Elizabeth Skelly, a Ph.D. student in the Chemistry and Nanoscale Science program, has received a 5-month internship at GSK through the prestigious GSK Early Career Program. Skelly will start her position on January 13 and will be assisting in drug target discovery and candidate evaluation using cutting-edge CRISPR Cas 9 genome editing techniques.

Skelly is also the recipient of the Leadership Development Award from the American Chemical Society Younger Chemists Committee. The award covers the registration fee, transportation, lodging, and meals associated with attending the 2025 ACS Leadership Development Institute in Houston. Skelly will interact with National ACS representatives and with ACS Local Section leaders from across the country while attending leadership development workshops.

Jordan C. Poler, Ph.D., professor of chemistry, discussed his innovations to remove harmful and forever chemicals from drinking water with the Costal Review. Poler’s research is funded in part by a grant from NC Innovation.

The purification system developed by the Poler Research Group cleans per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, and other toxins such as pesticides, heavy metals and pharmaceuticals from drinking water at the point of use, such as the refrigerator filter for tap water or in well water systems. The filtration utilizes ion exchange with sustainable, regenerable materials, which can remove chemicals even at very low concentrations.

“It’s very hard to remove things at extremely low concentrations,” Poler said. “That’s why PFAS is such a challenge because it bioaccumulates. You can be drinking this water for years and then these problems creep in. So, ion exchange is, I think, the way to go,” Poler said.

Read the full article at the Coastal Review.

The article was also republished in NC Health News.

Ishwar D. Aggarwal, Ph.D., research professor in the Klein College of Science, was elected to the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) 2024 Class of Fellows. He will be inducted during the 14th annual NAI meeting in June 2025 among an elite group of researchers across a variety of government and non-profit research institutions.

Aggarwal has been issued 104 U.S. patents with more applications in process. He previously lead the Optical Materials and Devices branch at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), where he pioneered the development, applications and commercialization of infrared transmitting optical materials, chem-bio sensors and high strength transparent materials, and moved patents from emerging technologies to the industrial sector in medical, defense, and aerospace applications.

Aggarwal joined UNC Charlotte in 2011 and his research lab in the Department of Physics and Optical Science works in fiber optics, optical wave guides, fiber devices, and transparent and laser gain ceramics.

His contributions to the optical sciences field have been recognized by many awards and distinctions, including a fellow of The Optical Society of America (OSA), now known as Optica, the Navy’s Alan Berman Publication Award, the Thomas A. Edison Patent Award, and the Optical Society of America’s David Richardson Medal. He was recently inducted into UNC Charlotte’s inaugural Million Dollar Research Circle for his significant research funding achievements.

The NAI Fellowship is the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors, and Aggarwal is the first UNC Charlotte professor to receive this esteemed recognition. He joins NAI fellow Robert Keynton, Ph.D., dean of the William States Lee College of Engineering, who was elected in 2017, prior to his time at UNC Charlotte.

Read more about Aggarwal’s fellowship from the UNC Charlotte Division of Research.

Jaden Ramsey’s time at UNC Charlotte has been so enjoyable, that even though she is graduating on December 13, she doesn’t really want to leave. 

“I love being part of a community and you’re a part of something bigger than yourself when you’re at school,” said Ramsey, who is earning a bachelor’s of science degree in mathematics with a concentration in actuarial science, from the Klein College of Science. 

When Ramsey graduated from high school she wasn’t completely certain what she was interested in pursuing, so she took classes online at Western Piedmont Community College at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was definitely hard because I love being around people,” said Ramsey. “I took a walking class so I got to go to school once a week and I could be outside and walk around school.”

In her sophomore year Ramsey was able to attend more classes in person. Enjoying fitness, she took several more gym classes and she found her academic passion in mathematics. “I fell in love. I love math, I just love calculus,” said Ramsey.

Choosing Charlotte

Ramsey applied to several North Carolina schools as a transfer student but wanted to find the right place to spend the next two years, where she could maximize her experience.

“My mom went to Charlotte, and she loved it, but I was unsure because it was a big decision. I applied to three schools and prayed a lot about it and felt like this was where God was leading me. I’m really happy I chose Charlotte,” said Ramsey. “My first semester I knew no one and it was really hard, but I got involved and now I don’t want to leave.” 

Getting Involved

Ramsey lived on campus, played intramural sports and became a member of two different Christian ministry groups. She joined clubs and found community everywhere she could, making great friends and having experiences she will never forget. Ramsey served as secretary, treasurer, and then president of Campus Bible Fellowship, making a connection that led to her first international travel experience with a mission trip to Italy this past summer. She was also a member of student ministry group M28 for two years.

