Editor’s note: News Molecules are designed to give readers occasional tidbits of information about the N.C. Research Campus.
By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
KANNAPOLISóA retired Carolina Panther and a scientist-turned-chancellor will visit the N.C. Research Campus in the coming days.
In separate events, retired Carolina Panther Mike Rucker and Dr. Holden Thorp, chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will check out the UNC Nutrition Research Institute in Kannapolis.
Rucker will attend the Healthy Harvest, a cooking class and cocktail fundraiser Thursday night.
“He’s very interested in health and nutrition,” said Lisa Canada, assistant director of community relations for the Nutrition Research Institute. “This is a great opportunity for us.”
Rucker and his former teammate, Mike Minter, attended the dedication of the Research Campus last month and toured the Nutrition Research Institute. As athletes, they were intrigued with a research project that will study body fat and metabolic rate, Canada said.
Guests might get to see Rucker helping chef Peter Reinhart prepare focaccia, if staff can find an apron that will fit around the professional football player, Canada joked.
A few tickets remain for the Healthy Harvest. To buy one, call 704-250-5008.
Four days later, UNC-Chapel Hill’s chancellor will see the $1.5 billion Research Campus for the first time.
Thorp has a special interest in science and technology. He served as a Kenan Professor of Chemistry and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UNC-Chapel Hill before becoming chancellor.
He and several other Tarheel officials will spend Monday in Kannapolis touring the biotechnology complex and meeting with the Nutrition Research Institute board.