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

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Field Hockey Trounces Stanford in ACC Tournament Opener
The top-seeded Tar Heels left no doubt in their ACC Tournament opener Tuesday morning, routing No. 8 seed Stanford 6-0 at Karen Shelton Stadium to advance to the semifinals Wednesday. The entire tournament is being hosted in Chapel Hill. Just getting 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙 👏#GoHeels x @wellsfargo pic.twitter.com/RqK95rxrJE — Carolina Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) November 3, 2026 First […]
Tell Me Something: Helping Students Learn, with UNC's Matt Bernacki
Education professor Matt Bernacki discusses UNC's Center for Learning Analytics - and how their work is helping educators teach students.
100 Years of Kenan Stadium: The Flea Flicker
Chapelboro's very own Curran Campbell remembers the electric opening stages of UNC's game against Duke at Kenan Stadium in 2015.
2026 UNC Football Opponent Preview: UConn
UNC will make a rare road trip up to New England when it visits UConn Saturday. The Huskies enter the game with a 4-4 record, having dropped their last game on the road at Air Force. UConn is an independent and thus does not play any conference games. Jason Candle is in his first season […]
'2 Steps Forward, 3 Steps Back': Michael Malone Troubled After UNC's Opening Win
How was Michael Malone feeling after his first official win as the Tar Heels’ head coach? Satisfied? Pleased? Perhaps not. As he sat down at the press conference dais in the Smith Center following UNC’s 80-72 win against Western Carolina, he looked around the room. “You guys have as much fun as I did?” he […]
UNC Men's Basketball Fights Off Western Carolina in Michael Malone's Official Debut
Though Western Carolina did not make anything easy, UNC led wire-to-wire in a 80-72 win Monday night in Chapel Hill.
UNC Women's Basketball Loses to No. 21 Oklahoma in 2026-27 Season Opener
No. 21 Oklahoma outscored UNC 31-14 in the third quarter and led by as many as 20 points in the fourth on its way to a 91-79 win against the Tar Heels in the “Oui Play” event in Paris Monday. The third-quarter explosion blew open what had been a competitive game. Carolina recovered from an […]
UNC Men's Basketball vs. Western Carolina (2026): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Time
UNC will officially open the 2026-27 regular season when it hosts Western Carolina at the Smith Center Monday night. It’s just the third meeting ever between the Tar Heels and Catamounts. If you aren’t attending the game, here’s how you can follow along at home: Broadcast Schedule Those hoping to listen on the radio can […]
UNC's Billy Edwards Named ACC Quarterback of the Week
After lighting up the scoreboard in the Tar Heels’ 38-35 loss against No. 1 Miami at Kenan Stadium Saturday night, UNC’s Billy Edwards was named the ACC Quarterback of the Week. Billy Edwards is your ACC Quarterback of the Week 💪 pic.twitter.com/LdhxhJSjuO — Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) November 2, 2026 Edwards put together one of the […]
The Morning News: Basketball Season, Election Day, Tar Heel Football Heartbreak
In today's news: UNC basketball season gets underway, early voting wraps up, and UNC football comes up just short against Miami.
›