Grants & Research

A bat displaying signs of white-nose syndrome — a fungal disease that, according to the National Park Service (NPS), has killed millions of U.S. bats since its discovery in 2006. Dr. Mark Spond, Appalachian State University’s liaison to NPS, recently conducted studies of bats along North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Parkway as part of an NPS grant-funded project — data from which will help expand NPS knowledge of the parkway’s rare and WNS-affected bat populations. NPS image

App State funded to study rare bats along Blue Ridge Parkway area, investigate disease
Jan 8, 2021

With grant-funded assistance from Appalachian State University, the National Park Service (NPS) is expanding its knowledge of rare bat speci...

Dr. Rahman Tashakkori, Professor and Chair, Department of Computer Science explains the zoombox capabilites over a zoom call.

A New Way to Zoom: App State Computer Science Professor’s Design
Dec 9, 2020

Dr. Rahman Tashakkori, department chair and professor in the Department of Computer Science, has helped design and build an inexpensive way to read do...

Aidan Keaveney, sophomore, double majoring in Applied Physics - Mathematical Physics &  Mathematics - General Mathematics. Photo submitted.

CAS Corps Feature: Aidan Keaveney
Dec 4, 2020

The CAS Corps are chosen to serve as representatives to all constituents of the College of Arts and Sciences and to create, promote and execute opport...

A worm on the carapace of a New River crayfish. Photo by Wayne Van Devender.

Worm and Crayfish mutualism affects entire stream ecosystems
Dec 3, 2020

A recent paper by researchers at Appalachian State University and Virginia Tech, published in the journal Ecology, titled: “Strong effects of a mutu...

Graduate student Stella Harden and Dr. Maggie Sugg, professor, in the Department of Geography and Planning. Harden photo submitted. Sugg photo by University Communications.

Researching the Spread of COVID-19 in Nursing Homes
Dec 2, 2020

The spread of COVID-19 has threatened nursing home residents and employees across the United States for the past several months. Two Appalachian State...

Appalachian State University alumnus Harrison Esterly ’19, a research technician in the lab of Dr. Gary Pielak at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Esterly, of Belews Creek, graduated from App State in 2019 with a B.S. in chemistry — an American Chemical Society-certified degree — and minors in biology and mathematics. Photo submitted

App State alumnus credits Mountaineer experience for his research success
Nov 30, 2020

When reflecting on his experience at Appalachian State University, alumnus Harrison Esterly ’19 said he harbors a fondness for the “times when I d...

A 3D rendering of a tardigrade — a microscopic, eight-legged animal found in water and/or damp moss. Appalachian State University alumnus Harrison Esterly ’19 is a co-author of recently published research that shows a tardigrade-specific protein is safe for injection in mice and may therefore be suitable to stabilize vaccines at room temperature, which would eliminate the need for costly refrigeration during storage and transport. Shutterstock/3Dstock image

Out of cold storage — App State vaccine and drug research could speed delivery, cut costs
Nov 24, 2020

Co-authored research by three members of the Appalachian State University Community could yield a more cost-effective storage and delivery method for ...

Forrest Myers after graduating from Appalachian. Photo submitted

SAFE Grant Student Spotlight: Forrest Myers, Physics and Astronomy
Nov 23, 2020

SAFE Grant Student Spotlight: Forrest Myers '20, Physics and AstronomyForrest Myers was an undergraduate student from North Wilkesboro, N.C....

Claire Brown, Physics and Astronomy. Photo submitted

SAFE Grant Student Spotlight: Claire Brown, Physics and Astronomy
Nov 18, 2020

SAFE Grant Student Spotlight: Claire Brown, Physics and AstronomyClaire Brown is an undergraduate student from Waxhaw, N.C.Student and Faculty Excelle...

Appalachian State University’s Zoe Huffines, from Holly Springs, is a senior majoring in management and minoring in both sustainable business and experiential, integrative learning. After she graduates in May 2021, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in higher education at App State. Photo by Marie Freeman

Rising above adversity: A Mountaineer’s road to success
Nov 16, 2020

Zoe Huffines, an Appalachian State University senior from Holly Springs, credits her academic success to the help of mentors — a high school teacher...