Inside UNC Research: A look back at 2023

The past year has brought growth, transformations, and achievements for the OVCR community. We made strides for the University that solidified our position as a leader in research excellence.

From expanding initiatives to embracing new leadership, the year has been a testament to the organization’s commitment to fostering innovation and making impactful contributions that further our mission of serving North Carolina and changing the world. Here’s a review of some key announcements from 2023.

Progress

• UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University awarded up to $50M from the FDA for new research center
  • The funds will be used to establish the Research Triangle Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation, which will work with FDA scientists to perform cutting edge research to better inform and support the agency’s needs.
• Record attendance at 2023 University Research Week
  • Hundreds of students, staff, postdoctoral trainees, and faculty attended 67 events celebrating the exceptional achievements made by researchers across all our schools, centers, and institutes.
• Leibfarth named inaugural Institute for Convergent Science faculty fellow
  • The institute’s Faculty Fellowship Program will provide support for chemist Frank Leibfarth, whose research includes expanding options for recycling.
• FPG Child Development Institute announces new external advisory board
  • This new board will serve in a consultative capacity providing expertise and counsel relevant to the institute’s work, with a special focus on four strategic research initiatives.
• Amid abundant growth, IE launches new website
  • The new website features the inspiring stories of the institute’s people, programs, and projects, and integrates into a seamless and coordinated experience with Sustainable Carolina.

Transitions

• Penny Gordon-Larsen named vice chancellor for research
  • Following a national search, Penny Gordon-Larsen was selected as UNC-Chapel Hill’s permanent vice chancellor for research.
• Ashok Krishnamurthy named director of RENCI
  • UNC Research spoke to Krishnamurthy about his career in data science, the implications of advanced AI technology, and supporting data science teaching and research across campus.
• Brian Boyd named interim director of FPG Child Development Institute
  • Boyd is the William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of Education in the School of Education. His research on children and young adults with significant disabilities builds on the strengths and work already happening at the institute.
• Laura Sandt and Caroline Mozingo appointed permanent co-directors of HSRC
  • UNC Research spoke to them about how they got started at the center and their goals for HSRC.
• Dustin Yocum appointed associate director of Research Science and Security Program
  • Yocum was previously an associate director in the Office of Human Research Ethics.
• Quinton Johnson appointed assistant vice chancellor for research compliance
  • UNC Research spoke to Johnson about what’s to come for compliance at Carolina.
• Nathan Dollar named director of Carolina Demography
  • Most recently, Dollar served as a research scientist and project director for the Dynamics of Extreme Events, People, and Places survey at the Carolina Population Center.
• Christine Ackley named director of human resources
  • UNC Research spoke to Ackley about her new role and what’s next for the office.
• Laura Viera and Michael Sledge transition into leadership for ONE UNC Clinical Research
  • Shakira Henderson became the dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Florida. Viera and Sledge will lead the initiative on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is named.

Development

• 2023 Hettleman Prizes awarded to five exceptional early-career faculty
  • The annual Phillip and Ruth Hettleman Prizes for Artistic and Scholarly Achievement were awarded to five faculty members conducting groundbreaking and innovative research.
• Meet the 2023-2025 CPPFD Fellows
  • The Carolina Postdoctoral Program for Faculty Diversity (CPPFD) named five new fellows.
• 2023 PARE Award Recipients
  • The Postdoctoral Awards for Research Excellence (PARE) were given to five postdoctoral scholars. Meet this year’s recipients and learn about their areas of interest.
• Two teams selected as Creativity Hubs award winners
  • The 2022-2023 winners of competitive funding for the Creativity Hubs Pilot Award were Development of a Novel Platform Approach to Expand the Degradable Proteome, led by Lindsey James, and the Systems Science Hub: Youth Mental Health, co-led by Samantha Schilling and Paul Lanier.

Read more about what OVCR accomplished in 2023 in this month’s Carolina Discoveries blog from Vice Chancellor for Research Penny Gordon-Larsen.