Jordan Poler awarded 2025 ‘Best Scientist’ by Queen City Nerve

Jordan Poler, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Chemistry, is the winner of the “Best Scientist” category of Queen City Nerve Critics’ Pick Winners: Best in the Nest 2025 list. 

Poler has been recognized as a leader in advanced water purification solutions. At UNC Charlotte, his research group focuses on nanomaterials and membrane science, and they have developed a new approach to removing harmful contaminants from drinking water. 

Conventional filters in water pitchers or under-sink systems may remove toxins such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals,” from drinking water, but once they are tossed in a landfill the chemicals leach back into the environment.

Poler’s non-toxic materials can be packed into water filtration cartridges and used to remove pharmaceuticals, pesticides, arsenates, heavy metals and PFAS at the point of use, such as a tap water filter in the refrigerator.

Unlike refrigerator filters that must be replaced regularly, Poler’s materials can be regenerated and reused. He plans for customers to ship their used cartridges back in provided mailers, cutting down on plastic waste and keeping the PFAS and other toxins from reentering the environment.

Poler’s startup, nanXPure LLC, has partnered with a specialty chemical manufacturer, Goulston Technologies in Monroe, NC, to bring the filtration technology to industry scale.

The Poler Research Group at UNC Charlotte receives support from the NCInnovation Fund, which helps facilitate the commercialization of applied research from North Carolina universities. 

Check out the full list of winners here.

Read Poler’s feature in the Coastal Review to learn more about his research.