2025

Research Year in Review

Strategic Investments, Innovation, and Public Impact

A Year of Momentum and Impact

Advancing discoveries that strengthen North Carolina

The 2025 academic year marked a pivotal time for UNC Greensboro’s Division of Research and Engagement. The University achieved significant growth in research activity, innovation, and national visibility, advancing discoveries that strengthen North Carolina and delivering meaningful community impact.

Powered by faculty expertise and strategic partnerships, UNCG continued to expand our research enterprise in alignment with state and national priorities, while maintaining a strong focus on public service.

RECORD-BREAKING RESEARCH GROWTH

For the third consecutive year, UNCG surpassed $60 million in research awards. The University also reached an all-time high of $77.3 million in research expenditures, representing an 87% increase in just two years and demonstrating our continued investment in research excellence and momentum toward R1 status.

UNCG Research Expenditures

A graph showing UNCG Research Expenditures.

$60.3M

RESEARCH AWARDS
FOR FY25

$292.3M

RESEARCH AWARDS
OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS

$205.3m

GRANT SUBMISSIONS
IN FY25

LEADERSHIP IN NATIONAL DEFENSE AND WORKFORCE INNOVATION

UNCG took a leadership position in national defense research with the launch of the Institute for Convergence of Optimized Military Methods for Military Advances and National Defense (iCOMMAND). iCOMMAND advances work in artificial intelligence, automation, and optimized military systems aimed at strengthening national security. In 2025, UNCG and BioMADE, a manufacturing innovation institute, hosted North Carolina’s first Warfighter-to-Scientist Workshop, connecting veterans and active-duty military personnel with biotechnology and manufacturing career pathways. Together, these activities are positioning UNCG as a statewide leader in defense-aligned workforce development.

THE TOP

2%

MOST-CITED RESEARCHERS IN THE WORLD

40 UNCG faculty members are among the top 2% according to the 2025 Stanford-Elsevier List.

Raphael Ayivi, Nanoscience
L. DiAnne Borders, Counseling and Educational Development
Cheryl Buehler, Human Development and Family Studies
Susan Calkins, Human Development and Family Studies
Nadja Cech, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Ang Chen, Kinesiology
Jing Deng, Computer Science
Ben Dyson, Kinesiology
Keith Erikson, Nutrition
Jennifer Etnier, Kinesiology
Stanley Faeth, Biology
Mehwish Faheem, Biology
Mark Fine, Human Development and Family Studies
Diane Gill, Kinesiology
Allan Goldfarb, Kinesiology
Vincent Henrich, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Anne Hershey, Biology
Zhenquan Jia, Biology
Alan Kamhi, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Michael Kane, Psychology

Esther Leerkes, Human Development and Family Studies
Noah Lenstra, Information, Library, and Research Sciences
Susan Letvak, Nursing
Albert Link, Economics
Yirong Mo, Nanoscience
Nicholas Oberlies, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Prashant Palvia, Information Systems and Supply Chain Management
Maryanne Perrin, Nutrition
Huzefa Raja, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Salih Rakap, Specialized Education Services
Patricia Reggio, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Dale Schunk, Teacher Education and Higher Education
Sandra Shultz, Kinesiology
Paul Silvia, Psychology
Susan Stinson, Dance
Shan Suthaharan, Computer Science
Vasyl Taras, Management
Ethan Taylor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Blair Wisco, Psychology
Zhangxiang Zhou, Nutrition

LEADERSHIP IN CRITICAL MATERIALS

UNCG launched the Battery Research, Innovation, and Next-Gen Energy Harvesting Technologies Institute (BRIGHT). BRIGHT focuses on advanced battery systems, energy harvesting technologies, and next-generation materials that are critical to national energy security and sustainability.

Applied Science and Technology

UNCG advances rigorous scientific research into real-world applications that drive innovation, support industry, and enhance quality of life.

INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS

With the establishment of a partnership with Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, UNCG evolved its esports and simulation program into the Applied Research Center for Advanced Digital Environments, or ARCADE. Together with the installation of a state-of-the-art LED volume wall in the new Jeanne Tannenbaum Center for Creative Practice, these advancements help position UNCG as a regional leader in immersive technology research and digital workforce development.

Community-engaged research and scholarship

UNCG integrates scholarly expertise with collaborative, community-centered approaches to address complex challenges alongside schools, health systems, justice agencies, local governments, and nonprofit partners.

ADVANCING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND COMMERCIALIZATION

UNCG researchers patented three new technologies in 2025, underscoring the University’s applied research impact across physics, nanotechnology, and biomedical sciences. At the same time, five active NCInnovation-funded projects advanced UNCG research along the innovation and commercialization pipeline. These projects — focused on sustainable lithium extraction, bee colony health, knee health, combatting inflammatory diseases, and molecule detection — reflect the breadth of faculty-driven innovation moving from discovery to real-world impact.

health and wellness

Grounded in established strengths across human development, psychology, and the life sciences, UNCG conducts research that advances health, well-being, and resilience across all stages of life.

