Carolina’s research impact

Carolina is a world-class research university where great ideas turn into outcomes that improve the quality of life for all people. Our work also fuels North Carolina's economy, supporting businesses, meeting community needs and caring for our citizens. We train future leaders with hands-on learning experiential opportunities in labs and field sites across the state and globe.

From Oct. 20-24, Carolina celebrates University Research Week with the theme "UNC Research is North Carolina."

Learn how the University’s research serves North Carolina, the nation and beyond.

By the numbers

UNC research impact

No. 9 ranked research university in the nation
No. 7 public research university in the nation
More than $1 billion attracted to the state's economy each year
All 100 NC counties benefit from Carolina's research
3,200 NC businesses supported by UNC Research
2,402 projects directly addressing the needs of NC residents

UNC Research is North Carolina

From Alamance to Yancey counties, Carolina’s researchers study specific issues impacting North Carolina residents. We investigate new cancer therapies, develop technologies to address Alzheimer’s disease and research brain injuries in veterans.

UNC-Chapel Hill’s research enterprise invests in all communities and provides jobs to North Carolinians. The dedication and passion of our researchers translates into positive impact for the entire Tar Heel State.

Several University Research Week events will showcase this work. The Research & Discovery Fair on Oct. 22 will feature over 25 research labs and projects from across campus. Learn more about the Fair and other events on the University Research Week website.

Impacting NC residents and beyond

The stories of Carolina research

NC Collaboratory project builds resilience after hurricane
Assistant professor Antonia Sebastian describes her work in flood modeling and flood hazard research.
Walking droplets and galloping bubbles hold key to physics
Pedro Sáenz’s lab is making waves with math, using the behavior of fluids to improve our understanding of quantum particles.
Carolina researchers share AI work, predictions
Four Carolina experts describe artificial intelligence’s current and future impact on health care, physics and information technology.
Scherrer lab explores how the brain can stop pain
The UNC School of Medicine’s Grégory Scherrer studies pain-relief alternatives to potentially addictive opioids.
Bob Goldstein’s service spans the state
This year’s faculty service award winner equips elementary schools with DIY microscopes and mentors Covenant scholars.
Digital duo tells ‘Forever Chemicals’ stories
English faculty members Jordynn Jack and Courtney Rivard examine the effects of PFAS exposure on local people’s lives.
He’s making pregnancy sonograms more accessible
Dr. Jeffrey Stringer merged an artificial intelligence app with a portable ultrasound device to improve maternal and child health.
Social work scholar influences aging policies, practices
Sheryl Zimmerman has transformed Carolina into a national leader in nursing home and assisted living research.
Robotics work heralds ‘discovery factories’
Carolina scientists define lab automation and create AI that enables a robot to work beside humans.

Research accolades

Nabarun Dasgupta wins MacArthur ‘genius grant’
The UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health scientist received the prestigious fellowship for helping prevent drug overdose deaths.
Frank Leibfarth first Tar Heel to win Blavatnik award
The chemist’s trailblazing work on PFAS and upcycling plastics earned him this distinguished $250,000 prize for early-career researchers.
Meet the 6 winners of the 2025 PARE awards
These postdoctoral scholars show promise in their research of cancer, diabetes, gut bacteria, brain function and precision medicine.

Research & Discovery Fair

Undergraduates can learn how to get involved with Carolina's research community at the Research & Discovery Fair, held 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Frank Porter Graham Student Union.

The fair will feature over 25 research labs and projects. UNC-Chapel Hill has a type of research that will pique your interest.

Read these stories about researchers whose work will be on display at the fair.

Walking droplets and galloping bubbles hold key to physics
Pedro Sáenz’s lab is making waves with math, using the behavior of fluids to improve our understanding of quantum particles.
Shelby Baez switched majors to study sport injury
In her Psychology of Sport Injury Laboratory, undergraduate students can do research that helps athletes recover.
Casey Calhoun maps teen minds
At the UNC School of Education’s Translational Adolescent Research Lab, he builds practical tools to support their mental health.
Carolina Drone Lab elevates environmental insights
Susan Cohen uses drones to give students hands-on experience in cutting-edge environmental research.

Student researchers

Research in the news

Neutrinos are shrinking, and that's a good thing for physics
John Wilkerson, professor in the College of Arts and Sciences' physics department, discusses the significance of their recent findings and the role neutrinos play in understanding our universe.
Study shows Cape Fear Health Opportunities Pilot saves Medicaid money
A recent study from the School of Medicine demonstrated how the state's Health Opportunities Pilot lowered Medicaid costs for members.
Father’s death led UNC researcher to seek treatments for pancreatic cancer
Cuts to federal research funding worry Kirsten Bryant, assistant professor in the School of Medicine, whose work is leading to treatments to help pancreatic cancer patients live longer
Multiple species of ticks in the US can transmit red meat allergy, CDC reports reveal
Jennifer Platt, adjunct assistant professor at the Gillings School of Global Public Health and co-founder of Tick-Borne Conditions United, discusses the significance of recent reports identifying black-legged ticks as transmitters of red meat allergy.

Hear from our VC for Research

Research VC explains true costs of research
Penny Gordon-Larsen, vice chancellor for research, writes about the proposed cap on federal research funding.
Understanding the value of research administration
F&A costs are shared investments that the federal government makes to ensure our global competitiveness and leadership in science and innovations that save and transform lives, protect and defend our national security, feed our nation, and more.
The enduring impact of research investments
For decades, sustained investment from our state and federal partners has nurtured the rich research ecosystem we benefit from today, Penny Gordon-Larsen writes.

View the impact of Carolina’s research

Learn more about Carolina research

Read more about Carolina’s research efforts in The Well, the University’s newsletter. It sends twice a week over the summer and three times a week during the academic year.

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