STEM — ϲ Fri, 12 Sep 2025 22:28:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 Professor Shikha Nangia Named as the Milton and Ann Stevenson Endowed Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering /blog/2025/09/12/professor-shikha-nangia-named-as-the-milton-and-ann-stevenson-endowed-professor-of-biomedical-and-chemical-engineering/ Fri, 12 Sep 2025 22:28:40 +0000 /?p=217076 The College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) has announced the appointment of as the Milton and Ann Stevenson Endowed Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering. Made possible by a gift from the late Milton and Ann Stevenson, this endowed professorship was established to support the teaching and research of biomedical and chemical engineering faculty.

Person with long dark hair wearing a black top over a colorful patterned shirt and red-gold earrings, standing in an indoor setting with a blurred background

Shikha Nangia

Professor Nangia chairs the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering (BMCE) and is a leading expert in developing computational methods for studying biological interfaces. Her research spans from mapping the molecular architecture of the blood–brain barrier —critical for advancing treatments for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases—to discovering new biomaterials that prevent infections associated with implantable medical devices, including hip and knee implants.

Over her career, Nangia has earned widespread recognition for her contributions to both scholarship and teaching. Her honors include the Chancellor’s Citation Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Student Experience and University Initiatives, the Chancellor’s Citation for Faculty Excellence and Scholarly Distinction, the American Chemical Society (ACS) Women Chemists Committee’s Rising Star Award, the Excellence in Graduate Education Faculty Recognition Award, the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Education, and the Meredith Teaching Recognition Award.

She received a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award in 2015 and continues to lead research funded by NSF and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition to her academic leadership, Nangia serves as associate editor of ACS Applied Bio Materials, where she helps shape advances in biomaterials research worldwide.

Nangia excels at fostering collaborative learning environments and integrating different perspectives into her scholarship. She is affiliated with the BioInspired Institute, serves as faculty co-director of and led the NIH-funded ESTEEMED program, which prepared undergraduate students for careers in Ph.D.-level biomedical research. Recently, Nangia was named a ϲ Art Museum Faculty Fellow. Through this fellowship, students in her Engineering Materials, Properties and Processing course will utilize artificial intelligence tools to analyze museum artifacts.

Before joining the University as a faculty member in 2009, Nangia earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and completed postdoctoral research at Pennsylvania State University.

“Professor Nangia has excelled in all facets of her role at ϲ. She embodies the principle that excellence in research supports excellence in the classroom and vice versa,” says ECS Dean J. Cole Smith. “Her leadership has been impactful and timely in the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering. It is so rare, and so valuable, to have an energetic and talented faculty member who can truly do it all. She is eminently deserving of this professorship.”

This endowed professorship honors the legacy of Milton and Ann Stevenson, who met as students at the University and later founded Anoplate Corporation, a surface engineering and metal finishing company. The Stevensons were dedicated alumni supporters of the University; in addition to this endowment, both Milton and Ann served on the University’s Board of Trustees, and their generous support established the .

“I am deeply honored to be named the Milton and Ann Stevenson Endowed Professor,” says Nangia. “This recognition affirms the impact of our research and teaching, but more importantly, it reflects the incredible students, colleagues and collaborators who make this work possible. I am inspired by the Stevensons’ legacy of innovation and generosity, and I look forward to advancing discoveries that improve human health while training the next generation of engineers and scientists.”

]]> Celebrating a Decade of Gravitational Waves /blog/2025/09/12/celebrating-a-decade-of-gravitational-waves/ Fri, 12 Sep 2025 17:03:30 +0000 /?p=217165
Black hole merger illustration showing two black holes spiraling together (labeled "INSPIRAL"), merging into one (labeled "MERGER"), then settling into a final state (labeled "RINGDOWN"). Below are overlaid gravitational wave signals in red and blue from LIGO detectors in Hanford, Washington and Livingston, Louisiana, showing the characteristic chirp pattern that increases in amplitude during merger.

Illustration of the first gravitational wave event observed by LIGO in 2015. The detected wave forms from LIGO Hanford (orange) and LIGO Livingston (blue) are superimposed beneath illustrations of the merging black holes. (Photo courtesy of Aurore Simmonet, Sonoma State University

Ten years ago, a faint ripple in the fabric of space-time forever changed our understanding of the Universe. On Sept. 14, 2015, scientists at the (LIGO) made the first direct detection of —disturbances caused by the collision of two black holes more than a billion light-years away. The signal, named GW150914, was observed simultaneously at two LIGO sites: LIGO Livingston Observatory in Livingston, Louisiana, and LIGO Hanford Observatory in Hanford, Washington. This historic breakthrough confirmed a century-old prediction by Albert Einstein and opened a new window into the cosmos.

Researchers from ϲ’swere key leaders in the design, construction and operation of LIGO. Physics Professors,Ի led the University’s gravitational-wave astronomy group as the discovery of gravitational waves launched a new era of astrophysics. Since 2015, ,Ի—all contributors to the discovery—have joined the University as physics professors.

ϲ was the first university outside the LIGO Laboratory to establish a dedicated research group, thanks to Saulson’s early leadership and vision. His recruitment of Brown and Ballmer laid the foundation for a legacy of excellence in gravitational wave science.

“ϲ has been at the forefront of gravitational-wave astronomy since the beginning of the field,” says Duncan Brown, vice president for research at and Charles Brightman Endowed Professor of Physics. “Our students were part of the team during the first discoveries, and ϲ continues to advance the field.”

Revisit a 2015 video featuring A&S researchers as they discuss their groundbreaking discovery:

The 2015 detection was not just a scientific triumph—it was a turning point. In the years since, LIGO has detected hundreds of black hole collisions thanks to advances in detector technology. In January 2025, LIGO detected its, produced by the merger of two black holes in a distant galaxy that had nearly the same masses as those that produced the first LIGO event in 2015. The clarity of the signal allowed physicists to test general relativity in unprecedented detail, confirming a fundamental theorem proposed by Stephen Hawking: that a black hole’s surface area can only grow, never shrink.

Gravitational wave data plots comparing two black hole merger events from January 14, 2025 and September 14, 2015. Gray lines show raw LIGO detector data with orange lines overlaying numerical relativity fits.

The stretching of space in the 2025 black hole merger (top) closely resembles the first observed event in 2015 (bottom), but thanks to improved detector sensitivity and reduced noise, the newer signal appears much more clear. (Courtesy: C. Bickel/Science)

ϲ researchers have remained at the cutting edge of this rapidly evolving field. In 2023, they launched the, directed by Ballmer. The center is now one of the largest experimental gravitational-wave physics groups in the United States. It brings together experts in quantum optics, high-power lasers, astrophysical modeling and seismology to design next-generation observatories like Cosmic Explorer.

Learn more about gravitational wave research at ϲ:

Their work on the Cosmic Explorer project promises to revolutionize gravitational wave detection. With vastly improved sensitivity, it will observe black hole and neutron star collisions across cosmic time, reaching back to the remnants of the Universe’s first stars. “Advanced LIGO observes gravitational waves from a black hole merger about every third day,” says Ballmer. “But Cosmic Explorer will detect new events every few minutes, with a reach to the earliest stages of the Universe.”

Group photo of approximately 16 people standing on a stone patio in front of a log cabin during autumn. The group includes men and women of various ages wearing casual fall clothing like sweaters, flannel shirts, and jackets.

Physicists from ϲ, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, California State University, Fullerton and the University of Florida during a proposal-writing workshop at SU’s Minnowbrook Conference Center in 2022. The collaboration resulted in over $9M of federal funding to the Cosmic Explorer project.

ϲ’s leadership in this endeavor is backed by, covering everything from site selection and optical design to data infrastructure. Faculty members Mansell, Cahillane, Nitz, Eric Coughlin, Steve Penn, Collin Capano and Ruslan Podviianiuk are pushing the boundaries of what gravitational wave observatories can achieve, and Earth and Environmental Sciences faculty Josh Russell and Chris Scholz are spearheading the search for a suitable site for the Cosmic Explorer observatory. Their work ensures that ϲ will remain a central player in the field well into the 2050s and beyond.

This year’s anniversary is also marked by a profound loss: the passing of MIT Professor Emeritus Rainer “Rai” Weiss, co-founder of LIGO and one of the most influential physicists of our time. Weiss, who died on Aug. 25 at the age of 92, conceived the original design for LIGO and shared the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics for his role in the first detection.

Weiss collaborated closely with ϲ faculty during his career and participated in a memorable 2017panel discussionin New York City alongside Brown, Saulson and Ballmer.

Three men posing together in an ornate indoor setting with mounted deer heads on the walls, decorative wooden furniture, and large windows. The men are wearing business casual attire with name tags, suggesting this is a professional or conference event.

ϲ physics Professors Stefan Ballmer (left) and Duncan Brown (middle) with Nobel Prize-winning physicist Rai Weiss at the Explorer’s Club in New York City.

“Weiss’s legacy lives on in every gravitational wave detected and every student inspired by his work,” says Ballmer. “His vision and ingenuity laid the groundwork for a global collaboration that continues to expand our understanding of the Universe.”

ϲ’s journey from theoretical foundations to experimental breakthroughs is a testament to decades of dedication, innovation and collaboration. Fromٴ, the University has long been a beacon of gravitational wave research.

“As we mark a decade since the first detection of gravitational waves, ϲ stands at the forefront of a scientific revolution,” Ballmer says. “We’re not just commemorating a milestone—we’re embracing the spirit of discovery that defines our University and propels us toward answering some of the Universe’s deepest mysteries.”

]]> Quiet Campus, Loud Impact: ϲ Research Heats Up Over Summer /blog/2025/09/12/quiet-campus-loud-impact-syracuse-research-heats-up-over-summer/ Fri, 12 Sep 2025 15:25:34 +0000 /?p=217148

While summer may bring a quiet calm to the Quad, the drive to discover at ϲ never rests. The usual buzz of students rushing between classes may fade, but inside the labs of the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), the hum of collaboration is in full swing. Undergraduate and graduate students dedicate their summer to tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges alongside faculty mentors, from advancing healthcare solutions to driving technological breakthroughs.

This transformative research is fueled by a variety of funding sources, including prestigious federally funded programs like the National Science Foundation’s (REU). Through REU, students from ϲ and other institutions gain immersive, hands-on experience in fields ranging from science to engineering to mathematics, working side-by-side with faculty mentors on projects that have the potential to shape industries and improve lives.

The University also champions student research through initiatives like the (ϲ Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement). These programs empower students to contribute meaningfully to faculty-guided research and creative endeavors, equipping them with the skills to produce original, timely and significant work. From developing new materials to advancing environmental solutions, discover how summer research is driving real-world change and shaping a better future.

Nature-Inspired Innovation

In biology Professor ’s lab, A&S students Nathan Bailey and Sadie Heidemann received support from the SOURCE to pursue hands-on research projects exploring how animals adapt to environmental challenges.

Side-by-side collage of two photos showing students engaged in biological research. On the left, a smiling person in a blue dinosaur-themed t-shirt holds a small green gecko in their hand, with lab equipment visible in the background. On the right, two smiling individuals stand in a lab setting; one holds a purple sea urchin and wears a green t-shirt and glasses, while the other wears a black shirt and glasses.

Biology undergraduates Sadie Heidemann (left) and Nathan Bailey (center, green shirt) have spent the summer conducting research in the lab of Professor Austin Garner. (right).

Bailey’s research focuses on the impact of climate change on sea urchins, specifically examining how their ability to grip surfaces changes with varying salinity levels. Sea urchins are key players in marine ecosystems. As ocean temperatures rise, understanding how sea urchin populations respond is critical: overpopulation in kelp forests can devastate this key food and habitat source for other organisms by creating barren seascapes, while population decline in coral reefs can lead to unchecked algal growth, disrupting biodiversity.

Heidemann’s work investigates how geckos use their tails to navigate complex terrain. By analyzing tail-assisted movement across different surfaces, her research sheds light on how species evolve to meet environmental demands. This knowledge not only deepens our understanding of animal biomechanics but also informs the development of bio-inspired technologies such as advanced robotics designed for search and rescue missions in rugged, unpredictable environments.

Improving Cancer Treatment

A woman wearing safety goggles, blue gloves, and a light blue lab coat works with a glowing blue laboratory instrument in a research lab.

Naomi Nance calibrates the peptide synthesizer as part of her REU-funded research.

Naomi Nance spent her summer working on peptide synthesizers in chemistry professor ’s lab. As part of her work, Nance helped develop a peptide antagonist targeting the GFRAL receptor in the central nervous system—an area linked to nausea and vomiting, especially in chemotherapy patients—offering hope for improved symptom management. A chemistry undergraduate at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, she joined Doyle’s lab through the and found the hands-on research both enlightening and inspiring, offering a glimpse into the impact scientific discovery can have on real-world health challenges.

Unraveling the Mysteries of Fertility

A woman in a white lab coat and blue gloves examines a small vial or test tube in a laboratory setting. The lab is filled with shelves holding bottles, containers, books, and binders, with a computer monitor visible in the background. Trays and sample containers are arranged on the lab bench,

Jaelyn Anderson examines a vial during fertility research in Professor Pepling’s lab.

In Professor ’s lab, students are exploring how egg cells (called oocytes) develop in the ovaries and how hormones influence this process. Using mice, they study how tiny structures called follicles form and how the body decides which ones to keep—an essential process that helps determine a female’s reproductive potential. This summer, Lauren Erickson, a biochemistry and neuroscience major in A&S, focused on insulin signaling in the ovary to better understand its role in infertility. Jaelyn Anderson, an undergraduate student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and participant in the Department of Biology’s , also investigated how insulin impacts female fertility, especially in conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) a hormonal disorder that can disrupt ovulation and make it harder to conceive. Both students found the experience eye-opening, offering them a deeper understanding of reproductive biology.

Mining Precious Metal Insights

Emerson Long, a senior geology major in A&S, spent the summer conducting research in Earth and environmental sciences Professor ’ lab. Her work focused on making fluid inclusions, which are tiny pockets of fluid trapped in minerals. Long synthesized these inclusions at extreme pressures and temperatures to better understand how copper partitions between aqueous fluids and silicate melts at conditions equivalent to magmatic source regions in the lower continental crust. Her research has broader implications for locating copper deposits higher in the Earth’s crust, which is crucial for sourcing critical minerals needed in clean energy technologies. Funded by support from the SOURCE, she gained valuable lab skills and a glimpse into graduate-level research, aligning with her aspiration to pursue graduate studies after completing her undergraduate degree.

A woman and a man working in a laboratory, seated in front of computer monitors and scientific equipment.

Emerson Long (left) operating the Cameca SXFive electron microprobe with Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Jay Thomas during her SOURCE summer research fellowship.

]]> Tissue Forces Help Shape Developing Organs /blog/2025/09/03/tissue-forces-help-shape-developing-organs/ Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:07:16 +0000 /?p=216797

A new study looks at the physical forces that help shape developing organs. Scientists in the past believed that the fast-acting biochemistry of genes and proteins is responsible for directing this choreography. But new research from the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) shows that steady, powerful flows of tissue might be equally significant in shaping an organ’s development as biochemistry. By understanding this physical process, doctors could find ways to prevent or treat human illness.

“We’ve shown that mechanical interactions are just as important as those biochemical signaling interactions in organ development,” says , the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Physics in A&S and founding director of the University’s . “The two work together. This is a new and emerging idea coming out of a lot of different labs across the country—that mechanics working together with the biochemistry that does robust patterning of organs.”

A microscopic view of Kupffer’s vesicle (KV), a tiny, fluid-filled, balloon-shaped structure in zebrafish embryos that plays a crucial role in establishing body symmetry and guiding the placement of internal organs.

A microscopic view of Kupffer’s vesicle (KV), a tiny, fluid-filled, balloon-shaped structure in zebrafish embryos that plays a crucial role in establishing body symmetry and guiding the placement of internal organs

Manning co-authored the , recently published in PNAS, with Raj Kumar Manna, a former postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Physics in A&S, , associate professor of biology in A&S, , professor of cell and developmental biology at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Emma Retzlaff, a graduate student at Upstate Medical University, and members of the Amack and Hehnly labs across the BioInspired Institute.

Organs Move, Driving Shape Change

ϲ researchers are looking for answers in a tiny, fluid-filled, balloon-shaped structure called Kupffer’s vesicle (KV) in zebrafish embryos. KV, a temporary organ of about 100 cells, shapes the zebrafish’s body symmetry. KV tells the fish which side of the body its organs must develop.

During its brief existence, KV is slowly pushed and pulled by self-generated cellular forces through the surrounding tissue in the zebrafish’s tailbud toward its tail. This movement of KV builds pressure in surrounding tissue, which also starts to migrate, slowly but steadily and powerfully.

Most scientists previously thought that moving tissues do not play a significant role in shaping organs. But slow-moving tissues generate mechanical forces that can mold organs as they develop, the new study found.

“There is a gradient of stiffness in the tissues around Kupffer’s vesicle, with a less-stiff tissue that flows like honey on the side closer to the head, and a stiffer solid-like tissue closer to the tail,” says Manning. “When you have this balloon-like organ moving through thick honey-like tissue and nearly solid tissue, it creates strong forces in the tissues. And even these very slow tissue movements can drive forces that are surprisingly large.”

With mathematical models, live imaging and physical experiments, the researchers tested how slow-tissue motion affects KV’s shape.

The models showed that slow-moving tissues generate enough physical force to help sculpt KV. Then, using precise laser tools, the team disrupted those forces in living embryos. The organ’s shape changed in exactly the way their models predicted.

Powerful Potential

These findings could help researchers understand how parts of the body form, not just in fish but also in humans, informing regenerative medicine and treatments for birth defects in organs and other conditions.

“I am working with scientists who will extend these research ideas to human organoids, which are useful for things like tissue transplants,” says Manning. “We are also studying how these dynamical forces affect cancer tumors.”

This story was written by John H. Tibbetts

]]> Maxwell’s Baobao Zhang Awarded NSF CAREER Grant to Study Generative AI in the Workplace /blog/2025/08/29/maxwells-baobao-zhang-awarded-nsf-career-grant-to-study-generative-ai-in-the-workplace/ Fri, 29 Aug 2025 17:03:40 +0000 /?p=216625 Baobao Zhang, associate professor of political science and Maxwell Dean Associate Professor of the Politics of AI, has received a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award for $567,491 to support her project, “Future of Generative Artificial Intelligence for Current and Future Workers.”

Professional headshot of a person with long dark hair wearing a white collared shirt against a gray background.

Baobao Zhang

The NSF CAREER Award is one of the most prestigious early‑career recognitions from the foundation, supporting faculty who integrate outstanding research and education. Zhang’s study will explore how generative AI is transforming American workplaces—examining its effects on worker productivity, job satisfaction and skill development.