Fostering Cutting-Edge Research

Through the Chancellor’s Initiative for Transformative Research, UNCG funded four interdisciplinary projects addressing high-impact areas: youth digital well-being, AI and virtual reality workforce training, sustainable anti-cancer compound development, and privacy-preserving clinical AI tools.

Digital Technology

UNCG leads in the development and application of digital and data-driven technologies, generating knowledge and solutions that shape emerging fields and future-ready workforces.

CAMPUS-WIDE ENGAGEMENT IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INNOVATION

The UNCG AI Innovation Challenge brought faculty and students together to develop interdisciplinary, real-world AI solutions. By fostering hands-on experimentation and collaboration across disciplines, the initiative accelerated early-stage innovation and built workforce readiness for a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Notable Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2025

  • $11.3 million — Region 5 Comprehensive Center
    The U.S. Department of Education initiative, managed by UNCG’s SERVE center, is designed to deliver capacity-building services to education agencies in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia to strengthen student opportunities and educational outcomes.
  • $4.0 million — Family Peer Specialist Workforce Development
    The project works to expand access to trained certified family peer specialists, professionals who support families when children struggle with behavioral health issues. The initiative is expected to assist nearly 1,000 families in North Carolina each year.
  • $3.7 million — Sand Fly Research to Combat Parasitic Disease
    A UNCG-led team is developing environmentally friendly methods to reduce sand fly populations, to help prevent the spread of the parasitic disease leishmaniasis.
  • $3.3 million — NC Rated License Assessment Project
    The statewide initiative evaluates and scores child care facilities across North Carolina while offering guidance to help providers improve quality and outcomes for children and families.
  • $2.2 million — NC High Fidelity Wraparound Training
    The program prepares multidisciplinary teams to support children with behavioral health challenges and their families through the coordination of community-based, mental health, education, and social services.
  • $1.9 million — NC Youth and Family Voices Amplified
    The program expands North Carolina’s access to trained family and youth peer support specialists who leverage lived experiences to support children and youth experiencing behavioral health issues and their families.
  • $1.2 million — SCALE UP Mental Health Workforce Development
    SCALE UP increases the availability of school-based mental health providers by equipping professionals with tools and support to succeed in high-need school environments.
  • $1.2 million — Recipe for Success
    The program provides nutrition and wellness education to SNAP-eligible individuals and households throughout the North Carolina Piedmont Triad.
  • $1.1 million — Tenant Education Advocacy Mediation project
    The project offers mediation services to tenants and landlords in Guilford County to reduce evictions and ease strain on the local court system.

TRANSFORMATIONAL EDUCATION RESEARCH FUNDING

UNCG’s SERVE center secured a five-year, $11.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand its education research services and deliver capacity-building support to education agencies across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, with the goal of strengthening student opportunities and educational outcomes.

20 CROSS-DISCIPLINARY CENTERS AND INSTITUTES FOR APPLIED RESEARCH AND IMPACT

Battery Research Innovation and next-Gen energy Harvesting Technologies Institute

Center for Athlete Well-Being

Center for Community-Engaged Design

Center for the Health of Vulnerable Populations

Center for Housing and Community Studies

Center for Industry Research and Engagement

Center for New North Carolinians

Center for Translational Biomedical Research

Center for Women’s Health and Wellness

Center for Youth, Family, and Community Partnerships

Early College Research Center

Institute for Community and Economic Engagement

Institute for the Convergence of Optimized Methods for Military Advances and National Defense

Institute for Data, Evaluation and Analytics

Institute for Partnerships in Education

Institute for Research Technologies

NC Entrepreneurship Center

NC Sales Institute

SERVE education research center

Technology and Data Institute

Core FAcilities

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center
  • Mass Spectrometry Facility
  • Cleanroom Facility
  • Advanced Microscopy and Imaging Facility
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility
  • Robotics Laboratory
  • Esports Arena
  • Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory 
  • High Performing Computing Facility
  • Materials Testing Center
  • Plant and Pollinator Center
  • Textile Laboratory

SERVING THE PUBLIC GOOD

More than half of UNCG’s external funding supported high-impact, community-focused research in areas such as housing stability, family well-being, education, mental health, nutrition, and social services. Applied work through the Center for Youth, Family, and Community Partnerships and the Center for Housing and Community Studies, in particular, helped drive this impact.

Our FY25 research and sponsored program portfolio reflects the collaborations fueling UNCG discovery, economic development, and public service

  • $18.8M NC state government
  • $18.5M federal agencies
  • $8.2M local and state governments outside NC
  • $2.6M NC local governments
  • $6.8M other sponsors
  • $3.1M nonprofits
  • $1.7M research foundations
  • $700K businesses and industry