UNCW Research Team Approved for NCInnovation Funding

A UNCW research team developing a cutting-edge Neck Strength Assessment Tool (NSAT), with the potential to mitigate head and neck injuries in both soldiers and athletes, has been approved for NCInnovation funding, advancing the team’s work to reshape injury prevention strategies. 

Lindsey Schroeder, associate professor of athletic training, and Alex McDaniel, associate professor of exercise science, are co-leading the multidisciplinary team. This funding is part of NCInnovation’s larger mission to unlock the innovative potential of North Carolina’s world-class universities and accelerate the transition of inventions from academic research to real-world use. 

“We are honored to receive NCInnovation funding to advance our Neck Strength Assessment Tool,” Schroeder said. “Building on our NC Biotechnology Translational Research Grant, this support brings us closer to market launch. Our technology aims to enhance injury prevention and rehabilitation for military personnel, athletes and the general public, ultimately paving the way for safer and healthier communities nationwide.” 

The NSAT and corresponding mobile app are designed to help identify individuals at risk for traumatic brain injuries, whiplash and other head and neck trauma. The portable device uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to monitor neuromuscular performance. By measuring neck strength, the NSAT offers a data-driven way to evaluate the effectiveness of neck strengthening protocols. Improving neck strength is emerging as a quantifiable strategy to mitigate the risk of traumatic brain injuries, particularly concussions, by directly addressing the forces that contribute to such injuries. 

The technology provides users with a clear “go/no-go” indication to help prevent future head and neck injuries. This innovative approach supports the U.S. Department of Defense’s push for non-invasive, durable and scalable monitoring tools that promote warfighter readiness, injury prevention and long-term resilience. It also holds promise for civilian use, particularly in high-risk populations such as American football players and other athletes in contact sports, by helping identify those most vulnerable to injury. 

Other contributing UNCW faculty include co-investigators Lucas Layman (Department of Computer Science), Hamed Saeidi (Department of Computer Science), Yang Song (Department of Computer Science) and Yishi Wang (Department of Mathematics and Statistics). The group is also supported by external engineer Charles Luddy, one graduate student and one undergraduate student. The project is part of UNCW’s Brain Health Resilience Research Hub.

“This research at UNC Wilmington has the potential to make waves in the medical device sector for conditions that afflict countless people,” said Michelle Bolas, NCInnovation’s executive vice president and chief innovation officer. “NCInnovation helps universities advance discoveries with real-world applications, strengthening the university-to-industry pipeline that’s central to American competitiveness.” 

The NSAT was among 17 research projects at North Carolina public universities that were approved for funding by NCInnovation’s Board of Directors last week. It is the second year in a row a project from UNCW has been selected, following Associate Professor of Chemistry Ying Wang’s work in developing a groundbreaking vaccine platform last spring. 

“We are thrilled that NCInnovation has selected the NSAT project team for funding,” said James J. Winebrake, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “This important work is another reflection of how UNCW research can address real-world challenges by developing innovative solutions with positive impacts on our community.”

NCInnovation, which made UNCW a headquarter location for one of its regional hubs last fall, helps university innovations advance toward commercialization by supporting university applied research through the critical research and development phase between proof concept and readiness for the private market. NCInnovation’s grant funding is part of a larger effort to support the development and commercialization of university research in North Carolina. The campus-to-industry pipeline has been the foundation of American innovation for decades.