Zhang joined the faculty in 2021. She serves as a senior research associate with the and the Campbell Public Affairs Institute. Her research focuses on trust in digital technology and the governance of AI, studying public and elite opinions toward AI, and how institutions adapt to technological change.

She received earlier recognition for her contributions to AI governance, including the Public Voices Fellowship on Technology in the Public Interest (2023-24) and the Schmidt Futures AI2050 Early Career Fellowship (2022). Her work has been published in journals such as Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Nature Human Behavior, and she co‑edited the volume, The Oxford Handbook of AI Governance.

“Professor Zhang’s work on the governance of artificial intelligence exemplifies the Maxwell School’s strength in addressing timely, real‑world issues,” says Dean David M. Van Slyke. “This NSF CAREER Award not only acknowledges her exceptional early‑career scholarship but also furthers our mission to equip future policymakers with tools to navigate an economy that is increasingly shaped by AI.”

]]> Discovering How and When Stuff Fails Leads to NSF Grant /blog/2025/08/29/discovering-how-and-when-stuff-fails-leads-to-nsf-grant/ Fri, 29 Aug 2025 17:01:25 +0000 /?p=216690 When materials are forced into new shapes, a tipping point can shift them from flexibility and resilience to failing or breaking. Understanding that tipping point is at the core of Jani Onninen’s research. He has received a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to explore challenging mathematical problems of predicting how materials change under stress.

Professional headshot of a man with short spiky blonde hair wearing wire-rimmed glasses and a blue striped button-down shirt against a gray background.

Jani Onninen

, a professor in the, is drawing on two fields of mathematics—geometric function theory and non-linear elasticity—to understand how and why materials fail under certain conditions.

“Imagine a blacksmith shaping hot metal,” Onninen says. “Each hammer strike creates a small deformation. Early on, each deformation is reversible. You can undo it and return to the original shape. But as the blacksmith continues hammering, the sequence of deformations approaches a limit where this reversibility breaks down. This signal tells us something critical. The blacksmith should stop—before the material reaches conditions conducive to forming a crack.”

Materials in the Real World

Traditional mathematical models use “Sobolev homeomorphisms” to describe a material when it deforms and collapses. These models assume two things. One, the material can return to its original shape (it’s “invertible”). Two, the deformation follows the path that uses the least energy. When these models show that a deformation can’t do these two things, it’s a warning signal that the material could fail.

In real life, however, materials don’t always behave according to these ideal mathematical models.

Materials tend to use the least amount of energy possible when they change shape. But sometimes the most efficient or “energy-saving” ways a material might deform don’t fit current math equations. So, researchers are trying to learn the most energy-efficient ways for a material to go from one shape to another.

Warning Signs Before Failure

At the heart of this research is the challenge of understanding and modeling more complex elastic deformations, as well as identifying warning signals in mathematics before materials reach their breaking point.

Onninen, in collaboration with former University postdoctoral researcher Ilmari Kangasniemi, has developed a new framework—the theory of quasiregular values—and achieved breakthroughs, including solving the Astala–Iwaniec–Martin uniqueness problem and providing fresh insights into Picard’s theorem, a foundational result in mathematics from the 1870s.

Onninen’s work is theoretical, studying what happens beyond the boundaries of current mathematical models. But basic research can lead to practical advances years or decades later. Eventually it could have applications in engineering, manufacturing and other fields to learn how much stress a material can handle. This could have implications for understanding wear and tear in infrastructure, like roads and bridges, clothing materials, such as cloth and plastics, and vehicle materials, like metals and plastics.

Building the Next Generation

The NSF grant will also support the training and mentorship of graduate students and early-career researchers, ensuring the continuation of this cutting-edge research.

“Some of the most exciting progress I’ve made has come from working closely with colleagues—sharing ideas, challenging each other and building something new together,” Onninen says, emphasizing the collaborative nature of mathematical discovery.

This latest grant marks Onninen’s seventh standard NSF award since joining the University.

“The mathematics department is thrilled that Professor Jani Onninen has received this prestigious NSF award, recognizing his groundbreaking work,” says, professor and department chair. “His research continues to elevate the department’s profile and provides outstanding opportunities for our graduate students to participate in cutting-edge research, fostering their development as the next generation of scholars.”

Story by John H. Tibbetts

]]> A&S Scientists Explore Protein Droplets as a New Way to Understand Disease /blog/2025/08/28/as-scientists-explore-protein-droplets-as-a-new-way-to-understand-disease/ Thu, 28 Aug 2025 20:55:16 +0000 /?p=216671 When we are young and healthy, our cells successfully monitor and manage our worn-out or damaged proteins, keeping things working properly. But as we age, this cleanup system can falter, leading to protein clumps linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

Now ϲ scientists are diving deep to understand how these tiny, temporary droplets—known as condensates—work, which could lead to new ways of treating or preventing several brain disorders.

Person with short dark hair in a light blue patterned shirt, arms crossed, standing against a plain background

Carlos Castañeda

Aging is tough on protein management in our cells. “The mechanisms that we call protein quality control do not work as well anymore,” says , associate professor of biology and chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S). Castañeda has been awarded a five-year, $2 million National Institutes of Health R35 MIRA award to study the link between protein quality control and “biomolecular condensates.”

“Losing protein quality control is related to some neurodegenerative disorders,” says Castañeda. “We are trying to understand those mechanisms so we can see why cells are not able to take care of proteins as they did earlier in life.”

Storage Closets and Trash Dumps

Scientists are discovering that cells contain tiny droplets that function like liquid storage closets, gathering, fixing, recycling or removing dysfunctional proteins. But as we age or respond to stress, our cells can lose effectiveness in cleaning up and managing these proteins.

When repair and recycling systems are lacking, damaged proteins can accumulate, forming clumps that may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and ALS. The droplets themselves can harden into sticky protein clumps, leaving long-term trash dumps in the brain.

In recent years, scientists have learned that droplet compartments are not rigid, permanent parts of the cell. Instead, they are membrane-less gatherings of specialized proteins that cluster together under certain conditions. These droplets appear and disappear when needed, helping cells adapt. Droplets gather and disperse based on stress, temperature and cellular signals.

Depiction of temporary condensates under stress conditions. In magenta is one of our target proteins of interest, UBQLN2, and in green is a stress granule (condensate) marker. The bottom row is a merge containing blue for the nucleus

Image depicting how cells form temporary condensates under stress conditions. In magenta is a target protein of interest, UBQLN2, and in green is a stress granule (condensate) marker. The bottom row is a merge containing blue for the nucleus. (Photo courtesy of Anitha Rajendran)

The Castañeda team aims to learn more about what causes droplets to form, what droplets are made of and how droplets decide which proteins are problematic and need fixing, recycling or removing.

Forces at Work

The research team will use a dual approach. They will perform molecular experiments to learn about changes to protein structure and dynamics, and cell biology-based approaches to observe living processes.

In molecular work, they will construct artificial droplets outside of cells to watch how changes in protein combinations or stress signals change their behavior, such as their ability to recruit different proteins or mediate different downstream outcomes (protein degradation or not).

The team will also perform studies of living cells. The researchers want to know more about how droplets manage damaged proteins when cells are stressed. They will study cellular signals that form these droplets and how different protein combinations can affect droplet behavior.

“We make a droplet in a test tube to see how the organization of these components change with different conditions and take components apart so we can understand how they come together,” says Castañeda. “Think of it as understanding a car engine by both building and dismantling it.”

These basic scientific investigations could have transformative long-term impacts, such as identifying critical points where intervention might prevent or treat protein clumps. It could potentially illuminate similar mechanisms across different neurodegenerative disorders and other diseases such as cancer.

The University’s collaborative and supportive research ecosystem (e.g., the BioInspired Institute, the Bioimaging Center, high-field NMR at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry) has been crucial to the development of this study, allowing scientists in different fields to share techniques and insights, access specialized equipment and develop more comprehensive research strategies, Castañeda notes.

“This field requires scientists from multiple fields—biology, chemistry, physics and engineering—working together,” says Castañeda. “This work would not have been possible without the many talented postdocs, graduate students, undergraduates and high school students that have gone through our lab. A special thanks to our lab manager and senior scientist Dr. Thuy Dao. I am deeply appreciative of our key collaborators at SU (e.g., Heidi Hehnly, Shahar Sukenik, Heather Meyer, Li-En Jao) and beyond (Dan Kraut at Villanova, Jeroen Roelofs at KUMC). Finally, I am very grateful to A&S and the VPR office for their support over the years.”

Story by John Tibbetts

]]> New Study Reveals Ozone’s Hidden Toll on America’s Trees /blog/2025/07/29/new-study-reveals-ozones-hidden-toll-on-americas-trees/ Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:26:15 +0000 /?p=215493 A new nationwide study reveals that ozone pollution—an invisible threat in the air—may be quietly reducing the survival chances of many tree species across the United States.

The research, published in the is the first to quantify how much ozone exposure harms mature trees under real-world conditions. The findings offer a new lens for policymakers and forest managers to protect trees—and the ecosystems they support—from the silent stress of ozone pollution.

The image shows a person wearing a grey zip-up jacket over a blue shirt and a colorful patterned tie. The background is dark and out of focus.

Charles Driscoll

The research is led by Nathan Pavlovic, lead geospatial data scientist at Sonoma Technology Inc. and , University Professor of Environmental Systems and Distinguished Professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Below they answer five questions about the work and how it helps us understand tree health and ozone pollution.

What makes this study different from previous research on ozone and tree health?

CD: There are several key innovations in our paper. It is the most comprehensive study of ozone effects of trees ever conducted using a database representing about 85 species and 1.5 million trees over the coterminous U.S. This study involves the analysis of mature trees under the environmental conditions that they are experiencing. Most previous studies have involved controlled experiments using seedlings. This is the first study to use machine learning to characterize and quantify effects of ozone on many different tree species experiencing a range of environmental conditions over a large spatial scale.

Why is it important to understand how ozone affects tree survival, not just growth?

CD: Tree survival rates are arguably as important as tree growth. Decreases in survival of tree species make them more vulnerable to displacement by competing species, possibly resulting in shifts in species abundance and distributions and decreasing biodiversity.

Your findings show that western U.S. forests are especially vulnerable. What factors contribute to this regional risk?

person wearing white shirt smiles into the camera

Nathan Pavlovic

NP: This is an interesting observation and result. It is not clear what is driving this response. We speculate that our results suggest conifers are more sensitive to ozone than hardwoods due to the longer growing season for these species, which has been indicated in some other work. This could be an important driver for this regional response. Also, the response may be connected to limited water availability in the West, exacerbating the ozone response. The heightened sensitivity of tree species in the West is paired with higher ozone concentrations relative to the East. By contrast, we found limited evidence of impacts to trees from recent ozone concentrations in the East, a finding corroborated by other work that has been conducted on select trees at the regional level.

There is growing conversation about rolling back current EPA standards as it relates to air quality. How can your results inform national air quality standards or forest management practices?

CD:In the U.S. there are two sets of air quality standards, those set to protect human health called primary standards and those intended to protect public welfare. Public welfare is everything potentially impacted by air pollution beyond health. Public welfare includes crops, materials and ecosystems. Science has clearly demonstrated that trees and other items pertaining to public welfare have been impacted by air pollution. Nevertheless, in the 50+ years the initiation of Clean Air Act the EPA has not had the political will to establish meaningful secondary standards thatdifferfromprimary standards.This is despite the importanceofecosystem health for human well-being and the fact thattheformof standards to protecthuman-healthis often inappropriate to protect ecosystem structure and function.If the EPA tries to roll back air quality standards there will likely be considerable push back from many groups. But for ecosystem health concerns from air pollution, despite whatever happens it is unlikely this will be an important factor in decision making.

What are the next steps for your team in this line of research?

NP: As concentrations and sources of air pollution have shifted over recent decades, new sources of pollution have taken on increased importance. In addition to ozone, we have also assessed impacts of nitrogen and sulfur deposition on trees. There is much left to understand how the shift from primarily industrial and transportation sources to area sources including agriculture and wildfires may be affecting ecosystems. The sensitivity of trees to pollution from these sources is also dependent on heat and water stress. While we account for these factors in our models currently, there is more to learn about how these factors influence outcomes now and in the future.

To set up interviews or get more information about the work, please contact:

Daryl Lovell
Associate Director of Media Relations
University Communications

M315.380.0206
dalovell@syr.edu|

]]> Inspiring the Next Generation of STEM Enthusiasts /blog/2025/07/28/inspiring-the-next-generation-of-stem-enthusiasts/ Mon, 28 Jul 2025 18:02:30 +0000 /?p=215456 A person with glasses and long brown hair reaches toward a bright green paper airplane or similar object inside what appears to be a clear plastic testing chamber or wind tunnel. They are wearing a gray shirt and is focused on the experiment. Behind her, two other students observe - one wearing a Golden State Warriors cap and a "STEM Trekkers" t-shirt, and another student in the background. The setting appears to be a science laboratory or classroom with white walls, fluorescent lighting, and various equipment visible.

Kasey Laurent gives a lesson to students using a wind tunnel during the annual STEM Trekkers summer program. (Photo by Alex Dunbar)

A friendly competition is brewing in the corner of a basement classroom in Link Hall during the annual , where students are participating in a time-honored ritual: seeing who can build a paper airplane that travels the farthest.

The children—in grades five through nine—take turns winding up and whipping their creations towards the double doors. Some models nosedive, while others glide effortlessly through the air. Two students manage to toss their airplanes 54 feet, drawing applause from their peers.

Their prize? A greater understanding of aerodynamics, including learning more about the why and how of flight. And plenty of smiles and laughter.

A person with long, straight brown hair and bangs smiles warmly at the camera. They are wearing round, wire-rimmed glasses and a light blue or periwinkle colored top with a V-neck. The photo appears to be taken outdoors with a soft, blurred green background suggesting trees or foliage.

Kasey Laurent

“When the kids are so immersed in the science behind building paper airplanes and trying out different models, it might seem like chaos, but they’re learning and the whole process is quite gratifying,” says , assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the (ECS).

The three-day program is a collaboration between the nonprofit (TACNY) and ECS faculty and students. Children learn while having fun, which was the goal when Program Chair Sue Sobon came up with the STEM Trekkers program in 2021.

“I saw a need for our kids to be more hands-on with what they were learning. This program has strong ties to ϲ. Our students hear from professors and students in different fields. The kids learn that a STEM career is something they can pursue,” says Sobon, a science teacher at Pine Grove Middle School in the East ϲ Minoa Central School district.

Sparking Early Interest in STEM

A young persom with short hair and black-rimmed glasses looks directly at the camera with a slight smile. They are wearing a light blue button-down dress shirt. The background shows a modern, colorful interior space with blurred orange and blue architectural elements, suggesting an office or contemporary building environment.

Rodrick Kuate Defo

This year, 70 students from 11 districts participated in this free program. The topics covered included aerodynamics, plastics and polymers, nanotechnology, microplastics, microbiology and open-source data.

“Technology is so important in our daily lives, and I’m excited to introduce these students to areas that are growing in importance,” says , assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science.

Among the ECS faculty who volunteered were Laurent, Kuate Defo, , assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, , assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science, and Eric Finkelstein and Lihong Lao with the .

A young person with shoulder-length black hair and round, thin-framed glasses smiles gently at the camera. They are wearing a dark navy blue button-up shirt or blouse with chest pockets. The background shows the same modern interior space with blurred orange and blue architectural elements, suggesting a contemporary office or building environment.

Yiyang Sun

“We try to spark their STEM interest when they’re young so they can think about what it would take to study STEM in the future,” Sun says. “The research we do provides the students with a high-level understanding of the topics we’re teaching.”

The experiences working and learning alongside current ϲ students—utilizing the same facilities where these undergraduates conduct their research—motivate the students to want to become the next generation of STEM enthusiasts, Sun says.

“I feel excited when I see the kids getting excited and feeling inspired by this research. When they ask more about college life, the future of aerodynamics and what it takes to succeed in this career, that’s the most rewarding part,” Sun says.

Learning Lessons Beyond the Classroom

A group of young students observes a large blue mechanical testing apparatus or wind tunnel device in what appears to be an engineering laboratory or classroom. An instructor in an orange shirt operates the equipment in the background. The blue machine has various tubes, chambers, and mechanical components mounted on a wheeled frame. Several students wearing white shirts are gathered around watching the demonstration, with one student holding what appears to be a yellow object. Educational posters and materials are visible on the walls behind them.

Students observe a demonstration on aerodynamics in a water tunnel in a classroom in Link Hall. (Photo by Alex Dunbar)

Besides sparking their interest in STEM, the program participants often find mentorship with their research instructors, forming a big brother/big sister type of relationship.

“By showing examples of students who have taken this path, the kids can realize that a STEM career is possible for them,” Kuate Defo says. “They can see themselves following this path. We want to spread the excitement by showing them cool examples of a particular scientific concept.”

The concepts extend beyond the lessons being taught, emphasizing the need for students to develop their critical thinking skills and begin to apply the lessons learned during the hands-on exercises to the science that is all around them.

“Since they know the science behind how to build paper airplanes, maybe they now can look at how birds can fly. These exercises present so many lessons for them to draw from,” Laurent says.

A person with shoulder-length brown hair with blonde highlights smiles brightly at the camera. They are wearing a white top or dress with a black floral pattern. The photo appears to be taken at an event, with a white backdrop visible behind her that shows partial text or logos.

Sue Sobon

The opportunity to learn from professors across different industries in a collaborative environment that features lively lessons is incredibly helpful, as are the follow-up discussions that tie together that day’s lessons. The students leave each day feeling empowered to further their education, feeling like they are more connected to the subject material and feeling like a STEM career is an attainable goal.

“This is all about exposure. How will a child know if they’re good at something if they don’t get exposed to it?” Sobon says. “I want the kids to see everyone working together on these projects, and to know there’s always a space for them and a place for their interests.”

Sobon says the STEM Trekkers program connects with local businesses and agencies to demonstrate the different applications of STEM concepts in industry and in the community. This year’s community partners include Jason Scharf (deputy director) and Nicole Broadnax (program analyst) for the City of ϲ’s department of information services; Monica Caves, research scientist and outreach coordinator with the Upstate Freshwater Institute; and Lisa Piering, environmental educator and recycling specialist with the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency.

Two young students participate in a paper airplane activity in a classroom setting. In the foreground, a student with glasses and blonde hair pulled back extends their arm, appearing to have just thrown or be about to throw a paper airplane. They are wearing a white "STEM Trekkers" t-shirt and a blue skirt. Behind them, another student with dark hair also wears a white "STEM Trekkers" shirt and holds a blue paper airplane. A bright green paper airplane is visible flying through the air in the upper left portion of the image. The classroom has white walls, storage shelves with supplies, and various educational materials visible in the background.

