By Penny Gordon-Larsen, November 14, 2024

In the wake of Veteran’s Day, I’d like to reflect on UNC-Chapel Hill’s commitment to advancing research that improves the lives of our veterans and active-duty service members. Carolina is the flagship public university in a state dedicated to public service. North Carolina has one of the largest military footprints of any state in the country, representing three out of the four branches of service. The state is also home to the Army Research Office, the Army’s facilitator of basic science funding at research institutions across the country.

The University’s proximity to this level of military activity, and our commitment to service, creates a productive environment for our researchers to support the military. From groundbreaking scientific discoveries to innovative technological advancements, our work is making a tangible difference in the lives of those who serve.

Helping Veterans Thrive

Carolina’s dedication to military service extends to practical clinical care. The University offers a wide range of programs and resources to support veterans and their families. One such initiative is the THRIVE program in the Matthew Gfeller Center, which provides comprehensive care to veterans and first responders suffering from traumatic brain injuries and related health conditions. By offering a multi-phase approach that includes evaluation, treatment, and follow-up care, THRIVE empowers these individuals to overcome challenges and lead fulfilling lives.

THRIVE, which stands for Transforming Health and Resilience in Veterans, is spearheaded by Jason Mihalik, a professor of exercise and sport science and director of the Gfeller Center. He has deep expertise in treating chronic traumatic brain injuries in veterans, concussion care on the front lines, and cultivating the University’s partnerships with active-duty service member populations.

Engineering Solutions for Military Applications

Wei You, professor of chemistry and applied physical sciences, is the principal investigator on Carolina’s most recent Department of Defense (DoD) Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative award. This groundbreaking research aims to improve the performance and efficiency of electronic devices, such as smartphone screens and wearable technology. By combining chemistry, physics, and engineering, the researchers will explore new ways to manipulate these materials at the molecular level. This innovative approach could pave the way for a new generation of electronics with improved power efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability.

Also in the Department of Applied Physical Sciences, Chair Theo Dingemans designs innovative, lightweight materials that can perform both structural and functional tasks effectively and efficiently. These new high-performance polymer chemistries have enormous potential for military applications. The materials have applications in aerospace, energy generation, energy storage, water purification, and gas separation.

Several Carolina researchers from the Institute of Marine Sciences, have conducted studies on the environmental impact of military activities in the region, including those at Camp Lejeune. These studies often focus on the impact of military activities on coastal ecosystems, water quality, and marine life. Researchers analyze water samples, sediment cores, and biological specimens to assess the extent of contamination and its effects on the environment.

Carolina computer scientist Mohit Bansal has received numerous awards and recognition from the DoD for his research in life-long learning based artificial intelligence. His lab focuses on natural language processing, multimodal and grounded machine learning, and deep learning-based data analytics. This research could lead to major advances in machines that can make decisions on their own and work together with humans, even in difficult conditions, like on battlefields.

Novel Research for Service Member Health

Our faculty are at the forefront of research that directly impacts the health and well-being of military personnel. Ross Boyce, a distinguished faculty member and U.S. Army veteran, was recently profiled in The Well. His research focuses on vector-borne infectious diseases, particularly those transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes. His work has significant implications for military personnel who may be exposed to these diseases during deployments. By understanding the transmission and prevention of these diseases, his research contributes to the health and safety of our troops.

Maj. Kenneth Harris III, current service member and graduate student in the School of Social Work, is also working to improve health outcomes for service members. His recent study, published in Military Psychology, found that junior enlisted members are more resilient than junior officers, who often struggle to balance personal and professional demands. The research also highlights the importance of informal social support networks in promoting mental health.

Another example of impactful research is the work of Kurt Ribisl, chair and Jo Anne Earp Distinguished Professor in the Department of Health Behavior at the Gillings School of Global Public Health, who is a renowned expert in tobacco control. He is conducting work that is important for military readiness by investigating tobacco use among military personnel. Their work has shed light on the prevalence of smoking and vaping in the military and has informed evidence-based interventions to reduce tobacco-related illnesses and deaths and support troops for basic training.

Deborah Tate, interim director of the UNC Nutrition Research Institute and Department of Nutrition professor, is leading a five-year study to mitigate weight gain by U.S. Air Force personnel, another vital component for military readiness. Despite weight and fitness requirements, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the U.S. military approaches that in the general population. The study supplies its young, active-duty military participants with a Fitbit tracker and equips them with weight gain prevention intervention strategies for over two years. The research will provide an underserved population in critical need of weight gain prevention with broad, remote delivery suitable for all young adults in the military.

