Innovative research

“Research is an expression of faith in the possibility of progress. The drive that leads scholars to study a topic has to include the belief that new things can be discovered, that newer can be better, and that greater depth of understanding is achievable. Research, especially academic research, is a form of optimism about the human condition.” -- Henry Rosovsky

This quote by Henry Rosovsky was used by Joe DeSimone in a recent presentation, and it nicely describes the relationship between research and innovation. At a research university like Carolina, they are inseparable. Research is the foundation for our change-making innovations, and a university that accelerates innovations regularly puts important research to use. A quick scan around campus produced some diverse and exciting examples of the ways that Carolina faculty and students are demonstrating the 'possibility of progress' through their work: 

• A RENCI research software developer creates tool to map the reach of UNC's research impact 
• Making surprising connections, an undergraduate researcher explores music as therapy for chronic pain
• At Kenan-Flagler Business School, a researcher looks at the science behind high-performing teams
• And in the evolutionary battle between plants and the diseases that threaten them, flora gets the upper hand thanks to new research techniques.