Research

Frontline Science

Scientists at the College of Natural Resources are in demand wherever human activity intersects with the natural world. Across the state, region and nation, we empower industries, government agencies and communities to overcome natural resources challenges and make smarter and more sustainable decisions that benefit everyone. In this 21st century, our work has never been more relevant—or more vital—as our planet is being rapidly transformed by climate change, land use change, and competition for scarce resources.

Our traditional areas of research strength—such as paper science and engineering, forest management and conservation, and parks, recreation and tourism management—are complemented by multidisciplinary approaches to solving modern global challenges. No single discipline can surmount all challenges. The world is increasingly interdependent and requires creative, cross-disciplinary solutions that confront the complexity of the problems while respecting the communities at the frontline of change. As a nexus for widely varied fields and research applications, the College of Natural Resources is adept at collaborative, combinative research.

Interdisciplinary Innovation

NC State, too, is nationally recognized as a leader in interdisciplinary innovation. The Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program brings together the brightest minds from myriad disciplines, forming clusters of faculty to tackle problems of global significance. Scientists from the College of Natural Resources are key figures in many such clusters including Emerging Plant Diseases, Genetic Engineering and Society, Geospatial Analytics, Global Environmental Change, Global Water and Sanitation, and Leadership in Public Science. We are also key contributors to the new Data Science Academy and Genetics and Genomics Academy.

Research Resources

Centers and Cooperatives

Through cooperatives, consortia, centers and institutions, we collaborate to create solutions to real-world issues. 

Our Forests and Facilities

Find out about the world-class facilities — both built and natural — available to our college. 

Our Services

Lean how we extend our research capabilities to individuals, businesses and communities. 

Research News

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Drought, Heat Waves Worsen West Coast Air Pollution Inequality

Drought and heat waves could make air pollution worse for communities that already have a high pollution burden in California, a study led by NC State researchers found. 

Tropical Streams Reveal Climate Change Insights

NC State’s Marcelo Ardón studies streams in in Costa Rica’s rainforests to reveal climate change insights. 

Health Coaching Program Shows Promise for Managing Student Stress

NC State researchers used Fitbits to track students’ physical activity and sleep in a pilot program launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Scientists Use Satellites To Track Earth ‘Greening’ Amid Climate Change

NC State researchers found changes in global “greening” will play a significant role in how much carbon dioxide plants capture and store. 

Why the Turkey-Syria Earthquakes Were So Destructive

NC State professor Ashly Cabas examines the factors that contributed to the destructiveness of the two earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria earlier this month. 

McIntire-Stennis Program

The McIntire-Stennis program, a unique federal-state partnership, cultivates and delivers forestry and natural resource innovations for a better future. By advancing research and education that increases the understanding of emerging challenges and fosters the development of relevant solutions, the McIntire-Stennis program has ensured healthy resilient forests and communities and an exceptional natural resources workforce since 1962.

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