The UNC School of Medicine recently received a $5 million grant from the DoD to test the effectiveness of iCOVER, a peer-based intervention designed to help service members overcome acute stress reactions (ASRs) and continue performing their duties. This clinical trial will recruit individuals experiencing ASRs in emergency departments of major trauma centers across the nation. The research team, led by Sam McLean, professor of psychiatry and emergency medicine, aims to determine if iCOVER can effectively reduce emotional distress and restore performance in individuals experiencing ASRs, both in military and civilian settings.

Serving Beyond the Bench

Beyond research and clinical care, Carolina offers academic programs and support services for military-connected students. These include advising, mental health services, career counseling, and a thriving Army ROTC program. The UNC System Office is also committed to ensuring that institutions across the state offer supportive military policies; flexible online degree programs; strong external partnerships with national and statewide stakeholders; and academic credit for military training. By providing these resources, the University and the UNC System help veterans and their families achieve their educational and career goals.

Carolina’s commitment to our military is a testament to its values of service, innovation, and compassion. Through groundbreaking research, comprehensive care, and supportive programs, we continue to make a significant impact on the lives of those who have served our nation.

Permalink: UNC Research’s Commitment to Veterans

By Penny Gordon-Larsen, October 16, 2024

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a long-standing tradition of excellence in research and its broader impact on society. That commitment to discovery has a profound impact on the educational experience of our students. Research is deeply interwoven into our academic mission, providing a training ground with hands-on and experiential learning opportunities for students.

Student research engagement is also critical for our ranking and reputation among peers. When we attract the best and brightest faculty, they attract the very best students. And those students become the talented workforce of tomorrow, bringing greater benefit to our state and reinforcing our reputation as a global research leader.

Next week we celebrate University Research Week — our annual, week-long showcase of Carolina’s research excellence — with events designed to share opportunities for students to get engaged in one of the many research activities available across campus. Over the course of the week, there will be more than 50 events, among them our first Research and Discovery Fair. The fair, with participation of more than 25 labs, is designed specifically to expose students to opportunities they may not otherwise know about.

Hosting University Research Week each year gives us the opportunity to share how research enriches the undergraduate experience by providing students with ample opportunities to discover and engage in their own research projects, fostering a culture of innovation and academic growth.

Benefits of research experience for students

As a component of the Ideas in Action curriculum, every Carolina undergraduate student is required to take at least one Research and Discovery course. These courses provide students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a research project, learning a wealth of new skills as they produce and disseminate original scholarship or creative work. Students and faculty overwhelmingly find that engaging in research is a positive experience, and student researchers report greater overall satisfaction with their undergraduate experience.

Such research experiences allow students to seek solutions to challenging problems and adapt to new challenges, skills that are essential for success in today’s rapidly changing world. These experiences also provide the opportunity for students to work as part of research teams and collaborate to meet shared goals. We consistently hear that research experiences are among their most favorite and meaningful experiences at Carolina.

UNC-Chapel Hill faculty members are committed to mentoring students and helping them develop their academic and professional skills. For faculty members, students bring fresh perspectives and new ideas that enrich their scholarship. Our student researchers make breakthroughs, innovate, and develop new technologies that are completely transformative.

There are currently more than 1,000 undergraduate students employed in labs across our campus. One such example is Lilly Nekervis, who studies information science, and has a passion for the potential of robotics to assist people with disabilities. After joining the Interactive Robotics and Novel Technologies Lab, she embarked on a research project to transform the lab’s Spot robot into a guide dog for individuals with visual impairments.

Nekervis modified existing software and hardware, including developing a specialized harness and integrating cameras, sensors, and a speaker system. Through her research, she aims to create a mobility aid for people with visual impairments and bridge the gap between robotics and assistive technology.

Research experience provides students an opportunity to think critically, solve problems, and work independently, making them more attractive to employers. Undergraduate and graduate students who work in labs and in the field receive valuable workplace experience and earn greater salaries, offsetting their education expenses, generating new jobs to the region, and ultimately increasing our state revenue.

The benefits of faculty research for students

Research comes alive as faculty bring their latest research findings into the classroom as part of lectures and course activities. This ensures that students are learning the most up-to-date information and developing a deep understanding of current trends and challenges.

