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Graduate Student Research Benefits North Carolina

Each year, The Graduate School honors graduate students in programs throughout our University for their powerful discoveries that contribute to a better future for people and communities in North Carolina. We're pleased to present 11 Impact Awards and six Horizon Awards for 2020.

The longstanding Impact Award, made possible through the generous support of the Graduate Education Advancement Board, recognizes discoveries with a direct impact on our state in the present time.

The Horizon Award, first presented in 2017, recognizes discoveries with future potential to benefit North Carolina (and beyond).

The 2020 Horizon and Impact Award winners describe their research

The Role of Landscape Management in Visitor Experiences of Historic Sites

Mary Biggs

Geography

Horizon Award

Mary Biggs

Developing Tech-Based Solution to Increase Access to High-Quality Sexual Health Education

Liz Chen

Health Behavior

Impact Award

Liz Chen

System to Help Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Collect, Use Vital Statistics

Elizabeth Davidson

Health Behavior

Impact Award

Elizabeth Davidson

Focusing on E-Cigarette Aerosols, Finding Evidence of Airway Cell Damage

Yael-Natalie Escobar

Toxicology and Environmental Medicine

Impact Award

Yael-Natalie Escobar

Using Attention-Demanding Tasks to Predict Stroke Survivor Risks

Jody Feld

Human Movement Science

Horizon Award

Jody Feld

New Way to Identify Harmful Bacteria Affecting Shellfish, Protect Consumers

Kelsey Jesser

Marine Sciences

Impact Award

Kelsey Jesser

Using Emerging Tracking Technologies to Identify Healthy Habitats for Fish

Matthew Kenworthy

Environment, Ecology and Energy

Impact Award

Matthew Kenworthy

Improving Reproductive Health Care for North Carolina Women with Opioid Use Disorders

Stacey L. Klaman

Maternal and Child Health

Impact Award

Stacey L. Klaman

Evaluating Interventions to Enhance Health Care in Rural Communities

Kathleen Knocke

Health Policy and Management

Impact Award

Kathleen Knocke

Examining Wide Range of Patient Data to Improve Head, Neck Cancer Outcomes

Nicholas Lenze

Public Health

Horizon Award

Nicholas Lenze

Understanding Work-Related Disparities at the Aluminum Smelting Facility in Badin, NC

Libby McClure

Epidemiology

Impact Award

Libby McClure

Investigating Link Between Drug Use, Life-Threatening Heart Infection

Asher Schranz

Public Health

Impact Award

Asher Schranz

Evaluating Food for the Summer Program, Toward Even Greater Success

Jessica Soldavini

Nutrition

Impact Award

Jessica Soldavini

Identifying Water Contaminant Risk, Possible Treatment Option

Kirsten Studer

Environmental Sciences and Engineering

Impact Award

Kirsten Studer

Determining Key Motivators, Deterrents in Seeking Critical HIV Services

Megan Threats

Information and Library Science

Horizon Award

Megan Threats

The Role of Tau ‘Tangles’ in Alzheimer’s Disease Progression

Hanna Trzeciakiewicz

Biochemistry and Biophysics

Horizon Award

Hanna Trzeciakiewicz

Understanding How Fish Adapt to Coastal Change, to Help Fishing Industries

Shelby Ziegler

Environment, Ecology and Energy

Horizon Award

Shelby Ziegler

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