Thank you to everyone who made this year’s University Research Week the most successful yet. Together we hosted more than 65 events that celebrated Carolina’s unique and outstanding research enterprise.
More than 1,000 students, staff, postdoctoral trainees, and faculty attended a variety of events that celebrated the exceptional achievements made by researchers across all our schools, centers, and institutes. Throughout the 65+ events held during University Research Week, our community became more familiar with the world-class advancements and collaborative research that make Carolina one of the top research institutions across the globe, and we hope students were inspired to pursue their own research interests. Here’s a look at some highlights of the week.
Hettleman Talks
Three recipients of the 2022 Phillip and Ruth Hettleman Prizes for Scholarly Achievement gave presentations on their innovative and groundbreaking research. Seth A. Berkowitz explained how he examines and addresses health-related social needs and how, in many cases, the most important root causes of health are social and economic. Yuliya Pylayeva-Gupta showed how her research aims to reverse the immunosuppressive pancreatic tumor microenvironment in one of the deadliest and most difficult to treat cancers. Frank Leibfarth shared how his research of polymer stereochemistry and functionalization is overturning decades-old beliefs of what is possible in the design of next-generation sustainable and functional materials. The fourth Hettleman winner, Danielle Christmas, will present her studies of 20th- and 21st-century American literature at a later date.
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center Broader Impacts Open House
This event demonstrated how Morehead Planetarium and Science Center partners with Carolina faculty and researchers applying for grants to develop projects with broader impacts, producing outcomes that are then made available and accessible to a wide range of audiences. Participants were able to browse through and interact with the renovated exhibits throughout the science center.
PARE Talks
The recipients of the Postdoctoral Awards for Research Excellence (PARE) gave short talks on their research. Nipun Saini studies nutrient-alcohol interactions in alcohol-exposed pregnancies, specifically the effects of alcohol-glucose metabolic interactions in the maternal-fetal dyad in a mouse model of prenatal alcohol exposure. Laura Ornelas studies the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie sex differences in comorbid alcohol use and stress. Wei Shi aims to reveal the mechanisms underlying heart failure progression and cardiac tissue regeneration. Aobo Li leverages artificial intelligence to facilitate the experimental search of neutrino-less double-beta decay — part of an effort to explain why there was matter left after the Big Bang instead of only pure energy. Sophie Maiocchi focuses on how to deliver pharmacologic and biologic therapies, such as proteins and RNA, to treat cardiovascular disease and its clinical implications.
Blue Sky Innovations Future of Emerging Tech Open House
Blue Sky Innovations showed us what’s next in emerging technologies by bringing us into the Metaverse, both online using Spatial and in the lab with virtual reality (VR) goggles. Attendees learned about research in robotics, volumetric capture, and more in an interactive VR presentation.
Three-Minute Thesis
The final round of The Graduate School’s Three-Minute Thesis competition positioned Mackenna Wood as the first-place winner. Wood is a graduate student in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College. Her thesis described how astronomers can better determine the planetary evolutionary process, what geological evidence shows, and what made the Earth capable of supporting life.
Lauren Herlihy, a graduate student in the UNC School of Nursing, won second place for her research titled “Early Peanut Introduction in Infants to Prevent Peanut Allergy.” Rachel DuMez, a graduate student studying genetics and molecular biology, won the peoples’ choice award for her research on the health benefits of kombucha.
(photos courtesy of The Graduate School at UNC-Chapel Hill)
Research Labs of Archaeology Open House
Attendees left with their snack cravings satisfied after building their own edible archaeological site by adding trail mix to a clear cup. By creating different strata of salty and sweet snacks, the exercise helped demonstrate stratigraphy while also serving up a delicious treat.
Building an Inclusive and Transformative Data Strategy in Research and Community Engagement
In this well-attended online seminar, we heard from interdisciplinary experts who defined data equity and discussed considerations for how data are collected, analyzed, interpreted, and distributed. The discussion explored ways that data can reinforce stereotypes, exacerbate problems like racial bias, or otherwise undermine social justice. Additionally, panelists discussed how data equity can empower communities, yield informed decision making, and share best practices for inclusivity and improving data equity.
University Day
The featured event of University Research Week was the annual recognition of the University’s founding. This year, University Day featured researchers presenting alongside their undergraduate students on projects that have a direct impact on the wellbeing of North Carolinians. Orlando Coronell and Christian Chung shared their North Carolina Collaboratory research on a novel technology for effectively removing toxic pollutants from our drinking water. Caela O’Connell and Margot Midkiff highlighted the impact of hurricanes, flooding, pollution, and other factors on human and environmental relationships in communities across our state.
(Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)
(Johnny Andrews/UNC-Chapel Hill)
(Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)
(Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)
(Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)
Thank you again to everyone who hosted and attended University Research Week events. We’ll see you all again next year!