She took classes at UREC and played several intramural sports including flag football, soccer and volleyball. Ramsey was the captain of her 6 v. 6, co-ed, intramural fall 2024 soccer team called “The Jesus Jocks,” and really enjoyed playing with her “awesome team” as they advanced into the semi-finals in league play.

A Leadership Lesson in Actuarial Science

Relating to her degree, Ramsey was a member of the Actuarial Science club for one and a half years, and was elected in May to serve as president through the end of her last semester and graduation. 

This September, the club helped plan Actuarial Science Day, hosting employers, alumni, and high schoolers and their families. The event turned into a leadership lesson when Hurricane Helene caused localized flooding and damage on the day of their largest annual event, which changed campus conditions and moved classes online. Ramsey swung into action when the large catering order meant it wasn’t as simple as rescheduling the event. 

“That day I was in contact with the faculty and the business services coordinator, trying to figure everything out. They make the food a day ahead of time, and I didn’t want a hundred boxed meals to go to waste, so I paid the fine, which thankfully I was reimbursed for later. We wondered ‘what are we going to do with all these boxed meals?’ I grabbed my friend Joseph because I didn’t want the lunches thrown away when we could donate them,” said Ramsey. 

Conditions across the city meant many agencies who would normally accept food donations were closed for the day. “Our first choice was the Jamil Niner food pantry, but it was closed, and half of the places we called weren’t answering,” said Ramsey. “I called friends for ideas and we ended up dropping some off at the fire station and the rest at the police station.” 

Ramsey was “a lot less stressed” when the event was held on its rescheduled day. “I reordered food and sent a lot of emails to coordinate the funding issues to replace everything for our new day. It all worked out great,” said Ramsey. 

Grateful for Support

As Ramsey is currently applying for jobs and looking for her next path, she is grateful for the supportive faculty and staff who have helped her along the way. 

That support has also been financial as Ramsey has been the recipient of several scholarships, including the Shaban Mathematics Scholarship and D.W. Simpson Actuarial Scholarship, and the R C Schroeder, Robert Anderson, and Thomas S. Marshall scholarships. 

“The faculty and staff here are unmatched. Shout out Dr. Wafaa Shaban, she’s amazing– the faculty have been so impactful and such a positive influence on my career. They do care about you and want what’s best for you. I have had a lot of passionate professors,” said Ramsey. 

And even though it’s time to leave Charlotte, Ramsey has “made the most amazing memories,” that she will take with her. “There’s so many opportunities to grow and find out what you’re actually interested in, to make new friends, and it’s just been incredible.”

On December 13, Ashley Choi will graduate from the Klein College of Science with a bachelor’s of science, majoring in biology and minoring in biotechnology. She hopes to take the culture of collaboration she found on Charlotte’s campus with her as she diversifies her lab experience as a research technician before continuing her education.

“I love Charlotte for its community, I feel like everyone has a space here,” Choi said. “The people are so welcoming, you can find community anywhere.”

Choi grew up in Cary, North Carolina, in a close-knit and entrepreneurial family including her grandparents, parents, and brother. While Choi was active in many extracurriculars, including music, sports and art, she thrived as a member of Athens Drive High School’s color guard team.

“I just love the collaborativeness and feeling as one,” Choi reflects. “I like being able to root for other people’s success and feel like other people are also rooting for my success.” 

While applying to colleges, Choi hoped to find a similar community built upon mutual support. “I wanted to meet other people and find new connections, it was a plus that the research here is also amazing,” she said.

In the lead up to freshman year, Choi participated in the University Transition Opportunities Program (UTOP), UNC Charlotte’s rigorous six-week summer program where she enjoyed completing an extra seven credits and acclimating to campus life. Choi met her best friend at UTOP, and it’s a connection that she’ll always be grateful for.

Joining the Truman Lab

Choi’s interest and talent in the sciences began in middle school, and after taking a molecular biology course in which she excelled, she solidified her path as a biology major.

In 2022, Choi joined Andrew Truman, Ph.D.’s lab, which was recently awarded a new R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Choi worked alongside the lab’s undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral researchers on understanding the Chaperone Code, the myriad of post-translational modifications that impact the function of the Hsp70 molecular chaperone. 

“Research wasn’t something I was very interested in until I joined the lab,” she said. “I feel very lucky that Dr. Truman and his lab are very collaborative and supportive.” 

