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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Li Kephoto by Alyssa LaFaro

Li Ke

Li Ke is a postdoctoral researcher in the Culture, Curriculum, and Teacher Education program within the UNC School of Education. He promotes scientific literacy among K-12 students by helping them utilize models and reasoning to approach social issues in science such as climate change.
Beatrice Williams

Beatrice Williams

Beatrice Williams is a doctoral candidate within the UNC Adams School of Dentistry. She researches how comprehensive dental care can improve the physiological and physical health of people living with HIV.
Michael Terryphoto by Megan May

Michael Terry

Michael Terry is an associate professor in the Department of Linguistics and adjunct associate professor in the Department of African, African American, and Diaspora Studies within the UNC College of Arts & Sciences. He researches the structure of dialects and the implications of dialectal differences for linguistic theory and educational practice.
Katie Harmonphoto by Alyssa LaFaro

Katie Harmon

Katie Harmon is a postdoctoral research associate at the UNC Highway Safety Research Center. She uses data to analyze pedestrian and bicyclist injuries and fatalities to encourage safe and best practices among commuters of all kinds.
Lyneise Williamsphoto by Megan May

Lyneise Williams

Lyneise Williams is an associate professor in the Department of Art and Art History within the UNC College of Arts & Sciences. She addresses how digital technologies used in archives and libraries impact underrepresented communities.
Fouad Abd-El-Khalick

Fouad Abd-El-Khalick

Fouad Abd-El-Khalick is the dean of and professor in the UNC School of Education. He researches best practices for teaching students, how science works, and why we should trust claims of scientific knowledge.
Megan Raislephoto by Alyssa LaFaro

Megan Raisle

Megan Raisle is a senior and Morehead-Cain Scholar double-majoring in environmental studies and geography within the UNC College of Arts & Sciences. She studies climate change across disciplines to uncover how to be a more effective advocate for climate action and understand why it sometimes fails.
Kevin Pendergastphoto by Megan May

Kevin Pendergast

Kevin Pendergast is a master’s student specializing in technical production in the Department of Dramatic Art within the UNC College of Arts & Sciences. He studies the process of moving an artistic idea to the stage using techniques like scenic fabrication and audio-visual production.
Xiaoming Liuphoto by Alyssa LaFaro

Xiaoming Liu

Xiaoming Liu is an assistant professor of geochemistry in the Department of Geological Sciences within the UNC College of Arts & Sciences. She studies old rocks to better understand Earth's elemental and isotope behavior and, ultimately, its history.