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Global Readiness
Research at the University of North Carolina contributes to North Carolina's global presence directly through internationally significant innovations and ideas, while making significant contributions to the University's overall mission to produce a highly skilled workforce; ready to enter the global economy. Faculty and students alike are conducting internationally significant research across a wide variety of disciplines, as well as conducting primary research at sites around the world.
Treating Tuberculosis
Researchers from a variety of disciplines at UNC Chapel Hill are working to combat worldwide epidemics of tuberculosis (TB); once again becoming a major epidemiologic problem. While largely treatable, no effective vaccine for TB has been developed. Drs. Miriam Braunstein (microbiology), Tony Hickey (molecular pharmaceutics), and Annelies Van Rie (epidemiology) are among the researchers at UNC Chapel Hill working from all sides towards eradication of TB.
International Undergraduate Research
Daniel Brookshire, a senior at Appalachian State majoring in sustainable development, spent the first half of 2008 studying in India - researching innovative global economic infrastructures like micro-lending, and teaching about global warming. Internationally focused internships and research projects for undergraduates are part of the way UNC contributes to the development of a culturally sensitive workforce, able to tackle the unique issues posed by an increasingly connected world.
Central American Agriculture
Farmers across Central America are improving their crop yields and decreasing their environmental impact by using soil management software developed by NC State soil science professors Jot Smyth and Deanna Osmond. The Nutrient Management Support System (NuMaSS) draws upon years of soil science research to automatically diagnose nutrient deficiencies in tropical soils and recommend best practices for applying fertilizers.
Global Public Health
Dr. David M. Margolis, a professor of epidemiology at UNC Chapel Hill's Gillings School of Public Health, is one of a group of researchers calling for collaborative work towards eliminating the need for long-term suppressive HIV drug therapies. Such therapies are both costly and complicated, making effective HIV treatment a major challenge in areas of the world hit hardest by the disease.