BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.4.7//EN TZID:America/New_York X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/New_York BEGIN:VEVENT UID:13@researchweek.unc.edu DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261021T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261021T140000 DTSTAMP:20261015T141003Z URL:https://researchweek.unc.edu/events/research-and-discovery-fair-2026/ SUMMARY:Research and Discovery Fair DESCRIPTION:Hey undergrads\, stop by the student union to get involved in C arolina’s research community! The fair will feature over 25 research lab s and projects\, and UNC-Chapel Hill has a type of research that will piqu e your interest.\n\nVisit the Carolina Union Great Hall to get an up-close look at what some of our researchers do and see how you can get involved. \n\nJoin us for an afternoon of demonstrations\, interactive experiments\, and a look behind the scenes at how discoveries are made in the lab and b eyond.\n\nThis is an in-person\, CLE Credit event.\nFair Participants:\nOf fice for Undergraduate Research\nAt the Office for Undergraduate Research (OUR)\, we believe that students who engage in research during their colle ge careers are better prepared to collaborate with others to improve our w orld and to become tomorrow’s leaders. We help undergraduates get connec ted to the larger Carolina research community\, find research funding\, an d share their research with others.\n\n\n\nOffice of Research Communicatio ns\nThe Office of Research Communications conveys the value of research co nducted at Carolina to the university community\, the citizens of North Ca rolina\, and interested and invested parties across the nation and world. The office provides communication services to the Office of Vice Chancello r for Research (OVCR) and its administrative units\, supports the communic ation efforts of the OVCR’s centers and institutes\, maintains resources for the Carolina research community on the UNC Research website\, and pub lishes the award-winning UNC Research Stories magazine.\n\n\n\nPsychology of Sport Injury Lab\nThe Psychology of Sport Injury Lab engages in patient -centered and clinician-focused research to improve return to sport\, redu ce secondary injuries\, and improve overall quality of life before and aft er sport-related injury.\n\n\n\nExperimental Engineering Lab\nThe Experime ntal Engineering Lab gives undergraduate students opportunities to partici pate in research that crosses traditional departmental boundaries and conn ects computing\, engineering\, fabrication\, immersive technology\, and sc ientific inquiry. Projects range from student-generated ideas to collabora tions with faculty across campus. The lab also brings this work into credi t-bearing courses in which students learn specialized technical skills\, c onduct mentored research\, and lead research teams.\n\n\n\nEarth\, Marine and Environmental Sciences Department\nThe Earth\, Marine and Environmenta l Sciences Department offers an immersive exploration of our planet’s in terconnected systems\, equipping students to tackle urgent global challeng es like climate change and biodiversity loss. Our students explore\, under stand\, and protect our natural world with hands-on learning and cutting-e dge research.\n\n\n\nInstitute of Marine Sciences\nUNC-CH’s Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) was launched in 1947 in Morehead City\, NC\, with a purpose to provide “service to the State through basic and applied rese arch”. In 2021 IMS became part of the new department of Earth\, Marine a nd Environmental Sciences (EMES)\, providing opportunities to expand IMS ’s academic and research roles within the UNC-CH community.\n\nToday\, I MS remains UNC-CH’s vanguard for meeting environmental challenges facing our coast. Fitting the academic reputation of UNC-CH\, IMS is also a phys ical and conceptual center of gravity for engagement with coastal communit ies in eastern NC.\n\n\n\nFreeman Lab\nThe Freeman Lab is an interdiscipli nary team seeking to develop novel designer materials using self-assemblin g biological components. Principal Investigator Dr. Ronit Freeman takes an interdisciplinary\, collaborative approach to science discovery and innov ation\, as reflected in the diverse backgrounds of our team members and co llaborators.\n\nDrawing from experience in chemistry\, nanotechnology\, ma terials science\, engineering\, biology\, and medicine\, we manipulate DNA and peptides to exert fine structural control from the nanoscale to the m acroscale and produce hierarchical self-assembled architectures with diver se functionalities. The resulting materials can reconfigure across length scales and are able to uniquely interface with proteins and cells\, with e xciting applications in regenerative medicine\, targeted drug delivery\, b iomolecular sensors\, and point-of-care diagnostics.