Professor Feng Liu was on West University Drive when he was overcome by two men, robbed and badly beaten.
Liu, 59, was found in a residential area about five minutes from UNC's Eshelman School of Pharmacy — where he worked. He was taken to UNC Hospitals, and he later died from his injuries.
Police have arrested and charged Durham resident Derick Davis II, 23, and Chapel Hill resident Troy Arrington Jr., 27, with felony counts of assault and robbery.
Epitome of enthusiasm
With over 100 peer reviewed publications in academic journals, Liu was mourned by the scientific community all over the world.
"I think when people think of him they think of seeing him at every faculty meeting or seminar we have, or student presentation, or every social event — he was always there," said Russell Mumper, vice dean of the pharmacy school.
"You just kinda knew, you're not quite sure who's gonna be there but Feng will be there, and he's gonna be smiling and happy."
Mumper said Liu was a mentor to students, visiting scientists and international students in his lab, where his research focused on developing drugs to treat cancer.
"He was an inspiring mentor because students want to be interested in the field, they want to be inspired to do research, they want to work in someone's lab who's very enthusiastic — he epitomized that," he said.