Two students try their hand at throwing a homemade paper airplane as far as they can during the recent STEM Trekkers summer program. (Photo by Alex Dunbar)

]]> 5 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Use Generative Artificial Intelligence at Work /blog/2025/07/28/5-surprisingly-simple-ways-to-use-generative-artificial-intelligence-at-work/ Mon, 28 Jul 2025 17:59:11 +0000 /?p=215472 Colorful, AI-generated illustration of of books and resources about AINot too long ago, generative artificial intelligence (AI) might’ve sounded like something out of a sci-fi movie. Now it’s here, and it’s ready to help you write emails, schedule meetings and even create presentations.

In a recent , Technology Transformation Specialist Shannon Glennon shared tips and use cases for faculty and staff who may be curious, but cautious, about incorporating generative AI tools into their day-to-day workflows.

Here are five easy ways to start using generative AI to work smarter, not harder—no technology degree required.

1. Compose Emails With Professionalism and Poise

Whether you’re reaching out to a colleague or following up with a student, like Microsoft Copilot can help you draft professional, polished emails in seconds.

“Start with what you’re looking to create,” Glennon says. “Be specific, provide context and don’t be afraid to refine your prompt if you don’t get the results you’re looking for.”

Pro tip: Try sharing a few of your past emails with the AI tool you’re using so it can learn your tone and style.

2. Let AI Be Your Personal Assistant

Tired of the back-and-forth of scheduling meetings? With a Microsoft Copilot Work license (ask your IT team for more details), Copilot can easily check Outlook calendars, propose time slots and even send invites since the tool is part of the Microsoft 365 suite. This creates more time for you to focus on other important tasks.

“It’s like having a scheduling sidekick who’s always hyper-attuned to your team’s availability,” says Glennon.

3. Create Docs, Decks and Forms in a Flash

Need a PowerPoint for an upcoming presentation or a form to collect student feedback? Copilot can help you generate PowerPoint presentations, Word documents, Excel sheets, Microsoft Forms and more.

“You can create a presentation from scratch or summarize a meeting transcript into a Word doc for future reference—it’s all about saving time,” Glennon says.

Pro tip: With a Microsoft Copilot Work license, obtaining meeting transcripts will be easier when you use Teams instead of Zoom, due to integration across M365 apps.

4. Summarize Longer, More Complex Source Material Into Concise Bullet Points

Want to capture the gist of the University’s but you’re stretched for time to read 5,000-plus words? AI can help you summarize long texts (think: research papers, academic articles, policies, reports) into concise, digestible summaries. You can even have fun with it: Try having a document summarized in the style of your favorite baseball announcer or Yoda.

Pro-tip: AI is still known to return incorrect information and hallucinate occasionally, so always check its work.

5. Add Some Visual Flair

Need an image for a presentation or social media post? AI tools can generate custom visuals in seconds—no design skills required.

“AI-generated images are great for making your content pop,” Glennon says. “It’s an easy way to add visual interest to reports and presentations.”

Ready to give it a try? Just remember that any University-owned data should only be entered after logging in to ,using your syr.edu or g.syr.edu credentials.

As Glennon put it: “Generative AI isn’t just a trend, it’s a tool. And like any tool, it’s all about how you use it.”

Bonus: Stay in the Loop With ITS Resources

You can subscribe to the for periodic tips, demos and updates. Don’t forget to check out the or register for an upcoming session:

  • Aug. 12: Orange Access: Modernizing Identity Management
]]> NSF I-Corps Semiconductor and Microelectronics Free Virtual Course Being Offered /blog/2025/07/16/nsf-i-corps-semiconductor-and-microelectronics-free-virtual-course-being-offered/ Wed, 16 Jul 2025 20:39:16 +0000 /?p=215217 Three researchers in white lab coats and safety glasses working together in a laboratory setting. Two women are positioned on the left side of the image, with one wearing purple-framed glasses, both smiling as they observe scientific equipment. A third person is on the right side, focused on hands-on work with laboratory instruments. The scene shows various pieces of scientific equipment and apparatus on lab benches. In the bottom left corner are logos for the NSF I-Corps Hub Interior Northeast and ϲ.

University researchers with groundbreaking ideas in semiconductors, microelectronics or advanced materials are invited to apply for an entrepreneurship-focused hybrid course offered through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program.

The free virtual course runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with an opportunity for an in-person immersion experience at SEMICON West, North America’s premier microelectronics conference, in Phoenix, Arizona, Oct. 7-9. Interested individuals can .

Hosted by ϲ and the University of Rochester as part of the Interior Northeast I-Corps Hub (IN I-Corps), this NSF-sponsored course is open to faculty, postdocs, Ph.D. and master’s students, undergraduates and community-based startups working on semiconductor-related technologies with commercial potential. ϲ’s NSF I-Corps program is a partnership between , Ի.

Teams selected to participate may receive up to $5,000 in travel reimbursement, enabling participants to conduct in-person customer discovery interviews and attend specialized workshops during SEMICON West. Participation in this conference provides unmatched exposure to global industry leaders, cutting-edge technologies and potential collaborators or customers. Conference attendees include executives, engineers, startups and policy leaders shaping the future of chips.

The course provides hands-on entrepreneurship training and one-on-one coaching tailored to researchers working in far-reaching sectors, from advanced lithography and transistor miniaturization to artificial intelligence hardware and high-power materials. The course emphasizes emerging areas critical to the next generation of semiconductor innovation. Applications can range from 3D integrated circuits, system-on-chip integration and computing chips that mimic the human brain’s neural architecture for tasks like pattern recognition, learning and sensory processing. Big data and machine learning innovations are of interest, as well as conventional semiconductor design and manufacturing applications.

The course is of benefit to anyone interested in being part of the research, design, commercialization and supply chain associated with these industries.

Visit the to read the full story.

]]> Jianshun ‘Jensen’ Zhang Named Interim Department Chair of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering /blog/2025/07/16/jianshun-jensen-zhang-named-interim-department-chair-of-mechanical-and-aerospace-engineering/ Wed, 16 Jul 2025 17:02:37 +0000 /?p=215208 Person standing with arms crossed in front of a modern glass building, wearing a blue blazer, light blue shirt, and black pants. The background includes leafless trees, suggesting autumn or winter.

Jensen Zhang

The (ECS) is excited to announce that Professor Jianshun “Jensen” Zhang has been appointed interim department chair of mechanical and aerospace engineering (MAE), as of July 1, 2025. Zhang serves as executive director of the (CoE) and is one of the premier experts worldwide on built environment systems.

Zhang received a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1991, worked as a researcher at the National Research Council of Canada for eight years and joined ϲ in 1999. He has over 35 years of research experience in built environmental systems and has authored and co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed journal papers and over 100 conference papers. His areas of expertise include combined heat, air, moisture and pollutant simulations in buildings, material emissions, air filtration/purification, ventilation, indoor air quality and intelligent control of building environmental systems.

Zhang has developed advanced experimental methods, tools and equipment, as well as computer simulation models and environmental control technologies. Over his last 25 years with the University, he has established and sustained an active research program in building energy and environmental systems with over $20 million in sponsored research.

He also teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in the areas of building energy and environmental systems and fundamental heat and mass transfer. He has advised and co-advised over 20 Ph.D. students, over 20 M.S. students and eight postdoctoral fellows.

Zhang is a member of the International Academy of Indoor Air Science (ISIAQ fellow) and a fellow of the American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers. He is also currently the vice president of the Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation and Energy Conservation Association. He served as president and chairman of the board of the International Association of Building Physics from 2018-21. He is also editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Ventilation and associate editor of Science and Technology for the Built Environment.

“Professor Zhang is one of the best respected researchers, educators and leaders in his field. I am especially grateful for his willingness to serve as interim department chair because he has been so intentional about mentorship and support of other faculty,” says ECS Dean J. Cole Smith. “Although we will miss Dr. Young Moon’s steady leadership of MAE, I am excited to see the innovative actions Professor Zhang will take to move MAE forward.”

“I am truly honored and excited to have the opportunity to serve the department, college, university and the profession in this new role. I sincerely thank the faculty, staff and ECS leadership for their trust and support, and thank Professor Young Moon for leading and serving MAE over the last decade. MAE has highly talented and very student-caring faculty and staff running excellent undergraduate and graduate programs. I am looking forward to working with them more closely to advance MAE to the next level,” says Zhang.

]]> Star Scholar: Julia Fancher Earns Second Astronaut Scholarship for Stellar Research /blog/2025/07/16/star-scholar-julia-fancher-earns-second-astronaut-scholarship-for-stellar-research/ Wed, 16 Jul 2025 13:51:23 +0000 /?p=215183 Astronaut Scholar Julia FancherJulia Fancher, a rising senior majoring in physics and mathematics in the (A&S), a logic minor in A&S and a member of the , has been renewed as an Astronaut Scholar for the 2025-26 year by the . She was originally named as a 2024-25 Astronaut Scholar.

Founded by the Mercury 7 astronauts, the foundation awards scholarships to students in their junior or senior year who are pursuing a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) degree with intentions to pursue research or advance their field upon completion of their degrees. Astronaut Scholars are among the best and brightest minds in STEM who show initiative, creativity and excellence in their chosen field.

The Astronaut Scholarship includes funding of up to $15,000 toward educational expenses, a paid trip to the ASF Innovators Week and Gala in Houston in August, and lifelong mentoring and engagement opportunities with astronauts, Astronaut Scholar alumni, industry leaders and the ASF.

“My Astronaut Scholar experience so far has been amazing,” Fancher says. “I have met so many new people, and they have been a wonderful support system both in terms of research and general life advice. My Astronaut Foundation mentor has always been willing to help with scientific writing and similar skills, which I greatly appreciate.”

Fancher became immersed in research as a first-year student at ϲ. She joined the high-energy astrophysics lab of Eric Coughlin, assistant professor of physics. Under Coughlin’s guidance, Fancher researches tidal disruption events (TDEs), astrophysical transients that occur when a star is destroyed by the tidal field of a black hole. She uses a combination of numerical simulations and analytical methods to accurately model TDEs, which reveal properties of distant galaxies. She has published and presented nationally, and her work could have implications for how observational data from TDEs is interpreted and could lead to new insights into distant black holes and stellar populations in galactic centers. She submitted a new paper last week (as first author) detailing her continued research on TDEs conducted with Dr. Coughlin, and she intends to begin a new project in the near future.

After graduating from ϲ, Fancher plans to enroll in a doctoral program that focuses on computational and analytical astrophysics, with the goal of joining a research university or national laboratory to conduct research in theoretical high-energy astrophysics.

“I aim to build my own astrophysics lab focusing on discovering possible mechanisms of observed astrophysical transients through a combination of analytical methods and computational modeling,” Fancher says.

Created in 1984, ASF awarded its first seven scholarships in honor of the Mercury 7 astronauts—Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Walter Schirra, Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton. Seven students received $1,000 scholarships. To fundraise and support future scholarships, the founders ̶ which included the six surviving Mercury 7 astronauts, Betty Grissom (Gus’s widow), Dr. William Douglas (the Project Mercury flight surgeon) and Henri Landwirth (an Orlando businessman and friend) ̶ began donating proceeds from their speaking engagements. The incredible efforts of these legends have shaped ASF’s mission to support and reward exceptional college students pursuing degrees in STEM. Forty years later, more than $9 million has been awarded to more than 800 college students.

As a university partner of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, ϲ can nominate two students for the Astronaut Scholarship each year. Interested students should contact CFSA for information on the nomination process (cfsa@syr.edu; 315.443.2759). More information on the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation can be .

]]> Traugott Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Bing Dong to Present at Prestigious AI Conference /blog/2025/07/16/traugott-professor-of-mechanical-and-aerospace-engineering-bing-dong-to-present-at-prestigious-ai-conference/ Wed, 16 Jul 2025 13:15:07 +0000 /?p=215173 Professorwas recently selected to lead a workshop on artificial intelligence (AI) at, the Conference and Workshop on Neural Information Processing Systems. Founded in 1987, NeurIPS is one of the most prestigious annual conferences dedicated to machine learningԻAIresearch.

person sitting on couch

Bing Dong

Dong’s workshop proposal, “UrbanAI: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Smart Cities,” will focus on AI tools and technologies that can optimize urban areas. From transportation infrastructure and traffic management to power systems and building HVAC, integrated machine learning solutions can make cities more efficient and reduce carbon emissions. The workshop will convene experts from diverse backgrounds to address the multifaceted challenges of urban sustainability.

A collaborative effort, Dong is organizing the workshop in partnership with colleagues from Harvard, Columbia, the University of Washington and Mila, a Canadian research institute founded by Yoshua Bengio. Professor Bengio is the recipient of the A. M. Turing Award, known as the “Nobel Prize of Computing.”

Zixin Jiang, a Ph.D. candidate in Dong’s lab, will also participate in the conference as a speaker on an expert panel on AI applications for urban environments.

“It is a great honor to collaborate with leading computer scientists worldwide to tackle future smart city challenges,” says Dong. “This is the first workshop at NeurIPS focused on this important topic. We live in a world full of AI applications, and it’s crucial to understand where they may take us, especially regarding energy and environmental issues.”

Dong is the Traugott Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in the and the Associate Director of Grid-Interactive Buildings at the. He leads the, an interdisciplinary research group working on advanced building controls, building energy system modeling, and indoor environmental quality.

NeurIPS is highly competitive, with a workshop proposal acceptance rate just under 20%. The 2025 conference will take place Dec. 2-7 in San Diego, California.

]]> 6 A&S Physicists Awarded Breakthrough Prize /blog/2025/07/03/6-as-physicists-awarded-breakthrough-prize/ Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:02:03 +0000 /?p=213542 Our universe is dominated by matter and contains hardly any antimatter, a notion which still perplexes top scientists researching at. The Big Bang created, but now nearly everything—solid, liquid, gas or plasma—is made of matter. It’s like the universe flipped a two-sided coin and got heads 99.99% of the time.

This fundamental question around the matter-antimatter asymmetry drives the years long work recently honored with theand represents humanity’s quest to understand the most fundamental laws of nature and the basic concept of existence.

University physicists—representing the as part of the international —received this prestigious recognition for their contributions toward understanding the confounding asymmetry between matter and antimatter. Distinguished professor, professor, research assistant professor, associate professor, assistant professorand professorare among those exploring why our universe is composed almost entirely of matter.

A section of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) tunnel at CERN, featuring a long, segmented metallic structure with blue and silver components used in particle acceleration. The cylindrical tunnel is lined with cables, pipes, and machinery, illuminated by overhead lights. Safety markings in black and yellow stripes are visible on the floor, along with warning signs along the tunnel walls.

Physicists representing the College of Arts and Sciences and as part of the international LHCb Collaboration—received the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics for their contributions toward understanding the confounding asymmetry between matter and antimatter.

The $3 million prize awarded by theacknowledges the groundbreaking work in measuring Higgs boson properties, discovering new strongly interacting particles and investigating rare processes at the root of this cosmic imbalance. The Higgs boson is a particle discovered in 2012 that proves the existence of the Higgs field, which acts like cosmic molasses giving mass to fundamental particles as they move through it. This particle completes the Standard Model of elementary particles and their interactions, which is a powerful theory that explains a vast body of data accumulated over the last few decades of particle physics.

The prize recognizes the four detectors operating at the Large Hadron Collider, Alice, ATLAS, CMS and LHCb, and was split equally amongst the four collaborations. The LHCb experiment’s sophisticated 5600-tonne detector, located 100 meters underground near Geneva, Switzerland, captures data from particles created when protons collide at nearly light speed and focuses on the exploration of phenomena that may explain the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the universe.

Vincenzo Vagnoni, spokesperson for the 1500-scientist collaboration, accepted the prize on the LHCb team’s behalf, together with the spokespersons of the three other experiments. The moment marked a rare departure from the usual laboratory setting, as the spokespersons traded their typical scientific attire for formal evening wear at the ceremony, bringing a touch of Hollywood glamour to the recognition of groundbreaking physics research. The $500,000 award is being donated to support doctoral students conducting research at CERN.

]]> Setting the Standard and Ensuring Justice /blog/2025/07/03/setting-the-standard-and-ensuring-justice/ Thu, 03 Jul 2025 14:23:02 +0000 /?p=213518

Everyone knows DNA plays a crucial role in solving crimes—but what happens when the evidence is of low quantity, degraded or comes from multiple individuals? One of the major challenges for forensic laboratories is interpreting this type of DNA data from crime scenes and comparing it to known profiles or databases. Traditional methods, although tried and true, can be improved, which is why DNA sequencing is now being considered by forensic laboratories across the country.

People standing in front of a projection screen at ϲ displaying 'NYS sequencing training: Welcome!'"

The New York State forensics community gathered on the ϲ campus recently to take part in the first-ever Next-Generation Sequencing training.

Last year marked the first time that evidence from (NGS) was used in court to help clarify the circumstances of a crime in Kern County, California. Using NGS, the Kern Regional Crime Lab was able to from a single evidence sample—compared to just approximately 24 with previous methods—helping to establish the key details in a murder investigation.

Never before had NGS, a form of DNA testing that allows researchers to obtain higher-resolution data by analyzing more genetic markers, even from low-quantity or degraded samples, been used in a criminal case in the United States. Because the legal system is slow to adopt new technologies until accepted in court, this landmark proceeding opened the door for the broader application of this innovative technology, which now promises to transform the future of forensic science. The College of Arts and Sciences’ (Forensics Institute) is leading the effort to bring this advancement to New York State, recently hosting the nation’s first sequencing training for forensics professionals from public crime labs across the state.

Zach Galluzzo, a field application scientist with Opentrons, provides a demonstration of an NGS workstation, which automates the preparation of DNA sequencing samples.

Zach Galluzzo, a field application scientist with Opentrons, provides a demonstration of an NGS workstation, which automates the preparation of DNA sequencing samples.

The weeklong session brought some of the world’s leading experts in forensic DNA sequencing to campus, including representatives from Qiagen, a manufacturer of DNA extraction kits and sequencers; Opentrons, a New York-based robotics company; NicheVision, a developer of DNA analysis software; and Nimagen, a DNA sequencing kit manufacturer. These experts worked alongside faculty from the Forensics Institute, as well as instructors from the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner’s Department of Forensic Biology and the New York State Police, to lead the sessions. The training was sponsored by the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services Office of Forensic Services.

