This article was contributed by Stuart Borrett, Ph.D., Associate Provost for Research and Innovation for Research at UNCW.

Most people in our region know the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) for its talented students, outstanding academic programs, and contributions to the cultural vitality of southeastern North Carolina. Less visible, but increasingly important, is the university’s growing research enterprise. Last year, UNCW reported more than $29 million in research expenditures. Innovation activity reached record levels, with invention disclosures increasing 50%, industry research agreements increasing 58%, four new patent applications, and one U.S. patent issued. More importantly, these investments are helping create new knowledge, prepare students, support local organizations and strengthen the economy of southeastern North Carolina. 

Across campus, faculty and students partner with organizations in the community to solve real-world problems. Researchers associated with UNCW's Brain Health Resilience research hub, including Dr. David MacQueen and Dr. Wendy Washington, have partnered with Wilmington-based OpiAID to improve treatment outcomes for individuals recovering from opioid addiction. The work brings together health care, data science, and community partners to address a pressing public health challenge. Another team, led by Dr. Karl Ricanek and Dr. Alex McDaniel, has partnered with Nuream to advance NeuroWeaveAI, which combines an at-home, fabric-based system and artificial intelligence to monitor sleep and brain activity. The project aims to make long-term neurological monitoring more accessible for people with traumatic brain injury, PTSD, epilepsy and sleep disorders. 

Other researchers are helping protect systems essential to our economy. Led by Dr. Ulku Clark, UNCW's maritime cybersecurity research hub is developing new approaches to strengthen the cybersecurity of maritime transportation systems while helping prepare students to enter this rapidly growing field. For a coastal region connected to global commerce through ports, shipping, and logistics, this work has clear economic significance.  

UNCW researchers also address challenges in our watershed. Dr. Ralph Mead leads North Carolina's PFAS Research Network, a statewide collaboration studying PFAS or "forever chemicals." The network's partnership with Cape Fear Public Utility Authority helped establish advanced testing capabilities that can identify more than 60 PFAS compounds, enabling faster analysis, supporting water treatment decisions, and reducing reliance on outside laboratories. The collaboration also trains future environmental scientists and strengthens expertise across the water utility sector. Network operations are housed at UNCW's Center for Marine Science, where researchers study topics such as water quality, aquaculture, coastal resilience, flooding, and ocean health. 

This research momentum was also evident at the recent Ocean Innovation Conference, hosted by UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which brought together entrepreneurs, researchers, investors and community leaders. Together with strengths in coastal and marine science, these efforts help position UNCW as a contributor to the region's blue economy. 

Perhaps most importantly, students are active participants throughout these efforts. They are not simply learning about research in the classroom; they help conduct it. They work alongside faculty and community partners, gaining valuable experience while tackling important challenges. Research not only creates new knowledge, it helps develop the talented workforce our region needs. 

The examples highlighted here represent only a small portion of the research taking place across UNCW. Many successful projects begin with a conversation about a need or challenge. As UNCW's research and innovation enterprise continues to grow, we welcome opportunities to connect, learn from our community and explore new partnerships. Many of the best research ideas originate with businesses, nonprofits, government agencies or community organizations. Working together, we can create new knowledge, develop talent and strengthen the future of southeastern North Carolina. 

Learn More 

To learn more about UNCW Research, visit our website at www.uncw.edu/research/. You can also follow us on Instagram.  
 
Heather McWhorter is the director of the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), which is a program of UNCW Research and Innovation. CIE supports innovation-forward start-ups and helps to build a vibrant innovation economy for all in southeast NC.