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Research at Appalachian

Research at Appalachian

Appalachian’s location in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina provides unique opportunities for research and scholarship. Passionate and creative faculty come here to stay, and students learn in academically challenging settings under their close mentorship. Small communities, access to diverse natural resources and significant weather patterns combine with a university culture that supports innovative, interdisciplinary pedagogy, making our location one that is not only stunningly beautiful, but also intellectually stimulating.

Student and faculty research stories

What kind of research could you undertake as an Appalachian student? Read about what our students and faculty are doing in their fields, where and how they learn, and share their work.

stduent with professor handling chemicals

>> Featured research stories

Office of Research

The Office of Research provides support for the research, creative and scholarly endeavors of Appalachian faculty, staff and students. The office offers assistance with finding funding, writing and submitting proposals, preparing budgets, beginning and managing projects and continued fiscal management of awarded projects.

chemistry student working with professor

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Research News

App State hosts virtual celebration of research and creative activity, honors two faculty members
September 23, 2020
Oldest footprints in Saudi Arabia reveal intriguing step in early human migration [faculty quoted]
September 17, 2020
Appalachian State’s Leaf Color Expert Says Cool September Will Result in Vibrant Leaf Colors [faculty featured]
September 11, 2020
Fall Foliage Forecast for 2020 [faculty featured]
September 7, 2020
Here's what kind of fall foliage season can we expect in Western North Carolina [faculty quoted]
September 2, 2020
From the Triassic to Appalachian — Archie the aetosaur makes his bronze debut on campus
August 28, 2020
Hendren named director of App State Research Institute for Environment, Energy, and Economics
August 28, 2020
US Geological Survey funds App State research on climate change impacts to Ozark salamander species
August 27, 2020
How one rural district boosted its FAFSA completion rate to one of the highest in the state
August 20, 2020
5.1 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee; Roads cracked, dishes broken [faculty quoted]
August 9, 2020

More research news: Appalachian Today

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Degrees

Professional Development Opportunities from the Office of Research

View the Office of Research calendar of events

Appalachian faculty actively engage in research

Find out more about our Research Centers and Institutes here:

The value of undergraduate research

Working with professors on meaningful research or creative endeavors gives Appalachian students the skills they need for career or graduate school success.

Graduate Research Associate Mentoring Program

The Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies has a competitive assistantship program, which pays a stipend to graduate students who collaborate with faculty members on their research projects.

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The North Carolina Research Campus - a public-private research center

Appalachian partners with the North Carolina Research Campus, providing our students with extraordinary opportunities to engage in collaborative and multidisciplinary research in human health, nutrition and agriculture.

North Carolina Research Campus

Energy research

International research & development

When individuals from countries and cultures across the globe can share knowledge and experience with one another, all nations benefit. Find out more about the research in which our faculty, staff and students are engaging in crosses boundaries and borders for the betterment of all.

Resources and support

Are you a faculty member, staff member or student looking for resources for your research endeavors? Start here to find some terrific resources available to help.

