Graduate student research benefits North Carolina

From left, Alexandria Hounshell in marine sciences and Erin Spencer in the Environment, Ecology and Energy Program were among the winners. (photos by from left, Kerry Irish and Ilich Meja)
From left, Alexandria Hounshell in marine sciences and Erin Spencer in the Environment, Ecology and Energy Program were among the winners. (photos by from left, Kerry Irish and Ilich Meja)

The UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School has honored 20 graduate students in programs throughout the University with the 2019 Impact Awards and Horizon Awards. The awards celebrate the graduate students’ powerful discoveries that contribute to a better future for people and communities in North Carolina.

The Graduate School announced 15 Impact Award and five Horizon Award winners on March 6. The awards will be presented at the 21st Annual Graduate Student Recognition Celebration, to be held on the afternoon of April 4.
The Impact Award recognizes discoveries with a direct impact on our state in the present time. The Horizon Award, created in 2017, recognizes discoveries with future potential to benefit North Carolina. Doctoral and master’s students, working in close collaboration with their faculty mentors, pursue promising new ideas. They then apply their new knowledge to improving human health, strengthening communities and creating greater understanding of our world’s biggest challenges.

College of Arts & Sciences students are among the winners.

View all of the 2019 Horizon and Impact Award winners and their projects.