UNC researcher Nabarun Dasgupta learned this week he's won a prestigious MacArthur "genius grant." Dasgupta's worked to prevent opioid overdoses and tests street drugs to find out what's in them. (Photo by Alyssa LaFaro/UNC Research Stories)
A UNC researcher’s groundbreaking work fighting the opioid epidemic lands him a MacArthur ‘genius grant.” Plus, an upcoming event for innovation leaders in Durham, Orange, and Wake Counties.
Happy Friday and Happy October! I hope everyone is enjoying whipping out their fall sweaters and apple cider – I know I have been as Chapel Hill weather decides to get the autumn weather memo.
In today’s edition, we take a look into a North Carolina researcher’s work battling overdoses, and an upcoming event to foster community and storytelling in startups.
For past editions of Good News Friday, click here.
A Chapel Hill scientist turns data into hope
UNC epidemiologist Nabarun Dasgupta is leading national efforts to make overdose-reversal drugs like naloxone accessible to everyone and anyone who needs them. Because of that, Dasgupta learned this week that he’s won a prestigious MacArthur “genius grant.”
The grant comes with $800,000 in stipends paid over five years, to continue their research.
The opioid epidemic has been brutal in North Carolina, which reported more than 36,000 drug overdose deaths from 2000 through 2022.
Dasgupta’s Street Drug Analysis Lab tests streets drugs from around the country to determine what’s in them, helping first responders and members of the community respond faster and more effectively.
“Our mission is science in service,” Dasgupta said in a statement. “We want people to have access to the best knowledge and tools, so they can make better decisions about what they put in their bodies. This award is a testament to hundreds of community programs and health departments we serve, where lifesaving work happens.”
Through his work with the Opioid Data Lab and Remedy Alliance/For The People, Dasgupta is bringing his research into the world and improving how people can respond to the overdose crisis.
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Power hour in the Research Triangle
United Way of the Greater Triangle, a justice and community advancement group in Durham, Orange, and Wake counties, is hosting a “Power Hour” on Oct. 29 to shift from “storytelling about to storytelling with”.
Power Hour is an event series with food, community, and networking, hosted by UWGT and Duke Energy to give support and fuel innovation to nonprofit leaders in the Research Triangle (Duke, Wake Forest, and UNC.)
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