Building a North Carolina Blue Hub

Executive Director, Office of Science, Technology & Innovation of the NC Department of Commerce

John Hardin is a highly experienced professional with a strong background in science, technology, and innovation. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Office of Science, Technology & Innovation in North Carolina, where he oversees the state's efforts to promote research, development, and commercialization of new technologies. Prior to his current role, John held various leadership positions within the North Carolina Department of Commerce, including Deputy Director and Chief Policy Analyst for the Board of Science, Technology & Innovation.

Chris Osburn, Ph.D.

Director of Blue Economy Innovation Program, NCSU

Christopher Osburn is Professor of Marine Biogeochemistry in the Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences and Director of the Blue Economy Innovation Program (BEIP) at North Carolina State University. His research interests span carbon and nitrogen cycling across the aquatic continuum, using optical and chemical properties of organic matter to assess effects of human activity and climate change – especially extreme weather events – on water quality and sustainability of rivers, estuaries, and the coastal ocean. Osburn has published over 100 peer reviewed articles and book chapters and is an associate editor for both Marine Chemistry and Estuarine, Coastal, and Shelf Science. As Director of the BEIP, Osburn works with students, staff, faculty, and external partners to promote interdisciplinary solutions for problems relating to the sustainable use of ocean resources, recognizing the ocean’s connection to coastal watersheds. He has perfected brewing two types of kombucha and has worked through over half of the “Blue Zones Kitchen” cookbook.

Michael F. Piehler, Ph.D.

Director of UNC Institute for the Environment, UNC-CH

Mike Piehler is a professor, director of the UNC Institute for the Environment, chief sustainability officer and special assistant to the chancellor for sustainability at UNC-Chapel Hill. He holds faculty appointments in the Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences Department, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, and the Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program at UNC.

Piehler received his Ph.D. in environmental science and engineering from UNC. His research and teaching focus on the connection between human activity and the function of natural systems, particularly at interfaces between land and water. His recent studies have explored the impacts of land use change on stream and reservoir water quality, the effects of coastal habitats (oysters, sea grass, and marshes) on nutrient dynamics and the role of natural systems in coastal resilience.

Piehler advises a variety of governments, non-government organizations, and private sector organizations. His research program is supported by a diverse portfolio of federal, state and regional sponsors.

Jennifer Hurtgen

Project Planner II, Duke Office of Research Initiatives

Jennifer is a Project Planner in the Research Project Management Core in Duke University’s Office of Research Initiatives. She helps researchers across the university with acute project management needs and serves as the project manager for the NSF-funded NC EcoTech developing engine. Prior to joining Duke, she was a data coordinator for the nationally-representative longitudinal Add Health study at the Carolina Population Center in UNC Chapel Hill, a data collector at Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, and a kindergarten teacher at public and private schools. She received her Master of Education from UNC-Greensboro and her B.S. in Psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Heather McWhorter

Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, UNCW

A proven leader, Heather McWhorter, MS, PE, ECM, is passionate about empowering individuals and communities to succeed through entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainability. As the UNCW CIE Director, she works with a team of staff, faculty, students, and volunteers to nurture emerging startups and accelerate the entrepreneurial ecosystem in southeastern North Carolina as a vibrant hub of innovation and a central facility that offers educational events, UNCW connections, and a state-of-the-art incubator space.