News

The 2015 North Carolina Science Festival, a statewide celebration of science and technology, is again offering cool things for the public to experience from April 10-26. UNC Charlotte is ramping up its participation as part of the festival’s seasonal offerings.

Junior biology major Sarah Whitmire has been named a Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellow, one of 201 students honored with this national award for investing in their communities through service, research and advocacy.

In a recent article in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, a team from UNC Charlotte describes an unusual, single-patient genetic disorder cystic fibrosis study and an important finding that may point to an immediate cause of CF exacerbations. They draw from one researcher’s personal experiences.

A team of six UNC Charlotte students, led by chemistry faculty member Michael Walter and architecture faculty member Mona Azarbayjani, has created a solar-responsive design material that transforms windows into environmentally-responsive surfaces that can simultaneously provide shade and convert sunlight into usable electric energy.

Freshman chemistry major Brandon Furr has wrapped up a four-month stint as the first UNC Charlotte intern in the In Vitro Sciences Laboratory at David H. Murdock Research Institute, having gained hands-on research experience and clarity about his future.

Six UNC Charlotte students from varied backgrounds will act as student advisors to the Dean’s Office in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, drawing from their experiences with their studies, internships, and leadership positions.

UNC Charlotte biology major Kayla Kinard has defeated struggles and overcome obstacles that could have stopped her in her mission for an education. Instead, she has found her efforts rewarded with one of six GSK Opportunity Scholarships, awarded to students who have conquered adversity to pursue education.

Rapidly changing and sometimes deadly viruses create critical public health risks – and a challenge for researchers working on vaccines. UNC Charlotte researcher Yanqing Sun has accepted that challenge. For over a decade, she has collaborated with other researchers on vaccine efficacy studies, including ones looking at HIV vaccines.

Craig Ogle, the Charles H. Stone Professor of Chemistry, is the 2014 recipient of the First Citizens Bank Scholars Medal. The prestigious award, presented by First Citizens Bank and UNC Charlotte, honors faculty scholarship and intellectual inquiry. Ogle has made an indelible impact on the field of organic chemistry.

As part of the 2014 North Carolina Science Festival in late March and early April — with its theme of “Life is Your Lab” — UNC Charlotte will present a Science and Technology Expo, a seven-event public science lecture series, a four-event film festival and a star party. College of Liberal Arts & Sciences students, faculty and staff are deeply involved with these community events, as presenters and volunteers.