A Training Ground for Students

In addition to showcasing the innovative, standard-setting work being done by the Forensics Institute, this training—which included participation from several students—highlights the University’s commitment to preparing graduates with advanced, cutting-edge forensic research skills that translate directly to real-world applications. While NGS will be a vital tool for students wanting to work in crime labs, it also plays a crucial role in non-criminal contexts such as missing persons identification, disaster victim recovery and ancestry/genealogy research.

Prior to the session, undergraduate and graduate students conducted practice runs with the technology under the supervision of project Principal Investigator , professor of practice and director of forensic research at the Forensics Institute, and , professor of practice, who helped organize the training.

Caitlyn Taveira (right) from the Nassau County Division of Forensic Sciences performing manual sequencing library preparation with Kristen Becker (left) from the Erie County Central Police Services Forensic Lab looking on.

Caitlyn Taveira (right) from the Nassau County Division of Forensic Sciences performing manual sequencing library preparation with Kristen Becker (left) from the Erie County Central Police Services Forensic Lab looking on.

“They also assisted in the lab during the actual sessions and sat in during the lectures,” says Marciano. “It was a great opportunity for them to also get exposure to the professionals who attended because they may one day be their employers.”

As a leader and early adopter of the use of NGS technology in forensics, Marciano—along with Novotna, Professors and from the Forensics Institute, and other collaborators—developed a curriculum for lab personnel in New York State that mirrors many of the exercises students complete in the classroom and research settings.

“There had never been a fully immersive DNA sequencing experience in forensic science, which is what we were going for,” says Marciano. “What we are able to provide is practical hands-on training, and the reason we can offer this is because SU is one of the few programs in the country with the expertise and specialized equipment to support it.”

Consistency and Collaboration

Forensic lab systems differ by state. In Virginia, for example, the state government operates forensic labs. In contrast, New York uses a jurisdiction-based model, with county and city labs handling cases locally, while the state police cover investigations not served by those labs. According to Forensics Institute Director Kathleen Corrado, in states without centralized, state-run forensic labs, individual labs often adopt new technologies independently. One lab might validate and implement a new method in its own way, and then, a year or two later, another lab might adopt the same technology but follow a different process.

Forensics professor Jamie Crill providing “under the hood” information on how the DNA sequencing system operates.

Forensics professor Jamie Crill providing “under the hood” information on how the DNA sequencing system operates.

“We’re hoping that this training brings more consistency to the implementation and execution of NGS by crime labs throughout the state,” says Corrado. “That way, labs can collaborate, help each other troubleshoot, and keep things consistent when it comes to quality control and reporting — which in the end will benefit the judicial system as whole.”

By the end of this session and another planned for next May, representatives from crime labs—including those in Niagara, Erie, Monroe, Onondaga, Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk Counties, as well as the New York State Police and the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner—will have received training at ϲ.

“This initiative truly exemplifies the mission of the Forensics Institute—to foster collaboration among government agencies, private industry and academia in advancing forensic science and national security,” says Corrado. “These invaluable partnerships offer our students meaningful opportunities to engage with and learn from leading professionals—giving them a distinct advantage when pursuing careers with the very organizations we work alongside.”

Marciano adds, “This will be the first among many training opportunities that ϲ’s Forensics Institute is able to offer, benefiting the crime labs and criminal justice system within New York State and fostering student engagement and practical experience.”

]]> Student Innovations Shine at 2025 Invent@SU Presentations /blog/2025/06/26/student-innovations-shine-at-2025-inventsu-presentations/ Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:32:06 +0000 /?p=213433 Eight teams of engineering students presented designs for original devices to industry experts and investors at Invent@SU Final Presentations. This six-week summer program allows students to design, prototype and pitch their inventions to judges. During the program, students learn about ideation and intellectual property and receive weekly feedback from guest evaluators to refine their devices.

Invent@SU participants, judges and audience members pose on steps outside a building with large windows and greenery.

Invent@SU participants, judges and audience members are pictured outside Link Hall.

On June 18, the teams gave their final pitch presentations to a panel of expert judges. The audience included College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean Cole Smith and program supporter Mike Lazar. The event kicked off with poster presentations that allowed teams to showcase their inventions and answer questions.

This year’s competitors were:

WashSentinel (First place)

Team members: Andy Rivera ’28 (computer science), Luzceleste Delgadillo ’28 (computer science), Mikel Aizpurua ’28 (mechanical engineering) and Peter Slabaugh ’28 (mechanical engineering)

Wash Sentinel team members hold a large $4,000 check in front of a ϲ 'Invent@SU' banner.

WashSentinel earned first place for a laundry security device that detects unauthorized washer or dryer access.

WashSentinel is a laundry security device that detects unauthorized washer or dryer access, sends phone alerts and prevents theft with a built-in alarm.

KidKlamp (Second place)

Team members: Alexis Herveron ’27 (chemical engineering), Darika Djusupova ’28 (computer science), Jared Murtha ’26 (mechanical engineering) and Mark Short ’25 (aerospace engineering)

KidKlamp offers an easy, accessible way to securely install infant car seat bases with minimal effort, reducing misuse and providing clear feedback for proper installation.

SAFEINITY (Third place)

Team members: Diego Malonado ’27 (computer science), Santiago Sanabria ’26 (mechanical engineering), Ari Spinoza ’28 (electrical engineering) and Owen Wilson ’27 (mechanical engineering)

SAFEINITY is a discreet wearable that sends emergency alerts with location and user info via Wi-Fi—no smartphone needed—with backup eSIM and Bluetooth for added reliability.

VentIQ (Fourth place)

Team members: John Carpio ’27 (mechanical engineering), Suraj Parida ’27 (computer engineering) and Joshua Persaud ’27 (computer science)

VentIQ is an easy-to-attach dryer connector with a built-in manometer that monitors lint buildup.

GripSync

Team members: Gavin Lesk ’27 (mechanical engineering), Barrett Lathrop ’26 (aerospace engineering) and Joshua Edwin Limjuico ’26 (biomedical engineering)

GripSync is a smart grip trainer that gives real-time feedback on grip pressure and swing tempo, helping golfers improve technique through app-based comparisons to professional swing data.

replACE

Team members: Maya Alva ’28 (aerospace engineering), Jonah Blanchard ’26 (aerospace engineering), Nana Okrah ’27 (electrical engineering) and Austin Salmonds ’27 (biomedical engineering)

replACE is a mechanical, pedal-operated golf tee system that lets players load balls without bending, ideal for older or less mobile golfers.

Third Eye

Team members: Alexander Delgado ’27 (computer engineering), Angelo Fernandez ’27 (computer engineering) and Stanley Gao ’27 (computer engineering)

Third Eye is a clip-on wearable that detects people approaching from behind and sends directional audio alerts, enhancing safety and awareness for commuters and the hearing impaired.

AdapTurf

Team members: Felipe Zuluaga ’27 (aerospace engineering), Juan Jose Quintero ’26 (aerospace engineering), Cameron Mensah ’28 (computer science) and Alsime Gaye (undecided)

Four individuals in 'INVENT@SU' ϲ shirts sit at a classroom table, examining a pair of athletic shoes.

AdapTurf team members study a pair of athletic shoes.

AdapTurf is an outsole system that lets athletes safely switch footwear for different sports and turfs using a secure dual locking and screw-in design.

Invent@SU was made possible by program sponsors Michael Lazar and Kim and Michael Venutolo ’77, partner sponsor the Lyons Family Foundation and prize sponsors Rajive Dhar G’90 and Anita Choudry. A special thank you to Bill and Penny Allyn for sponsoring multiple years since 2017.

“Invent@SU pushes students to apply the full rigor of their engineering education—mechanics, electronics and design—to create real-world solutions under tight deadlines. It’s an intense, hands-on extension of the classroom that challenges and transforms them,” says Kenneth and Mary Ann Shaw Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurial Leadership and Invent@SU Director Alexander Deyhim.

]]> WiSE Hosts the 2025 Norma Slepecky Memorial Lecture and Undergraduate Research Prize Award Ceremony /blog/2025/06/13/wise-hosts-the-2025-norma-slepecky-memorial-lecture-and-undergraduate-research-prize-award-ceremony/ Fri, 13 Jun 2025 18:08:58 +0000 /?p=210529 This spring, Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) held its annual Norma Slepecky Memorial Lecture and Award Ceremony. WiSE was honored to host distinguished guest speaker Joan-Emma Shea, who presented “Self-Assembly of the Tau Protein: Computational Insights Into Neurodegeneration.” Shea is professor of chemistry, biochemistry and physics at UC Santa Barbara. She is a fellow of the American Chemical Society, the American Physical Society and the American Academy for Arts and Sciences. She serves as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Physical Chemistry A/B/C, and is the first woman in this position in the 124-year history of the journal. Shea highlighted how her team, which includes undergraduate researchers, has used computer simulations to uncover key molecular mechanisms behind Tau aggregation.

The event also celebrated student achievement with the presentation of the , recognizing exceptional contributions to research.

A woman with flowers stands between two banners, one honoring Dr. Norma Slepecky."

Tessa DiCicco ’25 was this year’s recipient of the Norma Slepecky Undergraduate Research Prize.

Tessa DeCicco ’25, a biomedical engineering student in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, is this year’s recipient. Her paper, titled “Defining Anatomical Relationships of the Tibial Tubercle to Inform Execution of Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy in Revision of Total Knees,” received unanimous approval from the review committee.

DeCicco was co-nominated by Era Jain, assistant professor of biomedical and chemical engineering, and Dr. Timothy Damron, an orthopedic physician and the David G. Murray Endowed Professor with Upstate Medical Center.

DiCicco has worked for the past three years with Damron. Her winning paper, accepted to the 2025 annual meeting of the Orthopedic Research Society, aims to define pertinent anatomical relationships in the proximal tibia to inform fixation device design and provide data that may be considered when performing and securing a tibial tubercle osteotomy. The project involved collecting precise anatomical measurements to inform the development of a novel orthopedic fixation device. She played a central role in pinpointing critical anatomical and radiographic reference points. These foundational metrics directly shaped the planning and implementation of the project from start to finish. DeCicco submitted this paper as her primary research project.

Jain has also worked closely with DeCicco in her lab. “What sets Tessa apart is her enthusiasm for research, her ability to grasp complex scientific concepts quickly and her persistence in pursuing new challenges,” she says.

The Norma Slepecky Undergraduate Research Prize and Memorial Lecture honors the memory of ϲ Professor Norma Slepecky, a distinguished auditory neuroanatomist and member of the Institute for Sensory Research. A founding member of WiSE, this award was endowed in hopes that her legacy for undergraduate research mentorship would continue. The annual prize is awarded to undergraduate researchers in their junior or senior year who demonstrate excellence in research based in the full range of applied biological and engineering sciences.

Since 1999, ϲ’s Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) has championed the success and advancement of women in STEM and their allies of any gender, sex or other identity through inclusive, research-based programming and mentorship. Serving 18 departments across six schools and colleges, WiSE fosters a supportive community that empowers undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs and faculty alike to persist and excel in their academic and professional journeys. Led by experienced faculty and staff, WiSE promotes equity, builds networks and equips participants with tools for leadership, resilience and success in STEM fields.

To learn more about WiSE and Norma Slepecky, . Stay up to date with our social media @TheSUwise on and .

]]> Endowed Professorship Recognizes Impact of a Professor, Mentor and Advisor /blog/2025/06/09/endowed-professorship-recognizes-impact-of-a-professor-mentor-and-advisor/ Mon, 09 Jun 2025 13:00:38 +0000 /?p=210797 person standing in front of window wearing lab coat

Bao-Ding “Bob” Cheng

Bao-Ding “Bob” Cheng’s journey to ϲ in pursuit of graduate education in the 1960s was long and arduous. He didn’t have the means for air travel, so he voyaged more than 5,000 nautical miles by boat from his home in Taiwan to the Port of Seattle, Washington, where he boarded a bus to ϲ, New York, travelling another nearly 5,000 miles. That trip would set the stage for an extraordinary future and the ability to help countless others achieve the American dream.

Cheng G’67, G’69 passed away in 2020. Through the Jatain Charitable Foundation he had established in 2002, his family expressed their gratitude to the University with a $1.3 million gift to fund the Bao Ding Cheng Endowed Professorship of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“When he arrived in Central New York, it was the first time my father had traveled outside of Taiwan. He had never even seen snow before. But he felt truly welcomed by ϲ,” says his son George. It was 1965, two years after Cheng had graduated from National Taiwan University with a degree in chemical engineering. He was the first in his family to go to college, the oldest son and one of nine children in a family with little means.

ϲ offered Cheng a scholarship to study in America. He earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. in chemistry in just four years. Besides the scholarship support, there were people who helped him thrive. “One advisor, Dr. Harry Brumberger, was a mentor to him, treating him like family, inviting him over for Thanksgiving. They kept in touch over the years,” recalls George.

While Cheng was studying, he was also developing a relationship by mail with a young woman in Taiwan who would become his wife. Jean Cheng says they were introduced to each other by her grandmother’s friend. She recalls Bob writing to her about his enthusiasm for football and the support he was receiving from professors. After they married in Taiwan in 1970, Jean had to wait nearly six months before being able to join her new husband and meet his mentor at the University. “He and his wife were so kind to both of us,” she says.

Unwavering Support

The kindness the Chengs received is reflected in their giving back to the University. Their gift is part of the Forever Orange Faculty Excellence Program in which the University matched a portion of the gift to fully endow the professorship. “It’s our way of recognizing the impact of a professor on students,” says George. “The program elevates the impact of philanthropy—my father would have appreciated that.”

“We are very thankful for the Cheng family’s unwavering support,” says Mathew Maye, professor of chemistry and department chair. “We are thrilled to have this endowed position in the memory of one of our most distinguished Ph.D. alumni. Future faculty with this title will no doubt train generations of students who will go on to publish many papers and patents and become leaders in industry, just like Dr. Cheng did.”

Entrepreneurial and Philanthropic

George and Jean both noted that Bob was both entrepreneurial and philanthropic. He was especially impressed with investor and philanthropist Warren Buffet’s commitment to use his vast wealth for good. Over time, Cheng accumulated enough resources to give back in substantial ways, to community organizations doing good work and especially to organizations dedicated to Taiwanese American culture and recognizing the contributions of Taiwanese Americans.

“My husband was always working hard and helping others,” says Jean. He took on private tutoring jobs and was a teaching assistant, earning income for himself and helping others understand the power of education. After graduating from the University, Cheng went to work for Colgate Palmolive as a researcher, focused on removing dangerous phosphates from detergents. After a decade, he and some friends started a company to produce high-quality display products (LCD displays). His friends ultimately dropped out of the venture, and Cheng was left on his own to develop the company that would eventually become FEMA Electronics.

“My father had the grit to stick it out and build the business,” says George, who is currently CEO of FEMA Electronics. Meanwhile, the family opened a small grocery store in New Brunswick, New Jersey, near their home, and Jean worked 12 hours a day with help from her sons to pay the bills and support the family’s dream. Eventually, they relocated the business headquarters to Irvine, California, where FEMA Electronics grew rapidly. Still, they never forgot their East Coast roots.

“My husband remained a humble man throughout his lifetime,” says Jean. His philanthropy was never about promoting himself, but always about promoting the Taiwanese American community and providing opportunities for others to succeed.

“By ensuring that we can continue to attract and retain gifted researchers and teachers through this endowment, we are impacting generations of students and graduates,” says College of Arts and Sciences Dean Behzad Mortazavi. “Dr. Cheng appreciated the value of his ϲ education and experience, and with this gift from the family foundation, he is smoothing the path for others who are pursuing the American dream.”

]]> Forecasting the Future With Fossils /blog/2025/06/08/forecasting-the-future-with-fossils/ Mon, 09 Jun 2025 01:38:25 +0000 /?p=210803 One of the most critical issues facing the scientific world, no less the future of humanity, is climate change. Unlocking information to help understand and mitigate the impact of a warming planet is a complex puzzle that requires interdisciplinary input from some of the world’s greatest minds.

head shot

Ashley Prow-Fleischer

In the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), Ashley Prow-Fleischer G’25 (Ph.D.) is taking the lead in a brand new area of paleontology that could unlock vital information toward this global effort by using the past to predict the future.

The Devonian Period took place around 400 million years ago and was a critical time in evolution when plants began to appear and four-legged creatures like amphibians emerged from the sea. Even before the dinosaurs roamed the Earth, present day New York is believed to have been located 20 degrees south of the equator with a tropical environment covered in inland seas.

Scientists believe that the late Devonian Period brought on extinction events marking a significant time of environmental change, which might offer information about climate changes happening today.

Approximately 40% of the rocks found in New York today were formed during the Devonian Period, and hidden in these rocks are clues to understanding the relationship between the terrestrial and marine biospheres that created this transition, hopefully extrapolating the timing and the rate to modern environmental changes.

“Paleontology is a multidisciplinary field that combines different aspects of biology, chemistry, geology and math. However, geochemistry, which is a subdiscipline of paleontology, is my specialty,” says Prow-Fleischer.

Microfossils May Help Predict Future Changes

One aspect of Prow-Fleischer’s research concentrates on extinct marine plankton abundant in many rocks in this region. As the base of the food web, variations in the body sizes or distribution of plankton can be used to reconstruct past environmental changes on ecosystem structure and predict ecosystem response under modern day climate change.

Too small to be seen by the human eye, the plankton must go through a special process to be separated from the rock, while still maintaining its shell integrity. Unfortunately, standard techniques use corrosive and carcinogenic chemicals, but Prow-Fleischer has developed a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative.

Using a method that includes soaking the rock to allow water to seep into cracks and then repeatedly freezing to create pressure in the rock and then thawing, the process weakens the rock matrix, causing it to split the cracks around the microscopic fossils.

Prow-Fleischer has also been experimenting with various surfactants (soaps) that can gently and safely remove dirt from the uncovered fossils. Interestingly, she discovered that the most effective surfactants are actually Calgon and sodium carbonate found on grocery store shelves. This method increases the rate of extraction in a way that is safer for humans, giving greater access to the information these fossils may hold.

fossils

A microscope view of Devonian-era dacryoconarid microfossils reveals a wide range of sizes. These size differences offer valuable insights for reconstructing ancient environmental conditions and forecasting how ecosystems might respond to modern climate change.

This technique has allowed Prow-Fleischer to extract enough fossils to survey their body sizes across a warming interval in the late Devonian Period, which showed they became smaller over time. This is significant in that it demonstrates the implication for energy transfer in food webs today. If oceans warm, then plankton get smaller, negatively impacting fish stocks .

Coral Used as History Book of the Environment

Another area of her research focuses on coral, which Prow-Fleischer calls “the history book of the environment” because some can live for thousands of years. Coral grows by accretion of layers, like the rings of a tree, which tell a story of the conditions of the ambient sea water that existed around the time each was formed.

