From implementing the UNC Research strategic plan to expanding our impact to becoming a top-10 research university, the past year has given the Carolina community many reasons to celebrate.
UNC-Chapel now ranks ninth among top U.S. research institutions for research volume and annual expenditures, and funding hit a new milestone of $1.21 billion. Our researchers are some of the most cited in the world and our staff are leading key discussions with peers at universities across the country. This year has been a testament to Carolina’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 2024.
Progress
- Carolina ranked 9th among all top U.S. research institutions
- UNC-Chapel Hill grew research activity to $1.55B, pushing the University into the top 10 research institutions in the U.S. by volume and annual expenditures.
- UNC-Chapel Hill research funding hit new milestone at $1.21B
- Investment in Carolina’s research enterprise grew in FY24, with significant increases in funding from private organizations and federal agencies.
- 33 Carolina faculty named “highly cited researchers”
- More than 30 UNC-Chapel Hill faculty from across campus made Clarivate’s list of Highly Cited Researchers, recognizing those who have demonstrated significant and broad influence in their fields of study.
- For the 10th year, UNC-Chapel Hill ranked in top 100 for patents granted among universities worldwide
- In its annual Top 100 Worldwide Universities List, the National Academy of Inventors spotlighted top universities holding U.S. utility patents to showcase the important research and innovation taking place within academic institutions.
- Introduction of Carolina’s Research Roadmap
- UNC Research has charted a course to grow Carolina’s research enterprise and continue enabling its success with a new strategic plan.
- Announcement of the Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Innovation
- The new institute within OVCR is led by Greg Characklis and brings together investigators from multiple disciplines to address the financial risks arising from a growing number of threats to our state and beyond, ranging from extreme weather to cybersecurity.
- A summer of OVCR-hosted conferences
- While the students were away, the support services of UNC Research played — by hosting colleagues from around the state and country to learn and share insights on a variety of topics.
- Record attendance at 2024 University Research Week
- More than 2,000 students, staff, postdoctoral trainees, and faculty attended over 50 events celebrating the exceptional achievements made by researchers across all our schools, centers, and institutes. The first annual Research & Discovery Fair was attended by more than 600 undergraduate students and showcased nearly 30 research labs and projects for students to get involved in.
Transitions
- Viera named assistant vice chancellor for clinical research
- Laura Viera also serves as clinical research integration officer for the School of Medicine, providing leadership and strategic direction for Carolina’s clinical research enterprise.
- Pfaendtner hired as director of strategic research collaborations
- In May, Jill Aronson Pfaendtner began serving as the director of strategic research collaborations, a new role within OVCR.
- Moracco named UNC Injury Prevention Research Center director
- Beth Moracco brought over 15 years of experience in higher education leadership to the role and is widely recognized as an outstanding teacher, mentor, practitioner, and researcher.
- Grant named interim director of the Odum Institute
- Jessica Grant is the first woman to lead the institute in an interim or permanent capacity. She was formerly the associate director of research and director of the Certificate in Survey Science for the institute.
- Blouin named assistant vice chancellor for research development
- Nathan Blouin provides strategic vision and leadership in growing the University’s capacity for innovative, groundbreaking research and continues to oversee OVCR’s Office of Research Development.
- Leading data science expert joined RENCI as deputy director
- Rebecca Boyles was the founding director of the Center for Data Modernization Solutions at RTI International and joined RENCI at UNC-Chapel Hill in June.
- Leadership transitioned at the Nutrition Research Institute
- In April, Stephen Hursting stepped down as director of the institute in Kannapolis, and Deborah Tate became interim director.
Development
- Carolina cluster hire program will strengthen substance use disorder research
- As a strategy of the Research Roadmap, Carolina is hiring up to four researchers to build a new cross-disciplinary team that expands the University’s capacity to develop resources for our communities.
- Kenan Galapagos Fellows Program launched Fall 2024
- The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust awarded the UNC Center for Galapagos Studies $1.5 million to launch a fellowship program and propel research in the Galápagos.
- UNC Rural and UNC Research funds six collaborations serving 29 rural counties
- Co-offered by UNC Rural and UNC Research, the Rural Research, Engagement, and Advancement Fund promotes community-campus partnerships based in rural North Carolina supporting a wide range of engagement endeavors.
- Five research teams selected for Carolina’s Creativity Hubs funding
- This year, OVCR teamed up with the North Carolina Collaboratory to enable even more teams to make advancements in fields like health care and clean energy. Each team will receive funding to execute their project over the next two years, for a combined total of $1.87 million.
- 2024 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 promising faculty members who exemplify groundbreaking and innovative research along with future career promise.
- Nine researchers awarded Arts and Humanities Research Grants
- These grants are part of UNC-Chapel Hill’s strategic plan and the vice chancellor for research’s University-wide pilot funding portfolio, furthering Carolina’s position as a leader in foundational research, creative practice, and the translation of research into social settings.
- 2024 PARE Awards given to five postdocs
- Each year, the Postdoctoral Awards for Research Excellence (PARE) are given in recognition of the research promise demonstrated by individual postdoctoral scholars. Meet this year’s recipients and learn about their areas of interest.