Copenhaver named director of Institute for Convergent Science
Greg Copenhaver has been named director of the Institute for Convergent Science (ICS). In this new role, Copenhaver will work to define the activities, mission, and vision for the institute’s future, with his focus revolving around a central question: How does ICS support research that creates new innovations and translates them into companies, technologies, or other modes of impact in the world? He will focus on creating a hub where all activity becomes visible and interconnected in a single place.
As director of the ICS, Copenhaver will assume the title of Chancellor’s Eminent Professor of Convergent Science. He will remain associate dean for research and innovation in the College of Arts & Sciences, a position he has held since July 2021. He also shares joint appointments in the biology department and the Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences.
RENCI & RTI sign memorandum of understanding to expand partnership
RENCI and RTI International have established a strategic partnership to build on existing successes and jointly seek out new research opportunities in areas such as data modernization, data science, and team science solutions. A few large-scale team science projects they’ve collaborated on over the years include NCATS Data Translator, NHLBI BioData Catalyst, and the NIH HEAL Initiative® Data Stewardship Group.
“RTI and RENCI have a synergistic relationship that has only strengthened over the years, and this feels like the right time to use this momentum to intentionally coordinate our efforts and make the biggest impact possible in the field of data science,” says Stan Ahalt, director of RENCI. “We have shown time and again that our team science approach produces real results, and we know that our combined impact is greater than what we could achieve individually.”
McConkey named director of state affairs
In May, Amy McConkey became the new director of state affairs at UNC. In this role, she represents the university in advocacy before state government, regulatory agencies, and key policymakers. She works closely with faculty, students, and administrators to develop and advance Carolina’s state legislative agenda.
McConkey arrived at UNC in May 2022 after working for 20 years in and around North Carolina government. She began her career in 2002 as a reporter for N.C. State Watch (now The Insider) before shifting into an advocacy role, working on behalf of clients ranging from nonprofit associations to Fortune 500 companies. Most recently, before joining UNC, she was executive vice president of Vista Strategies, a government relations firm founded by former State Senator Tom Apodaca.
Eshelman Institute for Innovation releases Annual Impact Report
In their 2021 Annual Impact Report, the Eshelman Institute indicates an $89.6 million return to UNC from institute funding of research — nearly a 3-to-1 return on dollars given for funding.
Further highlights of the report include the funding and launch of the Rapidly Emerging Antiviral Drug Development Initiative (READDI), a global public-private collaboration aimed at putting antiviral drugs “on the shelf” to help curb future pandemics, and a UNC health sciences partnership that brought a CRISPR screening facility to campus in the fall. The report also details the work of the Eshelman Institute in the digital health domain, culminating in the launch of a digital health startup, Epulate Inc., which will streamline the organ transplant crossmatch system.
Save the date: University Research Week October 10-14, 2022
During the week of October 10 – 14, 2022, University Research Week events will highlight the impact of research on the state of North Carolina and the exceptional achievements of Carolina researchers across many disciplines as they strive to answer: Whatʼs Next? The celebration will also honor the scientific discovery and scholarly creativity of today and our institutionʼs 229-year history during University Day on October 12th.
University Research Week is an annual, campus-wide event sponsored by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and the Office of Undergraduate Research.
If you have any questions regarding University Research Week, or are interesting in hosting an event during the celebration, contact OVCR Director of Communications Layla Dowdy or Interim Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research Bob Pleasants.