This research has moved forward thanks, in part, to facility access she had at A&S to a novel iodine-to-calcium proxy developed for geochemistry by her advisor, Professor , in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES).

“The goal is to be able to apply this proxy specifically to fossilized or subfossilized corals, so we can target areas of the world that might be susceptible to oxygen depletion via climate warming, or even be able to extend reconstruction as far back as the last Ice Age, which is something I’m exploring,” she says.

She has also been able to perform her work using a laser available at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry labs, which is a unique tool in her coral research.

A Passion for the Mystery of Paleontology

While Prow-Fleischer came to A&S to complete a Ph.D. in geochemistry, she quickly pivoted to paleontology, something she was always interested in but didn’t pursue until she realized the opportunities ϲ could give her for a viable career in this field.

Prow-Fleischer has been so devoted to her work that she published four papers before defending her dissertation, something that generally doesn’t happen. She has collaborated with others with similar interests, including Lucy Weisbeck ’24 (SUNY ESF) and Caroline Underwood ’23, both co-authors on “Extraction of calcareous dacryocaonarid microfossils from limestones and mudrocks by surfactants paired with freeze-thaw processing,” in Marine Microplantology, as well as her primary EES mentors, Thonis Family Associate Professor and Professor .

“Ashley is fearless in the face of a challenge, diving into the deep end even when in unfamiliar territory,” says Ivany. “She has mastered some fairly beefy coding and statistics in her time here and done the same with a powerful Earth system model that has quite a steep learning curve, all of which have been brought to bear in her research.”

After receiving a Ph.D. in May, Prow-Fleischer accepted a position as a post-doctoral researcher at the Payne Paleogeology Lab at Stanford University. Joining as a geochemist, she will work with other experts in the hopes of further exploring options to help mitigate climate warming.

“I love the mystery of paleontology and what you might discover. The work I’ve been able to achieve at the College of Arts and Sciences has been rewarding,” says Prow-Fleischer. “Overall, I plan on a career in academics where I can continue to explore the biological effects on climate change and use my curiosity and skills to contribute further to the collective betterment of society.”

]]> ECS Professor Pankaj K. Jha Receives NSF Grant to Develop Quantum Technology /blog/2025/06/06/ecs-professor-pankaj-k-jha-receives-nsf-grant-to-develop-quantum-technology/ Fri, 06 Jun 2025 17:27:27 +0000 /?p=210768 A person in a suit stands behind a complex arrangement of scientific or technical equipment on a table. The setup includes metal rods, lenses, and electronic components, suggesting a laboratory or research environment.

Pankaj K. Jha in the Quantum Technology Laboratory (Photo by Alex Dunbar)

Detecting single photons—the smallest unit of light—is crucial for advanced quantum technologies such as optical quantum computing, communication and ultra-sensitive imaging. Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are the most efficient means of detecting single photons and these detectors can count many photons rapidly, have few false counts, and provide precise timing. However, most of these detectors operate only at very low temperatures.

Pankaj K. Jha, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the , has received a grant from the National Science Foundation to develop single-photon detectors using iron-based superconductors that can operate at higher temperatures. The single-photon detectors he is developing will make these devices smaller, easier to access and more scalable.

“The generation, manipulation and detection of single photons lies at the heart of optical quantum technologies. Losing a photon means a loss of information, whether that information is encoded in a photonic qubit or represents an image of a distant satellite,” Jha says.

These high-temperature SNSPDs will also advance the field of quantum technology, enabling photon-starved deep-space imaging, on-chip quantum photonics and optical quantum computing, as well as applications in biomedical research. The development of these single-photon detectors supports the goals of the National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018 and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, both of which aim to promote the advancement of quantum technologies.

The project will also focus on enhancing science education and training for the future workforce, offering hands-on research opportunities in quantum technology to students from K-12 through undergraduate levels.

]]> Rock Record Illuminates Oxygen History /blog/2025/06/05/rock-record-illuminates-oxygen-history/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 18:15:02 +0000 /?p=210750

Several key moments in Earth’s history help us humans answer the question, “How did we get here?” These moments also shed light on the question, “Where are we going?,” offering scientists deeper insight into how organisms adapt to physical and chemical changes in their environment. Among them is an extended evolutionary occurrence over 2 billion years ago, known as the Great Oxidation Event (GOE). This marked the first time that oxygen produced by photosynthesis—essential for the survival of humans and many other life forms—began to accumulate in significant amounts in the atmosphere.

If you traveled back in time to before the GOE (more than 2.4 billion years ago), you would encounter a largely anoxic (oxygen-free) environment. The organisms that thrived then were anaerobic, meaning they didn’t require oxygen and relied on processes like fermentation to generate energy. Some of these organisms still exist today in extreme environments such as acidic hot springs and hydrothermal vents.

The GOE triggered one of the most profound chemical transformations in Earth’s surface history. It marked the transition from a planet effectively devoid of atmospheric oxygen—and inhospitable to complex life—to one with an oxygenated atmosphere that supports the biosphere we know today.

Close-up view of a concrete core sample encased in a metal frame, showing a heterogeneous mix of aggregate materials including small pebbles, larger stones, and fine particles embedded in a cement matrix. The texture and composition of the concrete are clearly visible.

Sedimentary rocks from South Africa, which the team sampled for this study. (Photo courtesy of Benjamin Uveges)

Scientists have long been interested in pinpointing the timing and causes of major shifts in atmospheric oxygen because they are fundamental to understanding how complex life, including humans, came to be. While our understanding of this critical period is still taking shape, a team of researchers from ϲ and Massachusetts Institute of Technology is digging deep—literally—into ancient rock cores from beneath South Africa to unearth clues about the timing of the GOE. Their work provides new insight into the pace of biological evolution in response to rising oxygen levels—and the long, complex journey toward the emergence of eukaryotes (organisms whose cells contain a nucleus enclosed within a membrane).

The study, published in the journal, , was led by ’18, Ph.D., who completed the project as a postdoctoral associate at MIT and collaborated with ϲ Earth Sciences Professor on the chemical analyses.

Answers Embedded in Rock

To step back in time, the research team analyzed sedimentary rock cores collected from several sites across South Africa. These locations were carefully selected because their rocks, dating back 2.2 to 2.5 billion years, fall within the ideal age range for preserving evidence of the GOE. By analyzing stable isotopic ratios embedded in these rocks, the team uncovered evidence of oceanic processes that required the presence of nitrate—an indicator of more oxygen-rich conditions.

To analyze the ancient sediment, Uveges worked with Junium, an associate professor of Earth and environmental sciences at ϲ. Junium specializes in studying how past environments evolved to better understand future global change. His state-of-the-art instruments were essential for obtaining accurate readings of trace nitrogen levels.

“The rocks that we analyzed for this study had very low nitrogen concentrations in them, too low to measure with the traditional instrumentation used for this work,” says Uveges. “Chris has built one of only a handful of instruments in the world that can measure nitrogen isotope ratios in samples with 100 to 1,000 times less nitrogen in them than the typical minimum.”

Laboratory setup with scientific equipment on a table, including a white funnel, tubes, and wires connected to various apparatuses. In the background, a large window reveals a view of buildings, one with red brick architecture, under a partly cloudy blue sky.

An essential component of the Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer is called the cryotrapping/capillary-focusing module. This equipment, which played a critical role in enabling the nitrogen isotope analyses presented in the paper, is housed in Junium’s lab at ϲ. (Photo by Christopher Junium)

In Junium’s lab, the team analyzed nitrogen isotope ratios from South African rock samples using an instrument called an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS). The samples were first crushed into powder, chemically treated to extract specific components, then converted into gas. This gas was ionized (turned into charged particles) and accelerated through a magnetic field, which separated the isotopes based on their mass. The IRMS then measured the ratio of ¹⁵N to ¹⁴N, which can reveal how nitrogen was processed in the past.

So how does this process reveal past oxygen levels? Microbes (short for microorganisms) influence the chemical makeup of sediments before they become rock, leaving behind isotopic signatures of how nitrogen was being processed and used. Tracking changes in ¹⁵N to ¹⁴N over time helps scientists understand how Earth’s environment—particularly oxygen levels—evolved.

Rewriting the Oxygen Timeline

According to Uveges, the most surprising finding is a shift in the timing of the ocean’s aerobic nitrogen cycle. Evidence suggests that nitrogen cycling became sensitive to dissolved oxygen roughly 100 million years earlier than previously thought—indicating a significant delay between oxygen buildup in the ocean and its accumulation in the atmosphere.

Junium notes that these results mark a critical tipping point in the nitrogen cycle, when organisms had to update their biochemical machinery to process nitrogen in a more oxidized form that was harder for them to absorb and use.

“All of this fits with the emerging idea that the GOE was a protracted ordeal where organisms had to find the balance between taking advantage of the energy gains of oxygenic photosynthesis, and the gradual adaptations to dealing with its byproduct, oxygen,” says Junium.

As oxygen produced through photosynthesis began to accumulate in the atmosphere, this rise in oxygen led to the extinction of many anaerobic organisms and set the stage for the evolution of aerobic respiration—a process that uses oxygen to break down glucose and provides the energy needed for functions like muscle movement, brain activity and cellular maintenance in humans and other animals.

“For the first 2-plus billion years of Earth’s history there was exceedingly little free oxygen in the oceans or atmosphere,” says Uveges. “In contrast, today oxygen makes up one fifth of our atmosphere and essentially all complex multicellular life as we know it relies on it for respiration. So, in a way, studying the rise of oxygen and its chemical, geological and biological impacts is really studying how the planet and life co-evolved to arrive at the current situation.”

Their findings reshape our understanding of when Earth’s surface environments became oxygen-rich after the evolution of oxygen-producing photosynthesis. The research also identifies a key biogeochemical milestone that can help scientists model how different forms of life evolved before and after the GOE.

“I hope our findings will inspire more research into this fascinating time period,” says Uveges. “By applying new geochemical techniques to the rock cores we studied, we can build an even more detailed picture of the GOE and its impact on life on Earth.”

This work was funded by grants including: A National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award (ϲ: Christopher Junium) and a Simons Foundation Origins of Life Collaboration award (MIT: Benjamin Uveges, Gareth Izon and Roger Summons).

]]> What Can Ancient Climate Tell Us About Modern Droughts? /blog/2025/06/05/what-can-ancient-climate-tell-us-about-modern-droughts/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 18:14:35 +0000 /?p=210757
Expansive arid landscape with a narrow stream or body of water cutting through the center. The terrain is dry and barren, featuring patches of cracked soil and sparse vegetation. Mountains rise in the background beneath a mostly clear blue sky with a few scattered clouds.

Researchers from ϲ and the United Kingdom found chemical clues in ancient South African sediments linking past atmospheric shifts to droughts that mirror Cape Town’s Day Zero crisis. Recent droughts have brought water sources like the Theewaterskloof Dam (pictured above) in South Africa dangerously close to drying up. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Climate change is reshaping the global water cycle, disrupting rainfall patterns and putting growing pressure on cities and ecosystems. Some regions are grappling with heavier rainfall and flooding, while others face prolonged droughts that threaten public health, disrupt economies and increase the risk of political instability. In one recent example, a years-long drought between 2015 and 2020 brought Cape Town, South Africa, to the brink of running out of water—a moment officials dubbed “Day Zero.”

Scientists have long debated whether extreme events like the Cape Town water crisis are driven by human-caused climate change or are part of natural climate variability, with some models suggesting that global warming may indeed play a role.

“But a model is not the real world,” says, Thonis Family Associate Professor in ϲ’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES). “So we looked back in time.”

A gloved hand holding a small, clear glass vial containing a liquid with two distinct layers: a yellowish-orange layer at the bottom and a clear layer on top. The background is a blurred laboratory setting with visible equipment.

The team extracted organic compounds from sediment samples using a cocktail of solvents. As those solvents evaporate, the organic material remains in the vial as an orange residue.

In a paper recently published in, Bhattacharya and a team of researchers—led by EES graduate Claire Rubbelke ’25, Ph.D., (and supported by undergraduates Lucy Weisbeck from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry as well as, in earlier work, Ellen Jorgensen ’23)—analyzed ancient plant matter preserved in a column of sediment drilled off the coast of South Africa. These molecules contain hydrogen isotopes from the rainfall that nourished the plants, providing a chemical fingerprint of past climate conditions.

The study focuses on the Mid-Pleistocene Transition, a 550,000-year period between 1.25 and 0.7 million years ago when Earth’s glacial cycles and atmospheric composition underwent major shifts. The researchers found evidence that, during this time, dramatic changes in global atmospheric circulation—including contractions and expansions of the massive Hadley cell, which rises near the equator and sinks around 30 degrees latitude—produced wetting and drying conditions in Southern Africa. The latter correspond to the conditions experienced during Cape Town’s Day Zero crisis.

“We found that when the climate has changed dramatically in the past, it produced shifts analogous to the Day Zero drought,” Bhattacharya says. “This suggests that those types of events are really driven by global climate change.”

Rubbelke says the findings raise new questions about the future. “One big question I’m left with is whether these short droughts—and the Day Zero drought was relatively short-lived—will become more prolonged and eventually a permanent feature of the regional climate,” she says. “The fact that past droughts appear in the sediment record suggests they persisted for many years.”

In future work as a postdoctoral researcher, Rubbelke plans to conduct comparative studies on the opposite, eastern coast of Africa to better understand variations in rainfall across the continent. She also hopes to explore how shifting rainfall patterns may have shaped early human evolution in Southern Africa, home to key fossil sites like the Cradle of Humankind. Changes in vegetation and water availability could have influenced where hominin species lived and which ones survived.

Beyond its scientific insights, the research offers practical value for the present. Regions such as California, which share South Africa’s Mediterranean climate—marked by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers—could benefit from a deeper understanding of past drought dynamics. “Climate models are the only tool we have for planning,” says Bhattacharya. “By testing how well they simulate past events, we can identify where they fall short—and ultimately improve our modeling capacity to better prepare for the future.”

Story by Olivia Hall

]]> University’s Dynamic Sustainability Lab and Ireland’s BiOrbic Sign MOU to Advance Markets for the Biobased Economy /blog/2025/05/21/universitys-dynamic-sustainability-lab-and-irelands-biorbic-sign-mou-to-advance-markets-for-the-biobased-economy/ Wed, 21 May 2025 14:28:17 +0000 /?p=210491 Green rectangular background with the word 'BIO' in large, bold white letters at the center, surrounded by small white lines radiating outward for emphasisThis month at the All Island Bioeconomy Summit held in Co. Meath, Ireland, it was announced that, Research Ireland Centre for Bioeconomy, comprising 12 leading Irish research universities in Ireland, signed a joint memorandum of understanding (MOU) with thehoused atϲ.

BiOrbic and the Dynamic Sustainability Lab are both committed to interdisciplinary approaches to discovery and innovation that tackle the opportunities to develop cost-effective biobased innovations including circular approaches.

One of the near-term actions arising from the memorandum of understanding will be the development of joint approaches to leverage the rapidly emerging utility of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and data.

“This MOU formalizes and greatly expands our initial collaboration to leverage our shared dedication to advancing biobased markets in the United States and European Union through joint research, outreach and workforce development,” says Jay Golden, director of the Dynamic Sustainability Lab and the Pontarelli Professor in the .

Derek O’Brien, BiOrbic executive director, says, “We are delighted to deepen our collaboration with the Dynamic Sustainability Lab and ϲ. The challenges we face as a society today are not confined within borders and it is only through collaboration and partnership that we can build a better and sustainable future. The circular bioeconomy presents a significant opportunity for economic growth in Ireland and the United States. The bioeconomy is the part of the economy which uses renewable resources from agriculture, forestry and the marine industry to produce food, feed, materials and energy, while reducing waste, in support of achieving a sustainable and climate neutral society.”

]]> Professor Bing Dong Named as the Traugott Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering /blog/2025/05/18/professor-bing-dong-named-as-the-traugott-professor-of-mechanical-and-aerospace-engineering/ Sun, 18 May 2025 21:25:08 +0000 /?p=210409 person sitting on couch

Bing Dong

The College of Engineering and Computer Science has named as the Traugott Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. This endowed professorship is made possible by a 1998 gift from the late Fritz Traugott H’98 and his wife, Frances.

A prolific researcher with a strong track record of securing external funding, Professor Dong is the associate director of Grid-Interactive Buildings at the , oversees the , and teaches courses on HVAC system design, machine learning for mechanical engineering, and control systems.

Dong holds a dozen patents and has published more than 130 peer-reviewed papers with approximately 11,500 citations. Since joining the University in 2019, he has served as the principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on over 20 projects, totaling more than $15 million in funding.

Dong’s research sits at the intersection of building performance, human behavior and urban infrastructure. Using physics-informed machine learning, optimization and AI-enabled controls, Dong is looking to improve energy efficiency while ensuring the productivity and comfort of building occupants.

Since earning a Ph.D. in building performance and diagnostics from Carnegie Mellon University, Dong has been a leader in the field of building science. He received a 2023 World Fellowship from the International Building Performance Simulation Association(IBPSA), ϲ’s first such fellow and one of only two U.S. members in the biennial cohort.

Dong also received a 2023 Distinguished Service Award from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), in which he was the only New York state honoree. He is the recipient of the NSF CAREER award and several best paper awards from international journals.

“Bing’s innovative research and commitment to improving energy systems is exactly what Fritz and Frances Traugott had intended when they established the endowed professorship,” says Engineering and Computer Science Dean J. Cole Smith. “Their vision and commitment to this important work is supporting breakthroughs from Bing and his research team.”

“Bing has been integral to our work at the ϲ Center of Excellence,” says Professor Jianshun “Jensen” Zhang, CoE’s executive director. “In collaboration with our academic and industry partners, he is advancing research across multi-scales of the built environment and developing cutting edge technologies for improving energy efficiency, environmental quality and human health.”

Fritz Traugott came to ϲ through a Marshall Plan work-study initiative for young engineers. He retired in 1990 after a long career with Robson & Woese Inc., a ϲ-based consulting engineering firm. In establishing the Traugott Professorship, Fritz and Frances Traugott specifically wished to support energy systems engineering research in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, making Dong’s work an ideal match.

“It is truly a great honor to be the Traugott endowed professor,” says Dong. “I will continue Mr. Traugott’s vision of conducting research and education in energy system engineering.”

]]> Physics Professor Honored for Efforts to Improve Learning, Retention /blog/2025/05/16/physics-professor-honored-for-efforts-to-improve-learning-retention/ Fri, 16 May 2025 18:08:52 +0000 /?p=210386 Person in a bright blue blazer over a white top with arms crossed, wearing a blue pendant necklace, standing against a plain white background.

