Q&A Series: Learn about NCInnovation-Backed Research in Western NC
Trailblazing research is underway in Western North Carolina, backed by NCInnovation
NCInnovation (NCI) provides grant funding and support to university applied researchers working on projects that have commercial promise. Regional Director Meagan Coneybeer leads NCI’s work in Western NC.
Rahman Tashakkori, Ph.D., Lowe’s Distinguished Professor, Computer Science at Appalachian State University received a two-year grant to advance the development of the Beemon system, a unique and innovative tool for decreasing honeybee hive die-off and increasing hive production.
Brian Byrd, Ph.D., Professor, Environmental Health Sciences, and Scott Huffman, Ph.D., Professor, Chemistry and Physics at Western Carolina University also received a two-year grant to support their work in the development of new methods for mosquito-borne infectious disease risk assessment.
By connecting public university researchers with funding and support, NCI helps accelerate their research toward commercialization. Keep reading to hear from Meagan, Dr. Tashakkori, Dr. Byrd, and Dr. Huffman about the world-class research and its potential to make an impact in North Carolina and globally.
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Can you describe the goal and potential impact of your research?
Dr. Tashakkori: Our goal is to improve beekeeping by creating affordable monitoring systems that track hive health. This could help beekeepers reduce stress on hives and improve survival, with global impacts on food security and sustainability.
Dr. Byrd: This research focuses on enhancing surveillance tools for mosquito-borne diseases, aiming to make them more affordable, accurate, and accessible to public health agencies. The goal is to improve risk assessment approaches to help reduce the spread of diseases such as Zika, dengue, and malaria.
How does NCI play a role in advancing your research?
Dr. Tashakkori: NCI has provided crucial funding and resources, allowing us to develop our system, hire staff, and connect with manufacturers, helping us move forward with creating affordable, standalone monitoring systems.
Dr. Huffman: By enabling the hiring of skilled staff, purchasing essential research tools, and helping transition innovative ideas into market-ready products, NCI’s support ensures broader access to the surveillance technologies developed.
How can this research help drive economic growth within the region and across North Carolina?
Meagan Coneybeer: Both projects have the potential to drive economic growth by anchoring the manufacturing and development of technologies in the Western region of North Carolina, creating skilled jobs, and offering workforce development opportunities. Both the mosquito and beekeeping projects address significant local challenges, such as agriculture and public health, which are central to the region’s economy.
Dr. Tashakkori: This research can drive economic growth by creating jobs in manufacturing, assembly, and customer service as beekeeping technologies move toward mass production. The affordable monitoring systems will support beekeepers, boosting honey production and encouraging innovation in agricultural tech, benefiting North Carolina’s economy.
How do you anticipate this research will make an impact beyond North Carolina?
Dr. Byrd: By developing cost-effective surveillance tools, the research can assist countries worldwide—especially those with limited resources—in combating mosquito-borne diseases, ultimately improving global public health.
Meagan Coneybeer: As these technologies expand, they can have broader implications for agricultural and health sectors across the United States and globally. The mosquito project can help manage mosquito-borne diseases, and the beekeeping project can support practices critical to food production worldwide, making these innovations applicable not just in North Carolina, but globally.
Click here to learn more about NCInnovation’s grant program and fiscally responsible approach to research support.
NCInnovation is 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation focused intensely on accelerating commercialized innovation from North Carolina’s universities. NCInnovation deploys funding, mentors, and support services so that North Carolina university proofs-of-concept turn into companies and create jobs that remain in North Carolina. Learn more at NCInnovation.org.