\n\n\n\nBioelectronics \, Automation &\; Intelligence Lab (BAI lab)\nThe Bai lab focuses on bo th fundamental and applied study of soft materials\, nanomaterials\, and i ntegrated systems\, including assembly and manufacturing approaches to ena ble hybrid integration of multimaterials towards high-performance electron ic and photonic systems\, the development of new technology that can intel ligently immerse electronics and photonics into biological systems\, and t he creation of new tools and devices to address unmet clinical needs and i mprove human healthcare and sustainability.\n\n\n\nBeAM (Be a Maker) Maker space Network\nBeAM@CAROLINA is a network of makerspaces where you can joi n the UNC maker community in the design and making of physical objects for education\, research\, entrepreneurship and recreation.\n\nYou can partic ipate in open studios\, training sessions\, workshops\, host classes and g roup activities in spaces equipped with emerging technologies like 3D prin ting as well as wood and metalworking shops.\n\nWe aim to make everyone fe el empowered to reach their full making potential – if you’re interest ed in making\, you belong at BeAM.\n\n\n\nBehavior and Biodiversity Lab\nT he Behavior and Biodiversity Lab seeks to understand the role of behavior in the origins\, maintenance\, and distribution of diversity. Our work is particularly focused on the evolution of mate choice and its role in the f ormation and maintenance of species boundaries.\n\nWe study mate choice\, because mate choice is one of the most critical behaviors affecting lifeti me fitness. As such\, it is both under strong selection and is a potent se lective force. Mate choice is therefore ideally suited for studying the ev olution of behavior and its evolutionary and ecological consequences.\n\n\ n\nPhysical Mathematics Lab\nAt the Physical Mathematics Lab\, we have ass embled a multidisciplinary research group that in-tegrates theory and simu lation with in-house experiments to uncover new physical phenomena and rat ionalize them me-chanistically. We believe that creative ideas and genuine understanding emerge from the dialogue between mathematics and experiment \, from the analysis of equations and simulations to direct observation in the laboratory. To that end\, we maintain a fully equipped wet lab within the Department of Mathematics\, where we design and perform controlled ex periments that both inform and challenge our theoretical models.\n\n\n\nQu antum Spin-Wave Lab\nIn the Quantum Spin-Wave Lab\, our research topics ex plore a broad range of magnetism and spintronics phenomena. We examine the properties of quantum-mechanical effects of electron spins such as their novel magnetic textures and spin-orbit effects\, rather than conventional electron charge\, to seek potential optimization of low-power\, high-capab ility electronics devices. Recent focus has been on spin-orbitronics\, mag nonics\, spintronic-THz sciences\, and 2D magnetism.\n\nStudents in the la b will become experts in many different nanofabrication techniques\, such as lithography\, evaporation\, and sputtering. We also use various device and material characterization techniques\, such as ferromagnetic resonance spectroscopy (FMR) and optical spectroscopies.\n\n\n\nGraduate Costume Pr oduction Program\nThe purpose of the Master of Fine Arts program in Costum e Production is to develop the skills and attitudes needed for a professio nal or educational career in the costume arts. The program is dedicated to the training of the theatre artist who is responsible for the realization of the designer’s vision.\n\nThe MFA in Costume Production is a three-y ear degree encompassing a broad range of costume courses\, but the emphasi s of the program is on the knowledge and skills necessary to produce costu mes for the stage.\n\n\n\nGraduate Technical Production Program\nThe purpo se of the Master of Fine Arts degree in Technical Production is to train t he candidate for a career in corporate\, regional\, or educational Theater . The three-year program is organized to prepare the candidate to assume r esponsibility for the entire production process from technical drawings th rough strike. This is achieved through classes and modules that include tr aining in AutoCAD\, construction\, structural design\, metalworking proces ses\, rigging\, electronics\, mechanical systems and shop management.\n\n\ n\nHHIVE Lab (Health &\; Humanities: An Interdisciplinary Venue for Exp loration)\nHoused in the Department of English and Comparative Literature at UNC-Chapel Hill\, the HHIVE Lab and affiliated curricula extend beyond departmental boundaries to harnesses the energy\, talent\, and knowledge o f Carolina faculty\, staff\, and students working at the intersection of t he humanities\, the arts\, and the health sciences. The HHIVE Lab is a spa ce for innovative research\, curricular\, and programming.