Within a cat whisker, an insect wing, or a leaf, there’s an entire world that can’t be seen with the naked eye.  

Kyle Nowlin ’10, ’16 Ph.D. is familiar with all these worlds as he trains the next generation of scientists how to use microscopy equipment to explore items at the nanoscale level — that is, around one billionth of a meter.  

A research associate at UNC Greensboro’s Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN), Nowlin is the core facility manager for advanced microscopy, managing a multimillion-dollar collection of advanced microscopes in the school’s labs. In his role, he maintains the equipment and labs, trains students and faculty how to use the tools, and performs paid contract work for industry partners. 

“We provide this equipment for our faculty, staff, students, and even external entities, so they can access and use these tools to acquire data,” says Nowlin. The advanced microscopy equipment includes electron microscopes, atomic force microscopes, and other tools used to capture nanoscale-level images. JSNN labs are constantly adding new technology and equipment.  

“We recently acquired a super-resolution setup for one of our light microscopes from Abbelight,” says Nowlin. “We have some very fancy equipment, and we’re successful in continuing on that trajectory to stay on the cutting edge.” 

Part of the Inaugural Class 

A Greensboro native, Nowlin was a part of the first class to ever attend JSNN. As a UNCG undergrad, he was pursuing medical physics when Founding Dean James Ryan visited his department to recruit students for the brand-new JSNN.  

“I was immediately sucked in and was one of the first five students recruited to join the program,” says Nowlin. His doctoral research focused on bio-inspired antimicrobial surfaces. “I was interested in looking to nature for answers to some of the everyday problems humans face, to mimic and borrow their technology.”  

Nowlin won an award from the National Nanotechnology Initiative for his work on cicadas. He discovered their wings were covered with billions of nanocones possessing antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. He researched whether nanocones could be replicated in synthetic polymers, such as soda bottles or petri dishes, and still offer antimicrobial benefits. Nowlin’s advisor during this research, Dennis Lajeunesse, is now a lab colleague. 

Nowlin’s access as a graduate student to the lab equipment offered him hands-on experience, enabling him to become comfortable using the microscopes. To date, he and his assistants have trained as many as 100 students to use the scanning electron microscopes and other equipment.  

Since he joined the brand new school 15 years ago, the department has grown from 19 graduate students to about 200, and Nowlin often acts as their mentor on both microscopy and life.  

“I see a lot of students entering the lab lacking confidence,” he says. “But going through training and gaining experience improves their confidence and prepares them for their future careers.” 

“I’m a general mentor, not just as a microscopist, and I’m highly involved in their research and often advise them how to conduct certain experiments.” 

Impact of Nanotechnology 

Nowlin claims microscopy is extremely popular because everybody loves a pretty picture. 

“When you publish a paper, great images supplement the writing,” says Nowlin. “The data we generate in our microscopy labs is critical for much of the research we perform. These advanced microscopes allow us to visualize our research.”

Nowlin points out that nanotechnology is being incorporated into products at a rapid pace, from car wash fluids to sporting equipment to sunscreen. He’s eager to help the next generation of researchers and scientists discover new ways of incorporating this technology.  

Story by Jessica Harlan, AMBCopy LLC 
Photography by Kyle Nowlin, Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering