NCInnovation Approves 13 University Research Projects At 11 UNC System Campuses
This week, the NCInnovation Board of Directors unanimously approved $10 million in support for 13 university research projects at 11 UNC System institutions. This latest round of investment brings NCInnovation’s cumulative commitment to $29 million since launch, supporting applied research with proof of concept and clear potential to generate jobs, new companies, and economic growth across the state.
Michelle Bolas, Acting President and CEO, said, “NCInnovation’s December 2025 slate represents some of the strongest university-to-industry opportunities emerging anywhere in the country. Our universities are solving real problems, such as, improving manufacturing reliability, advancing next-generation medical treatments, and strengthening cybersecurity education. The overall goal is to support innovations that keep value in North Carolina by contributing to economic development throughout the state.”
NCInnovation grants undergo a multi-step evaluation process that includes pre-application screening, pull proposal review, scoring by independent subject-matter experts, and additional portfolio and market consideration before final approval by the NCInnovation Board.
“These projects demonstrate the capacity of our public universities -- large and small -- to address national challenges and generate meaningful economic benefit for the people of this state. This is exactly the kind of work NCInnovation was built to accelerate,” said Kelly King, NCInnovation Board Chair.
This December 2025 slate reflects North Carolina’s regional strengths:
Advanced manufacturing and materials science (NC State, UNC Charlotte, WCU)
Therapeutics and medical innovation (UNC Greensboro, UNC Charlotte)
Cybersecurity and educational technologies (UNC Wilmington)
Defense and simulation technologies (Fayetteville State)
AI-enabled tools for health, mobility, and safety (UNC–Chapel Hill, Appalachian State, NC Central)
Agriculture and environmental technologies (Winston-Salem State University, ECU)
Deanna Ballard, Programs Committee Chair, NCInnovation Board of Directors, added, “These projects show how applied research, when rigorously reviewed and matched with the right support, can meaningfully strengthen North Carolina’s competitiveness. I’m grateful to our external reviewers and staff for the diligence they bring to this work.”
Here are the projects that received funding in the latest round of investments.
Appalachian State University — Dr. Gavin Colquitt: A scalable web-based tool that supports families and educators in identifying and addressing early movement-skill delays in young children.
East Carolina University — Dr. Robert Hughes: Environmentally friendly marine and industrial coatings that reduce biofouling and chemical buildup, helping vessels and coastal industries operate more efficiently while protecting workers and aquatic ecosystems.
Fayetteville State University — Dr. Sambit Bhattacharya: A physics-based simulation platform that generates realistic synthetic data for AI models, improving training accuracy for defense, emergency response, and healthcare without relying on real-world trial data.
NC State University — Dr. Jason Patrick: A new materials-engineering approach that improves the durability of composite structures, helping manufacturers reduce failures and extend product life in sectors critical to North Carolina’s economy.
NC State University — Dr. Ashley Brown: A next-generation synthetic platelet technology designed to speed wound healing and reduce bleeding, offering strong potential for medical, emergency, and military applications.
North Carolina Central University — Dr. TinChung Leung: A convergent threat-assessment platform that integrates sensor data, AI, and environmental analytics to support safer communities and more reliable emergency response.
UNC Charlotte — Dr. Babak Parkhideh: Advanced reliability-monitoring tools that help utilities and manufacturers predict equipment failures earlier, improving uptime and reducing operational costs.
UNC Charlotte — Dr. Rosario Porras-Aguilar: A compact, 4D quantitative phase-microscopy attachment that enables faster, more precise imaging for life-science, pharmaceutical, and materials-research applications.
UNC Greensboro — Dr. Kerui Wu: A precision drug-delivery platform that targets macrophages to treat inflammatory and immune-related diseases more effectively while reducing systemic side effects.
UNC Wilmington — Dr. Ellie Ebrahimi: A browser-based cybersecurity platform that helps elementary-age students learn safe digital practices through interactive, age-appropriate simulations.
UNC–Chapel Hill — Dr. Jason Franz: A cost-effective wearable sensor and machine-learning system that helps clinicians detect and monitor lower-extremity osteoarthritis earlier and more accurately.
Western Carolina University — Dr. Martin Tanaka : A new, easier-to-implant drainage channel designed to prevent painful arm swelling after breast cancer treatment, helping more women—especially in rural areas—access effective care closer to home.
Winston-Salem State University — Dr. Rafael Loureiro: A biofertilizer additive designed to restore soil biological function and improve crop productivity while reducing chemical fertilizer dependence.