For example, faculty experts in artificial intelligence incorporate the latest methodological tools and approaches to provide a comprehensive understanding of this rapidly evolving field. Theoretical physicists provide examples of how they solve critical problems in the pursuit of new knowledge. Similarly, field researchers use real-world examples, such as data from recent extreme weather events, to assess impacts and solutions. This creates opportunities to address concerns like flooding and harmful containments.

Just this week we announced the launch of a new undergraduate minor in risk management, developed by the newly established Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Innovation in partnership with the School of Data Science and Society. Beginning in Spring 2025, students can take four courses in the risk management minor to become equipped with the necessary skills to analyze and mitigate risks ranging from extreme weather to cybersecurity.

Research is a cornerstone of the UNC-Chapel Hill experience, providing students with a rich and rewarding education that prepares them for success in their future careers. By engaging in research, faculty members advance knowledge in their fields at the same time as they enhance learning opportunities for our students. The dedication of our faculty to use research to equip the next generation of problem solvers and world changers is a testament to Carolina’s commitment to research and teaching excellence.

Permalink: Research and Education at Carolina

By Penny Gordon-Larsen, September 11, 2024

Every day Carolina researchers make discoveries with impact that save and transform lives far beyond the confines of our campus. Their work touches every one of North Carolina’s 100 counties and researchers from our health affairs schools work in communities across the state, offering programs to prevent, manage, and treat diseases of all kinds. In addition to enhancing wellness statewide, research provides an economic boost. In fact, last year our research employed more than 11,000 North Carolinians, generated $38 million in tax revenue, and brought in $1.21 billion in grants and awards.

This week, we refreshed our interactive state impact map with updated content, highlighting the diverse projects and initiatives that are driving innovation and improving lives in communities throughout the state. It also includes a county-by-county breakdown of undergraduate students participating in research opportunities that will prepare them to be the highly skilled workforce of our state’s future.

I invite you to dive into the map and uncover the real-world results of our innovative research, and continue reading to discover just a glimpse of the transformative work taking place across our state.

Engineering and Applied Sciences

I recently had the opportunity to tour the NC Pure facility in Research Triangle Park along with Chancellor Lee Roberts, and we were extremely impressed with the game-changing solutions being developed there. NC Pure is a research initiative spearheaded by the NC Collaboratory that is developing technologies for removing harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water sources. The initiative is contributing to a deeper understanding of PFAS contamination, and the challenges associated with removing these harmful chemicals from water. By developing innovative solutions and fostering collaboration, NC Pure is helping to protect North Carolina’s water resources and ensure a healthier future for its citizens.

In the Gillings School of Global Public Health, environmental engineers are developing novel solutions to even more public health crises affecting our state. New research from Jason Surratt, in collaboration with Barbara Turpin, both of the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (ESE), has developed a new method for measuring PFAS in real-time, directly from the air which can more effectively monitor and regulate PFAS pollution. This technology can significantly improve public health and environmental protection across our state, especially in areas with industrial sites like Fayetteville. In providing more accurate data on PFAS emissions, we can help inform environmental regulations.

Another recent tour took the Chancellor and I through the halls of the Mary Ellen Jones building to see some of the research projects of the UNC/NC State Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering that have significant statewide impact. The department has been at the forefront of developing new medical devices that improve patient outcomes like biomaterials that can be used to create implants that are more compatible with the body. They are also working to develop personalized approaches that tailor treatments to the individual needs of patients while addressing healthcare disparities and improving access to quality care for all. With strong external collaborations with industry and healthcare providers, they are ensuring that their research is translated into practical applications.

Energy, Water, Air and Environment

Carolina faculty are also leading the way when it comes to green, clean energy breakthroughs. Jingsong Huang, professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ applied physical sciences department, recently won a 2025 Research Opportunities Initiative award funded by the North Carolina General Assembly. Huang is collaborating with NC State University to boost North Carolina’s energy production and reduce dependence on out-of-state fossil fuels. Their goal is to create all-perovskite tandem solar cells, which have potential to be twice as efficient as silicon-based solar cells.

A recent study led by Noah Kittner in ESE suggests that transforming retired coal power plants into renewable energy facilities could be a beneficial solution for both the environment and local economies. Researchers found that this approach can significantly reduce carbon emissions, lower energy costs, and create new economic opportunities. The study proposes retrofitting old coal plants with solar panels and batteries. This would not only be more cost-effective than building new renewable energy infrastructure but would also revitalize communities that have relied on coal-fired power.

