CAS Faculty and Staff are invited to attend the College’s Beginning of Year Event (and info fair) on August 12, from 2 – 4 PM at the Weatherspoon Art Museum. The event will feature remarks from new Dean of the College Kelly Joyce and introductions of new faculty. Refreshments will be served. Offices from around campus, including the CAS Office of Research, will take part in the info fair. Stop by our table to ask a question or just say hi!
Hosted by UNCG’s Office of Research and Engagement (ORE), the New Faculty Orientation for Research will provide essential info to help new faculty navigate the research enterprise and connect them with people, offices, and resources that support research. This workshop will offer valuable insights tailored to UNCG’s systems, policies, and opportunities. Topics will include:
How to identify and pursue funding opportunities
Navigating the grant submission process
Understanding grants and contracts
Research compliance and integrity
Intellectual property and innovation
Opportunities for community-engaged scholarship
All new faculty involved in research and creative activity are encouraged to attend. Breakfast and lunch provided.
August 14, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM, UNCG Alumni House, 404 College Ave. Please RSVP by August 7.
PhD student and Munroe grant recipient Ethan Isaac conducts field surveys of aquatic snakes.
In the 2024-25 academic year, the College of Arts & Sciences Office of Research supported 25 UNCG students with nearly $25,000 in grants from the Dorothy Levis Munroe Research Fund. The fund was endowed by alumna Dorothy Levis Munroe ‘44 to support student research in the “natural and mathematical sciences.”
Dorothy Levis Munroe graduated as a chemistry major from UNCG in 1944, along with her twin sister Katheryne Levis McCormick. Munroe went on to earn a master’s in chemistry, teach high school mathematics for many years, and become the first woman to serve on the board of education in Newark, Delaware.
All 25 students conducted research in STEM departments: 17 in Biology, 5 in Chemistry & Biochemistry, 2 in Mathematics & Statistics, and 1 in Physics & Astronomy. Students won support by submitting a research proposal and project budget up to $1000, depending on their project needs. Eight (8) recipients were undergraduates, and 17 were graduate students.
The list of items purchased with Munroe funds illustrates the diversity of research undertaken by these student scientists. Examples include:
Flow cells for sequencing the mitogenomes of fleas
Polystyrene microplastics and plasmid DNA
Long leaf needle chamber to measure photosynthetic capability of pine needles
Chemical reagents and a bottle top dispenser for safely handling them
Microcentrifuge tubes, petri dishes, and media
Munroe grants also supported travel by students to conduct research and attend conferences and scientific meetings. Their work took them to places near and far, including:
Regional and national meetings of the American Chemical Society
American Astronomical Society conference in National Harbor, MD
Savanna Science Networking Meeting in Kruger National Park, South Africa
Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation for a 10-day workshop on “Bioinformatics Analysis for Conservation Genomics”
Lucknow, India to perform carbon and isotope analysis on ancient teeth at the Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleo Sciences
SPOTLIGHT:Ethan Issac (PhD student, Biology) used his Munroe funds to purchase supplies like waders, nocturnal lighting, snake traps, and field guides for his surveys of NC aquatic snakes, as well as pH testing kits to evaluate water quality at collection sites. As part of the Terui lab, he also led a team of eight undergraduates who assisted with the research. At left, Issac and his team conduct fieldwork in the Catawba College Nature Preserve.
“Through the generous assistance provided by the Munroe Grant, I was able to successfully further my research on the impact of wetland construction and restoration activities on top predator species. … I am truly appreciative of this support, which also permitted meaningful field experiences for undergraduate colleagues.” ~Ethan Issac
In their final reports, students expressed gratitude for the Munroe grant and the impact it made on their scholarship.
