UNC Galapagos

08/27/2026

Biology and Anthropology major Camila Loikova was one of seven Carolina students who contributed to ongoing research in the Galapagos over the summer, as a part of our Undergraduate Summer Field Experiences program supported by Royal Caribbean Group.

Read about Camila's highlights and takeaways from the Galapagos below 👇

08/21/2026

💡Research Leadership Team spotlight💡��

Dr. Corbin Jones is a Professor of Biology and Genetics at UNC College of Arts and Sciences and UNC School of Medicine. As Chair of the Center for Galapagos Studies’ Research Leadership Team (RLT), Dr. Jones develops the genomics infrastructure at the Galapagos Science Center while building industry partnerships in areas such as biotech and AI. In recent years, he has helped develop the first Biobank in the Galapagos Islands and co-organized a workshop in Quito, Ecuador focused on AI’s applications in research. ��

As a whole, the RLT helps shape the Center for Galapagos Studies’ strategic direction while advancing sustainability, research, and campus engagement through planning, partnerships, and impactful events. ��Swipe 👉 to learn more about Dr. Jones’ work!

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08/17/2026

Happy FDOC, Carolina! Celebrate the start of the Fall semester with these blue-footed bo***es 🪿, a native species from the Galapagos that happens to represent our favorite shade of blue every single day. 🩵

08/14/2026

In June, the Galapagos Science Center (GSC) launched the Sustainable Fisheries-Based Child Nutrition System: A Scalable Model for San Cristóbal, Galápagos. 🌊🐟🐠 Researchers from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will continue to work on this ongoing project, which involves collaborating with community members, fisheries, educators and more to promote sustainable development and nutrition for future generations.

Read more about the project from the GSC: https://www.galapagosscience.org/local-seafood-to-drive-a-new-child-nutrition-model-in-the-galapagos/

Universidad San Francisco de Quito

Learn about the new project led by the University of San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) and the Galapagos Science Center, an initiative that aims to improve the nutrition of nearly 500 students through locally sourced seafood and agricultural products, while advancing scientific research and promoting he...

08/06/2026

The sixth edition of the Galapagos Science Center's annual ConCiencia magazine is out! 👉 Swipe through for a sneak peek of the stories featured in this issue, and read the full version here: https://galapagos.unc.edu/conciencia-magazines/

08/05/2026

Congratulations to Jill Aronson Pfaendtner on her new role in UNC Research leadership! We are so excited to continue working with Jill as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Strategy and Impact at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 🎉

Reposted from UNC Research: https://lnkd.in/p/e4X7EVty

🎉 We are excited to share that Jill Aronson Pfaendtner has been named assistant vice chancellor for research strategy and impact at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

In this role, Jill will help strengthen and expand Carolina’s research enterprise by building strategic partnerships, advancing cross-campus collaboration, and creating new opportunities that amplify the impact of UNC Research locally and globally.

Since joining the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) in 2024, Jill has been instrumental in advancing team science, supporting OVCR's research centers and institutes, and fostering connections with external partners. Her leadership has helped create new opportunities for collaboration across the university and beyond.

With two decades of experience leading interdisciplinary initiatives in higher education and research, Jill brings a deep commitment to connecting people, ideas, and resources to accelerate discovery and innovation.

Congratulations, Jill! We look forward to the continued impact of your leadership at Carolina.

08/04/2026

Did you know that the Galapagos Science Center just celebrated its 15th anniversary? 🎉

For 15 years, the GSC has been the only university-affiliated research center in the Galapagos islands. Here's to the 15 years of collaboration, conservation efforts backed by science, and community engagement programming that The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Universidad San Francisco de Quito have fostered together, and here's to the next 15 years!

Watch this video to see some of the recent achievements and ongoing projects from the GSC:

Lo que comenzó como un esfuerzo por generar conocimiento científico...

08/03/2026

07/29/2026

💡Student Spotlight💡
The fun with field research continues TOMORROW as Carolina senior Charlotte Berg takes over our stories! Charlotte is an Anthropology and Psychology major in the Undergraduate Summer Field Experiences program, supporting ongoing research at the Galapagos Science Center alongside peers from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Universidad San Francisco de Quito.

More about Charlotte:
Hello, my name is Charlotte Berg and I am a rising senior at UNC Chapel Hill! I joined this program to pursue my personal passions of conservation and interest in the Galapagos islands; it has yet to disappoint. After I conclude this fantastic program, I'll be staying an additional week to do research to inform my anthropology honors thesis. I could not be more grateful for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Go Heels!

🤳 Make sure you're following the Center for Galapagos Studies on Instagram, and stay tuned to our stories to follow Charlotte along for another day of data collection out in the Galapagos! 🐢 https://www.instagram.com/UNC_Galapagos/

07/28/2026

TOMORROW: 💡Student Spotlight💡
Join us as Carolina sophomore Camila Loikova takes over our Instagram stories tomorrow! Camila is a Biology and Anthropology major taking part in the Undergraduate Summer Field Experiences program funded by Royal Caribbean Group. This summer, she has been supporting ongoing research at the Galapagos Science Center alongside peers from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Universidad San Francisco de Quito.

🤳 Make sure you're following the Center for Galapagos Studies on Instagram, and stay tuned to our stories to follow Camila along for a day of data collection out in the Galapagos! 🐢 https://www.instagram.com/UNC_Galapagos/

Sea turtle photos by Alex Hearn.