Research UNCovered


Research UNCovered is a weekly series showcasing the many faces of research at Carolina, from undergraduate students to faculty, across all disciplines. Each Wednesday, learn what inspired our researchers to pursue their field, how they’ve overcome obstacles, and a little about their lives beyond their labs and offices.

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Michael Doucettephoto by Matthew Westmoreland

Michael Doucette

Michael Doucette is a senior double-majoring in information science and interdisciplinary studies within the UNC School of Information and Library Science. He studies how digital technologies influence and transform the structure of personal and social spaces.
Teshanee Williamsphoto by Alyssa LaFaro

Teshanee Williams

Teshanee Williams is a postdoctoral research associate within the UNC School of Government and a fellow in the Carolina Postdoctoral Program for Faculty Diversity. She uses mixed method approaches to examine strategic alliances between the public sector and nonprofit organizations, as well as public participation in decision-making processes.
Nehemiah Stewartphoto by Alyssa LaFaro

Nehemiah Stewart

Nehemiah Stewart is a junior double-majoring in chemistry and mathematics within the UNC College of Arts & Sciences. His research interests include how neurons survive and die in normal and diseased situations and developing methods to combat illnesses. In addition, he is a member of UNC’s JV basketball team and symphony orchestra and recently launched a university-based ridesharing app called Vector.
Cassandra Myersphoto by Megan May

Cassandra Myers

Cassandra Myers is the director of the Office of Human Research Ethics within the UNC Research division. She oversees the protection of human subjects in research and helps researchers achieve study goals by ensuring they meet compliance and regulatory needs.
Alecia Septerphoto by Megan May

Alecia Septer

Alecia Septer is an assistant professor in the Department of Marine Sciences within the UNC College of Arts & Sciences. She researches how bacteria compete for space and resources to aid in the development of future treatments for when such microbes cause health problems.
Andre Keiji Kunigamiphoto by Alyssa LaFaro

André Keiji Kunigami

André Keiji Kunigami is a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Romance Studies within the UNC College of Arts & Sciences and a fellow in the Carolina Postdoctoral Program for Faculty Diversity. He examines how film makes people feel about their bodies and the political nature of those emotions.
Kate Richardsonphoto by Alyssa LaFaro

Kate Richardson

Kate Richardson is a junior and Chancellor’s Science Scholar double-majoring in physics and computer science within the UNC College of Arts & Sciences. She researches dark matter and how it might be composed of hypothetical elementary particles called axions.
Oliver Lamb

Oliver Lamb

Oliver Lamb is a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Geological Sciences within the UNC College of Arts & Sciences. He explores how seismology and infrasound can be used to study natural phenomena like active volcanoes.
Anusha Chariphoto by Matthew Westmoreland

Anusha Chari

Anusha Chari is a professor in the Department of Economics within the UNC College of Arts & Sciences and an adjunct professor in the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. She studies how international trade and capital markets — financial systems that raise capital via shares, bonds, and other investments — affect economic growth across East Asia and Latin America.
Don Fejfarphoto by Megan May

Donald Fejfar

Don Fejfar is a junior and Morehead-Cain Scholar majoring in biostatistics within the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. He studies how disease relates to food and water quality, security, and accessibility on Isabela Island in Galápagos, Ecuador.