Her current project is focused on Cdc37, a co-chaperone to Hsp70. Cdc37 is specific to the cell cycle and is important to protein folding, cell division, cell death, invasions such as viral infections, blood vessel formation, and protein stabilization, which are relevant to understanding and combating cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. Her previous research in the lab has also explored v-Src, an important driver of cancer, and the Client Code, a collection of proteins that interact with Hsp70.

From Choi’s experience, what makes UNC Charlotte stand out as a top-tier research institution is the opportunity for undergraduates to feel empowered to lead their own research projects. “When I go to these national conferences, many people assume I’m a graduate student because of how much understanding and first-hand experience I have working on these projects,” she said.

Choi has enjoyed passing on the knowledge she has gained to new researchers, and is thankful for her own mentor, Ph.D. student Megan Mitchem, for leading by example. “My mentor Megan helps me with both my scientific struggles and personal struggles,” Choi said.

In addition to her research in the Truman lab, Choi works as a Communications Consultant within the Department of Biological Sciences. She assists both the cell biology and microbiology labs by reviewing assignments and helping students improve their scientific communication skills.

Campus Involvement

As an active member of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), Choi received a 2024 SACNAS Travel Scholarship to attend her second NDiSTEM conference this year.

Seventeen UNC Charlotte students were present in Phoenix, Arizona as the chapter received the 2024 Outstanding Chapter Award for Long-Term Sustainability. 

Choi has received multiple awards and funding while at UNC Charlotte, including the Office of Undergraduate Research’s Travel Award in 2024, SACNAS 2023 C.O.L.O.R. funding, and the Office of Undergraduate Research Conference’s Best Poster Award in the Science, Technology, & Engineering category in 2023.

Looking ahead

As Choi begins the interview process for lab positions after graduation, she is looking forward to continuing to seek out new challenges to diversify her skill set. “Going to different places and learning new skills is very important, I think it makes you a better researcher and a better scientist,” she said.

During her challenging personal experiences during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, she found herself as a passionate health advocate for the first time. After developing additional lab skills, she plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. dual program and continue on to work as a physician scientist.

When Madison Riley, a junior biology major, went on the game show “The Price is Right,” she wore a t-shirt that said “Don’t pick me, pick my sister.”

That shirt, coupled with a nervousness that turned into a dynamic television personality, got her called down to contestant’s row to bid on items including an elliptical machine and some luggage. Riley beat out the other contestants and won the bid for luggage, which she realized was a more expensive item after her family trip to California to be on the game show.

Riley moved on stage with host Drew Carey to play the grocery pricing game “Bullseye,” and was able to win the prize of two airfare tickets to Key West, Florida. She was one of two winners from the episode that was filmed this summer and aired on Oct. 7.

Like her t-shirt said, Riley is picking her sister for the trip to Key West. “I couldn’t think of taking anyone else but my sister,” said Riley. “She was the reason I was picked, and I’m really excited to take the luggage I won.”

Read the full story of Madison Riley’s turn on “The Price is Right.”

The Klein College of Science’s Truman Lab has been awarded a new R01 grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). From 2024 to 2028, the new grant will provide $1,278,920 for the project “Understanding the role of Hsp70 chaperone code in proteostasis,” adding to their research funding totaling over five million dollars.

“Andrew Truman is an incredible collaborator and a supportive mentor to so many students. He is leading the researchers in his lab to explore some of the fundamental aspects of a specific protein which could bring exciting developments to understanding diseases like cancer,” said Bernadette Donovan-Merkert, Ph.D., founding dean of the Klein College of Science. “The Truman lab has been quite successful in securing concurrent R01 funding for their innovative, ongoing research.”

The Truman Lab was established in 2015 by Andrew Truman, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, group leader of the Charlotte Group for Proteostasis Research (CGPR), and affiliate faculty in the School of Data Science. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Biochemistry at University College London, Truman worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Johns Hopkins University and Boston University. As a research assistant professor at the University of Chicago, he published the first detailed study on Hsp70 phosphorylation.

The Truman Lab conducts research within their laboratory space and dedicated cell culture room located in Woodward Hall, a state-of-the-art science and technology building on the UNC Charlotte campus. The lab’s research focus is understanding the Chaperone Code, the myriad of post-translational modifications that impact the function of the Hsp70 molecular chaperone. 

“Chaperone proteins are like mechanics that shape proteins and fix them up,” Truman explained. “They are present in all organisms, from bacteria, yeast, frogs, flies and humans, and are essential for life.” 

The Truman Lab studies these hundreds of modifications on chaperone proteins in order to understand why a cell would put these modifications on and how they are regulated on a normal cell versus in disease. “You don’t just get one single modification, you have hundreds coming on and off depending on what a cell is exposed to, like heat, starvation, DNA damage, viruses, bacteria, or infection,” said Truman.

