A student views a specimen during a lab class in App State’s Rankin Hall in 2023. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University is among three University of North Carolina System institutions to become headquarter locations for NCInnovation’s applied research support, the UNC System announced Oct. 31.
App State, along with Fayetteville State University and the University of North Carolina Wilmington, will join East Carolina University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and Western Carolina University as NCInnovation headquarter locations, or “hubs.”
NCInnovation is a nonprofit organization that unlocks the real-world research potential of North Carolina’s world-class public universities. The organization provides grant funding and other support to university researchers working on discoveries that have practical application and commercial promise. NCInnovation announced its first slate of research grants to support projects at seven universities, including App State, in May. NCInnovation will expand its team to support the pipeline of projects in these areas.
“Research is a pillar of the UNC System’s mission and a critical part of our service to North Carolinians,” said UNC System President Peter Hans. “Already, NCInnovation has funded projects for institutional researchers who are developing cancer treatments, vaccines and clean drinking water solutions, among other important innovations. This expansion will allow our scientists to bring more discoveries to market and to work for the people of this state.”
Earlier this year, Dr. Rahman Tashakkori, Lowe’s Distinguished Professor of Computer Science in App State’s Department of Computer Science, was awarded a $641,951 grant to develop four parts of the revolutionary Beemon Hive Monitoring System. The research by Tashakkori and his team is contributing to the development of an innovative tool for decreasing honeybee die-off and increasing hive production.
“At Appalachian State University, we are committed to fostering applied research that advances and drives innovation in our communities and industries,” said App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris. “Our collaboration with NCInnovation not only enhances opportunities for our faculty, staff and students but also supports the vital mission of translating university research into solutions that benefit the people and economies of our state and region.”
Regional directors at NCInnovation hubs serve researchers on their respective campuses and at nearby universities and connect NCInnovation grant recipients with industry and business services to advance their research toward commercialization. With this addition of three university hubs, and the hiring of additional staff, NCInnovation will be able to offer more time and support to UNC System researchers whose projects have market potential.
“The university-to-industry pipeline is central to innovation, here in North Carolina and the United States,” said NCInnovation CEO Bennet Waters. “We want faculty to build something amazing and enduring that grows in the private sector. The UNC System has been an incredible partner in this mission, and we’re excited to add NCInnovation staff to three more campuses.”
“Researchers across the entire UNC System are working on groundbreaking discoveries to solve real-life problems here in North Carolina and beyond,” said NCInnovation Chief Innovation Officer Michelle Bolas. “We’ve been excited at the enthusiasm and activity at all of the universities across the state and believe that expanding our footprint in this way will allow NCInnovation to offer even more support and build deeper relationships, both on campuses and with industry.”
NCInnovation’s next round of grants will be open to all applied researchers in the UNC System. The organization expects to announce the application period in the near future.
Learn more about NCInnovation.
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The monitoring system could help decrease honeybee die-off, improve hive production
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
The monitoring system could help decrease honeybee die-off, improve hive production
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