June 2012

Jun 20, 2012

New Partnership to Advance Biomanufacturing Industry in U.S., Europe

To foster the continued success of the biomanufacturing industry, North Carolina State University has joined forces with a French university to provide biomanufacturing training, education and process services in the United States and Europe. The new organization, BTEC International, is the result of a partnership between NC State’s Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC)… 

Jun 20, 2012

Shake, Rattle and…

Let’s start by stating the obvious:  being able to predict volcanic eruptions is good.  But not every volcano is going to cause destruction on the scale of Mt. St. Helens or Eyjafjallajokull (say that 3 times fast).  Some volcanoes – like the ones located underneath the sea –can erupt without human beings even noticing. That’s… 

Jun 20, 2012

Researchers Find Gold Nanoparticles Capable of ‘Unzipping’ DNA

New research from North Carolina State University finds that gold nanoparticles with a slight positive charge work collectively to unravel DNA’s double helix. This finding has ramifications for gene therapy research and the emerging field of DNA-based electronics. 

Jun 19, 2012

Foyle Retires After 32 Years

Bob Foyle will retire as associate director of the Institute for Transportation Research and Education at the end of June. 

Jun 19, 2012

Hughes Eyes Retirement

Ron Hughes, director of the Visualization, Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation (VAMS) Group at the Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE) will retire at the end of June. 

Jun 19, 2012

Lanier Returns to BOT

Gayle S. Lanier has been appointed by the UNC Board of Governors to the North Carolina State University Board of Trustees. 

Jun 18, 2012

Wynne Event a Win for CALS

Retiring Dean Johnny Wynne got some big surprises at his retirement celebration last week, including an innovation fund named in his honor. Find out how much donors gave in his name. 

Jun 18, 2012

Got Ticks? There’s an App for that.

We’ve all heard the stories – Mild winter!  Longer tick season!  Disease! Pestilence! Hide your pets and children!  But it’s summer, and at some point you’re most likely going to be out and about amongst the blood-sucking vermin.  And even when you take the recommended precautions – protective clothing, insect repellents, flea and tick treatments… 

Jun 18, 2012

Study Improves Understanding of Surface Molecules in Controlling Size of Gold Nanoparticles

North Carolina State University researchers have shown that the “bulkiness” of molecules commonly used in the creation of gold nanoparticles actually dictates the size of the nanoparticles – with larger so-called ligands resulting in smaller nanoparticles. The research team also found that each type of ligand produces nanoparticles in a particular array of discrete sizes. 

Jun 15, 2012

Gayle S. Lanier Named to NC State Board of Trustees

Gayle S. Lanier has been appointed by the UNC Board of Governors to the North Carolina State University Board of Trustees.  She replaces Phil Freelon, who has stepped down due to a U.S. presidential appointment. Lanier works in Raleigh as vice president of corporate services for Progress Energy.  Prior to serving in this role, Lanier… 

Jun 14, 2012

The Strain Remains the Same

Sid Thakur is an expert on the kinds of pathogens that like to make their homes in and around our pig populations. He spends most of his time testing the pigs and their environment, identifying potential dangers such as Campylobacter – a nasty little critter that we definitely don’t want in our food supply, particularly… 

Jun 13, 2012

NC State Hosts Start-Up Event; U.S. Rep. Ellmers to Speak

North Carolina State University will host its Fast 15 Signature Event, an opportunity to learn more about the new technologies and companies created at the university, from 1 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 14, at the Park Alumni Center on Centennial Campus. U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers, chairwoman of the House Small Business Subcommittee on… 

Jun 13, 2012

What Exoskeletons Are Hiding in Your Closet?

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Dr. Holly Menninger, director of public science for the Your Wild Life program at NC State, which explores the biodiversity that lives on, in and around us. Your Wild Life is the brain child of NC State professor Rob Dunn. Several months ago, Rob Dunn issued a challenge –… 

Jun 13, 2012

Creating An Online Portal Into the Medieval World

Perhaps it is fitting that students and scholars interested in the medieval world have to grapple with fiefdoms in order to find information dating to the period – though that doesn’t make it any less frustrating. But the days of searching through scattered online resources will soon be history. Researchers are in the process of… 

Jun 12, 2012

NC State Announces Spring Graduates, Dean’s List

North Carolina State University Chancellor Randy Woodson announced that 6,961 undergraduate students earned Dean’s List honors at NC State during the spring 2012 semester. To make the Dean’s List, students must earn an academic grade-point average of 3.25 or higher if they are carrying 15 or more hours of coursework, or a 3.5 grade-point average if…