faculty and staff

Feb 21, 2013

Researchers ‘Nanoweld’ by Applying Light to Aligned Nanorods in Solid Materials

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a way to melt or “weld” specific portions of polymers by embedding aligned nanoparticles within the materials. Their technique, which melts fibers along a chosen direction within a material, may lead to stronger, more resilient nanofibers and materials. Physicists Jason Bochinski and Laura Clarke, with materials scientist… 

Feb 15, 2013

Force is the Key to Granular State-Shifting

Ever wonder why sand can both run through an hourglass like a liquid and be solid enough to support buildings? It’s because granular materials – like sand or dirt – can change their behavior, or state. Researchers from North Carolina State University have found that the forces individual grains exert on one another are what… 

Feb 7, 2013

Koch Elected to the National Academy of Engineering

Dr. Carl Koch, Kobe Steel Distinguished Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at North Carolina State University, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Koch is one of 69 new members and 11 foreign associates joining the academy in 2013. He is the 11th current NC State faculty member to… 

Jan 31, 2013

Researchers Find Evidence of Geological ‘Facelift’ in the Appalachians

How does a mountain range maintain its youthful, rugged appearance after 200 million years without tectonic activity? Try a geological facelift – courtesy of the earth’s mantle. Researchers from North Carolina State University noticed that a portion of the Appalachian Mountains in western North Carolina near the Cullasaja River basin was topographically quite different from… 

Nov 16, 2012

NC State Announces Inaugural University Faculty Scholars

North Carolina State University Chancellor Randy Woodson announced today the inaugural group of University Faculty Scholars, a recognition and reward program for top NC State early- and mid-career faculty who will receive $10,000 – in donated funds – for each of the next five years to support their academic endeavors. The program is part of the… 

Nov 2, 2012

Piedrahita to Lead NC State’s Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research

Jorge Piedrahita, a professor of genomics in North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, has been appointed director of the NC State Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research (CCMTR). Piedrahita’s appointment by Dr. Paul Lunn, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, follows a national search. Piedrahita will oversee CCMTR initiatives based on the… 

Oct 23, 2012

Analysis of Dinosaur Bone Cells Confirms Ancient Protein Preservation

A team of researchers from North Carolina State University and the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) has found more evidence for the preservation of ancient dinosaur proteins, including reactivity to antibodies that target specific proteins normally found in bone cells of vertebrates. These results further rule out sample contamination, and help solidify the case for… 

Oct 23, 2012

NC State Chancellor Woodson Delivers State of the University Address

North Carolina State University Chancellor Randy Woodson delivered an impassioned state of the university address Tuesday in which he bridged the past and present – celebrating 125 years of impact as a land-grant institution and praising students, faculty and staff for a variety of recent first-time successes. “NC State continues to transform lives on campus, in… 

Oct 22, 2012

Additive Restores Antibiotic Effectiveness Against MRSA

Researchers from North Carolina State University have increased the potency of a compound that reactivates antibiotics against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), an antibiotic-resistant form of Staphylococcus that is notoriously difficult to treat. Their improved compound removes the bacteria’s antibiotic resistance and allows the antibiotic to once again become effective at normal dosage levels. NC State chemist… 

Sep 17, 2012

Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogens Persist in Antibiotic-Free Pigs

Researchers from North Carolina State University have found identical strains of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter Coli (C. coli) in both antibiotic-free (ABF) and conventionally raised pigs. This finding may indicate that these antibiotic-resistant pathogens can persist and thrive in the environment, regardless of antimicrobial usage by pork producers. Dr. Siddhartha Thakur, assistant professor of population health and… 

Aug 28, 2012

NC State Experts Can Discuss Hurricane, Disaster Issues

With Hurricane Isaac making landfall this week, media looking for information on a variety of hurricane topics can contact the following North Carolina State University experts: Storm Surge and Flood Prediction Marine meteorologist Dr. Lian Xie can discuss research on hurricane formation. Specifically, Xie can talk about hurricane climatology and seasonal prediction; storm surge and… 

Aug 23, 2012

Origami Inspires Research Into Materials That Self-Assemble When Exposed to Light

A multi-university research team led by North Carolina State University will be developing methods to create two-dimensional (2-D) materials capable of folding themselves into three-dimensional (3-D) objects when exposed to light. The effort, which is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), is inspired by origami and has a broad range of… 

Aug 16, 2012

Packapalooza Street Fair Celebrates 125 Years of NC State

On Aug. 18, historic Hillsborough Street in Raleigh will be the site of Packapalooza, an all-day block party and street festival celebrating North Carolina State University’s 125th birthday. Music, activities and food will be part of the festival, which will feature more than 160 booths from local and university sponsors. The event, which is free… 

Aug 1, 2012

Controlling Gene Expression With Hydrogen Peroxide “Switches”

Hydrogen peroxide doesn’t just come in bottles from the drugstore – the human body makes it as well. Now researchers from North Carolina State University have found a way to use naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide inside cells to switch on gene expression. Their method also serves as a highly sensitive hydrogen peroxide detector, which may… 

Jul 17, 2012

Dr. Richard Linton Named Dean of NC State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Dr. Richard Linton, a nationally recognized food-safety authority who serves as professor and chair of the Department of Food Science and Technology at The Ohio State University, has been named dean of North Carolina State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, effective Sept. 15. Provost Warwick Arden announced the appointment today. “We’re extremely fortunate…