The College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) is pleased to announce the 2026 awardees of the Ignite Transdisciplinary Research Fund (IRF), a new initiative designed to strengthen research networks between CAS and other academic units across UNC Greensboro. Established to spark new scholarly partnerships, the fund supports collaborative teams whose work shows strong potential for external funding and broader academic impact.
This year, the fund’s inaugural run, 28 proposals were submitted for consideration. Eligible projects were required to include at least two researchers from different academic units, one of whom must be a CAS faculty member, and to represent new research partnerships. Applications were reviewed by a panel of tenured faculty from a range of disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, and STEM.
2026 Ignite Fund Awardees
- Charles Egeland (CAS, Anthropology), Derek Toomes (CAS, Interior Architecture), Christopher Cassidy (CVPA, Art), and Strieby Congregational UCC “Living History at Strieby: A Transdisciplinary Collaboration in Cultural Heritage Preservation” — $25,000
- Zhenquan Jia (CAS, Biology) and Clinton Allred (HHS, Nutrition) “Mechanistic Insights into Microplastics and Nanoplastics-Induced Cardiovascular Disease” — $25,000
- Bhuwan Thapa (CAS, Geography, Environment, and Sustainability), Martin Andersen (Bryan School, Economics), and Shan Suthaharan (CAS, Computer Science) “Dynamics of Human Mobility After Natural Disasters in the Appalachian Mountains and Coastal Carolinas” — $22,948
- Robyn Le Blanc (CAS, Ancient Mediterranean Studies and Archaeology), Dennis LaJeunesse (JSNN), and Kevin Vanek (CVPA, Art) “Hot, Cold, or Just Right? A Transdisciplinary Approach to Bronze Coin Production in the Roman Near East” — $25,000
- Hewan Girma (CAS, African American and African Diaspora Studies) and David Aarons (CVPA, Music) “Spiritual Migrations and Faith Diplomacy: Liturgical Music of the Ethiopian Church in the Caribbean” — $21,514
- Ting Wang (CAS, Sociology), Wenliang Li (CAS, Geography, Environment, and Sustainability), and Xiang Gao (HHS, Public Health Education) “Mapping Hate, Measuring Harm: Geo-social Context and Mental Health Consequences of Anti-Asian Bias in North Carolina” — $25,000
These projects reflect the depth and diversity of research across UNCG and demonstrate the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration to address cultural, scientific, and societal challenges.
“To pursue IGNITE awards, faculty had to form new research teams that draw on the expertise of different disciplines. In the 21st century, transdisciplinary teams are crucial,” Dr. Kelly Joyce, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences said. “They will create new ways of understanding our past, present, and futures–ones that include but go beyond disciplinary forms of knowledge.”
SUPPORTING FACULTY INNOVATION.
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