Two ECU Researchers Approved for NCInnovation Grant Funding
GREENVILLE, N.C. (5/20/2025) — Two researchers from East Carolina University have been approved for grant funding from NCInnovation for inventions with real-world applications. The funding is part of NCInnovation’s mission to unlock the innovative potential of North Carolina’s world class universities.
“At ECU, our mission is rooted in serving the public good through innovation that solves real-world problems,” said Chancellor Philip Rogers. “We’re proud of our researchers for advancing work that has the potential to improve public health and quality of life. This support from NCInnovation reinforces the vital role universities play in transforming ideas into solutions that benefit communities across our state and beyond.”
Dr. Stephanie Richards, professor of health education and promotion, and her research team have developed a compact, cost-effective wind tunnel designed to test the effectiveness of pesticides. This innovative, patent-pending device offers a faster and more affordable alternative to traditional field testing by evaluating how well insecticides work against the world’s deadliest animal — the mosquito. The technology has applications for local governments, public health agencies and agriculture, and it will result in the creation of a new contract research organization based in eastern North Carolina, supporting economic development.
Another project will be led by Dr. Patrick Briley, clinical researcher in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Briley and his team developed technology to help speech language pathologists treat stuttering through a digital platform that can carry on conversations with patients, recognize speech patterns and recommend specific lessons based on those patterns. The platform also addresses social anxiety by providing immersive virtual reality practice environments and AI-driven customized treatment plans, and it includes case management tools.
“It is exciting to see research in the ag tech and medical device sectors advance at ECU, led by Dr. Richards and Dr. Briley,” said Michelle Bolas, NCInnovation’s executive vice president and chief innovation officer. “NCInnovation helps universities advance discoveries with real-world applications, strengthening the university-to-industry pipeline that’s central to American competitiveness.”
“This recognition from NCInnovation is a powerful endorsement of the impactful work happening at ECU,” said Dr. Sharon Paynter, chief innovation and engagement officer. “Supporting the translation of research into practical solutions is central to our mission, and we are proud to see our faculty advancing technologies that address public health and community needs. These projects exemplify the kind of innovation that drives regional growth and reflects ECU’s commitment to engagement and economic development.”
The two researchers exemplify ECU’s status as a Carnegie R1 research institution, placing the university among the top 5% of research universities in the nation.
Seventeen researchers across the state have been selected to receive a total of $13.6 million in NCInnovation funding this cycle. The exact dollar amount each researcher will receive will be made available once all grant contracts have been signed.
NCInnovation helps university innovations advance toward commercialization by supporting university applied research through the critical research and development phase between proof concept and readiness for the private market. NCInnovation’s grant funding is part of a larger effort to support the development and commercialization of university research in North Carolina. The campus-to-industry pipeline has been the foundation of American innovation for decades.
—
NCInnovation is a Research Triangle Park, NC-based 501(c)(3) public-private partnership designed to accelerate commercialized innovation from North Carolina’s research universities. Backed by more than $25 million in private philanthropic commitments, NCInnovation uses the interest and income from a $500 million State-funded endowment to provide non-dilutive grant funding, mentors, and support services so that North Carolina university proofs-of-concept return value to the regional communities that created them. Learn more at NCInnovation.org.
East Carolina University (ECU) is a Carnegie R1 designated research institution that is a national model for student success, public service and regional transformation. ECU is a member of the University of North Carolina System and serves nearly 27,000 students through more than 160 degree programs. The university advances innovation and discovery in health care, coastal resilience, education and regional economic growth. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, ECU is committed to being a national leader in community-focused innovation, bringing meaningful impact across the state and nation.
###
East Carolina University News Services
Howard House, 1001 E. Fifth Street
Greenville, NC 27858
ecunews@ecu.edu
Phone: 252-328-6481
https://news.ecu.edu