Check out the recent media mentions of sustainability-related programs, practices, and people at UNC:
UNC Unit Appoints New Director and Launches New Center
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
The Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at UNC Chapel Hill has appointed Joseph DeSimone as its new director. DeSimone is a world-renowned chemist and entrepreneur with more than 130 patents. His research focuses on applying lithographic fabrication technologies from the computer industry for the design and synthesis of new medicines and vaccines. Speaking of his new role in the Kenan-Flagler Business School, DeSimone said, “We are uniquely positioned to leverage the intellectual capital we have right here on campus, join it with some of the best and brightest minds from around the globe, and develop innovative market-based solutions to some of the most pressing global challenges of our time, including poverty, health, education, energy, sustainable development and economic growth." Read more »
The Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise will also launch a $1.6 million center to promote business growth and job creation in eastern North Carolina. The Center for Jobs and Innovative Business Development, led by Thomas Stith, will be funded with a five-year, $642,949 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and $1 million in matching funds from the Kenan Institute. The US EDA also provided grants to Fayetteville State University and Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Read more »
Carrboro Start-Up Receives Investment through Green-Tech Accelerator
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
Sanitation Creations, a company launched by Liz Morris, a UNC School of Public Health alumna, is one of three companies chosen for a green technology accelerator program funded by Cherokee Investment Partners. The waterless, portable toilet in the research and development phase at Sanitation Creations is intended for use in suburban areas of developing countries. Morris turned her thesis research into a business plan by participating in the University’s “Launching the Venture” program. Read more »
EPA Announces Funding for Research
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded UNC $250,000 to design, demonstrate and evaluate a dynamic management system for managing daily air quality. The $2 million in grants awarded to five academic institutions are focused on generating better data and tools to enable regulatory authorities to more effectively ensure that the air we breathe is healthy. Read more »
Protecting Mills River Watershed
The Times-News (Hendersonville)
Efforts to protect the Mills River, a source of drinking water for 90,000 users in Henderson and Buncombe counties, have run into funding challenges. A study by the Environmental Finance Center at UNC showed one way to find sustained funding would be for all water users to contribute a small amount. Jeff Hughes, director of the center, said the need to find other funding sources comes because past sources, including grants from trust funds, are less accessible than in the past. Read more »
Thanks to UNC News Services for finding these great stories and compiling the summaries! You can find more UNC media coverage and stories online at http://uncnews.unc.edu.
