The Pearl CLT

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day from The Pearl 💚

This morning, our STEM Lab hosted a special plant giveaway for Wake Forest University School of Medicine students, offering a fun, relaxing break right in the middle of exam week. Each student even got to name their new plant. 🪴

As part of our Earth Day celebration, 50 small plants were shared to inspire a greener tomorrow, one plant at a time.

The goal is simple: take care of your plant and help it grow as your personal contribution to a healthier planet.

04/22/2026

People of The Pearl 💡 Where passion for teaching meets a love of making science come alive.

Meet Dr. Tafline Arbor, an anatomy educator at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, who’s redefining how students experience learning. From hands-on instruction to creative moments like the debut of the Human Structure and Function Cup, Dr. Arbor brings energy, curiosity and connection into every lesson.

Whether guiding students through complex concepts or turning anatomy into a collaborative competition, her approach shows that education is most powerful when it’s engaging, memorable and fun.

👉 Learn more about Dr. Arbor: https://bit.ly/4u53gf2

04/21/2026

04/18/2026

Wrapping up a meaningful week in the STEM Lab! We had the pleasure of hosting multiple school STEM sessions where students brought learning to life through hands-on exploration of prosthetics, discovering how these innovations work and how they can be designed to create real-world impact.

We also welcomed the Northeastern University College of Professional Studies research team, teacher ambassadors, industry partners and Advocate teammates for a dynamic roundtable discussion.

Together, we highlighted the power of partnership, innovation and our shared commitment to advancing STEM education and community engagement.

04/17/2026

Community members and artists joined us at The Pearl for ArtSpeak: Visual Conversations, an art exhibit featuring powerful works from local artists.

Hosted by Nine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery in partnership with Connect Labs Charlotte, this exhibit showcased pieces that inspired community dialogue and reflection while telling compelling stories.

The exhibit is open to the public now through May 17 right here at The Pearl and invites guests to slow down, look closer and engage in art in ways they never have before.

We’re proud to create a space that fosters connection and creative expression through art and meaningful conversation.

04/02/2026

The Pearl came alive this week as Health Innovation Day brought together founders, clinicians, investors and community partners from across the region for a full day focused on the future of health care innovation.

As a proud host, The Pearl played an integral role throughout a day filled with curated sessions on the next wave of health tech, hands-on demos from local startups and deep networking of leadership perspectives across clinical innovation, digital health and venture creation.

The announcement of the gBETA Charlotte Health accelerator cohort, Charlotte’s first health innovation accelerator, further reinforced The Pearl’s role as a destination for innovation, collaboration and economic growth.

Thank you to everyone who made Health Innovation Day a meaningful milestone for what we are building together at The Pearl. 🚀

04/01/2026

Inside the classroom at Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte Campus.

Where future health care leaders learn, collaborate and bring their passion to life every day.

04/01/2026

Exciting news!

Starting in 2027, Wake Forest students can spend a semester in Charlotte, gaining real-world experience by day and learning from faculty at night, bridging classroom and career.

Read more in the Charlotte Business Journal: https://wakefo.rest/4v2fsyc

03/25/2026

Meet Shannon Taylor, the force behind daily lab operations at Connect Labs Charlotte at The Pearl and the newest spotlight in our People of the Pearl series.

When a missing plastic fitting recently stalled a project, Shannon didn’t wait on an order – she designed and printed the part herself using a 3D filament printer. That hands-on, problem-solving mindset is exactly what Connect Labs was built for.

As laboratory operations lead, Shannon supports tenant companies across wet and dry lab startup spaces, helping ensure they have the infrastructure, equipment and operational support they need to stay focused on discovery and building. From onboarding new companies and coordinating lab resources to training others in the makerspace, no two days look the same.

A scientist by trade with a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology, Shannon specializes in virology and brings deep experience from her previous work in high-containment RNA virus research. She was drawn to Connect Labs Charlotte for the collaborative, community-driven environment – and now plays a key role in shaping that culture every day.

Located at The Pearl and developed by Wexford Science & Technology, Connect Labs Charlotte offers flexible, scale-in-place lab space and shared innovation infrastructure designed to help emerging companies turn ideas into impact.

Read more about Shannon’s journey and how she helps power the innovation happening at The Pearl: https://bit.ly/4822o1V

03/24/2026

IRCAD North America is raising the bar for surgical innovation at The Pearl.

IRCAD North America is a world-class surgical training and research center and an international hub for medical innovation. As part of the IRCAD global network, the facility brings state-of-the-art technology, international faculty expertise and hands-on training to surgeons and health care professionals across the world.

Its strategic collaborations with leading industry partners, institutions and professional societies drive meaningful advancements in health care and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

We’re proud to have this global center of excellence right here at The Pearl as it shapes the future of surgical education and medical innovation.

03/19/2026

03/18/2026

We’re proud to have Carolinas College of Health Sciences right here within The Pearl.

These students bring energy, curiosity and commitment as they learn and prepare to become the health care professionals our community depends on. This is in addition to the Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte campus, which also calls The Pearl home and strengthens our growing academic community.

Here’s to the next generation making their mark.