NCInnovation Announces Research Grants for Seventeen Projects
The NCInnovation Board of Directors approved $13.6 million for 17 research projects across North Carolina. NCInnovation unlocks innovation across North Carolina by supporting research products from the lab to the marketplace. All the projects that were awarded funding already show proof of concept.
The projects funded by the most recent round of funding:
Dr. Zachary Russell, Appalachian State University: Developing robotic microscopes and AI analysis to better identify parasites in livestock.
Dr. Stephanie Richards, East Carolina University: Develop wind tunnel technology for better pesticide delivery.
Dr. Patrick Briley, East Carolina University: Develop virtual reality programs to better train and assist speech language pathologists.
Dr. Shirley Lee Chao, Fayetteville State University: Working to develop two hemp-based pesticides that reduce potential harm from chemicals. The project is currently focusing on commercial poultry operations.
Dr. Randy Schmitz, North Carolina A&T State University: A device to test for knee problems, potentially reducing knee injuries.
Dr. Randy Schmitz, North Carolina State University: Develop an inexpensive bandage embedded with electrodes to promote faster healing.
Dr. Ericka Ford, North Carolina State University: Develop non-toxic carbon and acrylic fibers production techniques.
Dr. Amanda Wolfe, UNC Asheville: Develop drugs to fight certain types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Dr. Jeffrey Stinger, UNC Chapel Hill: Develop inexpensive, portable ultrasound devices.
Dr. Ronit Freeman, UNC Chapel Hill: Develop treatments for fibrosis, which often impacts the heart, lungs, and other organs.
Dr. Susan Trammell, UNC Charlotte: Develop laser technology to improve vaccine protection and storage.
Dr. Pinku Mukherjee, UNC Charlotte: Develop therapies to treat pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Liam Michael Duffy, UNC Greensboro: Develop a better way to identify molecules.
Br. Ben Bahr, UNC Pembroke: Develop treatments for traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Lindsey Schroeder, UNC Wilmington: Develop technology to improve monitoring for neck injury potential.
Dr. Leslee Battle and Dr. Tori Brown, Winston-Salem University: Develop virtual reality simulations to better train nurses.
About NCInnovation:
NCInnovation unlocks the potential of North Carolina’s world-class public universities through grant funding and support services. These services help the researchers commercialize their research, helping support innovations go from the lab to the marketplace.
The three universities in the Research Triangle, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, and N.C. State, demonstrate the economic vitality of a successful commercialization program.
After raising $25 million in private funding, NCInnovation secured a $500 million endowment in the 2023 state budget, helping set up the program. The program received criticism about fiscal mismanagement, but two independent audits dispelled the unfounded insinuations.
· The most recent Senate budget shifted the program from an endowment model to a recurring allocation in the state budget.
What They Are Saying:
“Thank you to NCInnovation’s external reviewers, hard-working staff, and Program Committee members for the thoughtful and diligent work put into this process,” said Deanna Ballard, chair of the NCInnovation Board of Directors Program Committee. “The research projects on this list are exactly what North Carolina public universities should be championing: real-world research that can bolster North Carolina’s – and America’s – competitiveness.”
“North Carolina’s public universities are working on truly amazing technologies, from improving poultry and livestock mortality rates to treating diseases like Alzheimer’s and pancreatic cancer,” said Michelle Bolas, executive vice president and chief innovation officer of NCInnovation. “NCInnovation helps researchers advance their discoveries through the university R&D process toward commercialization, strengthening the university-to-industry pipeline that’s central to American competitiveness.”
Tim’s Take: NCInnovation aligns with President Trump’s vision for America First universities. The project promotes research and innovation in American for Americans by Americans.
