UNC scientist Nabarun Dasgupta, Ph.D., MPH, was named to the Time100 Next list in recognition of his work to combat the national opioid overdose epidemic. The Time100 Next list, an expansion of the Time100, “recognizes Dasgupta alongside emerging global leaders who are shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, health, science, activism and more,” according to a release from UNC.

“I’m delighted to be selected as part of the Time100 Next cohort,” Dasgupta said. “While this may appear to be a singular honor, I am humbled to highlight the compassionate heroes who care for our loved ones and offer practical solutions.”

Dasgupta holds appointments as both a Gillings Innovation Fellow and a core faculty member at the UNC Injury Prevention Research Center. His lab tests samples submitted by public health programs to identify the makeup of street drugs, supports experts in developing harm reduction approaches and educates community members on overdose risk. Since 2021, the lab has analyzed drug samples from 32 states.

In 2022, Dasgupta co-founded the non-profit Remedy Alliance For The People, a bulk distributor of the opioid reversal drug naloxone. The organization has shipped more than 1.6 million free and low-cost doses for 44 states.

“Nab’s commitment to meaningful inclusive solutions for challenging public health problems makes him a magic maker and full spectrum solutionist,” said Maya Doe Simkins, co-director of the Remedy Alliance.

UNC describes the opioid overdose epidemic as “one of the most significant public health challenges facing communities across the United States.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report opioids were involved in more than 80,000 overdose deaths in 2021.

 

Featured image via Heather Craig

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