Amanda DelVecchia’s lab in the Department of Geography & Environment studies greenhouse gas emissions from streams. The lab’s current study, called the MacroGas Project, questions how different stream characteristics affect how much greenhouse gas is produced or released into the atmosphere from watersheds. They have found that warmer, shallower streams, common in North Carolina’s Piedmont region, emit the most carbon dioxide. By focusing on areas with high emissions and refining their methods, they aim to better understand the state’s freshwater biogeochemistry.

Currituck County is losing nearly 72 acres of marsh annually due to erosion and rising sea levels. Traditional satellite imagery offers limited resolution for tracking marsh health, but researchers at the Carolina Drone Lab, a collaborative research unit within the UNC Institute for the Environment, are using aerial imagery to assess marsh conditions in the Outer Banks. By creating digital surface models, they can monitor marsh elevation and compare it to sea level rise. This data can help inform erosion mitigation and coastal restoration efforts.

Launched just last month, our new Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Innovation (IRMII), led by Greg Characklis, aims to address financial risks from threats like extreme weather and cybersecurity. IRMII will conduct research, train students, and collaborate with industry partners. The institute will provide interdisciplinary training for students and develop an undergraduate minor in risk management and is expected to make a significant impact across the state. It will generate innovative ideas, benefit the risk management and insurance industry, attract funding, and prepare students for the future workforce.

Wellbeing

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) is a cornerstone of the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis, a city that has experienced significant economic revitalization thanks to this cutting-edge research facility. The NRI is dedicated to understanding the complex interplay between genetics, nutrition, and health, with a particular focus on precision nutrition. The institute has made a significant impact on the local community by driving economic growth, improving healthcare services, and fostering a culture of innovation and research excellence. Its commitment to translating research into practical applications is helping to improve the health and well-being of people around the state and world.

Led by the UNC Highway Safety Research Center (HSRC), in collaboration with the Department of City and Regional Planning and the Injury Prevention Research Center (IPRC), the Collaborative Sciences Center for Road Safety (CSCRS) unites leading transportation research, planning, public health, data science, and engineering programs at institutions across the country. One CSCRS-funded project is addressing the sharp increase in pedestrian fatalities in the U.S in recent years. The study, led by HSRC co-Director Laura Sandt, is analyzing data and seeking to identify the root causes of these rising fatalities with the goal of developing innovative strategies that inform efforts to improve pedestrian safety state and nationwide.

The UNC School of Medicine recently partnered with Novant Health, UNC Health, and the Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune to launch a psychiatric residency program that trains more physicians in southeastern North Carolina and boosts the pipeline of much-needed mental health physicians around the major military installation. The initial class of seven psychiatric residents began their four-year programs in June 2024 and are providing specialized care for individuals serving in the military, treating conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

The North Carolina Collaboratory recently awarded five grants — funded by a $1.9 million state appropriation to projects — across the UNC System aimed at bolstering community and local government efforts to combat the opioid crisis. The Monitoring the North Carolina Drug Supply for Timely Action project, led by IPRC’s Nabarun Dasgupta, seeks to enhance public health response to the opioid crisis. By leveraging an existing drug testing service, this project will provide health departments, harm reduction programs, and clinics with real-time data on illicit drug supplies through a statewide drug alert system developed in partnership with the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media.

We are grateful for strong partnerships with groups like NC Collaboratory and the North Carolina General Assembly who are supporting statewide research that has tangible benefit for our citizens. We, in turn, are also working on expanding resources to other N.C. research institutions. One goal of the Research Roadmap, our strategic plan for continued growth, is to establish sustainable funding models for research facilities and equipment. Carolina has over 140 core facilities that serve researchers both within and outside the University, and beginning in 2025, we will charge internal breakeven rates to all UNC System institutions. This change will promote collaboration, increase access to our facilities, and provide more affordable services to researchers across the state.

Carolina’s research is making a significant impact across North Carolina. Through innovative projects in fields like engineering, health affairs, energy, and social sciences, our researchers are addressing pressing challenges and improving lives in communities. From developing new technologies that combat PFAS pollution to enhancing mental health services, our work drives statewide solutions and brings a significant return on the state’s investment in our University.