The lab consists of around 10-15 undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral researchers who work collaboratively to study all aspects of the chaperone code, from an evolutionary perspective through to the implications for human disease. 

“We work closely with our mentors, which we’re each assigned, and help with projects. First we were just training with them, and now we have our own projects,” said Erica Flores, a senior majoring in biological sciences and minoring in public health. Flores is the vice president of the UNC Charlotte chapter of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) and won the C.O.L.O.R. Travel Award at the SACNAS NDiSTEM conference this year. 

The majority of the data that formed the basis of the new R01 grant was obtained by graduate student Siddhi Omkar, as part of her Ph.D. project. Omkar defended her thesis this November, only a couple of months after giving birth to her son, and will be joining the group as a postdoctoral researcher in January 2025.

As a first-generation college student, Truman is a big proponent of science outreach and encourages and empowers his researchers to speak and write about their work. “It’s rewarding to do exciting experiments and get novel results,” said Duhita A. Mirikar, a third-year Ph.D. student. “Dr. Truman motivates us to go to conferences, write reviews and publish articles.” 

Megan Mitchem, a current Ph.D. student, visits local elementary schools to talk about science. “One of the things I enjoy the most is taking something that is really complex and being able to translate it into something I can talk to my family or friends about,” Mitchem said. “That was not something I was exposed to growing up, and I have a twelve-year old who I want to be able to communicate with about science and get him involved.”

Mitchem is passionate about combining her creativity and scientific knowledge, and her art piece depicting Hsp70, “Guardian of the Cell,” was selected by American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) as one of the winners of the 2024 Molecular Motifs bioart competition. The piece will be featured in ASBMB’s upcoming 2025 calendar. “Being able to have something that’s aesthetically pleasing makes it easier for the reader or anyone who interacts with the material to get a sense of what is going on,” Mitchem said. 

Postdoctoral researcher Yevheniia Bushman, Ph.D., came to UNC Charlotte specifically to learn from Truman’s expertise in Hsp70 and is glad that she did. “Dr. Truman is one of the best mentors that I’ve ever met, he’s really encouraging and we celebrate all of the ups and downs,” she said. Bushman’s undergraduate mentee Nick Maynard, a senior who recently joined the lab, said the most rewarding part is getting to be hands on and seeing things work. “You prepare for a very long time, so when you finally run an experiment or a component of an experiment and it works out and you get the result that you hypothesized or were looking for, it’s very satisfying,” Maynard said.

As part of his teaching and mentorship approach, Truman believes that one of the most important qualities to have in science is kindness. “I think that can be lost, especially because science is so competitive with grants and papers and things like that,” he said. The spirit of collaboration is a big reason that Truman was drawn to UNC Charlotte, and he emulates that in his lab, the Department of Biology, the Klein College of Science, and beyond. 

“We collaborate with around 80% of the department, and we have collaborations with chemistry, physics and bioinformatics,” Truman said. These values have translated to the researchers in the lab, who all describe Truman’s teaching and mentorship style as positive, collaborative, and knowledgeable.

On October 21, Truman Lab members presented their research at the 10th Annual Biological Sciences Symposium held on campus. Bushman and Chathura Paththamperuma, Ph.D., presented their research during the postdoctoral oral presentations, while Mirikar presented during the graduate oral presentations. The afternoon poster session showcased research by Mitchem, Flores, Ashley Choi, and Shreya Patel. Flores was awarded third place for the Undergraduate Student Poster Presentations, and Patel received the Undergraduate Outstanding Scientific Communicator award.

Truman is proud of their lab and the contributions to the success of the university. “UNC Charlotte is on a meteoric rise upwards through the upcoming R1 status,” Truman said. “Student enrollment has gone up, we jumped fifteen spots to 81st [in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges rankings], and the university is interested in expanding core facilities which will allow us to increase our research, draw in more researchers and submit larger grants.”

​The Truman lab currently receives over $5.1 million provided by four different NIH agencies including NIGMS, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). NIGMS supports research that increases the understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention.​ 

In addition to his work in the lab, Truman is the senior editor of Cell Stress and Chaperones. He has authored over 60 papers in scientific journals including Cell, Molecular Cell, Cell Reports, PLOS Biology, PLOS Genetics and Journal of Biological Chemistry. More information about the team, research grants and publications can be found on the Truman Lab website. 

