Terry Magnuson

This will be my last message to all of you as UNC’s vice chancellor for research.

Significant research breakthroughs are highlighted annually by Science. According to the journal, the research breakthrough of the year for 2021 was protein structure predictions. Several runners up were also included on their list.

On the heels of the significant disruptions of 2020, followed by unique challenges of 2021, and now a looming threat of yet another Sars-CoV-2 variant at the start of 2022, our research support offices have remained operational through it all. We know that the fluid nature of the pandemic is personally taxing, and we are so appreciative that our workforce has remained dedicated through all these trials.

As 2021 comes to an end, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Joyce Tan and I want to reflect on progress of Initiative 4: Discover, the research framework for the University’s … Read more

Collaboration incentivizes open science, which is a topic of interest in the research community today. One definition of open science is “the idea that scientific knowledge of all kinds should be openly shared as early as is practical in the discovery process.”

Although international collaborations present significant research opportunities, challenges face U.S.-based institutions working across national borders. Enhancing international collaboration requires recognition of differences in culture, legitimate national security needs, and critical … Read more

We now know that DNA differences in the gene have profound physiological differences across all mammals. One of UNC Research’s seven priorities is “Precision Health and Society,” which is focused on tailoring health care practice, delivery, and therapeutics to unique individual circumstances, using factors from genetics to social and environmental influences.

UNC-Chapel Hill’s strategic plan, Carolina Next: Innovations for Public Good, emphasizes the importance of promoting and integrating the scholarly work of artists and scientists.

ARPA-H, a new model for NIH, would focus on time-limited projects with goals, benchmarks, and accountability to develop a flexible and nimble strategy for preventing, treating, and curing a range of diseases.

Few would argue the importance of preventing foreign espionage and intellectual theft on university campuses. However, universities are speaking out against overly burdensome regulations. There is no question that immigration of highly skilled scientists increases the economic, intellectual, moral, and public health of this country.