Jenny Ross

Thein the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) has made some big changes lately.

The department just added an astronomy major approved by New York State and recently overhauled the undergraduate curriculum to replace traditional labs with innovative “Experiencing Physics” labs—inquiry-based Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE) targeted at improving both teaching outcomes and student retention in the physics major.

Current A&S Associate Dean for Creativity, Scholarship and Research served as department chair when these initiatives were started.

For these notable initiatives, as well as her groundbreaking explorations in biophysics and active matter, Ross was awarded the prestigiousfrom. The STAR () Award recognizes outstanding achievements in both research and education.

A, Ross’s research explores how cells organize themselves using fundamental physics principles, with the goal of designing next-generation materials inspired by biology.

The award includes a $5,000 prize and will be presented at the 2025 Cottrell Scholar Conference in Tucson, Arizona, this July. As a recipient, Ross will provide mentoring to early career Cottrell Scholar colleagues throughout the coming year.

]]> ECS Team Takes First Place in American Society of Civil Engineers Competition /blog/2025/05/13/ecs-team-takes-first-place-in-american-society-of-civil-engineers-competition/ Tue, 13 May 2025 14:10:34 +0000 /?p=210119
Civil and environmental engineering student teams participated in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Sustainable Solutions and Steel Bridge competitions during the 2025 Upstate New York-Canada Student Symposium, winning first place in the Sustainable Solutions competition. The symposium was held at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

Students who participated in the 2025 ASCE competition

Students who participated in the 2025 ASCE competition

The ASCE Student Symposium challenges students to explore and implement sustainable solutions, allowing them to apply their skills and knowledge to real-world challenges. Competitions such as Sustainable Solutions encourage students to deepen their understanding of sustainability and learn how to integrate sustainable solutions into everyday engineering problems.

“We presented a redevelopment proposal focused on transforming a vacant office complex into a vibrant, sustainable and affordable housing community. The design incorporated green roofs, passive solar design, greywater recycling and community-oriented amenities such as a public garden, amphitheater and small local businesses,” says environmental engineering student Brooklyn Toller ’27.

The Steel Bridge competition challenges students to design and build a scale-model steel bridge. During the fall semester, students create a design based on specifications provided by the ASCE and draft plans for the construction of a 20-foot scale model. The goal is to minimize the bridge’s weight while ensuring it can support a load of 2,500 pounds.

Students with hard hats on participate in the 2025 ASCE Steel Bridge competition

Students participate in the Steel Bridge competition

The student team took first place for cost estimation,a category in the Steel Bridgecompetition, and came in 6thplace overall.

“It was intriguing to look at the other teams’ designs and construction processes. Seeing new and different intricacies from the other schools really allowed me to start thinking about ways that our bridge could be improved, which will help us improve our bridge design and construction process for years to come,” says civil engineering student Evan Garcia ’28.

The ASCE ϲ student chapter also participated in the Mead Paper competition, where students tackle complex issues about engineering ethics, allowing them to examine and communicate the purpose and responsibilities of a civil engineer.

“I was elected by my chapter to enter the Daniel W. Mead Student Prize Paper Competition. This opportunity allowed me to practice both my written and oral communication skills. I am very proud of the work that I put forth and am a better public speaker because of it,” says civil engineering student Shannon O’Kane ’28.

The Sustainable Solutions team will participatein the ASCE’s national championships. The competition will be held June 27-29 at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

]]> Chloe Britton Naime Committed to Advocating for Improved Outcomes for Neurodivergent Individuals /blog/2025/05/06/chloe-britton-naime-committed-to-advocating-for-improved-outcomes-for-neurodivergent-individuals/ Tue, 06 May 2025 19:32:18 +0000 /?p=210016 A person wearing a striped shirt with tattoos on their arm is sitting at a desk in front of two computer monitors. The monitor on the left displays text, while the monitor on the right shows several images of landscapes. The background features soundproofing panels.

Chloe Britton Naime plans on studying neurodevelopmental and learning differences among individuals with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder to better understand how the neurodivergent brain operates. (Photo by Amy Manley)

Chloe Britton Naime ’25 is about to complete a challenging and rare dual major program in both mechanical engineering from the and neuroscience from the .

Even more impressive? Britton Naime will conclude the rigorous dual major in four years instead of the customary five years, which is “one of the biggest reasons I wanted to attend ϲ,” says Britton Naime, who will begin their Ph.D. program in neuroscience at Florida State University in the fall.

A person with short, dark hair that has purple highlights is wearing a white dress shirt, a purple tie, and a black vest. The background is blurred and appears to be indoors.

Chloe Britton Naime

It’s the latest chapter in Britton Naime’s lifelong love affair with learning. Specifically, studying why their brain functions differently as a neurodivergent individual who struggled to read—Britton Naime was diagnosed as dyslexic at the age of 8. They have also finally been diagnosed with autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

“I remember thinking, ‘why does my brain work differently than everyone else? Why is this task much more challenging for me?’” says Britton Naime, who is graduating summa cum laude and is a member of the .

“I’m interested in how we can improve our diagnostics, but I’m also interested in what treatments or interventions can be done,” Britton Naime says. “Figuring out what can help support meeting this individual’s needs. Figuring out the possibilities and how we can continue to improve the outcomes for neurodivergent people.”

Changing the Narrative

Britton Naime considers themselves honored to have a strong support system, including their mother, Katrina Britton, who encouraged self-advocacy at an early age. But knowing not everyone who is neurodivergent has these advocates has fueled Britton Naime’s career aspirations.

A person is standing in a doorway, leaning against the door frame. The door has a blackboard with colorful chalk writing that says 'Welcome to the SPACE LAB' along with drawings of planets and stars. The room behind the person has acoustic foam panels on the walls and a large stuffed animal sitting at a table.

Chloe Britton Naime is an undergraduate research assistant in the Center for Autism Research and Electrophysiology (C.A.R.E.) Lab—which studies how typically developing children, children with developmental disabilities and children with autism perceive, process and integrate sensory information.

As a peer coach in the physics department, Britton Naime engages with students with an accommodation from the Center for Disability Resources to ensure the student’s needs are being met. If a student needs accommodations but doesn’t have them, Britton Naime will make sure the student understands the resources available to them on campus.

“When I have a place where I can advocate for someone, I take that opportunity. Thankfully, ϲ provides a great infrastructure for supporting students with disabilities,” Britton Naime says.

Britton Naime is also an undergraduate research assistant in the —which conducts behavioral and neurophysiological research to understand how typically developing children, children with developmental disabilities and children with autism perceive, process and integrate sensory information.

Through lab studies focused on measuring and recording the brain’s electrical activity, Britton Naime says the CARE Lab’s work represents progress in reducing the historically negative stigma around autistic individuals.

“The CARE Lab focuses on the strengths and capabilities of our autistic population and identifies the reasons why they’re succeeding at something. It’s really rewarding work,” says Britton Naime, who also did a Fulbright Canada-Mitacs Globalink Research Internship at the University of British Columbia in the Baby Learning Lab with Lauren Emberson, Ph.D.

How ϲ Laid the Foundation for What’s Next

The technical skills Britton Naime learned through the mechanical engineering program, including as a data processor, helped accentuate their work as a neuroscientist, specifically when it comes to processing and interpreting the neuroimaging data to comprehend how brain activity relates to our behavior, cognition and mental processes.

The foundational nature of the mechanical engineering program also allowed Britton Naime to seek out the aspects they wanted to learn more about as they honed and built up their skills as a researcher.

At Florida State, Britton Naime plans on studying neurodevelopmental and learning differences among individuals with ADHD to better understand how the neurodivergent brain operates.

By gaining a deeper understanding of how neurodivergent brains function—particularly through the use of neuroimaging technology—Britton Naime aims not only to improve quality of life through enhanced diagnosis and tailored interventions, but also to help unlock the full potential of individuals whose strengths may be overlooked in systems built for neurotypical learners. Their research challenges deficit-based narratives and seeks to reframe how success and capability are understood in academic and developmental contexts.

“I hope to be a professor and have my own lab where I can produce quality research related to this topic. But I also want to continue serving as a vocal advocate for my community,” Britton Naime says. “ϲ prepared me to go to grad school and to go into this industry, which is important because I didn’t know where I wanted to go. I had all these avenues available and received the support I needed to go down this path.”

]]> Graduating Research Quartet Synthesizes Long-Lasting Friendships Through Chemistry /blog/2025/05/06/graduating-research-quartet-synthesizes-long-lasting-friendships-through-chemistry/ Tue, 06 May 2025 13:38:18 +0000 /?p=209865 The image shows four individuals wearing blue lab coats with "Cuse Chem" logos gathered around a piece of laboratory equipment. The equipment has a large brown bottle on top and several tubes connected to it. The background includes shelves with various containers and a cabinet with glass doors.

Senior researchers (pictured from left to right) Morgan Opp, Lucy Olcott, Jesse Buck and Isabella Chavez Miranda helped advance Professor Robert Doyle’s cutting-edge obesity and diabetes treatments.

When Jesse Buck ’25, Isabella Chavez Miranda ’25, Lucy Olcott ’25 and Morgan Opp ’25 started as student researchers in medicinal chemist Robert Doyle’s lab, they hoped to hone their research skills.

It quickly became evident this would be unlike any other lab experience. The collaborative environment in the Doyle Group cultivated confidence in their abilities and led to constructive conversations about how to achieve the goals of their projects.

As they were producing, purifying, synthesizing and redesigning the peptides that eventually helped lead to Doyle’s breakthrough weight loss and diabetes treatments, they discovered their meaningful interactions transformed them into a family, as well as putting them on a path to becoming scientists.

“They are future stars, an incredible quartet that matches great intelligence with as hardworking of a student group I’ve ever had the privilege to work with,” says Doyle, the Jack and Laura H. Milton Professor and Dean’s in the .

The quartet will now take the lessons learned and apply them to their master’s and Ph.D. programs at prestigious graduate schools:

  • Buck, a medicinal chemistry major (Arts and Sciences) will pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley;
  • Chavez Miranda, a double major in medicinal chemistry (Arts and Sciences) and business management (), will pursue a master’s in health administration at the University of Southern California;
  • Olcott, a chemistry major (Arts and Sciences), will pursue a Ph.D. in pharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania; and
  • Opp, a double major in medicinal chemistry and biology (Arts and Sciences), will pursue a Ph.D. at Yale University.

After spending hundreds of lab hours together, Buck, Chavez Miranda, Olcott and Opp sat down with SU News to reflect on a bond that will continue beyond graduation.

After graduation, Morgan Opp, Lucy Olcott, Jesse Buck and Isabella Chavez Miranda will take the lessons learned in the lab and apply them in their master’s and Ph.D. programs at prestigious graduate schools.

How did you become passionate about this research?

The image shows a person with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a navy blue shirt and a silver necklace with a small circular pendant. The background includes shelves with various items, including a jar on the left side.

Lucy Olcott

Lucy Olcott: My interest in health science was sparked at 15 when my grandmother was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Watching her struggle to adapt to a new lifestyle while managing new treatments opened my eyes to the importance of health care.

After I took Honors General Chemistry with Professor Robert Doyle, the path became clear. The Doyle lab has given me the opportunity to explore translational medicinal chemistry focused on unmet clinical needs of various metabolic diseases.

Morgan Opp:I’ve always had a passion for research that’s translatable, where I can directly see the work I’m doing on a day-to-day basis and how that work has the potential for real-world impact on people who need it. I was in Dr. Doyle’s class freshman year. I knew I liked metabolism and technology, and he took a chance on me and allowed me to begin my research.

Isabella Chavez Miranda:I’ve always had a deep love and passion for chemistry. Both my parents are chemical engineers. Since I was young, I’ve watched them do research. It was a no-brainer that I wanted to be involved when I came to ϲ.

I was lucky to be in Dr. Doyle’s class my freshman year. He saw the potential in me and allowed me to grow in his lab for the past four years.

The image shows a person with short, dark hair wearing a black top and a necklace. The background includes a shelf with various bottles and containers.

Jesse Buck

Jesse Buck:I came in as a chemistry major but transitioned to medicinal chemistry and joined this lab as a junior. Dr. Doyle took a chance on me, and I appreciate that because I learned so much about what it means to be in a lab. I love doing chemistry research with implications in biology that you can use to make an impact and create something helpful for patients.

What is your proudest moment/biggest lesson learned from the lab?

Buck:Being accepted into our respective graduate programs. That is concrete evidence that our hard work has paid off. We have an opportunity to grow and become impactful scientists.

Opp:Going to the Mid-Atlantic Pharmacology Society meeting [in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania] with Isa—it’s a big deal for undergraduates to present their research at a national conference like this.

Olcott:Patience in research. It’s easy to get frustrated when experiments don’t go as planned. Being able to identify where things might have gone wrong and go back to the drawing board is just as important as producing and collecting novel data.

The image shows a person with long brown hair wearing a gray sweater and gold hoop earrings. The background includes shelves with various containers, including a white bottle with a blue label and some purple-capped bottles.

Isabella Chavez Miranda

Chavez Miranda:The first time I was able to synthesize a peptide that had the exact correct mass and was usable was an amazing feeling. That showed that I’m learning and growing as a scientist.

How will your graduate work advance your career ambitions?

Chavez Miranda:I’ve loved making these potential drugs that could have a big impact on patients but if the people who need the drugs the most can’t get them, what real value do they bring? I want to bridge that gap between the patients and the drugs they need.

The image shows a person with long, straight hair standing in a room with shelves in the background. The shelves contain various items.

Morgan Opp

Olcott:I’m interested in pursuing research in drug discovery and development for centrally mediated diseased states and hope to pursue a career in academia as a principal investigator, conducting high-impact research while mentoring the next generation of scientists.

Buck:This is the perfect opportunity to discover what niche I want to work in. I’m hoping to find the perfect lab to mesh my love of chemistry and biology.

Opp:To continue exploring my passion for endocrinology and metabolism. I’m looking at labs that bridge both analytical chemistry, cell biology and medicinal chemistry. I’m leaning toward a future in biotechnology and want to remain on the cutting edge of research.

In case you missed it: Check out episode #175 of the “’Cuse Conversations” podcast, “Striving to Improve the Efficacy of Obesity, Diabetes Treatments.” In the , medicinal chemist Robert Doyle discusses his breakthrough weight loss research, the important role students play in advancing his research, and how, through philanthropy, his work has come to life.

]]> Biologist Reveals New Insights Into Fish’s Unique Attachment Mechanism /blog/2025/04/23/biologist-reveals-new-insights-into-fishs-unique-attachment-mechanism/ Wed, 23 Apr 2025 17:10:49 +0000 /?p=209573 The image shows a small, brownish-orange fish with a speckled pattern perched on a dark rock. The fish has elongated fins and a slightly translucent tail. There is an inset diagram highlighting the structure of one of the fish's fins, labeled "Lift" and "Gripping."

The bottom portion of the sculpins’ pectoral fin helps them grip onto surfaces and even walk. (Photo by Emily Kane)

On a wave-battered rock in the Northern Pacific Ocean, a fish called the sculpin grips the surface firmly to maintain stability in its harsh environment. Unlike sea urchins, which use their glue-secreting tube feet to adhere to their surroundings, sculpins manage to grip without a specialized adhesive organ like tube feet or the suction cups of octopuses.

So, why is this significant and why are scientists so keen to understand it? Marine organisms thriving in high-energy environments serve as excellent natural models for designing more efficient and effective human-engineered devices, such as robots, grippers and adhesives. Improved adhesives could have wide-ranging impacts, from enhancing medical devices to creating tires with better road grip.

The image shows a small fish with a greenish, speckled body and translucent fins peeking out from a hole in a rock-like structure. The fish's eye is visible, and it appears to be observing its surroundings from within the shelter. The rock has a rough texture with black speckles on its surface.

New research has uncovered a surprising microscopic feature on the fins of sculpins, potentially aiding their ability to grip their surroundings. (Photo by Emily Kane)

A team of researchers from ϲ and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette who specialize in functional morphology—how the shape and structure of an organism helps it function—recently uncovered a new and surprising traction trait in sculpins. They found microscopic features on their fins, potentially allowing them to adhere strongly to surfaces underwater to fight currents and waves. Their results were published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

“In order to prevent being swept away, these sculpins need another way to keep themselves in position,” says Emily Kane, professor of biology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette who co-authored the study with Austin Garner, a biology professor in the at ϲ. “One feature that sets this group apart is the modification of their pectoral fins such that the bottom portion has reduced webbing that allows the fin rays to poke out further than the fin. They can use these for holding onto rocks or other substrates, but some species have further modifications that allow for walking and sensory functions.”

Previous research has shown that sculpins use hydrodynamic mechanisms—like having a small, streamlined body and using their fins to create negative lift—to maintain balance and grip. Additionally, physical mechanisms, such as gripping the substrate with flexible fin rays on the bottom part of the fin (similar to having fingers), have been described. This study documents a new surface texture, suggesting that these bottom fin rays might also create friction or adhesion at a microscopic level, enhancing their grip even further.

Kane and her team first discovered these features during fieldwork in summer 2022 in Friday Harbor, Washington. While observing fins at a microscopic level using a scanning electron microscope, she immediately recognized the similarity between the sculpins’ features and the fine hairs on gecko feet. She then reached out to Garner, who is an expert in animal adhesion and attachment.

“My lab is interested in how animals interface with surfaces in their environment during both stationary and locomotory behaviors, particularly in those organisms that take advantage of adhesive or frictional interactions using specialized attachment organs,” says Garner, who is also a member of the at ϲ, where researchers collaborate to develop and design smart materials to address global challenges. “Using a very similar framework to studies I have conducted in lizards and sea urchins, we worked together to design and execute this study.”

The team focused on traits such as density, area and length to outline the texture of the skin on the fin rays.

“We compared these measures to values in other animals with similar features that are known to produce a friction gripping force, like having sandpaper on the fins,” says Kane. “There are some similarities in sculpins that make us think they could be doing something similar.”

Garner notes that their work is the first description of these microstructures on the fin rays of sculpins. “We not only described the form and configuration of these structures in this work but also generated testable hypotheses that serve as strong intellectual foundations for us to continue probing in our future work on this topic,” he says.

So, what will this forthcoming research involve, and could studying these structures lead to the development of new bio-inspired adhesives for societal use?

Garner suggests that the form and function of sculpin fins could be effectively integrated into bio-inspired robots or grippers for underwater navigation and exploration. As the research progresses, their team anticipates that understanding the microstructures on sculpin fins will offer new possibilities for designing synthetic attachment devices that can attach securely yet detach easily, even underwater.