The Center for Teaching and Learning celebrated their 25 year anniversary on November 1 and recognized eight faculty members from the Klein College of Science with the “Trailblazer Award.”

CTL recognized faculty with the award who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to innovation in teaching and dedication to enhancing student success. This award honors educators who have pushed boundaries in the classroom and online, and inspired transformative learning experiences.

Honoring their pioneering spirit, the Trailblazer Award highlights the impact of their contributions, their partnership with the CTL, and inspire future generations of educators to continue reimagining teaching practices.

Trailblazer Award winners from the Klein College of Science:

• Kathy Asala, chemistry
• Tonya Bates, biological sciences
• Farzana Ferdous, biological sciences
• Wan Rabiatul Hountondji Wan Othman, mathematics and statistics
• Lee Rinker, mathematics and statistics
• Jennifer Reed, mathematics and statistics
• Shankari Somayaji, biological sciences
• Sam Suptela, biological sciences

Christine Richardson, Ph.D., professor and chair of biological sciences, has been selected to serve as the next Director of the Center for Biomedical Engineering and Science. Her term will run through June 30, 2028.

With this new role, CBES is shifting to the Klein College of Science with the support of researchers from across campus, including strong faculty collaborations from the William States Lee College of Engineering. Since the Woodward building opened in 2005, it has been home to research labs from bioengineering and biological sciences, which encourages collaboration. 

Richardson will remain in her role as Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences and will lead CBES as a prominent hub for biomedical research in the Charlotte region and beyond, elevating the role of interdisciplinary biomedical research on campus.

“CBES is known for its translational research and there are so many opportunities in the field right now. The center will support the variety of biomedical researchers we have, forge new partnerships, develop industry opportunities and drive innovation to advance science,” said Bernadette Donovan-Merkert, founding dean of the Klein College of Science. Additionally, the center will help attract top-tier faculty as they will have a “community of eager, interdisciplinary researchers just waiting for them,” said Donovan-Merkert. 

Richardson earned her undergraduate degree in molecular biology from Princeton University and her Ph.D. in genetics and development from Columbia University Medical Sciences Center. Her postdoctoral fellowship at Sloan-Kettering Institute continued as a research associate in the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics. She also held an assistant professor role at Columbia University at the Institute for Cancer Genetics and Department of Pathology.

Richardson has previously held several leadership roles at Charlotte, including as director of the Research Experience Undergraduate (REU) program and the master’s and doctorate graduate programs in the Biological Sciences department. She currently serves as Honors College faculty and is the founder and director of two graduate certificate programs in the department. Richardson is a member of many national societies and has mentored students from high school to the doctoral level, including as PI in the Bridges to Baccalaureate program, with an NIH grant that offers intense advising to community college students to complete a biomedical sciences degree at UNC Charlotte. She is a co-PI on three additional active grants, has authored numerous papers, holds patents and presents regularly at conferences.

 “I am thrilled and honored to take the reins to lead the Center for Biomedical Engineering and Science. I look forward to working closely with university and community stakeholders in the years to come and continue to build on the Center’s excellence that my predecessors Robin Coger and Charles Lee started,” said Richardson.

“I am grateful to Dean Bernadette Donovan-Merkert, Division of Research Vice Chancellor John Daniels and Associate Vice Chancellor Deb Thomas, for their confidence in me to lead CBES. Since its inception, CBES has brought together a diverse group of scientists and engineers from across the university and regional biomedical partners at Atrium Health and Wake Forest. Charlotte has become an ever-increasing hub for the biosciences. With UNC Charlotte’s top-tier research status, the opening of the Pearl District and Wake Forest Medical School, Charlotte’s campus provides an ideal platform to bring together cutting-edge regional research partners and develop multi-institutional partnerships to develop innovative solutions to today’s biomedical challenges,” Richardson said.

Sarah Stellwagen, Ph.D., assistant professor of biological sciences, was quoted extensively in an article from the Charlotte Observer about the issues from insects as communities recover from Hurricane Helene.

In the article “Helene wrecked their Western NC towns and homes. Then came the bees and fire ants,” Stellwagen reflected on the challenges posed to humans when insects are disturbed by the storm.

“As people are out there moving debris around and getting their property back in order, I think they’re probably coming in contact with these things more than they normally would,” said Stellwagen.

Just like humans, the insects are looking for new homes. “If your habitat was disturbed, you’re going to go out and look for more places to live,” said Stellwagen. Still, the insects play an important role in the ecosystem, moving along waste and rotting materials after the floods receded. “There’s lots of (insects) cleaning up the organic material as well,” said Stellwagen.

Read the full article in the Charlotte Observer.