society

Vicory J, Couture HD, Thomas NE, Borland D, Marron JS +2 more

Plain English
This study developed a new way to automatically adjust the color and brightness of digitized tissue samples, making them look more uniform. The researchers found that their method is more reliable, especially when dealing with common stains used in medical samples, and it performs better than older methods. For example, it helps fix issues caused by different staining techniques and fading over time, which improves the accuracy of analyzing these samples. Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers who examine tissue samples for diagnosis and study.

PubMed

An evaluation of self-avatar eye movement for virtual embodiment.

2013

IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics

Borland D, Peck T, Slater M

Plain English
This study looked at how adding eye movements to virtual avatars can make users feel more connected to their digital selves. Researchers compared three different methods: one using real eye tracking, one simulating eye movements, and one with no eye tracking at all. They found that participants felt a stronger sense of ownership over their avatars when eye movements were included, reporting similar experiences with both the real and simulated eye tracking, which could improve virtual reality experiences without needing expensive equipment. Who this helps: This benefits people using virtual reality, including gamers, therapists, and professionals in virtual training.

PubMed

Image and statistical analysis of melanocytic histology.

2012

Histopathology

Miedema J, Marron JS, Niethammer M, Borland D, Woosley J +4 more

Plain English
This study used digital image analysis to examine different types of skin lesions that can develop into melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. The researchers found that they could accurately distinguish melanoma from benign moles (nevi) with high precision (95% accuracy) and could also identify specific melanoma subtypes even better, with accuracy rates up to 99%. This is important because it could help doctors make quicker and more accurate diagnoses, potentially improving patient outcomes. Who this helps: This benefits patients at risk for skin cancer and their doctors.

PubMed

Collaboration-specific color-map design.

2011

IEEE computer graphics and applications

Borland D, Huber A

PubMed

Appearance Normalization of Histology Slides.

2010

Machine learning in medical imaging. MLMI (Workshop)

Niethammer M, Borland D, Marron JS, Woosley J, Thomas NE

Plain English
This study focused on developing a new method to standardize the color and intensity of histology slides that are colored using different staining techniques. The researchers found that their method works better than existing ones, especially with slides stained with hematoxylin and eosin, making the slides look more uniform and consistent. This is important because it helps ensure that doctors can accurately compare and analyze tissue samples, leading to better diagnoses and treatment decisions. Who this helps: This benefits patients and doctors by improving the reliability of tissue sample evaluations.

PubMed

Lessons about Virtual-Environment Software Systems from 20 years of VE building.

2010

Presence (Cambridge, Mass.)

Taylor RM, Jerald J, Vanderknyff C, Wendt J, Borland D +3 more

Plain English
This research paper looks at what makes virtual-environment software effective and what features can be problematic. After examining 20 years of experience with designing these systems, the authors found that certain features, like 3D space management and good interaction options, are essential, while unnecessary complexity can hinder performance. Understanding these lessons helps improve both the design of future virtual environments and their practical applications. Who this helps: This helps software developers and designers working on virtual environments.

PubMed

Emergence and visualization of an interface state during contact formation with a single molecule.

2008

Physical review letters

Ryan PM, Teague LC, Naydenov B, Borland D, Boland JJ

Plain English
This study looked at how a tiny metal probe interacts with a single molecule called 1,3 cyclohexadiene on a silicon surface. Researchers found that as the probe approached the molecule, it caused the molecule to change, which created a new electronic state located 0.2 electron volts above a key energy level, aligning closely with experimental data showing a value of 0.35 electron volts. Understanding these interactions is important because it reveals how molecular behavior changes at such small scales, which could help improve electronic devices. Who this helps: This helps researchers and engineers working on advanced electronic materials.

PubMed

Rainbow color map (still) considered harmful.

2007

IEEE computer graphics and applications

Borland D, Taylor MR

PubMed

Virtual pyeloscopy using volumetric depth peeling.

