A University of Chicago staffer was robbed at gunpoint early Thursday outside a school research center in the Hyde Park neighborhood.

       Two assailants jumped out of a small black SUV and confronted the staffer who was walking outside Chapin Hall, 1313 E. 60th St., about 5:30 a.m., according to a university security alert.

       The worker handed over their cellphone after one of the assailants pulled a gun and demanded th worker’s property and the two got back into the SUV, which fled east after the attack, the alert said.

       The worker was not physically hurt.

       A university spokesman said there is no indication the reported robbery was connected to the death of recent university graduate Shaoxiong “Dennis” Zheng, who was fatally shot Tuesday afternoon in the 900 block of East 54th Place near the campus.

       University police are investigating.

       University of Chicago leaders, including President Paul Alivisatos, Provost Ka Yee C. Lee and Assistant Vice President for Safety and Security Eric Heath, will host a safety webinar at 2:30 p.m. Thursday for the campus community, according to a media alert from the school.

       Person interested in attending can register here and a Zoom link will be provided.

       rsobol@chicagotribune.com

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