Chapel Hill, NC 鈥� Dr. Jeffrey S. A. Stringer, a leading researcher from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has been awarded a prestigious research and development grant from NCInnovation as part of a $13.6 million investment in university-led innovation across North Carolina. His project, one of only 17 selected statewide, focuses on developing inexpensive, portable ultrasound devices that could revolutionize access to prenatal care. Congratulations to Dr. Jeffrey Stringer and Dr. Katelyn Rittenhouse, a co-investigator and clinical lead on the grant,聽for their outstanding work on this project. Dr. Rittenhouse played a key role in the writing and design of the project, contributing significantly to its success and recognition. 
, a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating applied research at North Carolina鈥檚 public universities, announced the funding following a rigorous multi-month review process. The selected projects span a wide range of fields from agriculture technology to the medical field, and all have demonstrated proof of concept and commercial potential.聽
Dr. Stringer鈥檚 project addresses a critical gap in maternal healthcare. His team has developed a low-cost ultrasound device that connects to smartphones and tablets, enabling primary care providers and nurses in underserved areas to perform prenatal scans with minimal training. The images can then be analyzed using artificial intelligence, reducing the need for specialized radiologists and expanding access to early and essential prenatal diagnostics.
“More than 2 million American women live in counties without adequate access to prenatal care,鈥� according to . The NCInnovation grant will support the continued development and potential commercialization of this technology, helping to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world impact.聽