Environmental Sciences and Engineering Research
New NSF-funded study to examine aerosol impact on cloud formation
December 14, 2021 New NSF-funded research from Texas A&M University, the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and Purdue University will examine aerosol and cloud interactions, which have major implications for climate models and predictions.
Checking in with COVID-19 Gillings Innovation Labs
November 24, 2021 Five of the COVID-19 research projects funded through a special round of Gillings Innovation Laboratory awards (GILs) have now been completed, and the two remaining are expected to wrap in early 2022. Their work has been critical in influencing local and global pandemic response efforts through policy, practice and community engagement.
9 Gillings School faculty members named to Clarivate's annual Highly Cited Researchers list
November 16, 2021 Nine academics from the Gillings School were recently named to the 2021 Highly Cited Researchers list from Clarivate. The highly anticipated annual list identifies researchers who demonstrated significant influence in their chosen field or fields through the publication of multiple highly cited papers during the last decade.
In cities with poor sanitation, waste-borne diseases may also be spread through air
November 8, 2021 Microbes that cause many waste-borne diseases are present in air particles around areas that have open sewers, according to a new study. These pathogens have the potential to spread into the surrounding environment, putting local inhabitants at risk.
Vickers works to improve world's access to clean water
November 2, 2021 Royster Fellow and UNC Gillings doctoral student Riley Vickers is bringing his distinct expertise to a multidisciplinary team working to improve the world’s access to clean water.
Decarbonization strategies need broader consideration, coordination of energy technologies
October 20, 2021 Deep decarbonization strategies require broad approaches that provide complementary solutions for energy needs across multiple sectors, including electricity, transportation, agriculture, health and manufacturing. Dr. Noah Kittner is lead author on a new commentary that calls for researchers to work together to solve these interdisciplinary challenges.
New research sheds light on microbial link between gut and brain in mammals
October 20, 2021 Microbes in the mammalian gut appear to play a major factor in the landscape of chemical processes in the body and may influence communication between the gut and the brain, according to new research from the lab of Dr. Kun Lu.
Human, swine waste pose dual threats to water quality after flooding
September 9, 2021 Scientists found several species of bacteria in floodwaters left behind by 2018’s Hurricane Florence, according to a new study from researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University.
Two Gillings leaders advance research on innovative solutions to public health challenges
August 24, 2021 Drs. Mark Sobsey and Steven Meshnick were two early recipients of Gillings Innovation Lab awards that proposed public health improvements to global communities and provided instrumental mentorship to students and faculty at UNC and the Gillings School today.
PFAS Testing Network releases final report, shares scientific recommendations for NC
August 10, 2021 PFAS — short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are found in many common products and have been linked to negative health effects in animals, but their health effects in humans are largely unknown. In an effort to shed light on this concerning scientific question, researchers with the PFAS Testing (PFAST) Network have submitted a comprehensive report and accompanying recommendations to the North Carolina General Assembly.