Alyssa LaFaro

On any given day, Alyssa can be found photographing the effects of climate change, digging up long-lost information in the University Archives, or writing furiously in her Bynum Hall office. As the editor of Endeavors, she’s mastered the art of “wearing many hats.” When she’s not behind a camera or a computer, she’s meeting regularly with communicators, students, and faculty from across campus to learn about the latest research projects and unlock new opportunities for collaboration.

Posts by Alyssa LaFaro:

Growth from the Ground Up

April 18, 2017

A Robeson County tortilla manufacturer is ready to increase his production from 25,000 pounds of tortillas a week to 120,000 pounds. UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA student Ben Holmes is helping him do just that — through NCGrowth, an affiliate of the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute for Private Enterprise.

Beyond City Limits

April 11, 2017

Why do some neighborhoods lack access to municipal services? And how does this affect families? UNC public health researchers delve into this topic by testing well water in Wake County communities located on the outskirts of cities.

The Nursing Pioneer

March 15, 2017

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting Elizabeth L. Kemble, founding dean of the UNC School of Nursing. After becoming dean in 1950, she recruited faculty, oversaw construction of a building and dormitories, and even handpicked the first class of students. She spent the next 18 years dedicating her life to this school, making it the first in the state to offer a bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD in nursing.

Without Warning: Why Do People Drop Dead?

February 16, 2017

In North Carolina, roughly 32 people die unexpectedly every day, their loved ones devastated not only by loss but the inability to say goodbye. To help prevent these tragedies, UNC cardiologists examine death certificates, medical records, and emergency medical services data  to determine which populations are at risk of sudden death, and why.

Seeking Solace through the Screen

February 9, 2017

Anonymous online chat therapy groups for people with bulimia nervosa prove just as effective as face-to-face meetings — a treatment form that could save both cost and lives. UNC researcher Stephanie Zerwas explains.

A HHIVE for Health & Humanities

January 23, 2017

From the UNC School of Medicine to the College of Arts & Sciences, students and professors are abuzz at the HHIVE — Carolina’s new lab for health and humanities research.

One Foot in Front of the Other

January 13, 2017

From summertime strolling to political marching, the act of walking has greatly influenced social practices for hundreds of years. UNC historian Chad Bryant discusses these topics in a new book, “Walking Histories: 1800-1914.”

Proving Innocence: Lessons from The Wilmington Ten

December 12, 2016

In 1971, as civil rights battles raged across the South, 10 young men and women fought for fair treatment within Wilmington, North Carolina’s newly desegregated schools. UNC historian Kenneth Janken shares their story in his new book, “The Wilmington Ten: Violence, Injustice, and the Rise of Black Politics in the 1970s.”

A Caregiving Community at Carolina

December 7, 2016

A new program funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation strives to create better work-life balance for UNC physician scientists who have extreme caregiving needs at home.

One Giant Leap in the Dark

November 17, 2016

We can’t know how a transformative experience — like walking on the moon — will change us until we make that first small step. UNC philosopher L.A. Paul explains.