“The support from the Munroe award has been instrumental in enabling the purchase of critical materials necessary for this research. The experiments conducted with these resources have generated pivotal insights that are significantly informing the future directions for my project, for which I am thankful.” ~ Cynthia Porter, MS student, Biology
“My PhD dissertation focuses on the safe use of Carbon Nanodots (CNDs) during long periods of time and an investigation of their potential proinflammatory roles leading to Atherosclerosis in in-vivo models. Utilizing the funds, we successfully studied the safety use of CNDs during 8 and 16 weeks of exposure in mice models. This research will become part of my Ph.D. dissertation and the article we’ll be writing.” ~ Esther Cardenas, PhD student, Biology
“I am incredibly grateful for this grant, which not only helped me gain hands-on experience with quantitative assays but also taught me the value of unexpected data in shaping scientific inquiry. It has enhanced both my technical skills and my critical thinking as a biomedical researcher. Thank you for supporting my growth as an emerging scientist and for making this research possible.” ~ Fatima Elhorry, undergrad, Biology
“I am deeply grateful for the support provided by the Munroe Research Award, which significantly advanced both my research and professional development during the final phase of my doctoral studies in Computational Mathematics. The award came at a pivotal time, as I was preparing for the job market, completing key research manuscripts, and transitioning into the final stages of dissertation writing.” ~ Xiaohuan Xue, PhD student, Mathematics and Statistics
“The Dorothy Levis Munroe Student Research award… supported part of my travel funds (lodging, meals) to attend the 2024 Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (SERMACS) in Atlanta, Georgia. I presented my first-ever research poster. I also had the opportunity to network with other undergraduates nationwide and familiarize myself with graduate programs I plan to apply to later this year.” ~ Kymberlee Harbin, undergrad, Chemistry and Biochemistry
The College is also very grateful that Dorothy chose to help UNC Greensboro students pursue their love of science.
SPOTLIGHT:Changzhi Ma (PhD student, Mathematics & Statistics) used her Munroe funds to attend and present her research at the 2024 Women in Statistics and Data Science conference. Her research focuses on the estimation of the long-range dependence parameter with stationary increments, and it has practical implications for modeling and forecasting certain economic and financial indicators, like the Consumer Price Index.
“The support provided by the Munroe Research Award has been instrumental in advancing my dissertation research, enriching my professional knowledge, and expanding my academic network. Attending the WSDS 2024 Conference and continuing my work on long-range dependence modeling would not have been possible without this funding.” ~Changzhi Ma
SPOTLIGHT:Shanna Hilborn and Roshni Bhaskar, both PhD students in the Popova Lab (Chemistry & Biochemistry), used a portion of their Munroe funds to attend the national meeting of the American Chemical Society. Bhaskar’s research involves improving teaching tools and designing interventions to support students learning organic chemistry concepts. Hilborn focuses on investigating factors that shape teaching and learning of molecular symmetry in the undergraduate inorganic chemistry classroom.
“Thanks to the generous support of the Munroe Student Research Award, I have made significant progress toward completing my dissertation research and have begun to share key findings at the national level…. Preparing for (and delivering) my presentation for the Spring National ACS Meeting challenged me to distill complex ideas into a format that was accessible, engaging, and relevant.”~Shanna Hilborn
SPOTLIGHT:Abreham Alemu (PhD student, Biology) is working to engineer drought-resistant traits in crops to enhance resilience to global warming and increase yields. His project seeks to identify and “mine” drought-responsive genes of the African grain tef (eragrostis tef), transform those genes into rice and cress plants and analyze results, and study loss of function of the selected genes in tef using CRISPR/Cas9 technique. Alemu used his Munroe funds to sequence gRNA carrying plasmids and to purchase a Takara infusion kit used in his experiments. In the photo, Alemu examines samples with help from his mentor, Dr. Ayalew Osena.
“We have effectively utilized the allocated budget to carry out some of our research experiments, and we express our sincere gratitude towards the Munroe research grant for their generous support.”~ Abreham Alemu
2024-25 Dorothy Levis Munroe Research Fund Award Recipients
Dr. Liam Duffy (Chemistry and Biochemistry) and Dr. Kaira Wagoner (Biology) have each received new R&D grants from NCInnovation, a public-private partnership designed to accelerate and commercialize innovative research emerging from North Carolina’s universities.
