Research News

Aug 4, 2025

Waste Not, Want Not

Whit Wheeler, the director of Raleigh Water, approached Emily Berglund and Tarek Aziz, professors of civil and environmental engineering at NC State University, to explore potential approaches that would make Raleigh Water more resilient to drought. Now, they have partnered to identify possible solutions for the city.

Jun 18, 2025

Announcing Our 2025 CCRG Grant Recipients

Four new projects have received funding from the Community Collaborative Research Grant Program (CCRG). North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) and North Carolina Sea Grant administer the CCRG Program in partnership with the William R. Kenan Jr. Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science (KIETS). These projects, which couple scientific expertise with local knowledge, foster…

May 6, 2025

New NC WRRI and NC Sea Grant Fellows to Conduct Research on Invasive Species, Stormwater Runoff, Algal Blooms, and More

Seven fellows were selected for WRRI’s “Mountains to Sea” request for proposals, focusing on coastal and freshwater resources across the state. Six student fellows are funded by the North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute and North Carolina Sea Grant, and one is supported by the Stormwater Consortium. Their projects focus on timely topics including coastal…

Apr 29, 2025

New Research Projects Focus on PFAS, A Contaminant of Emerging Concern

WRRI is pleased to announce two new projects, funded in partnership with the Urban Water Consortium, that address testing and treatment of water and wastewater for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a contaminant of emerging concern. The Urban Water Consortium (UWC) was established in 1985 to connect urban water managers in North Carolina with scientific…

Nov 7, 2024

Plastic from the Mountains to the Sea

From the Fall 2024 issue of Coastwatch: From plastic trash along creeks and rivers, to microplastics in waterways — and in our bloodstreams — plastic pollution is present on every continent, including Antarctica. As we reported in the Summer 2023 issue of Coastwatch, plastic pollution is significant in North Carolina, as samples from the Neuse River…

Oct 17, 2024

Now Accepting Applications for Mountains to Sea Graduate Research Fellowship

The North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute, in collaboration with North Carolina Sea Grant, is accepting applications for proposals focused on North Carolina coastal and freshwater resources. Graduate students in good academic standing who attend an accredited North Carolina college or university are eligible to apply by 5pm on December 16, 2024. “We’re excited to…

Aug 6, 2024

Announcing Our 2024 CCRG Grant Recipients

Five new projects have received funding from the Community Collaborative Research Grant Program (CCRG). North Carolina Sea Grant and N.C. Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) administer the CCRG Program in partnership with the William R. Kenan Jr. Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science (KIETS). These projects, which couple scientific expertise with local knowledge, foster collaboration…

Aug 6, 2024

NC WRRI Research Funding Opportunity: WRRI-USGS 104(b) Grants Now Open for Preproposals

The North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI), along with the U.S. Geological Survey 104(b) program, is requesting proposals for the 2025-2026 WRRI-USGS 104b competitive grants program. Faculty or university affiliates of any accredited college or university in North Carolina are eligible to apply. This funding opportunity is designed to foster the exploration of new…

Ellerbe Creek, a creek that runs through Durham, North Carolina, not far from Duke University

Jun 4, 2024

Tips for STEM Students: Advice for Pursuing a Career in Science from WRRI’s Current Student Fellows

Coming from a range of academic and professional backgrounds, these student fellows shared their recommendations for developing complementary skills, working between disciplines, and keeping the big picture in mind. Learn to communicate effectively Mary-Margaret Mckinney, a PhD student in the Integrated Coastal Studies program at East Carolina University and Director of Coastal Restoration for Native…

May 28, 2024

From the Mountains to the Sea: Researchers and Community Activists Focus on Plastic Pollution in North Carolina

From plastic trash littering our creeks and rivers, to microplastics in our waterways and bloodstreams, plastic pollution can feel ubiquitous and inevitable—but some North Carolina researchers are doing vital work to measure plastic in our environments, raise awareness about its impacts, and combat its effects.