Rooted - UNC Research

Rooted is a feature series that recognizes long-standing members of the UNC-Chapel Hill community who have aided in the advancement of research by staying at Carolina. They are crucial to the research enterprise, experts in their fields, and loyal Tar Heels.

Know someone we should feature? Nominate a researcher.

Rooted: Joe Tucker

Joe Tucker is as a professor of medicine and the director of UNC Project-China. He has been contributing to research at Carolina for 23 years.

Dara Wilson-Grant standing in a conference room with windows behind her.

Rooted: Dara Wilson-Grant

Dara Wilson-Grant is the director of postdoctoral career and professional development for the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. She has been contributing to research at Carolina for 17 years.

Craig Fletcher standing outside of a building with glass windows, facing the camera and smiling

Rooted: Craig Fletcher

Craig Fletcher is an associate vice chancellor for research and director of the Division of Comparative Medicine within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. He has been contributing to research at Carolina for 14 years.

Rooted: Penny Gordon-Larsen

Penny Gordon-Larsen is the vice chancellor for research and the Carla Smith Chamblee Distinguished Professor of Global Nutrition at UNC-Chapel Hill. She has been contributing to research at Carolina for 25 years.

Nick Eakes standing in a planetarium theater with constellations projected on the screen above him.

Rooted: Nick Eakes

Nick Eakes is a science education specialist at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. He has been contributing to research at Carolina for 15 years.

Rooted: Leisha DeHart-Davis

Leisha DeHart-Davis is the director of the Local Government Workplaces Initiative within the UNC School of Government. She has been contributing to research at Carolina for 11 years.

Bob Pleasants standing in front of a doorway with columns on UNC's campus.

Rooted: Bob Pleasants

Bob Pleasants is the director of the Office for Undergraduate Research. He has been contributing to research at Carolina for 14 years.

Rooted: Ilona Jaspers

Ilona Jaspers is the director of the Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology. She has been contributing to research at Carolina for 26 years.

Rooted: György “Hínár” Schrader Polczer

György “Hínár” Schrader Polczer is a technology support analyst for the Department of Biology within the UNC College of Arts and Sciences. He has been contributing to research at Carolina for 22 years.