UNC Chemistry Department Welcomes Three New Faculty Members

UNC Chemistry Department Welcomes Three New Faculty Members

July 25, 2025 | By UNC-Chapel Hill Chemistry Communication

The UNC Department of Chemistry is proud to welcome three outstanding new faculty members whose expertise and energy promise to enhance our vibrant scientific community: Dr. Netz Arroyo, Dr. Lina Quan, and Dr. Karen Scida. These new additions bring diverse research strengths and a shared commitment to mentoring, innovation, and collaborative discovery.

Professor Netz Arroyo joins UNC Chemistry’s faculty from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where as an Associate Professor he led a highly regarded research program focused on the development of biology-inspired electrochemical sensors that support real-time, continuous measurements of a wide range of physiologically-important molecules in vivo.  His interdisciplinary approach bridges analytical chemistry, biophysics, and bioengineering, with broad implications for diagnostics and personalized medicine. Dr. Arroyo’s pioneering work in wearable and implantable sensors has already made a significant impact on this field of research, and we are excited to see how his innovative and mentoring spirit will enrich UNC’s exploratory landscape.

Professor Lina Quan comes to Chapel Hill Virginia Tech, where she led her lab as an Assistant Professor. Her research centers on the optical and electronic properties of emerging semiconductors such as perovskites to control the absorption or emission of light and/or manipulate the transport and recombination of energized charge carriers in these materials. With expertise in techniques such as ultrafast spectroscopy and materials synthesis chemistry, Dr. Quan is poised to help expand UNC’s initiatives in energy, sustainability, and health. Her creative and interdisciplinary approach will contribute meaningfully to both research and graduate training.

Professor Karen Scida arrives to us from the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, where she made notable contributions to analytical chemistry, its applications, as well as integration to microfluidic and biological systems. Her research at the Institute focused on the development of in vitro and in vivo neurotransmitter-specific methods to evaluate the performance of the drugs created to understand and treat schizophrenia. As a Research Associate Professor, Dr. Scida will bring a dynamic perspective to UNC Chemistry, with plans to explore new methods of chemical discovery and therapeutic intervention.

We are thrilled to have Prof. Arroyo, Quan, and Scida join our department. Their arrival reflects UNC Chemistry’s commitment to scientific excellence, diversity of thought, and impactful research that addresses society’s most pressing challenges.

Please join us in warmly welcoming our new colleagues to Chapel Hill!