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Research

Research is fundamental to the mission of UNC Charlotte. New knowledge and creative works change the world and shape the future of the University. Charlotte values research in all its forms, including scholarly inquiry, discovery, exploration, innovation, entrepreneurship, creative activities, community engagement and/or interdisciplinary endeavors.

UNC Charlotte’s research endeavors are distinct:

  • Among the 229 public doctoral-granting research universities in the United States, 124 hold the Carnegie Community Engaged University classification. Carnegie’s community engagement classification signifies that UNC Charlotte collaborates with its larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in the context of partnership and reciprocity
  • UNC Charlotte is among the 80 public universities that have earned the APLU's Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation. The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities designation recognizes that UNC Charlotte has demonstrated a meaningful, ongoing and substantial commitment to economic and community development, growth and economic opportunity

Significant research activities are focused in UNC System recognized centers and institutes. And in 2023, Charlotte launched 12 new pilot centers to foster synergistic research initiatives. In 2022, Ventureprise became the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Adam Reitzel

International team investigating marine species adaptation

May 11, 2016
Animals can adapt to their environment through changes to their DNA, but more recently, research has shown that non-genetic components may be important, too. Two central non-genetic contributors to individual variation are chemical modifications of the DNA, epigenetics, and associations with different bacterial species or microbial symbioses.
Yong Ge

CCI professor develops tool to help track illegal drug use via social media

April 11, 2016
Yong Ge, an assistant professor in the College of Computing and Informatics Department of Computer Science, has developed a tool that leverages social media data to help analyze use patterns of illegal drugs by young adults across the country. The National Institute of Health funded his work.
Survey

Researcher collaborating to survey students about campus climate

April 8, 2016
Nationally, one in four women have reported being assaulted during their time in college, impacting their emotional and physical health and academic success. UNC Charlotte is collaborating with the University of Kentucky to implement a campus climate survey to all undergraduate students aged 18-24.
2016 W+GRA summit

Economic mobility focus of Women + Girls Research Alliance Summit

March 29, 2016
For the majority of girls born into poverty in the Charlotte region, they will have a harder time breaking out of that economic state. UNC Charlotte’s Women + Girls Research Alliance (W+GRA) is bringing researchers and the community together to explore improving economic mobility opportunities for women as the focus of its 2016 W+GRA Summit.
Classroom in South Africa

Professor leading effort to bolster special education in South Africa

March 23, 2016
South Africa is relying upon the expertise of College of Education faculty member David Test to develop and implement an ambitious plan to revamp that nation’s special education system. Test, a professor of special education, recently returned stateside after traveling to South Africa as part of an envoy to assess how the country educates its special needs students.
Sajad Kafashi

Engineering student invents, markets equipment solution

March 16, 2016
Needing multiple units of an expensive piece of equipment to complete his doctoral project, mechanical engineering student Sajad Kafashi decided to invent and build his own. Now, in addition to finishing his Ph.D., he is commercializing his invention, which he calls the Saji Waveform Generator.

Visiting Brazilian scholars researching amphibian genetics, poisons

March 2, 2016
Two researchers from Brazil are working with Daniel Janies, the Carol Grotnes Belk Distinguished Professor of Bioinformatics and Genomics, to better understand the genes that allow amphibians to generate and resist the poisons they use for defense.
Wang and team conduct wetland fieldwork

NCDOT research project earns national ‘Sweet 16’ award

February 22, 2016
Work on prediction models to reduce fieldwork for wetlands management, conducted as part of a N.C. Department of Transportation project, was recognized by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the Research Advisory Council as one of 2015’s “Sweet 16” high-value research projects.
Tom Reynolds

Graduate School dean named research integrity officer

February 15, 2016
Thomas Reynolds, associate provost and dean of the Graduate School, is the University's research integrity officer. Appointed by Robert Wilhelm, vice chancellor for research and economic development, the research integrity officer (RIO) will receive and manage allegations of misconduct in research within the UNC Charlotte community.
College of Education

Survey of community college leaders reveals common challenges, opportunities

February 9, 2016
A report co-authored by Mark D’Amico, an associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, reveals community colleges across the country continue to feel economic pressures following the Great Recession, pressures that can make it more difficult for students to gain access to higher education.
Nona

Nona, 49er Foundry startup, vying for top college venture

January 14, 2016
An automated personal knitting machine that can produce ready-to-wear clothing at the click of a button – it’s an innovative offering developed by Nona, a team of UNC Charlotte students. They are on their way to Los Angeles to compete in RECESS, a college music and ideas festival.
Belk College of Business

For pharmaceutical companies, more marketing equals less innovation

January 5, 2016
Turn on a TV and be bombarded by ads for new medications. Yet, new research indicates that the firms that aggressively market these drugs are less likely to produce truly pioneering ones.