Who knows, maybe one day an underwater robot with sculpin-inspired grippers will be exploring the ocean depths and making waves in the world of bio-inspired technology.

]]> Distinguished ECS Professor Pramod K. Varshney Establishes Endowed Faculty Fellowship /blog/2025/04/22/distinguished-ecs-professor-pramod-k-varshney-establishes-endowed-faculty-fellowship/ Tue, 22 Apr 2025 14:49:29 +0000 /?p=209559

Distinguished Professor has exemplified Orange excellence since joining the University as a 23-year-old faculty member.

A world-renowned researcher and educator, he’s been recognized for his seminal contributions to information fusion and related fields, introducing new, innovative courses to the University. He’s also been an invaluable mentor to countless students on their academic and professional journeys. Supervising 68 Ph.D. dissertations thus far, he’s bolstered the career paths of many students.

The image shows a person with blurred facial features, wearing glasses and a dark-colored jacket. The background is plain and light-colored.

Pramod Varshney

Now, Pramod and his late wife, Anju G’86, G’90, will continue their support for the University by creating a legacy that will impact generations to come. “Anju and I bled Orange,” says Pramod. “What we wanted to do was leave a legacy which would keep and grow the excellence that we have at ϲ in the mission of education.”

The Varshneys have established the Pramod and Anju Varshney Endowed Faculty Fellowship to recognize and support a promising research-focused scholar dedicated to mentoring doctoral students, just as Pramod has. This esteemed professor will hold a full-time faculty position in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) within the (ECS).

“The person [for this position] should be an agent of change,” says Pramod. “They should be transformational in research but have something else—a discovery that will serve humanity, working with groups that are outside of the University or helping underprivileged students to realize their dream of going to college. Do something in our society that makes a difference.”

This fellowship is yet another example of Pramod and Anju’s commitment to promoting excellence at ϲ. In 2018, they established an endowed fund that provides annual scholarships and financial assistance to EECS graduate students pursuing their doctorates.

“The first ECS news story I ever read was about Pramod and Anju’s dedication to EECS Ph.D. students,” says ECS Dean J. Cole Smith. “In reading that article, I was instantly struck by how much they mean to ϲ and what a lasting impact they have had on countless generations of ECS students. Now, the Varshney Endowed Faculty Fellowship will support and honor EECS faculty members as they set out to make their own research and societal impacts.”

This continued support reflects the Varshney’s dedication to empowering students to become leading figures in their fields—a sentiment shared by many of Pramod’s former students.

“I consider myself fortunate that Professor Varshney was my Ph.D. advisor at ϲ,” says Kotikalapudi Sriram G’83, a former doctoral student. “He remains a true source of inspiration and professional support for me and many former SU students I know.”

“His guidance has meant everything to me—shaping not only my academic and professional growth but also my approach to problem-solving and collaboration,” says former doctoral student Engin Masazade G’10. “His unwavering support, insightful advice and dedication to his students have had a profound impact on my journey, and I am incredibly grateful to have learned from him.”

Pramod hopes this fellowship will set a precedent of appreciation for the college, inspiring others to give back to the University. “I’ve loved being able to interact with a large number of graduate students from all over the world who have gone on to do great things,” says Pramod. “My hope is that this fellowship will help keep the University and EECS growing, becoming further well-known around the world as a great place for education and scholarship.”

]]> Earth Day Spotlight: The Science Behind Heat Pumps (Video) /blog/2025/04/21/earth-day-spotlight-the-science-behind-heat-pumps-video/ Mon, 21 Apr 2025 21:06:47 +0000 /?p=209495 Peter Wirth has a two-fold strategy when it comes to renovating his home.

The Brooklyn, New York, native has called Central New York home for more than 40 years. Nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac in Fayetteville, New York, the 1960s-era Craftsman house he shares with his wife, daughter and their cat “Spice” not only features many attractive upgrades in aesthetics and design, but most importantly cuts back on their climate footprint with every improvement plan and project.

“I think what probably got me on the path was I believe in science,” says Wirth, co-founder of the group. “I’m trying to remove or reduce our consumption of fossil fuels in the house.”

Wirth keeps energy efficiency at the center of his home upgrades, generating his own renewable energy with rooftop solar panels, and getting his hot water on demand through an updated tankless water heater. His sustainability goals led him to make one of his biggest home upgrades yet—adding an air-sourced heat pump to his natural gas furnace, creating a hybrid heating and cooling system that runs much more efficiently.

“I think once you go to an electric heat pump, you’d never think about doing a gas furnace again,” says Wirth.

person stands next to heat pump system outdoors, with residential home in the background

Professor Ian Shapiro demonstrates the functionality of a heat pump system.

Getting more people to consider heat pumps for their homes and businesses has been a mission point for , professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the associate director of Building Science and Community Programs at the ϲ Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems. He launched his mechanical engineering career more than three decades ago with designing heat pumps.

Systems That Heat and Cool

While the word heat can lead people to limit the technology to only its warming effect, these systems work to both heat and cool structures.

Shapiro says heat pumps work by moving heat from the outdoor air to the indoor space, similar to how a refrigerator moves heat from the inside to the outside. The heating and cooling system uses electricity to move heat rather than generating it directly. Even on a cold Central New York day with an outdoor temperature below freezing, the pump can effectively pull warm air from the outdoors to heat the inside of a home or building.

“That free outdoor heat is renewable,” Shapiro says. “And much of the electricity is carbon free from sources such as hydroelectricity and solar. If New York state meets its goals by 2040, it will all be clean electricity.”

Residence as a Living Lab

Wirth opened his home to Shapiro’s graduate mechanical engineering students as a “living lab” to execute research questions and learn directly from homeowners about the real-world implications of heat pump technology. The collaboration has proven fruitful for researchers and Wirth. ϲ researchers were able to identify ways to make his heat pump and home more efficient, and the hands-on work will help students in their professional fields.

“ϲ has been an ideal place to study heat pump performance in cold climates and older homes,” says mechanical and aerospace engineering Ph.D. student, Sameeraa Soltanian-Zadeh ’26. “These field studies help bridge the gap between lab-tested efficiency and real-world performance.”

“As more buildings transition from traditional fossil fuel heating systems to heat pumps, improving their operational efficiency will be crucial,” says Ji Zhou ’28, another Ph.D. student in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, who plans to work in a heat pump research lab post-graduation.

, with requirements for all new buildings to use electric heat and appliances by 2026 and all existing buildings by 2030. Shapiro estimates there are more than 100,000 heat pumps currently in use in New York state. He anticipates more growth in the years to come as fossil-fuel powered energy becomes more expensive.

For homeowners like Wirth, finding ways to cut down on carbon consumption and reduce greenhouse gases is a personal mission now powering his home and his life.

“For me to recommend to other people to do things without doing them myself, I just can’t do it,” says Wirth. “It would feel hollow. I need to walk the talk.”

Video captured, edited and produced by Amy Manley, senior multimedia producer

]]> At the Intersection of Research and Innovation: Biomedical Engineer Luiza Owuor ’26 Prepares for Career as a Medical Scientist /blog/2025/04/21/at-the-intersection-of-research-and-innovation-biomedical-engineer-luiza-owuor-26-prepares-for-career-as-a-medical-scientist/ Mon, 21 Apr 2025 18:51:15 +0000 /?p=209498 While many of her peers were enjoying the time off between high school graduation and starting college, Luiza Owuor ’26 was participating in the University’s (CAREER) program, which introduces students to the research opportunities available to them on campus.

A person with braided hair is standing outdoors in front of a building with large windows and some foliage. The person is wearing a dark blazer over a black top.

Luiza Owuor

The program helps students like Owuor become involved with research efforts early on in their academic careers, and for Owuor, the experience, especially a presentation from and Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering , ignited her passion for biochemical engineering.

Once Owuor officially embarked on her journey in the , she wanted to contribute to the , which strives to improve treatments for individuals living with an injury or disease. Through experimental and computational approaches, lab researchers study and apply mechanobiology in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

“I remember being especially drawn to Dr. Henderson’s presentation, and his work really sparked my interest in this field,” says Owuor, president of the Society of Women Engineers and a mentor with Catalyst Scholars, a new program for first-generation students.

“Being involved in his lab has been one of the most defining parts of my academic journey. I’ve co-authored two published papers through BioInspired [which examines complex biological systems], and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see our research make a real contribution to the field,” Owuor says. “I’ve built a strong, family-like bond with my lab members and that sense of support and collaboration has made the experience truly special.”

Owuor, a native of Kisumu, Kenya, was recently named as a 2025-26 ϲ Remembrance Scholar. She sat down with SU News to discuss her passion for biomedical engineering, her career goals, the important role of mentoring and how her time on campus has fueled her holistic development.

What sparked your interest in biomedical engineering and the STEM field?

I’ve always wanted to be part of the health care space, but not necessarily on the front lines. Biomedical engineering drew me in because it offers a way to make a real impact from behind the scenes, whether that’s through designing medical devices, developing therapeutic technologies or conducting research that leads to breakthroughs.

Once I got involved in research at ϲ, I saw how engineering could be used to solve complex biological problems, and that solidified my passion for this field. I love that I get to blend innovation with purpose every day.

What are your career goals and ambitions?

To become a medical scientist and contribute to the development of innovative therapies that improve patient outcomes. I’m especially interested in translational research, taking discoveries from the lab and turning them into real solutions for people. Pursuing a Ph.D. is part of that path, and I hope to work at the intersection of research and innovation to help address some of the biggest challenges in health care.

What role has mentoring played in your development?

Mentorship has shaped so much of my growth. From research mentors in the to peer leaders in student organizations like the Society of Women Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), I’ve been guided and supported by people who believed in my potential. Mentoring others—whether through Academic Excellence Workshops or Catalyst Scholar mentoring—feels like a full-circle moment. It’s my way of paying it forward.

How has your time at ϲ helped fuel your development?

ϲ has been instrumental in my growth—academically, professionally and personally. Through leadership roles like serving as president of the Society of Women Engineers and alumni relations chair for NSBE, I’ve developed strong communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.

The (SOURCE) program has been a major support system, funding my research projects and giving me the platform to present my work. ϲ has also connected me with the resources and guidance I needed to secure meaningful internships, including one for this upcoming summer. On top of that, my classes have equipped me with technical lab skills and data analysis that will directly apply to my field and my future career goals.

]]> Exploring Artificial Intelligence Through Immersive Internships /blog/2025/04/21/exploring-artificial-intelligence-through-immersive-internships/ Mon, 21 Apr 2025 13:32:26 +0000 /?p=209386 A student smiles while posing in a classroom.

Emma Bellai

After completing an “Intro to Artificial Intelligence (AI)” course in the (ECS), Emma Bellai ’25 was eager to apply everything she learned in class to her internship with Verizon. Joining the Global Network and Technology team as an AI intern, the timing was perfect, as the AI boom in recent years opened exciting opportunities for exploration in this field.

“One class is all it takes to make the difference and that’s what happened to me,” says Bellai, a computer science student.

In just 10 weeks, Bellai explored how prompt engineering and personas are used in AI chatbots and her background in AI research was a huge help. Prompt engineering involves writing instructions that guide AI chatbots to respond to questions or complete tasks. Personas guide the chatbot’s tone of voice or the way the chatbot speaks. Using specific personas are a great way to make AI chatbots sound more human, which helps personalize their responses.

“The chatbot would talk differently to a CEO than it would to a software engineer,” says Bellai. “The main focus of my work was seeing how to optimize personas for different people. To see the results of my work and having an application on the website that I worked on was very rewarding.”

A typical day at the office involved researching the latest developments in AI, preparing presentations on new concepts she was learning and communicating with her team and personal mentor. Interns were encouraged to engage with others in the company through coffee chats, and Bellai had the opportunity to speak with many employees, including senior leadership and the CEO.

“They wanted to hear from young voices and AI applications from my perspective,” says Bellai. “I got to speak with the CEO at least two or three times, which is great because I feel like at other companies, you don’t get that opportunity.”

Interning with Verizon connected Bellai with the company’s extensive network of professionals, including ϲ alumni. She also had an opportunity to share her experiences and insights during a live stream to the entire company. Bellai’s hard work and enthusiasm for her role paid off, as she was offered a full-time position and will return to Verizon after graduation.

“If you have a really great professor that makes you genuinely care about the topic you’re learning about, it can make such a big difference down the line,” says Bellai. “ECS gave me the confidence to go into the internship and I felt like I was put in a good position to thrive.”

]]> ECS Professor and Students Win Best Electromagnetics Paper Award at Prestigious Conference /blog/2025/04/17/ecs-professor-and-students-win-best-electromagnetics-paper-award-at-prestigious-conference/ Thu, 17 Apr 2025 13:12:39 +0000 /?p=209374 The image shows three individuals standing indoors in a spacious area with columns and banners in the background. The person in the center is holding a framed certificate or award.

Pictured from left to right are Morteza Moradi, Younes Ra’di and Pardha Sourya Nayani.

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Professor Younes Ra’di and doctoral students Morteza Moradi and Pardha Sourya Nayani received the Best Electromagnetics Paper Award at the 19th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP) for their paper titled “Approaching Fundamental Limits on Bandwidth-To-Thickness Ratio for Electrically Thin Absorbers Through Dispersion Engineering.” The conference was held in Stockholm, Sweden from March 30th through April 3rd.

“It is a great honor to receive the Best Electromagnetic Paper Award among more than 1,300 papers submitted from around the world at such a prestigious conference,” says Ra’di. “Huge congratulations to my brilliant students, Pardha Sourya Nayani and Morteza Moradi, for their exceptional work and dedication that made this achievement possible.”

EuCAP is one of the largest and most significant antennas and propagation conferences, attracting more than 1,700 participants from academia and industry and more than 50 industrial exhibitors from across the world. The conference is sponsored by the European Association on Antennas and Propagation.

]]> Magnetic Salad Dressing: Physicists Shake Up Emulsion Science /blog/2025/04/10/magnetic-salad-dressing-physicists-shake-up-emulsion-science/ Thu, 10 Apr 2025 14:57:08 +0000 /?p=209122 From shaking a bottle of salad dressing to mixing a can of paint, we interact with emulsions—defined as a blend of two liquids that typically don’t mix, such as oil and water—daily.

For a vast range of foods and other technologies, scientists have devised emulsifying agents which help stabilize mixtures. By incorporating small granular particles to certain foods, it can help prevent spoilage and extend shelf life, important for safeguarding our food supply. When added to chemical mixtures, emulsifying agents can reduce viscosity, making liquids such as petroleum easier to pump and transport through pipelines, potentially leading to energy savings.

A person standing outdoors. The background includes green trees, an American flag, and part of a brick building. The person is wearing a dark shirt with small cactus patterns and clear-rimmed glasses.

Joseph Paulsen

Researchers are continually investigating new emulsifiers to improve the control of liquid-liquid mixtures. Recently, , a physics professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, collaborated with scientists from the and to make a surprising discovery.

They found that when magnetized particles are added to a simple oil-and-water “salad dressing,” the mixture consistently separates into patterns resembling the elegant curves of a Grecian urn immediately after being shaken. The team’s results, published in ,uncover a novel method of using magnetic particles to control liquid-liquid mixtures.

The study, led by UMass Amherst, began when UMass graduate student Anthony Raykh was experimenting in the lab. He added magnetized nickel particles to a batch of “salad dressing” instead of spices, which are normally what allow the oil and water in dressing to remain mixed. He chose magnetized particles because fluids containing them can be engineered to exhibit unique and useful properties. After shaking his mixture, Raykh was astonished to see it consistently form a pristine urn shape. Regardless of how many times or how vigorously he shook the mixture, the urn shape always reappeared.

A small glass jar filled with salad dressing is placed on a table. To the left of the jar, there is a small whisk. In the background, there is a white bowl containing a colorful salad with various vegetables and greens. A red and white striped cloth napkin is partially visible on the right side of the image.

The spices in salad dressing enable water and oil, which typically don’t mix, to combine through emulsification. Researchers have now discovered that adding magnetized nanoparticles to an oil-water mixture produces a completely different effect.

To help explain this shocking phenomenon, the UMass team invited in Paulsen from ϲ, along with colleagues from Tufts, to conduct theoretical analysis and simulations. Paulsen, whose research focuses on soft condensed matter, explores the ways in which materials like liquids and soft solids bend, deform and mix—research which lent itself well to this study.

Typically, particles added to an oil-and-water mixture, such as spices, decrease the tension at the interface between the two liquids, allowing them to mix. But in a twist, the team found that particles that are magnetized strongly enough actually increase the interfacial tension, bending the boundary between oil and water into a graceful curve.

“We turned the nature of particle-decorated interfaces on its head,” says Paulsen. “Now, you can have an emulsion droplet that you can imagine controlling in a variety of ways with a magnetic field, but the droplet will nevertheless coalesce with other droplets — something that particle-coated droplets typically resist.”

Chart showing the interaction between air, oil and water and how particles settle in containers

Figure A graphically depicts individual nanoparticles of magnetized nickel that form a boundary between the water and oil. Figure B shows how the magnetized particles cause the oil and water to separate into a pattern resembling a Grecian urn immediately after being shaken. (Graphic courtesy of Anthony Raykh/UMass Amherst)

Their research on magnetic particles uncovered two surprising effects. First, the particles, being small magnets, form large networks with many holes due to magnetic interactions. These holes help droplets coated with the particles merge quickly into single oil and water portions. Second, the strong attraction between the magnetic particles increases the surface tension at the interface, further promoting droplet merging.

While there’s no application for this novel discovery yet, the team is excited to see how this never-before-seen state can influence the field of soft-matter physics.

“Liquid-liquid mixtures are ubiquitous in consumer products and industrial processes,” says Paulsen. “This discovery, which offers a new approach to managing these mixtures, could one day help produce better products with longer shelf lives or save energy in chemical transport and processing. I’m eager to see the future implications of this breakthrough.”

This research was funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Editor’s note: Portions of this article have been adapted from a .

]]> A Winning Edge in Health and Wellness /blog/2025/04/09/a-winning-edge-in-health-and-wellness/ Wed, 09 Apr 2025 16:37:16 +0000 /?p=209078 composite image, at left is a hockey player in full gear and helmet on the ice. At right, a person in a lab coat, safety goggles, and gloves uses a pipette in a laboratory.

Isaac Arnold is exploring every side of the ϲ experience, engaging in cutting-edge plant biology research, developing entrepreneurial ventures and excelling on the ice rink in his free time.

With climate change and severe weather expected to intensify in the coming years, developing strategies for a resilient food supply is crucial.

