Lakeya Hardy

Nc Piedmont Regional Hub Director @Ncinnovation

Greensboro, NC, US

As the Piedmont Regional Hub Director at NCInnovation, I lead initiatives to strengthen the research-to-impact pipeline across central North Carolina. I work closely with faculty, university leaders, industry partners, and community stakeholders to support applied research that addresses regional challenges and drives economic growth through innovation.My role centers on building partnerships that connect university-based research with real-world applications, especially those with potential for commercialization, job creation, and societal benefit. I am deeply committed to ensuring that research opportunities and innovation pathways are inclusive, accessible, and equitable—especially for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and other early-career scientists.I advocate for systems-level support for all research trainees and work to create environments where they can thrive as innovators, scholars, and leaders. Through NCInnovation’s mission, I focus on expanding capacity in North Carolina\'s research ecosystem by promoting cross-sector collaboration, diversifying participation in STEM, and empowering institutions across the Piedmont region to turn ideas into impact.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

NIH Certified Completion, Microbiology and Immunology

UNC School of Medicine

Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Microbiology and Immunology

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Biology, General