In this series of team-authored profiles, seven Bass Connections project teams share the questions that shaped their work, the challenges they navigated, and the discoveries that emerged along the way. Explore their stories to see research in action — and the people driving it forward.
Were Seals Here the Whole Time?
Were harbor seals once permanent residents of North Carolina’s coast — or are they recent visitors expanding their range southward? A Bass Connections team pieced together clues from historical records, museums, archaeological sites and citizen science to uncover the seals’ long-term presence in the state.
How Does AI Map Meaning Across Languages and Time?
How does AI represent meaning, and how do those representations shift across time and languages? A Bass Connections team created accessible visualizations and an interactive exhibit to invite audiences to explore the changing relationships between concepts in AI systems.
How Can Robotic Surgery Improve Healthcare in Rural Communities?
How can patients in rural communities access specialized surgery without traveling long distances to major medical centers? A Bass Connections team explored this question by developing and testing a robotic laser surgery platform designed to expand safe, accessible care.
What Does Equity Look Like in Coastal Restoration?
How can coastal and marine restoration better reflect the needs and perspectives of the communities it serves? A Bass Connections team explored this question through research and practitioner interviews, sharing their insights in an interactive StoryMap.
How Do Sensory Challenges Shape Life With Serious Mental Illness?
How can community mental health providers better identify sensory barriers affecting adults with serious mental illness? The Community Living with Mental Illness team developed and refined a practical screening tool informed by patients, caregivers and providers to support successful community living.
Learn More
- Read additional news and updates from Bass Connections.
- Explore current and former Bass Connections project teams.
- Browse reflections from students and faculty perspectives on the program.
- Get involved in Bass Connections!