Permalink: Statewide Impact of Carolina’s Research

By UNC Research, August 8, 2024

As is articulated in our strategic plan, the Research Roadmap, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research is committed to accelerating research growth and opportunity, harnessing the power of our research enterprise to drive innovation, and transforming the research ecosystem to be nimble, efficient, and of greater societal benefit. With partners across the University, the OVCR ensures Carolina’s research creates value for the people of North Carolina and across the world.

Nowhere is that embodied more than in our Creativity Hubs seed funding program. These awards have been catalysts for extraordinary discoveries for the past seven years, empowering interdisciplinary teams to tackle complex societal challenges. This year, we revitalized the program to intentionally cultivate a culture of research innovation with a call for impact-oriented science.

Just last week, we announced the winners of this year’s Creativity Hubs awards. Through our partnership with the NC Collaboratory and generous funding from the NC General Assembly, we were able to award five teams with Creativity Hubs funding, the largest amount we have awarded in any given year.

Each of the winning teams has a potential application that is the result of a breakthrough in cutting-edge discovery science. They also synergize perfectly with a strategic priority identified within both the Research Roadmap and the Chancellor’s four areas of focus: applied sciences. These groundbreaking projects have the potential to significantly impact millions of lives around the world, and they demonstrate UNC-Chapel Hill’s dedication to improving human health and creating a sustainable future for North Carolina and for citizens and communities across the globe.

This years’ winning teams have identified novel solutions for treating cancer, neurological disorders, and chronic diseases; technologies that overcome barriers to health screening in rural communities; and strategies to develop next generation clean energy sources. While all five projects address different challenges, they all share a common goal of research innovation and each will produce tangible outputs, including commercialization.

The winning teams are:

2024 Creativity Hubs Winners

Creativity Hubs awards are managed by the OVCR’s Office of Research Development (ORD) and the goal for each winning project is to pursue large-scale, follow-on awards that build on the pilot funding. To date, winning projects have stimulated exciting results with significant return on investment, including tens of millions in extramural funding.

The program is one of several internal seed investment programs managed by ORD which, taken together, have resulted in an average of 4-6 times additional grant funding traced back to the OVCR support. Other programs include UNC Idea Grants which provide early-stage support for novel concepts, and Arts and Humanities Research Grants which cultivate creative and scholarly exploration. Through this variety of seed opportunities, we are investing in all parts of campus, with reach across many disciplines.

For example, this summer, ORD was able to fund nine scholars through the Arts and Humanities Research grants, ranging from classics, to romance language, to geography and environment. Such grants are co-funded by the Institute for the Arts and Humanities and support our world-renowned creative research and our strategic emphasis of translating that research into social settings outcomes.

ORD’s impact extends beyond internal funding. The office also plays a pivotal role in securing major external grants that engage faculty from across campus. Recent triumphs include securing:

• The University’s inaugural ARPA-H Award, a $10 million investment for the development of an AI-driven cancer treatment tool.
• A prestigious UNC System ROI award that supports the commercialization of cutting-edge solar cell technology.
• Carolina’s second ever NSF Engine Award that supports the University and nine partners in the development of a plan for a 42-county Agricultural Tech Innovation Corridor, boosting innovation and access for underserved agricultural communities across North Carolina.
• An award from the FDA for up to $50 million that establishes Triangle CERSI, the newest of only five CERSIs across the country, where Carolina and Triangle-wide researchers work with FDA scientists to perform cutting-edge scientific research to better inform and support the FDA’s needs.

Since FY18, ORD has enabled 131 pan-campus proposals resulting in $79.4 million in total awards to Carolina researchers. ORD has also broadened its team, expanding its ability to address the OVCR’s strategic priority of diversifying Carolina’s grant portfolio, and working to ensure that UNC-Chapel Hill faculty are first-to-know about relevant public and private funding opportunities. This enables the team to position the University for rapid-turn-around grants and solutions-oriented research. To develop winning proposals, ORD leads team formation, proposal development, and project management for large, pan-campus applications. Beyond project management and grant writing support, ORD helps faculty advance early ideas forward.

These achievements underscore the OVCR’s commitment to accelerating science and scholarship that will lead to innovative solutions. The office is also deeply committed to propelling Carolina to the forefront of research, scholarship, and discovery. By providing strategic support, funding opportunities, and expert guidance, OVCR empowers Carolina researchers to pursue ambitious projects that address global challenges.

Permalink: Catalyzing discoveries for innovation