Read Research and Innovation Stories

On Being Human
As many scholars identify what makes humans similar to other creatures, UNC philosophy professor Susan Wolf strives to discover other attributes that make us unique.

Creating a better plastic
Carolina chemists may have a solution to the country’s plastic problem by “upcycling” plastic trash to tougher, stronger material.

A ‘natural landing spot’
Carolina alumnus Brandon Feaster arrived in Chapel Hill with his eyes set on a Ph.D. in biology for a career in the research lab. But undergrad research and the Chancellor’s Science Scholars provided the Tar Heel with the experiences and support to pursue a different career.

Building a more inclusive scientific community through the Chancellor’s Science Scholars
The Chancellor’s Science Scholar’s program at Carolina is supporting promising young scientists and actively working to build a more diverse scientific community. That goal, director Thomas Freeman says, is critical to everybody.

UNC-Chapel Hill scientists, researchers named 2021 AAAS fellows
Faculty members in the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Medicine and Eshelman School of Pharmacy have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Biologist Amy Gladfelter is one of the new fellows.

Racing Toward Innovation
Convergent science is characterized by cross-disciplinary research teams created to tackle big problems and speed the application of new breakthroughs to commercialization. At UNC, the Institute for Convergent Science is at the forefront of this pioneering framework.

Dying Young in the USA: New report shows lower life expectancy for young Americans
A new PRB report shows lower life expectancy for young Americans; researchers say “aggressive action” is needed to increase survival rates for infants, children, young adults. UNC sociologist Robert Hummer co-led the research team.