UNC Institute for the Environment

While on his summer tour of N.C., Chancellor Lee Roberts made stops along the coast, which included marsh areas and living shorelines and featured a variety of Carolina projects that are protecting the state's environment, economy and people.

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Tar Heel researchers share their work with chancellor on the coast | UNC-Chapel Hill As part of his eastern North Carolina tour, Lee H. Roberts learned about projects on a boat tour and at the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences.

Carolina’s Sustainable Energy Research Consortium, housed in UNC Chemistry, recently celebrated the launch of new initiatives to support researchers across The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The first iteration of SERC — called the Solar Energy Research Center — was founded in 2008 to serve as a hub for research, education and outreach related to solar energy. However, around 2020, its leaders began wondering if they could broaden their scope to cover energy more holistically.

The updated center operates under three pillars: development and support of large, interdisciplinary teams; maintenance of shared core facilities; and connection within the energy research community.

Alex Miller is a chemistry professor and director of SERC.

“The consortium is intended to be a nexus where teams can come together and grow,” Miller says. “We want to empower Carolina’s energy innovators and give people what they need to do amazing things in the sustainable energy space.”

Learn more about SERC: https://go.unc.edu/Ap8b3

Ask a Professor: Jason Surratt on potential air pollution from harmful algal blooms - Carolina Stories Jason Surratt, Cary C. Boshamer Distinguished Professor of Environmental Sciences and Engineering and Chemistry in the UNC [...]

From the blog: See how student researcher Ariana Cotton investigated environmental quality and developed her skills to have real-world impact on campus through the Sustainable Triangle Field Site over the spring semester.

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Gaining the skills to have real-world impact: Limitless possibilities for change and growth in the 2026 Sustainable Triangle Field Site - UNC Institute for the Environment Ariana Cotton is a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill from Memphis, Tennessee.

From the blog: Protecting communities means understanding both environmental and financial risk. A closer look at flood resilience research at by UNC student researcher Olivia Payne.

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Flood risk and financial resilience: Reflections on my research experience at UNC - UNC Institute for the Environment Olivia Payne is a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill from Etowah, North Carolina. She is double-majoring in Environmental Studies and Public Policy and is an undergraduate student researcher with UNC’s Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Innovation. By Olivia Payne ’27 … Read more

Though world-renowned researcher and professor Hans W. Paerl retired in June 2025, his legacy will continue to make waves at Carolina and throughout the state for years to come.

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Paerl cements legacy in North Carolina history with Order of the Long Leaf Pine recognition - UNC Institute for the Environment Hans Paerl inducted into North Carolina’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

County ordinances play a key role in whether large-scale solar projects advance or stall in the U.S. Read more about the latest research out of Carolina.

New Carolina research decodes how county ordinances shape large-scale solar development in the U.S. - UNC Institute for the Environment A new study examines county-level ordinances on the development of large-scale solar projects.

Carolina puts on a show for the Class of 2026 | UNC-Chapel Hill Country superstar Eric Church addressed and performed for the 7,100-plus Tar Heel graduates in a ceremony presided over by Chancellor Lee H. Roberts.

This senior finds purpose through teaching and research | UNC-Chapel Hill Evianna Merriam combined science and teaching in her studies and will continue marine science research after graduation.