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Program Piloted by UNCW, ECU Receives UNC System Award

  • Caroline Cropp
  • November 18, 2025
UNCW’s Hannah Priest Catalano, an associate professor of public health in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences and College of Health and Human Services, is the principal investigator.
UNCW’s Hannah Priest Catalano, an associate professor of public health in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences and College of Health and Human Services, is the principal investigator.
Courtesy: Office of University Relations/UNCW

An innovative, interdisciplinary, intercollegiate research training program spearheaded by UNCW has received an Undergraduate Research Program Award from the UNC System. This is the first time UNCW has received this award. 

“North Carolina Healthy and Thriving Kids Research Collaboratory: Undergraduate Research Training Pilot Program” (NCHTKC) received a total of $34,889 in funding. As the primary institution, UNCW received $21,320. Collaborating institution East Carolina University was granted $13,569. Only one proposal from each UNC institution is allowed per year.  

UNCW’s Hannah Priest Catalano, an associate professor of public health in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences and College of Health and Human Services, is the principal investigator.  

"We are honored to be the first faculty team from UNCW to receive this award,” she said. “This recognition reflects our commitment to expanding undergraduate research opportunities and advancing innovative, interdisciplinary projects that promote children's health and support academic success.” 

NCHTKC pairs students majoring in health, human services, or education-related disciplines with a faculty mentor from both intuitions to collaborate on a child-health research project that aligns with their interests and professional goals. The program is designed to equip students with foundational research skills while exploring critical issues impacting children’s health and academic success across the state. 

The research projects will take place from January to June 2026, depending on IRB approval. 

Project Co-investigators  

Amelia Huelskamp – UNCW Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Healthful Living and Fitness Education, School of Health and Applied Human Sciences, College of Health and Human Services  

Jes Fyall Cardenas – UNCW Assistant Professor of Early Childhood, Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, Literacy and Special Education, Watson College of Education 

Michele Wallen – ECU Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Health Education and Promotion, College of Health and Human Performance 

Jamie Williams – ECU Teaching Instructor, Department of Health Education and Promotion, College of Health and Human Performance 

This article has the following tags: Research & Innovation CHHS - College of Health & Human Services myUNCW - Faculty & Staff Academics myUNCW WCE - Watson College of Education