Duffy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the founder of a start-up company, Moires Instruments, LLC. Duffy and his team are developing the “Quadropole Mass Starkometer,” a new type of instrument for rapidly analyzing isomers — compounds which share the same molecular formula but display different arrangements of atoms. Analysis of these molecules is fundamental to understanding and controlling a host of chemical and biochemical processes. Since current technologies for analyzing these compounds are laborious, costly, and time-intensive, the new instrument will find use in many fields, including materials science, the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries, and academia. NCInnovation is supporting Duffy’s work with a 1-year, $253,000 grant to fund prototyping and testing of various technical elements of the instrument.
Wagoner is a Research Scientist in the Department of Biology and a co-inventor of the UBeeO Assay, a pheromone-based tool for measuring honey bee colony mite and disease resistance. She is also CEO of Optera, a honey bee health company which produces and distributes the UBeeO Assay. Honey bees are vital pollinators for many crops and natural ecosystems, but in recent decades honey bee health has dramatically declined due to the harmful parasitic mite Varroa destructor. Some honey bee colonies are resistant to mites and diseases through hygienic behaviors, especially detecting and removing unhealthy brood. The UBeeO Assay allows beekeepers to measure a colony’s level of hygienic activity, which helps the beekeeper breed healthier colonies. Wagoner received a 2-year, $553,000 grant from NCInnovation to refine and optimize the existing UBeeO technology and to develop a new, hygiene-inducing probiotic.
The two grants to UNCG are among 17 projects funded by NCInnovation in its first-ever statewide RFP. (In 2024, UNCG and JSNN Professor Hemali Rathnayake received one of NCINnovation’s original pilot grants for her research on lithium refining.) In May, NCInnovation’s Board of Directors unanimously approved $13.6M to fund the 17 projects after a months-long review and evaluation process led by subject matter and commercialization experts. Evaluators were looking for projects that had achieved proof of concept, show commercial promise, and have the potential to drive job creation and economic growth across the state. Only university researchers, not private companies, are eligible for NCInnovation grants.
“North Carolina’s public universities are working on truly amazing technologies, from improving poultry and livestock mortality rates to treating diseases like Alzheimer’s and pancreatic cancer,” said Michelle Bolas, executive vice president and chief innovation officer of NCInnovation. “NCInnovation helps researchers advance their discoveries through the university R&D process toward commercialization, strengthening the university-to-industry pipeline that’s central to American competitiveness.”
UNCG to Host Documentary Showing and Discussion for Juneteenth
Posted on June 10, 2025
UNC Greensboro’s African American and African Diaspora Studies (AADS) program and Faculty Senate will host a showing and discussion of the documentary “After Sherman” in honor of Juneteenth. The event will be held from 1 – 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, at the Weatherspoon Art Museum located at 1005 Spring Garden St. This event is free and open to the public.
The film “After Sherman” follows filmmaker Jon Sesrie-Goff as he returns to the coastal South Carolina land that his family purchased after emancipation. As he explores his Gullah/Geechee roots, the film transforms into a poetic investigation of Black inheritance, trauma, and generational wisdom, amidst the violent tensions that define America’s collective history.
Media Studies professor Hassan Pitts and UNCG students will engage in a discussion of the film immediately following the viewing.
“Juneteenth reaffirms familial and communal connections, looking to the voices and inheritance of African American citizens in the collective history of America,” said Dr. Noelle Morrissette, director of the AADS program. “The film ‘After Sherman’ explores land, rootedness, and the preservation of cultural ties from emancipation to the present, encouraging us to contemplate the unfinished quest for freedom and equality.”
Attendees will have a chance to view the ongoing art exhibits at the Weatherspoon Art Museum following this event.
This film is also viewable on Kanopy though the University Library or through PBS.
CAS Welcomes Dorian Thompson as Development Officer
Posted on April 23, 2025
The College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) at UNC Greensboro is pleased to welcome Dorian Thompson ’14 as its new development officer, effective April 1, 2025.
A proud UNCG alumna and dedicated Spartan, Thompson holds a B.A. in media studies and brings nearly a decade of experience in fundraising, university advancement, and relationship building in higher education. Her journey in advancement spans roles at both the UNC System Office and right here at UNCG, where she previously served in the Alumni and Advancement spaces.