\n\n\n\nResearch Labs of Archaeology\nFounded in 1939\, the Research Laboratories of Archa eology (RLA) was the first center for the study of North Carolina archaeol ogy. Serving the interests of students\, scholars\, and the general public \, it is currently one of the leading institutes for archaeological teachi ng and research in the South. Located within the University of North Carol ina at Chapel Hill’s College of Arts and Sciences\, it provides support for faculty and students working not only in North Carolina\, but also thr oughout the Americas and overseas. It is also the institutional home of th e Curriculum in Archaeology.\n\n\n\nSports Analytics Intelligence Lab (SAI L)\nThe Sports Analytics Intelligence Lab (SAIL) is a research group in th e Department of Statistics and Operations Research at the University of No rth Carolina at Chapel Hill dedicated to using statistics to better unders tand sports. Bringing together faculty\, graduate students\, and undergrad uate students across several disciplines\, SAIL supports the University’ s athletics programs through collaborative projects\, advances the field t hrough independent scholarly research\, and shares sports analytics knowle dge with the broader university community through guest speakers and techn ical workshops. Data is transforming the way that teams\, athletes\, and f ans think about sports. SAIL is committed to helping shape what comes next .\n\n\n\nSouthern Oral History Program\nLocated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill\, the Southern Oral History Program is committed to the power of memory\, voice\, and storytelling that informs our evolvin g ideas about the people and cultures of the American South.\n\n\n\nGlobal Social Development Innovations\nGlobal Social Development Innovations (GS DI) is a research center at the School of Social Work. GSDI’s mission is to generate evidence to advance youth well-being\, globally.\n\nOur work focuses on youth development in the digital age using the positive youth d evelopment framework. The PYD framework recognizes that for young people t o become healthy\, productive and engaged\, programs\, practices\, and pol icies must partner with young people to improve their assets\, agency\, co ntributions\, and enabling environment. Additionally\, we recognize that i n order to effectively engage young people we must not focus on ”fixing ” behaviors but rather\, we must build the connection\, confidence\, cha racter\, contributions\, and competence of all young people.\n\n\n\nBullyi ng Prevention\nDorothy Espelage has studied bullying and how to prevent it for over 30 years. The UNC School of Education William C. Friday Distingu ished Professor of Education noticed only three states had anti-bullying l aws in the 1990s\, and her advocacy has helped all 50 states adopt similar laws. Read about Espelage's research.\n\n\n\nSchool of Data and Informati on Sciences\nThe School of Data and Information Sciences (SDIS) was founde d in 2026 by joining the School of Information and Library Science (1931) and the School of Data Science and Society (2022). SDIS brings together lo ngstanding excellence in information and library science with leadership i n data science\, including computational and statistical methods\, and soc ietal applications.\n\nHome to a top-ranked library and information scienc e program\, SDIS is recognized for strong teaching\, research and service and is the host to the Carolina Health Informatics Program (CHIP) and the Center for Information\, Technology and Public Life (CITAP). The School te aches and trains undergraduate and graduate students in data science\, hea lth informatics\, information science and library science\, as well as off ers certificates for adult learners. SDIS conducts research and scholarshi p across the data and information life cycle\, with an emphasis on human-c entric\, ethical and applied approaches. Committed to data\, information a nd AI literacy for all Tar Heels\, SDIS faculty are tackling our communiti es’ most pressing needs and our world’s most intractable challenges.\n \n\n\nFood Allergy Initiative\nThe UNC Food Allergy Initiative (UNCFAI) wa s established to address the growing needs of children and adults with foo d allergy. Since 2015\, the UNCFAI has been involved in over 25 food aller gy studies and is a proud member of the NIH Consortium for Food Allergy Re search (CoFAR) as well as a Discovery Center of Distinction within the FAR E Clinical Network.\n\n\n\nInstitute for the Environment\nThe Institute fo r the Environment fosters and conducts collaborations with faculty\, stude nts and staff across the university to identify and solve the world’s en vironmental challenges and sustain and improve the environment. Their miss ion is to become a global leader in catalyzing innovative environmental re search and harnessing the research output to educate tomorrow’s leaders\ , engage communities and meet environmental\, energy and development chall enges.