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September 2009

Sep 16, 2009

NSF Spintronics Grant Will Help NC State Researchers Develop Smaller, Faster Electronic Devices

Researchers at North Carolina State University have received a three-year, $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Center for Chemical Innovation (NSF-CCI) to pursue research in the emerging field of  molecular spintronics. The grant will fund a center for molecular spintronics at NC State and support a research coalition between scientists at NC State and UNC-Chapel… 

Sep 16, 2009

Engineers Produce ‘How-To’ Guide for Controlling the Structure of Nanoparticles

Tiny objects known as nanoparticles are often heralded as holding great potential for future applications in electronics, medicine and other areas. The properties of nanoparticles depend on their size and structure. Now researchers from North Carolina State University have learned how to consistently create hollow, solid and amorphous nanoparticles of nickel phosphide, which has potential… 

Sep 15, 2009

Irish Potato Famine Pathogen Takes Gun to Knife Fight

An international team of researchers – including Dr. Jean Beagle Ristaino, professor of plant pathology at North Carolina State University – has completed the genome sequence of one of the most destructive and rapidly evolving pathogens in the world. The research shows that Phytophthora infestans, the fungus-like pathogen responsible for the Irish potato famine in… 

Sep 14, 2009

Cousins Who Serve

First Lieutenant Christopher Young has never needed to write a letter to the parents of one of his Marines, explaining why their son won't be coming home from Afghanistan. And that's why the former NC State football player from Raleigh was recently awarded the Bronze Star for bravery – protecting his platoon during a hellacious month in Afghanistan's southern Helmand Province. Some of the support Young received while in the field came from a squadron of Cobra attack helicopters – just like the one his cousin, Captain Drew Wimsatt, was flying over the region. Wimsatt, a defensive end for the Wolfpack from 2000-02, has completed several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and recently sent NC State head football coach Tom O'Brien, a former Marine officer, a flag that Wimsatt kept in the cockpit of his helicopter. 

Sep 14, 2009

What Did You Learn to be in School Today?

Filling the pipeline with the next generation of chemists, engineers and rocket scientists isn’t easy. New research at North Carolina State University hopes to drive U.S. students to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also known as STEM. 

Sep 11, 2009

Kurz Retiring as NC State’s General Counsel

North Carolina State University’s top lawyer and head of its legal affairs office will retire effective Oct. 1. Mary Beth Kurz, vice chancellor and general counsel, has spent 34 years as a university attorney, the last 13 of which have been at NC State. A frequent lecturer on legal issues in higher education, Kurz’s areas of… 

Sep 11, 2009

Paper Offers ‘How-To’ Guide for Protecting Entrepreneurs’ Big Ideas

Successful entrepreneurs turn big ideas into successful business opportunities, but how should they protect those ideas? A new paper from North Carolina State University offers a “how-to” guide on intellectual property protection, laying out the options for budding entrepreneurs as they consider how to move forward. 

Sep 10, 2009

Chappell Joins CVM

Dr. Kim Chappell has joined the College of Veterinary Medicine as a clinical assistant professor with the Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research. 

Sep 10, 2009

Study Reveals Unexpected Ancient Cellular Structure

Scientists at North Carolina State University have effectively lifted the veil from the structure of an ancient and important RNA-protein complex essential for the biosynthesis and function of the ribosome, the protein-manufacturing machine of all cells. This RNA-protein enzyme performs a critical task in modifying the nucleotides of ribosomal RNA, modifications that are essential for… 

Sep 10, 2009

Atkins Named Distinguished Professor

Dr. Clarke Atkins, professor of medicine and cardiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, has been named the recipient of the Jane Lewis Seaks Distinguished Professorship for Companion Animal Medicine. 

Sep 10, 2009

As H1N1 Looms, Study Shows Students Aren’t Protecting Themselves

As public health experts warn of potential widespread outbreaks of H1N1 flu this school year, a new study from North Carolina State University shows that students do not comply with basic preventative measures as much as they think do. In other words, the kids aren't washing their hands. 

Sep 10, 2009

Energizing Science

The idea of reaching out to North Carolina high school students is catching on at NC State, where administrators worry that they’re not educating enough scientists and engineers to maintain the state’s competitive edge in high-tech industries. 

Sep 8, 2009

Study: Parenthood Makes Moms More Liberal, Dads More Conservative

Parenthood is pushing mothers and fathers in opposite directions on political issues associated with social welfare, from health care to education, according to new research from North Carolina State University. “Parenthood seems to heighten the political ‘gender gap,’ with women becoming more liberal and men more conservative when it comes to government spending on social… 

Sep 4, 2009

NC State Researcher Receives Grant to Study Nuclear Safety, Waste Reuse

A North Carolina State University researcher has received an $800,000 grant from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to explore ways to reuse or otherwise safely dispose of waste from nuclear power plants. Dr. Gary Mitchell, professor of physics at NC State, will serve as lead investigator on the project titled, “Cross Sections, Level Densities and… 

Sep 3, 2009

Hice To Lead University Communications

Joseph Hice will fill the position of chief communications officer and associate vice chancellor of University Communications, which includes Creative Services, News Services and Web Communications.