In her new role, Thompson will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting leadership annual gifts and major gifts, as well as stewarding individual donors. She will also assist the senior director of development (search currently underway) with fundraising campaigns and donor communications, playing a key role in strengthening the College’s development efforts.
Thompson specializes in crafting compelling stories and engagement strategies that inspire donors to give, support student success, and foster deeper alumni connections. Her expertise includes donor stewardship, cultivating alumni affinity groups, and securing meaningful gifts that align with institutional goals.
With a passion for how media shapes the world, Thompson brings a blend of creativity and strategy to every campaign. Outside the office, she enjoys photography, music, and creating travel and video content — pursuits that reflect her spirit as a digital storyteller.
“I’m thrilled to return to the College of Arts & Sciences in this new capacity,” Thompson said. “UNCG shaped so much of who I am today, and I’m excited to give back by helping to grow support for the students, faculty, and programs that make this College so impactful.”
Please join us in welcoming Dorian Thompson back to the College of Arts & Sciences!
UNC Greensboro Names Dr. Kelly Joyce as New Dean of College of Arts and Sciences
Posted on April 11, 2025
Following a comprehensive national search, UNC Greensboro has appointed Dr. Kelly Joyce as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, effective August 1, 2025. Dr. Joyce, a professor of sociology, served in various administrative roles at Drexel University, including Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Founding Director of the university’s Center for Science, Technology, and Society. She also served as program director for the Science, Technology, and Society program and the Ethics Education in Science and Engineering program at the National Science Foundation (NSF).
“The College of Arts and Sciences stands at the heart of our University’s mission, and I am confident that Dr. Kelly Joyce will provide the leadership needed to advance its vital role,” Provost Alan Boyette said. “Her deep commitment to student success, supporting faculty and staff, fostering innovation, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration will empower the College to thrive in the years ahead. She brings an impressive track record of scholarship and academic leadership, and we are excited to see her take the reins and help shape the future of our university.”
Professor Joyce studies the social, cultural, and political dimensions of medical technology innovation. Her research is situated at the crossroads of medical sociology and science and technology studies. Joyce’s research on the ethics of algorithms, big data, and smart textiles has been funded by awards from the NSF and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She is the author of the award-winning book, “Magnetic Appeal: MRI and the Myth of Transparency” (Cornell University Press, 2008) and co-editor of “Technogenarians: Studying Health and Illness through an Aging, Science, and Technology Lens“. She received the NSF’s Director’s Award for Collaborative Integration for contributing to the education of ethical scientists, interagency collaboration, and extraordinary efforts in integrating ethical expertise with scientific knowledge in 2011. Dr. Joyce earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Brown University and a PhD in Sociology from Boston College.
“It is an honor to lead Arts and Sciences at a university that is an engine of social mobility for North Carolina and is committed to serving the surrounding communities,” Dr. Joyce said. “I am looking forward to getting to know faculty, staff, and students, and making their fantastic work visible to others at UNCG and the broader public. I hope to support new cross-disciplinary research initiatives and expand paid research opportunities for undergraduate students.”
As we prepare to welcome Dr. Joyce, we also express our gratitude to Dr. Amy Adamson for serving as the Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences since April of 2024; and to the search committee, led by Dean Debra Barksdale, for leading a robust and successful search.
IARC’s Mansell and Hicks Awarded Contract for NC Main Street Program
Posted on May 27, 2025
IARC: NC Commerce Main Street Renewal 2025-2028
Callista Mansell, an Academic Professional Assistant Professor in the Department of Interior Architecture, and Travis Hicks, Professor and Department Head, have been awarded a three-year contract from the NC Department of Commerce for the project “IARC: NC Commerce Main Street Renewal 2025-2028.”
The professors will work with the Main Street Fellows, a group of IARC graduate and undergraduate students, to provide design services to North Carolina communities undertaking revitalization efforts as part of the North Carolina Main Street Program.