\n\n\n\nCenter for Galapagos Studies\nThe Center for Galapagos Studi es (CGS) seeks to integrate research\, education\, and outreach through a seamless transition between the classroom\, field\, and laboratory. It lev erages the unique infrastructure of the Galapagos Science Center\, along w ith a diverse\, multidisciplinary network of scientists from UNC-Chapel Hi ll\, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ)\, and other partner institu tions.\n\nThe Galapagos Science Center (GSC)\, located on San Cristobal Is land in Ecuador\, is jointly administered by UNC's Center for Galapagos St udies and the USFQ. As the only institution of its kind in the Galapagos a rchipelago\, it represents a model of international cooperation in higher education. The 20\,000-square-foot facility offers a distinctive opportuni ty to enrich understanding of coupled human and natural systems within a g lobally renowned Galapagos National Park\, Marine Reserve\, and World Heri tage Site.\n\nCommemorating 15 years of the Galapagos Science Center since its opening on May 16\, 2011.\n\n\n\nCarolina Drone Lab\nThe Carolina Dro ne Lab (CARDNL) is a research lab within the UNC Institute for the Environ ment focused on the innovative use of remote sensing and unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) to address environmental challenges. CARDNL is a continuous ly-evolving resource for collaborators both within the UNC community and b eyond.\n\n\n\nInstitute for Risk Management and Insurance Innovation\nThe Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Innovation (IRMII) is a multid isciplinary research and innovation hub\, bringing together student resear chers\, academic leaders\, and industry professionals to develop creative solutions for managing the financial risks arising from a growing number o f threats\, ranging from extreme weather to cybersecurity\, faced by commu nities across the globe.\n\n\n\nCenter for Health Promotion and Disease Pr evention\nThe UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention addre sses pressing health problems by collaborating with communities to conduct research\, provide training\, and translate research findings into policy and practice. The Center seeks to reduce health disparities through an em phasis on community-engaged research. HPDP was selected to be one of the f irst three Prevention Research Centers (PRCs) in 1986. Now comprised of 20 academic institutions\, the PRC program is an interdependent network of c ommunity\, academic\, and public health partners that conduct prevention r esearch and promote practices proven to promote good health.\n\n\n\nSensib le\nSensible\, a startup founded by Carolina students\, is developing a pa d-attachable patch that turns menstrual blood into wellness signals during everyday use. Its patent-pending diagnostic technology could enable earli er detection of conditions like endometriosis without invasive testing. Wi th funding support from Innovate Carolina and mentorship from Launch Chape l Hill\, three of the company’s leaders attended the ACC Inventure Prize at Notre Dame University: Nandini Kanthi (neuroscience and community and global public health\; CEO at Sensible)\, Vaishnavi Kode (economics and bi ology\; Vice President of Growth at Sensible) and Vrutika Soneji (health p olicy and management and neuroscience\; COO at Sensible). Other founders o f Sensible include Juliet Wu (undergraduate student at the University of P ennsylvania\, CFO at Sensible) and Ishita Bafna (senior at Enloe High Scho ol in Raleigh\; CTO at Sensible). Copy credit to Innovate Carolina.\n\n\n\ nEngineering at Carolina\nJoin Engineering at Carolina (E@C) to learn and practice the engineering mindset with students from every major\, and buil d solutions to global challenges with fellow innovators. E@C is centered a round the Applied Sciences major and is affiliated with the Department of Applied Physical Sciences\, but this organization strives to connect stude nts of every major (no experience required) with the entire Carolina commu nity to make positive impacts via technology and brain power. Our meetings consist of guest lecturers\, technical skill workshops\, research topics\ , design competitions\, recruiter meet-and-greets\, and anything Engineeri ng related. We also host Engineers Week at UNC annually.\n ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://researchweek.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/ 2026/08/rdfair-web-scaled.jpg CATEGORIES:In-person Event,Office of Undergraduate Research,UNC Research LOCATION:Carolina Union\, Great Hall\, 209 South Rd\, Chapel Hill\, NC\, 27 599\, United States X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=209 South Rd\, Chapel Hill\ , NC\, 27599\, United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Carolina Union\, G reat Hall:geo:0,0 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York X-LIC-LOCATION:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20260308T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR