EXPERTISE FOR NEW ECONOMIES: Carolina s success in research translation, convergent science, and economic innovation stems from its strong interdisciplinary collaboration, its commitment to training the next generation of researchers, and its focus on improving lives in North Carolina and beyond.

RESEARCH TRANSLATION

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a strong record of accomplishment in translating scientific discoveries into new treatments and prevention strategies for human diseases, with researchers developing transformative new drugs, devices, and diagnostic tools to improve patient care and treatment. This approach has led to innovative treatments for a wide range of diseases, including cancer.

Carolina researcher Lindsey James and her team work on small molecules that target specific proteins that can lead to the development of cancer when they are mutated or over-expressed. The lab creates molecules that bind these proteins and block their function, uncovering promising new therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

One of the strengths of Carolina's translational research program is its strong interdisciplinary collaboration. Pharmacoengineer Shawn Hingtgen leads a multi-institutional collaboration called Project Brainslice that tests neurological therapies using tumor samples grown on slices of brain tissue. Leveraging expertise not only at UNC-Chapel Hill, but also at Duke University and the University of Florida, the team created a tool that houses brain tumor samples and keeps them alive while testing different drugs to see which one is most successful in attacking the tumor.

INNOVATION HUB

The Innovate Carolina Junction--the anchor tenant in Chapel Hill s new innovation district--offers an intersection of programming and coworking to connect a thriving community of area innovators. Located directly across from campus on the storied Franklin Street, the Junction serves as a central catalyst between the university, town, and industry. The Junction's grand opening is slated for September, and it will offer extensive programming and support services to move more ideas to market faster.

By partnering with community colleges and industry, the Junction will spark new collaborations that solve both North Carolina and global problems and strengthen the economy. This fall, the Junction will convene leaders focused on the Work of the Future. Together, university and industry experts will review trends, identify potential collaborations, and seek new opportunities.

SCHOOL OF DATA SCIENCE AND SOCIETY

UNC Chapel Hill's provides exceptional training for the state's next generation of researchers and innovators. Launched in 2022, the UNC School of Data Science and Society (SDSS) will advance the field of data science...