News

App State hosts virtual celebration of research and creative activity, honors two faculty members
September 23, 2020
At the culmination of App State’s weeklong celebration of research and creativity activity, the university honored Drs. Curtis Ryan and Alecia Jackson with the Chancellor’s and Provost’s Awards, respectively. They were recognized for superior achievement in their fields and sustained productivity.
US Geological Survey funds App State research on climate change impacts to Ozark salamander species
August 27, 2020
With grant support from the U.S. Geological Survey, Appalachian biology professor Dr. Jon Davenport is undertaking a four-year project that will provide a clear understanding of how potential climate changes — including increased temperatures and changing precipitation — could affect salamander populations of Missouri’s Ozark Mountains.
Meteorological factors may influence COVID-19 transmission and spread in the US, according to research by App State and NCICS
July 2, 2020
A climate-health study conducted by Appalachian State University researchers shows a significant association between COVID-19 transmission and low humidity.
Physical activity, weight management bolster immune defense against respiratory diseases, including COVID-19, App State professor reports
June 23, 2020
In a forthcoming review paper, Appalachian’s Dr. David Nieman, professor of biology and director of Appalachian’s Human Performance Laboratory at the North Carolina Research Campus, examines in depth how regular, moderate-intensity physical activity reduces morbidity and mortality from respiratory illness.
The wipe down on clean energy
June 8, 2020
Appalachian’s Dr. Jaewon Oh has collaborated with members of Arizona State University’s Photovoltaic Reliability Laboratory to analyze the soiling loss — or power loss due to dirt, dust and other particles — of six PV power plants across the U.S., including one in North Carolina.
Counting bees, because bees count — App State creates pollinator-tracking app
May 18, 2020
Appalachian’s Center for Analytics Research and Education (CARE) launches a global initiative to count the world’s pollinator population.
Ancient footprints in Tanzania
May 15, 2020
Two faculty members in Appalachian’s Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences have published a culminating article about ancient human footprints in the journal Scientific Reports after a decade of research. The footprints give clues to human social behavior tens of thousands of years ago.
App State researchers scale Mount Everest to conduct climate research as part of National Geographic expedition
June 14, 2019
Dr. Baker Perry and Dr. Anton Seimon were part of a multidisciplinary expedition that installed the world’s two highest weather stations (at 8,430 meters and 7,945 meters), examined soil samples and glacial lakes to better understand the range of life surviving on Earth’s highest peaks, and more.

Events

Oct
2
Mr. Jose Minaya
October 2, 2020
10:00 am
Rescheduled from April 3, 2020. Mr. Jose Minaya—CEO of Nuveen, a TIAA company—oversees all operating and investment activities for more than $970 billion in assets spanning the globe and covering equities, fixed income, real estate, private markets, natural resources, other alternatives and responsible investments. Mr. Minaya also chairs the Nuveen global investment committee and is a member of the firm’s executive committee.
Oct
6
Renowned Oral Historian on 50 Years of Holocaust Survivor Research
October 6, 2020
7:00 pm
The Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies invites the public to a talk by Dr. Henry (“Hank”) Greenspan on “Reflections from Fifty Years of Listening to Holocaust Survivors: Contrarian Views.” A prominent oral historian and accomplished playwright, Greenspan has developed much-noted new methodologies to interview and write about survivors. Presented online via Zoom.
Oct
13
to
16
Appalachian Human Resources Summit
October 13 - 16, 2020
In light of the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to ensure the safety of our students, faculty, presenters and conference attendees, the 2020 HR Summit is going virtual. Every session will be engaging and offer opportunities to network with fellow HR professionals, participate in hands-on activites, and interact with the presenters throughout the entire session.
Oct
28
Appalachian Global Symposium
October 28, 2020
The Symposium highlights global activities engaged in by faculty, staff and students. Symposium presenters will be discussing a variety of topics including science, technology, business, education, music and politics and is an opportunity for faculty, staff and students to share their global work on a professional platform while simultaneously contributing to global learning at Appalachian. Presented in a virtual format.
Oct
30
3 Minute Thesis Competition (3MT)
October 30, 2020
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The 3MT is an international competition for graduate students to explain their research or scholarly/creative projects in standard non-disciplinary English to a general audience (the public) in 3 minutes with the help of only one static PowerPoint slide.
Jun
4
to
Nov
6
Retracing Audubon: Eco-Conversations with Krista Elrick
Jun 4 - Nov 6, 2021
Retracing Audubon: Eco-Conversations is an exhibition and book project reexamining John James Audubon’s epic life journey and the production of his beloved tome, The Birds of America. The exhibition features contemporary photographs made by Krista Elrick of the American landscapes in which Audubon traveled 200 years ago and includes quotes from Audubon’s journals and entries Elrick made in her own travel notebooks two centuries later.