News

CIPHER has a podcast! “de-CIPHERing Infectious Disease” explores the cutting-edge interdisciplinary research happening at UNC Charlotte’s CIPHER Research Center. Each episode features an in-depth interview with one of CIPHER’s researchers, allowing them to discuss their background, current projects, and the exciting team science approach they take to tackle complex issues at the intersection of health, […]

The International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME) meeting was held for the first time – since the conception of the meeting four decades ago – in Cape Town, South Africa, an inaugural place given its significance to microbial ecology and diversity of life on earth.  Cape Town lies near the southernmost point of South Africa, […]

The Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER) is leading research efforts as UNC Charlotte intensifies its bid to achieve R1 status, a designation reserved for top-tier research universities. CIPHER aims to elevate the University’s reputation by strengthening its research output and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations—all essential to reaching R1 status. CIPHER […]

This summer, Dr. Yohe took part in a field expedition in Vietnam. She was able to work with the local host institution, The Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Endangered Species (CBES). She offered training in the use of her backpack lab which she developed over several years and field expeditions as a Principal Investigator in […]

Newswise — In a new study led by UNC Charlotte researchers from the Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER) and the North Carolina Research Campus at Kannapolis, University scholars have found evidence that the latest variants of H5N1 influenza — commonly known as avian or bird flu — are better at evading antibodies, including […]

is on pace to achieve R1 status in 2025 In a recent story on WBTV, Jamie Boll interviews Chancellor Sharon Gabor and Vice Chancellor for Research John Daniels. View the full story

New research from UNC Charlotte’s Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER) has found that the two recent and prevalent strains of the virus that cause COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 variants BA.2.86 and JN.1, are not significantly better than their predecessor Omicron at evading immune responses and causing infections despite having a high number of […]

Last week at the PASC24 conference at ETH Zurich, we organized a minisymposium to explore how AI and HPC can enhance pandemic preparedness through genomics and clinical risk assessment. To tackle emerging virus variants, we need a comprehensive approach, integrating next-gen vaccine development with personalized disease stratification and treatments. Experts like Prof. Dr. Alexander, EMBA […]

Good news from the Reitzel lab. Undergraduate researcher and Honors student Rachel Showers was awarded the Derrick Griffith Servant Leader Award this year!  This award is awarded to one student per year and Rachel was selected. Rachel has been an incredible student researcher with us for about 2 years and engaged member of our university community. 

When Shirish Yasa was a 10 year-old kid attending educational summer camps at UNC Charlotte, he walked through the beautiful campus each day dreaming about what it’d be like to be a student at his hometown university. Read the full story

The College of Computing and Informatics selected Dr. Richard Allen White as the well deserved recipient of the 2024 Essam El-Kwae Student-Faculty Research Award. Dr. White, alongside students Madeline Bellanger and Jose Figueroa, has made contributions in the scientific community with the submission of seven papers within a span of 10 months. Five of these […]

🎉👨‍🎓 Congratulations, Dr. Alfred Hubbard! 👨‍🔬🌟 On May 21, 2024, Alfred Hubbard successfully defended his doctoral thesis, titled: “Genomic Epidemiology for Malaria: Novel Application of Geospatial Methods, New Genomic Markers, and Population-level Insights.” Alfred’s dedication, passion, and hard work have culminated in this remarkable achievement. His groundbreaking research represents a significant leap forward in our […]

CIPHER co-director Adam Reitzel and CIPHER member Juan Vivero-Escoto are the 2024 recipients of the First Citizens Bank Scholars Medal and the Harshini V. de Silva Graduate Mentor Award ! “Our faculty have led our ascent to top-tier research status, helping us serve our region and provide a top-quality education for Charlotte students,” said Chancellor Sharon L. […]

In a publication released this week, Dr. Colby T. Ford of the UNC Charlotte CIPHER Center and researchers from MIT Lincoln Laboratory showcased immense scalability in modeling the interaction of human cytokines against coronavirus nucleocapsid proteins using high-performance computing. Background Cytokines are small proteins that are responsible for modulating immune responses in the body, responding […]

In a recent study written by Madeline Bellanger and Dr. Richard Allen White III, published in the American Society for Microbiology’s Applied and Environmental Microbiology journal, the two scholars along with Dr. Pieter Visscher of the University of Connecticut demonstrated a new way to measure the levels of viruses in two major lakes in the […]

CIPHER Co-Director, Dr. Adam Reitzel was honored with several awards this year. He was named Faculty Fellow of Grant Writing in the UNC Charlotte Graduate and Postdoctoral Writing Center. As a Faculty Fellow, Reitzel will bring his exceptional scholarly writing experience to aid the development of grant writing talent among postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. He also […]

New research from UNC Charlotte’s Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER) has found that the two most prevalent strains of the virus that cause COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 variants BA.2.86 and JN.1, are not significantly better than their predecessor Omicron at evading immune responses and causing infections despite having a high number of mutations […]

The CHAsm Summit will highlight the importance of incorporating equity based practices into public, private and non-profit sector work to address disparities faced by communities, both physically and systemically.  Join us IN-PERSON or VIRTUALLY on Thursday April 4, 2024 for the CHAsm Summit: Closing Gaps on Disparities, Opening Paths for Equity. To learn more and […]