UNCRS Category: Health

Stars in Their Eyes

Manuel and Megan Maeso under the starry sky of the full dome theater at Morehead Planetarium

Newlyweds and postdoctoral researchers Manuel and Megan Maeso look forward to a future filled with companionship, empathy, and science.

Eye-Opening Innovations

Wei You stands in a chemistry lab, and his reflection is mirrored on the shiny concrete floor.

Chemist Wei You’s second startup company is using polymers to create drug delivery systems for eye diseases.

Boldly Breaking Barriers

Sam Lai

Sam Lai has founded multiple startups by studying underexplored processes in the body — like mucus production.

Building Living Machines

Ronit Freeman

Ronit Freeman uses nature’s building blocks to create innovative technologies, from synthetic cells to treatments that could transform health care.

Fired Up for RNA

Chad Pecot

Chad Pecot is revolutionizing RNA therapies for cancer through his company EnFuego Therapeutics and the new UNC RNA Discovery Center.

Symbiotic Strides

Josh Tacca, Greg Phillips, and Helen Huang

Helen Huang and her lab are building better prosthetics by enhancing them with robotics and AI.

Fitness for All

Kara Hume

After working with the autism community for over 30 years, Kara Hume is building a fitness program for people of varying abilities.

RUNC: Jian Chen

Jian Lily Chen

Jian Chen wants more mental health services for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.