Skip to Main Content

Global Guardians

GLOBAL GUARDIANS

A multidisciplinary approach to predicting the spread of disease

Global Guardians 600×900

Global Guardians

A multidisciplinary approach to predicting the spread of disease

By Sonja Barisic

“To address the real problems that affect the world, you sometimes have to back up, look at the bigger picture and borrow knowledge from specialties other than your own.”

Not all superheroes wear capes. Some don lab coats and goggles as they use their scholarly powers to identify new ways to predict and thwart the threat of planet-wide pandemics. An interdisciplinary team of UNC Charlotte researchers — who like movie superheroes possess an extraordinary ability to make the world a better place — are combining knowledge and expertise so future widespread outbreaks of communicable disease are never again a surprise or feared unmanageable.

“Science is a bit strange,” said Dan Janies, the University’s Carol Grotnes Belk Distinguished Professor of Bioinformatics and Genomics. “To address the real problems that affect the world, you sometimes have to back up, look at the bigger picture and borrow knowledge from specialties other than your own.”

For the researchers, collaboration is crucial to predictive health. Accomplished in computer science, bioinformatics, software and information systems, biological sciences, chemistry, mathematics and statistics, geographical information systems, public health, data science, education and communication, they form CIPHER, the University’s Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks.

Led by Janies and fellow researcher Adam Reitzel, professor of biological sciences, CIPHER’s research faculty are conducting cutting-edge research in bioinformatics and related predictive health fields. Here are just a few of CIPHER’s superheroes:

By Sonja Barisic

“To address the real problems that affect the world, you sometimes have to back up, look at the bigger picture and borrow knowledge from specialties other than your own.”

Not all superheroes wear capes. Some don lab coats and goggles as they use their scholarly powers to identify new ways to predict and thwart the threat of planet-wide pandemics. An interdisciplinary team of UNC Charlotte researchers — who like movie superheroes possess an extraordinary ability to make the world a better place — are combining knowledge and expertise so future widespread outbreaks of communicable disease are never again a surprise or feared unmanageable.

“Science is a bit strange,” said Dan Janies, the University’s Carol Grotnes Belk Distinguished Professor of Bioinformatics and Genomics. “To address the real problems that affect the world, you sometimes have to back up, look at the bigger picture and borrow knowledge from specialties other than your own.”

For the researchers, collaboration is crucial to predictive health. Accomplished in computer science, bioinformatics, software and information systems, biological sciences, chemistry, mathematics and statistics, geographical information systems, public health, data science, education and communication, they form CIPHER, the University’s Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks.

Led by Janies and fellow researcher Adam Reitzel, professor of biological sciences, CIPHER’s research faculty are conducting cutting-edge research in bioinformatics and related predictive health fields. Here are just a few of CIPHER’s superheroes:

Juan Vivero-Escoto

Bacteria Destroyer

“With a light source applied to treated nanoparticles, we are killing bacteria more effectively than with antibiotics.”

Laurel Yohe

Bat Wrangler

“What makes bats special is how their noses allow them to transmit coronavirus but not get sick themselves.”

Mariya Munir

Wastewater Detective

“Tracking COVID in wastewater gives public health officials real-time data–and serves as an early warning sign that it is spreading in a community.”

Shi Chen

Data Mapper

“Connecting the dots among animals, human disease and public health gets us closer to understanding the role of communication in disease trajectory.”

Learn More
Learn More
Learn More
Learn More

Sonja Barisic is a freelance writer based in Norfolk, Virginia.

Juan Vivero-Escoto

Bacteria Destroyer

“With a light source applied to treated nanoparticles, we are killing bacteria more effectively than with antibiotics.”

Learn More

Laurel Yohe

Bat Wrangler

“What makes bats special is how their noses allow them to transmit coronavirus but not get sick themselves.”

Learn More

Mariya Munir

Wastewater Detective

“Tracking COVID in wastewater gives public health officials real-time data–and serves as an early warning sign that it is spreading in a community.”

Learn More

Shi Chen

Data Mapper

“Connecting the dots among animals, human disease and public health gets us closer to understanding the role of communication in disease trajectory.”

Learn More

Sonja Barisic is a freelance writer based in Norfolk, Virginia.

  • © 2023 UNC Charlotte. All rights reserved.
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • University Policies
Visit UNCC.edu Return to Top

Campus Links

  • Alerts
  • Jobs
  • Make a Gift
  • Maps / Directions
  • Accessibility

Resources

  • Alumni & Friends
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Prospective Students
  • Community
  • Current Students
  • Parents and Family

Stay In Touch

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Flickr
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28220-0001
704-867-8622
  • © 2023 UNC Charlotte. All rights reserved.
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • University Policies
Close This Drawer

Main Menu

  • Digital Features
  • News
  • In the Media
  • Events
  • Swap-N-Shop
  • For Faculty/Staff
  • Live Stream
  • Home (Return to inside)
Close This Menu
Return to the UNC Charlotte Homepage

Return to UNCC.com

My UNC Charlotte
Directory
Campus Events
Library

Prospective Students

  • About UNC Charlotte
  • Campus Life
  • Admissions
  • Graduate Admissions

Faculty and Staff

  • Human Resources
  • Auxiliary Services
  • Inside UNC Charlotte
  • Academic Affairs

Current Students

  • Athletics
  • Financial Aid
  • Advising
  • Student Health

Alumni and Friends

  • Alumni Association
  • Advancement
  • Foundation
  • Make a Gift
Close This Menu
Close This Searchbar
WordPress Image Lightbox Plugin