NSF CAREER Award Winner Innovates at Charlotte, Next-gen UREC Tech and more

October 6, 2025
Categories: Niner Insider
NSF CAREER award winner Angelo Gaitas

Biomedical Engineer Develops Key to Unlock New Cellular Discoveries

Mount Sinai researcher and NSF CAREER award winner Angelo Gaitas selects UNC Charlotte as the new home for his lab as he pioneers a path to understand heat production and heat flow within single cells and tissues. 

UREC Brings EGYM to Campus

Innovation Meets Wellness: UREC Brings EGYM to Campus

Charlotte is the first university in North Carolina and only the fourth in the nation to introduce EGYM, a state-of-the-art, tech-enabled strength training system designed to meet students where they are, whether they’re first-time lifters or seasoned athletes. Check out the tech in action and read what Niners have to say about it.

what you need to know: faculty and staff

  • Academic Affairs Weekly News Digest: The Center for ADVANCing Faculty Success and its collaborators who facilitate Best Practices in Holistic Faculty Recruitment will offer a training Tuesday, Oct. 28. Get the details for the training, along with other important updates in this week’s news digest. 
  • Open Enrollment Webinar: Representatives from the Benefits Office, State Health Plan and NCFlex will discuss the 2026 Open Enrollment during an informational webinar at 2 p.m., today, Monday, Oct. 6. Register for the event in the learning and development portal.
  • Mock Dorm Room Burn: In recognition of Fire Prevention Week, Environmental Health and Safety and the F.A.S.T. organization will display the importance of fire safety and prevention by having a mock dorm room burn at 11 a.m., today, Monday, Oct. 6, in Field 14A. The fire will ignite at 12:30 p.m. and free snow cones will be available.
  • Breast Center Mobile Unit: The Novant Health Breast Center Mobile Unit will be at UNC Charlotte from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9, in the CHHS/CoEd Plaza. An appointment is required and can be made by calling 704-384-7226.
  • Community Innovation Incubator: Faculty and staff are invited to apply for the 2025–26 Community Innovation Incubator, focused on Charlotte’s Freedom Drive/Wilkinson Boulevard corridor. Participants will partner with local leaders to co-design a tangible community innovation project that addresses challenges like housing displacement and economic immobility.

what you need to know: students

  • Commencement Bell Ringer: This honorable tradition recognizes students who have demonstrated exemplary 49er spirit. Applications to be a fall 2025 bell ringer will close at 11:45 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 12.
  • New Lab Alert: Mount Sinai researcher and NSF CAREER award winner Angelo Gaitas selects UNC Charlotte as the new home for his lab as he pioneers a path to understand heat production and heat flow within single cells and tissues.

the difference is charlotte

Fall Crowdfunding Cohort

This fall, more than a dozen clubs are seeking contributions to make possible travel to national competitions, build impressive engineering projects and more. Learn more about these organizations and how to contribute to their campaigns.

upcoming events: students

EHS Dorm Burn

In recognition of Fire Prevention Week, Environmental Health and Safety and the F.A.S.T. organization will display the importance of fire safety and prevention by having a mock dorm room burn at 11 a.m., today, Monday, Oct. 6, in Field 14A. The fire will ignite at 12:30 p.m. and free snow cones will be available!

  • Housing Fair: Have you started thinking about where you’ll live next year? Now is the time to jump start your search as most continuing students live off campus after their first year. If you’re not sure where to start or you are looking for a change for next year, register for the virtual Off-Campus Housing Fair at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7. 
  • Study Abroad Fair: Start your study abroad journey at the Study Abroad Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8, in the Student Activity Center Food Court.
  • Student Sustainability Summit: Join the Office of Sustainability and representatives from the Student Government Association to explore alternative transportation options on campus and in the Charlotte region at the Student Sustainability Summit at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15, in Popp Martin Student Union, Room 200.
  • Panel Discussion: Attend “Affordable Housing: Perspectives from Charlotte and the University” at 4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22, in the Popp Martin Student Union, for a campuswide conversation led by historian Tom Hanchett. He will share findings from his new book, followed by a discussion on housing data, local trends, ways students are involved and how you can be part of the change.

professional development: faculty and staff

upcoming: faculty and staff

  • Campus Master Plan Forum: The campus community is encouraged to attend the first Campus Master Plan and Updates Forum from noon to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8, in Smith Building, Room 202.
  • Group Bike Ride: Join sustainability ambassadors and Charlotte Re-Cyclery for a bike ride from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11. The route starts at the Hauser Alumni Pavilion and goes along the Toby Creek and Mallard Creek greenways; register to participate.
  • Legal Symposium: The Division of Institutional Integrity invites you to the 13th annual Legal Symposium Thursday, Oct. 23, in the Student Activity Center Salons.
  • Dissemination Methods that Work: This interactive session, held from noon to 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, via Zoom, will equip researchers, directors and administrators with actionable strategies to enhance the societal impact of research.

to-do list: faculty and staff

to-do list: students