UNH Today

DURHAM, N.H.—The University of New Hampshire broke its record for competitive research funding, closing fiscal year 2021 with more than $260 million in new grants and contracts, double its FY20 record. The funding, from federal agencies, state collaborators, business and industry and private foundations, supports a range of projects that improve life in New Hampshire and beyond.

Among the projects funded:

DURHAM, N.H. – Nancy Kinner, professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of New Hampshire, and an internationally recognized oil spill expert, is available to comment on the California oil spill that is threatening wildlife and wetlands and offer insight into cleanup efforts along the state’s southern coastline. She can discuss lessons learned from the BP Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill and new research findings since then that could help in the response to this and future oil spills.

DURHAM, N.H.—Two researchers at the University of New Hampshire have been elected to the 2021 Class of Fellows of the American Geophysical Union (AGU). Steve Frolking, a climate and Earth sciences expert, and space scientist Roy Torbert, who leads the university’s efforts on the NASA MMS mission, are among the 59 international scientists being recognized for work that has significantly advanced research in their fields.

DURHAM, N.H.—Portsmouth-based Nearview, a participant in the University of New Hampshire’s FOSTER program to help small businesses grow by accessing federal grant funding, has received $150,000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop an artificial intelligence model for its aerial drone environmental services.

DURHAM, N.H.— A national study from the University of New Hampshire shows children who witness the abuse of a brother or sister by a parent can be just as traumatized as those witnessing violence by a parent against another parent. Such exposure is associated with mental health issues like depression, anxiety and anger.

DURHAM, N.H.— The shea tree is a vital social and economic crop that is best known for the popular product shea butter—a multimillion-dollar ingredient used in cosmetics, personal care products, pharmaceuticals and chocolate. For hundreds of thousands of African families living in the “shea belt” it is also a crucial source of nutrition and income. Despite its increasing demand, the slow-growing shea tree is being threatened by other cash crops and its preservation most likely lies in its genetic improvement.

DURHAM, N.H.— After a summer of high heat, steady sea level rise and devastating hurricanes like Hurricane Ida, which produced record amounts of rainfall causing destructive and deadly flooding in the Northeast and the Gulf Coast, coastal roads have continued to take a severe beating resulting in endless wear and tear.

DURHAM, N.H.—The University of New Hampshire’s franchising sector-focused RIFC 50 Index™ gained another 3.3% in market value in the second quarter of 2021, signaling a strengthening of the franchise sector amidst a strong recovery of the U.S. economy. The faster rate of vaccinations against COVID-19 and increased hiring and business re-openings boosted the economy, with GDP growing a strong 6.6%.

DURHAM, N.H.— The U.S. Department of Education awarded the University of New Hampshire’s Educational Talent Search (ETS) a five-year grant totaling more than $3.2 million to provide support to more than 1,160 low-income and first-generation students in Granite State middle and high schools.

DURHAM, N.H.— A new funding award for the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (IOD) aims to improve mental health outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who can have limited cognitive functioning and skills, such as communication, social and self-care skills. The $4.86 million award, from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), will fund a study to evaluate telehealth as a method of delivering preventive mental health treatments.