2006

Academic radiology

Fielding JR, Borland D, Lee KH, Clarke JP, Wallen E +2 more

Plain English
The study tested a new imaging technique called volumetric depth peeling (VDP) to create virtual images of the renal system, focusing on ureters and kidney structures. Researchers found that they could clearly visualize normal and abnormal kidney shapes, and detected objects as small as 4 mm, although they missed two stones and the smallest ureters measured 3 mm. This method may improve how doctors examine the kidneys without invasive procedures, making diagnoses quicker and easier. Who this helps: Patients with kidney issues and doctors who diagnose kidney problems.

PubMed

Deformation of orthodontic archwires over time.

1994

Australian orthodontic journal

Wong EK, Borland DW, West VC

Plain English
This study looked at how orthodontic wires change shape over time when exposed to high temperatures, like when eating hot foods. Researchers tested different types of wires and found that beta titanium wires deformed the most, while superelastic nickel titanium wires were the least affected. This is important because knowing how these wires behave in real-life situations can help improve orthodontic treatments and ensure better patient outcomes. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.

PubMed

Proactive labor relations.

1982

Journal of allied health

Borland DT

Plain English
This research looked at how economic and political changes are impacting jobs in health care, specifically for allied health professionals like nurses and medical assistants. It found that stronger involvement from both employers and employees can lead to better solutions for workplace issues. This is important because addressing these concerns can improve job satisfaction and patient care. Who this helps: This benefits allied health professionals and, ultimately, their patients.

PubMed

The impact of employment impasse and its resolution in the allied health professions.

1982

Journal of allied health

Borland DT

Plain English
This study looked at conflicts that arise during negotiations between employees and employers in the allied health professions, focusing on how to resolve these conflicts when they reach a standstill, known as an impasse. It found that having a clear process for resolving these issues helps reduce the negative effects on the workplace. Understanding these conflict resolution methods is crucial for maintaining good working relationships, which ultimately leads to better patient care. Who this helps: This benefits healthcare workers and employers in the allied health fields.

PubMed

Research on middle age: an assessment.

1978

The Gerontologist

Borland DC

PubMed

Comparison of radical mastectomy with alternative treatments for primary breast cancer. A first report of results from a prospective randomized clinical trial.

1977

Cancer

Fisher B, Montague E, Redmond C, Barton B, Borland D +15 more

PubMed

Gonadal dysgenesis in a eunuchoid XX female.

1967

Virginia medical monthly

Board JA, Estep HL, Young RB, Borland DS

PubMed

Sequential oral contraception using DMAP.

1966

Fertility and sterility

Board JA, Borland DS

PubMed

ACUTE CARDIAC EMERGENCIES.

1964

The Hahnemannian

BORLAND DM

PubMed

ACUTE CARDIAC EMERGENCIES.

1964

Journal of the American Institute of Homeopathy

BORLAND DM

PubMed

INTRAVENOUS LEIOMYOMATOSIS OF THE UTERUS AND BROAD LIGAMENT. REPORT OF A CASE.

1964

American journal of clinical pathology

BORLAND DS, WOTRING JW

PubMed

ENDOMETRIAL EFFECTS OF MESTRANOL-NORETHINDRONE SEQUENTIAL THERAPY FOR ORAL CONTRACEPTION.

1964

Obstetrics and gynecology

BOARD JA, BORLAND DS

PubMed

Mucormycosis of the central nervous system.

1959

A.M.A. journal of diseases of children

BORLAND DS

PubMed

Post-influenzal complications.

1950

The British homoeopathic journal

BORLAND DM

PubMed

Homoeopathy in theory and practice.

1950

The British homoeopathic journal

BORLAND DM

PubMed

The treatment of certain heart conditions by homeopathy.

1948

The British homoeopathic journal

BORLAND DM

PubMed

Children's types.

1945

Homoeopathic herald

BORLAND DM

PubMed

An Account of an Epidemic of Scarlatina, in Butler and Armstrong Counties, Pa.

1839

Medical examiner (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Borland DM

PubMed

Publication data sourced from PubMed . Plain-English summaries generated by AI. Not medical advice.