NCInnovation approves $10 million to support 13 university grant projects

RESEARCH-TRIANGLE PARK, NC (WWAY) — The NCInnovation Board of Directors approved the latest round of funded projects at North Carolina’s public universities.

The $10 million in funding will support 13 research projects at 11 UNC System institutions including UNCW.

Since the launch, these investments bring NCInnovation’s total to $29 million.

As part of this project, North Carolina Central University received its first NCInnovation-funded project.

The grants undergo a multi-step evaluation process that includes pre-application screening, full proposal review, scoring by independent subject-matter experts, and additional portfolio and market considerations before final approval.

• NC State University — Dr. Jason Patrick
  • A new materials-engineering approach that improves the durability of composite structures, helping manufacturers reduce failures and extend product life in sectors critical to North Carolina’s economy.

• NC State University — Dr. Ashley Brown
  • A next-generation synthetic platelet technology designed to speed wound healing and reduce bleeding, offering strong potential for medical, emergency, and military applications.

• North Carolina Central University — Dr. TinChung Leung
  • A convergent threat-assessment platform that integrates sensor data, AI, and environmental analytics to support safer communities and more reliable emergency response.

• UNC Charlotte — Dr. Babak Parkhideh
  • Advanced reliability-monitoring tools that help utilities and manufacturers predict equipment failures earlier, improving uptime and reducing operational costs.

• UNC Charlotte — Dr. Rosario Porras-Aguilar
  • A compact, 4D quantitative phase-microscopy attachment that enables faster, more precise imaging for life-science, pharmaceutical, and materials-research applications.

• UNC Greensboro — Dr. Kerui Wu
  • A precision drug-delivery platform that targets macrophages to treat inflammatory and immune-related diseases more effectively while reducing systemic side effects.

• UNC Wilmington — Dr. Ellie Ebrahimi
  • A browser-based cybersecurity platform that helps elementary-age students learn safe digital practices through interactive, age-appropriate simulations.

• UNC–Chapel Hill — Dr. Jason Franz
  • A cost-effective wearable sensor and machine-learning system that helps clinicians detect and monitor lower-extremity osteoarthritis earlier and more accurately.

• Western Carolina University — Dr. Martin Tanaka
  • A new, easier-to-implant drainage channel designed to prevent painful arm swelling after breast cancer treatment, helping more women—especially in rural areas—access effective care closer to home.

• Winston-Salem State University — Dr. Rafael Loureiro
  • A biofertilizer additive designed to restore soil biological function and improve crop productivity while reducing chemical fertilizer dependence.