This involves understanding and developing crops that can withstand pathogens that cause diseases, one of the key areas ofat the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S). Combining biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, economics, business and engineering, the biotechnology program is helping find practical solutions to solving the challenges facing our food supply, global health and the environment.

A&S students like Isaac Arnold ’26 are already finding numerous opportunities to address these important questions.

Making an Early Contribution

Arnold, originally from Halifax, a small city in Nova Scotia, Canada, had never heard of biotechnology before coming to ϲ. Initially declaring as a biochemistry major, Arnold was intrigued by the cutting-edge aspect of biotech and its broad, practical applications after learning about the field of biotechnology from his biology professor and now mentor,.

A group of eight people are gathered in a room, with some standing and others sitting around a wooden table. The person in the foreground is taking a selfie, wearing a white sweatshirt with red text. The background shows part of the room's wall and door.

Arnold (left) with Professor Ramesh Raina (third from right) and members of the lab group.

Since joining Professor Raina’s lab, Arnold recently co-authored a study in the journal, which explored how a set of genes (GATA21 and GATA22) are involved in regulating pathogen defense response in a plant called Arabidopsis.

“Humans share much of their genome with plants, which is why a lot of research done in the plant biology sphere is also relevant medically,” says Arnold. “We study the effects of epigenetic modifications, which are essentially reversible changes to regulate gene expression. Our research focuses on disease resistance—specifically, identifying which genes in plants regulate resistance to disease, and understanding the trade-offs involved.”

In their recent publication, the team found that GATA21 and GATA22 proteins positively regulate defense against fungal pathogens while acting antagonistically against bacterial pathogens. By understanding the mechanisms regulating these processes, researchers can develop strategies for producing crop plants with enhanced resistance against pathogens.

A key contribution by Arnold to this study stems from his long-standing interest in computer coding. In addition to assisting with the scientific research and publication writing, he developed image analysis software used during the study.

“It was inspiring to work closely with such a smart and driven team. They taught me everything I needed to know, helping me understand exactly how to utilize my skill set,” he says. “I gained a lot of great mentors through this, made tons of connections and it was just an overall amazing experience.”

Raina, professor and executive director of the biotechnology program and co-author on the study, says that Arnold’s efforts have significantly enhanced the research output of his lab.

“In addition to making some very interesting scientific observations, Isaac’s coding enabled us to rapidly analyze large datasets,” says Raina. “His work not only contributed to our most recent publication but will also be instrumental in analyzing data for several upcoming manuscripts. Isaac is an incredibly intelligent, creative and resourceful student who consistently thinks outside the box.”

Finding Purpose at Pfizer

Beyond his research contributions at ϲ, Arnold has enhanced his career readiness through internship and entrepreneurial opportunities tailored for biotechnology students. In the summer of 2024, he applied for and secured a position at Pfizer’s New York City office, working in the medical affairs department within the emerging markets sector—regions where Pfizer aims to expand its market presence.

“Being from a small city like Halifax, it was a great experience spending my summer living in Manhattan,” he says.

One of the aspects of the biotechnology major that excited Arnold was the opportunity to make a tangible difference to world health. To that end, his favorite project at Pfizer involved working with the Accord team to deliver much-needed vaccines to people in developing countries at cost (meaning without profit to Pfizer).

Leveraging his computer science expertise, he developed a database that integrates epidemiological publications (having to do with how diseases spread) from major sites into Pfizer’s internal system. This database can sort information by country or disease based on prompts and provide relevant details about the side effects of certain diseases, including considerations for patients with conditions like hemophilia or immunocompromised states.

“For a lot of the countries where there’s not a lot of publications, it’ll give you information from countries with similar demographics. I used a language model to summarize all the main facts into slide decks on command, so if you want South Sudan publications, you type in South Sudan COVID-19 immunocompromised and it would list the most recent and relevant epidemiological data through this database,” says Arnold.

Building on the success of that project, he also created an intern slide deck for Pfizer to provide new interns with essential tools and resources during their onboarding process.

“Being able to create those connections at a major company is unreal,” says Arnold. “Once they see that you care about what you’re doing and that you work hard, people really start to respect you.”

Leveraging his connections at Pfizer, Arnold arranged for a company representative to attend thebiotechnology conferenceat ϲ on April 5. At the conference, industry leaders networked with students and shared insights into the latest advancements in biotechnology, innovative therapies and industry trends.

Two people stand in an office with a large blue balloon that reads "Pfizer 175" and a white balloon. They are smiling, and the office is brightly lit with desks and computers in the background

Arnold (left) with Graciela Morales, vice president, Pfizer Vaccines Lead, Emerging Markets at Pfizer’s headquarters in Manhattan

Swimming With the Funding ‘Sharks’

Pushing the boundaries of science and technology to lead to better health outcomes is a hallmark of the biotechnology field. Arnold and a group of his friends at ϲ have created a platform for students to promote their biotechnology innovations on the world stage.

The group recently founded, a startup incubator at the University aiming to bring together students from diverse fields to launch a new biotech startup each year and compete at thein Paris, which is attended by over 200 venture capital firms.

“Every single year we’ll pick a different project and work with students through all aspects from initial development, brainstorming, idea creation, to the actual wet bench science, which is pretty cutting-edge,” says Arnold.

While he can’t talk specifics about the products currently in development, due to confidentiality, he says they have some interesting projects in the medical device and genetics spheres. The goal of this initiative is to create a marketable biotechnology product that could be sold or introduced to the market. This prototype would be showcased at the iGem competition, where biotechnology projects are presented, primarily serving as a platform for investors. If a venture capital firm sees potential in the prototype, they might purchase the idea and scale it up to a market level.

“This initiative could create jobs for students and potentially lead to the formation of a new company,” says Arnold. “It offers significant opportunities both for career advancement and gaining real-life work experience.”

A Busy Schedule Paves the Way for Medical School

Arnold’s schedule, filled with internships, 22-credit semesters, research, startups and some hockey during his free time, sets the stage for his next ambition: tackling the challenges of medical school. What drives him? Passion.

“I truly love the work,” he says. “I love helping people. I love developing cutting edge technology and working on things that are super interesting and have real-life implications that can make the world a better place.”

By getting used to a busy schedule now, he anticipates managing the demands of medical school while continuing biotechnology entrepreneurial ventures.

“This is my way of unwinding. It’s how I take my mind off school,” he says. “I’ll always be deeply involved in the biotech industry, no matter where I end up. I love the research and the opportunities it can create for people.”

]]> How ECS Alumna Carey Smith G’91 Became a Transformative Leader /blog/2025/04/04/how-ecs-alumna-carey-smith-g91-became-a-transformative-leader/ Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:45:27 +0000 /?p=208932 Even when she was just starting out, Carey Smith G’91 knew management was the direction she wanted to take her career. Like many promising young engineers, she wanted to work at IBM and took a position as a systems engineer at their Owego, New York site right after she graduated from Ohio Northern University with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

IBM’s Owego site supported special operations, and she worked on avionics system engineering and software development. She would be involved with a system throughout its entire life cycle from design and development to integration and testing. That broad view of problem solving and mission effectiveness helped inspire a desire in her to lead.

The image shows a person standing indoors. They are wearing a navy blue pinstripe blazer over a bright yellow top. The background features wooden steps and green cushioned seats, with part of a colorful abstract logo visible on the wall behind.

Carey Smith

“Engineering gives you a background,” says Smith. “The ability to ask questions. You have the technical background to ask the right questions.”

Smith decided to take advantage of a unique partnership between IBM and ϲ. Engineering and Computer Science faculty would travel to IBM’s campus twice a week and teach classes onsite for IBM employees who wanted to earn a master’s degree while they were working.

“It was a very good program and allowed me to move forward with my education while still working at IBM,” says Smith. “ϲ is such a well-regarded university and the faculty were outstanding.”

Her first move into management was as a flight simulation engineering department manager at IBM. That led to managerial promotions at IBM and then leadership roles with Loral Corporation (acquired IBM Federal), Lockheed Martin (acquired Loral) and Honeywell. In 2016, she joined Parsons as president of the company’s Federal Business Unit. She was promoted to chief operating officer (COO) in 2018, president and COO in 2019, assumed the role of chief executive officer in 2021, and now serves as Parsons Corporation’s Chair, President and CEO.

Her first three years as CEO of Parsons Corporation marked a significant chapter in the company’s evolution from a traditional engineering firm to an advanced technology leader in national security and critical infrastructure. Since assuming the role of CEO in 2021, Smith has steered the organization through substantial growth and transformation.

Under Smith’s leadership, Parsons embraced digital solutions and technology innovation. She has strategically focused the company on high-growth markets, high profit and enduring markets including space and missile defense, cyber and intelligence, critical infrastructure protection, transportation, environmental remediation and urban development. She also initiated internal research and development and acquired 14 technology-differentiated companies since 2017 to be an industry leader in applying innovation and technology across Parsons’ global infrastructure and national security portfolios. This forward-thinking approach has helped Parsons secure significant contracts and expand its market presence.

“I have tried to look at our customer’s emerging challenges and define solutions to meet their needs,” says Smith. “Not things that have been done before. We’re about starting with a clean piece of paper.”

Parsons unique position as a global leader in both national security and global infrastructure allows them to offer coordinated services that are in high demand.

“Utilities, water companies, transportation and health care have to be protected against cyber threats. We are a unique company that has the domain understanding for example of how a rail and transit system works coupled with the cyber capabilities to protect the domain,” says Smith.

Parsons has achieved remarkable business growth and financial performance in the past three years. The company’s strategic acquisitions have expanded its capabilities and market reach. This growth strategy has been balanced with organic expansion and internal innovation initiatives. Smith credits the company’s outstanding performance to the hard work and dedication of Parsons’ nearly 20,000 employees in 50 states and 20+ countries around the globe. Her leadership style combines strategic business acumen with a deep understanding of the importance of human capital in driving organizational success.

“I wanted to create a person first culture,” says Smith. “Our leadership supports employees.”

While Parsons is well positioned for the future, Smith is still prioritizing growth, innovation and emerging technologies. She believes her engineering background has been key to her success in navigating change while leading a global corporation. She encourages young engineers and computer scientists who are considering management roles to gain as much experience as they can on a company’s business side.

“You have to have strong technical acumen along with strong business acumen,” says Smith. “That’s the way I operate–with a focus on delivering results.”

While she took all her classes remotely, Smith is still proud of her connection to ϲ and the important role it played in her career journey.

“I’m always proud to be a ϲ alum. It is a wonderful university.”

]]> Improving Quality of Life for Post-Stroke Patients /blog/2025/04/01/improving-quality-of-life-for-post-stroke-patients/ Tue, 01 Apr 2025 13:41:30 +0000 /?p=208711 A painless and non-invasive pulse of electrical stimulation to specific brain areas can ease some symptoms of post-stroke patients, though how it works remains a physiological mystery.

A pilot study of a post-stroke population by researchers from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders revealed some potential benefits of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on attention and fatigue. Study findings were published in .

Researchers worked with 10 stroke survivors (average age: 62.8) participating in two sessions spaced at least three days apart. They were all diagnosed with post-stroke aphasia, a language disorder that results from a stroke injury.

Each session began with an attention test as researchers recorded brain activity through electroencephalography and tracked pupil size. Participants received an attention-training exercise with either real tDCS or a placebo version. Afterward, they repeated the initial attention test.

The image shows a person with curly, dark red hair wearing glasses and a gray shirt. The background features a window with blinds partially open, allowing light to enter the room.

Hannah Rembrandt

“If you can find a way to improve their attention, it can help other areas of their life,” says Hannah Rembrandt, first co-author and Ph.D. student in the , directed by, associate professor and principal investigator of the study.

Understanding post-stroke attention is crucial because it is a foundation of executive functioning, which includes memory, language and planning.

The ϲ study, however, yielded mixed results. The participants who received real tDCS showed significantly larger pupil dilation, which could be expected to correlate with improved attention. Pupil dilation reveals the activation of the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine pathway, a brain system involved in attention. Researchers wanted to learn if pupil dilation measurements could be a physiological marker for assessing its effectiveness.

Yet the actual treatment did not benefit patients in measurable attention tests.

“We hypothesize that attention did not improve because there were too few sessions of the treatment,” says Rembrandt. “Other research has suggested that it is more effective when you use it for multiple sessions.”

The image shows a 1x1 mini-CT device placed on a wooden surface. The device has a white rectangular body with a small screen at the top and a numeric keypad below it, featuring numbers 0-9 and additional buttons for power and other functions. Connected to the device is an electronic component with wires attached, which appears to be part of the setup. The component includes a circuit board mounted on a transparent plastic frame labeled "FRONT."

A Transcranial direct current stimulation device.

An intriguing finding is when participants received the real stimulation, they felt less fatigued after the attention test than when they received the placebo. The study suggests that tDCS might help reduce fatigue by affecting specific brain pathways. The participants rated their general level of fatigue on a scale of zero to 100 at the beginning and the end of the session.

“If you do a lot of mental activity, we’d expect fatigue to increase,” says Rembrandt. “That tDCS mediated an increase shows a lot of promise to help combat fatigue.”

Rembrandt says more studies are needed to determine whether the treatment could serve as a reliable tool for post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation.

“This is a step forward into understanding exactly how this treatment has been able to help people, and we are looking forward to continuing this work and learning more,” says Rembrandt.

Story by John H. Tibbetts

]]> A&S Chemist Develops Ultrasensitive Molecular Force Sensors /blog/2025/03/27/as-chemist-develops-ultrasensitive-molecular-force-sensors/ Thu, 27 Mar 2025 13:47:56 +0000 /?p=208638 Professor in the has developed molecules that undergo mechanochemical transformations, which could be used to report nanoscale stress in plastics and help scientists study mechanobiology processes.

Plastic components are commonly used in infrastructure and transportation that we depend on—from water and sewer pipes to planes, trains and automobiles. But plastic materials experience stresses that degrade them over time. That’s why plastics in many critical applications are replaced on pre-set schedules, which is expensive but crucial for maintenance and public safety.

A professor smiles while posing for a headshot.

Xiaoran Hu

“When mechanical forces cause stress and deformation that go unnoticed in the plastic engineered parts of an airplane, for instance, it can cause significant consequences that we want to avoid,” says Xiaoran Hu, assistant professor of chemistry and member of the .

Supported by the University and the American Chemical Society (ACS) Petroleum Research Fund, Hu and his team have created new molecules that someday could cut down on these risks and expenses. Mechanophores are molecules that respond to mechanical stress by changing characteristics such as their colors, and their incorporation into plastic components could enable visualization of mechanical stress. Hu’s team developed exceptionally sensitive mechanophore molecules—called “configurational mechanophores,”—that undergo mechanochemical isomerization reactions. The activated material can exhibit a color to indicate that a mechanical event has happened in a component. This visible signal would be useful in applications such as autonomous damage monitoring of materials.

“These new molecules could enable research into previously unobservable mechanical events in different materials, including synthetic plastics and biomaterials,” Hu says.

The image illustrates a mechanosensitive material that changes color when force is applied. The top section shows a chemical structure with the label "131 pN (1.31 x 10^-10 newtons)" and two test tubes, one clear and one pink, indicating color change upon mechanical activation. The middle section lists potential applications: (1) Self-reporting plastics for critical infrastructure, vehicle/aircraft components, and motion-tracking wearables; (2) Mechanobiology studies. The bottom section depicts a schematic of traction forces acting on a cell with arrows indicating mechanosensing.

Ultrasensitive molecular force sensors facilitate structural health monitoring in plastic components and could enable scientists to investigate previously unobservable mechanical events in biological systems.

The ϲ team’s mechanophores are unique. According to a new study in the Journal of the ACS, their chemical transformation is triggered by minus mechanical forces as low as 131 piconewtons, which is below what is required to trigger any other mechanochemical reactions known up to date. For comparison, mechanochemical reactions involving carbon-carbon bond scission typically require nanonewton scale of forces (1 nanonewton = 1000 piconewton). Hu’s mechanophores, on the other hand, are more sensitive than the tiny forces relevant in many biological molecules, such as the unzipping of DNA strands (~300 pN), the unfolding of protein domains, and the breaking of antibody-antigen bonds (~150-300 pN). The new mechanophores could be effective tools in biology, allowing scientists to study stress changes at the nanoscale that were previously unobservable or difficult to measure. This could lead to a better understanding of how mechanical forces influence and regulate various processes in biology.

Additionally, unlike most traditional mechanophores, which are prone to damage by heat or light, the new molecules are stable upon thermal and light exposure, and therefore are well suited for applications in different complex environments.

Hu’s research on configurational mechanophores paves the way for the development of mechano-responsive materials with unprecedented mechanosensitivity. These materials could enable the study of previously unobservable nanoscale mechanical behaviors, playing a crucial role in advancing our understanding across scientific disciplines ranging from polymer physics, materials science, to mechanobiology.

“Our lab is developing the next-generation molecular force sensors with further enhanced mechanosensitivity and capable of exhibiting fluorescence signals or other functional responses,” Hu says. “We also aim to apply our mechanophores to different materials platforms such as mechanosensitive elastomers and paints to develop safer and smarter plastics that autonomously monitor and report mechanical damage. Additionally, we will explore the potential of these molecular force sensors to investigate cellular processes in the future.”

Story by John H. Tibbetts

]]> Aerospace Engineering Student Tatiyyanah Nelums ’25 Joins Patti Grace Smith Fellowship /blog/2025/03/24/aerospace-engineering-student-tatiyyanah-nelums-25-joins-patti-grace-smith-fellowship/ Tue, 25 Mar 2025 01:14:50 +0000 /?p=208573 Tatiyyanah Nelums

Tatiyyanah Nelums

Aerospace engineering student Tatiyyanah Nelums ’25was selected by the national nonprofit Patti Grace Smith Fellowship as a member of its latest cohort. The program is designed to support the careers of Black aerospace leaders. As part of the fellowship, Nelums will participate in a challenging summer aerospace internship at one of America’s leading aerospace companies. They will also receive a scholarship, personalized mentorship and access to a community of young Black professionals pursuing careers in aerospace.

Nelums conductsresearch in computational fluid dynamics and aims to work in the commercial space sector. Theyare the co-president of the ϲ branch of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and serve as the aerodynamics and propulsion lead for ϲ’s AIAA Design/Build/Fly team.As part of the fellowship, Nelums will be working at the research and development company Draper during the summer.

“Tatiyyanah’s fellowship is a recognition of their academic achievement and leadership skills as demonstrated during their studies in ϲ. As their instructor in airbreathing and rocket propulsion, I can attest that they are well-equipped to succeed in the aerospace field. This award further sets them on that path to success,” says Ben Akih Kumgeh, associate professor and aerospace engineering undergraduate program director.

“Being a part of this fellowship is an amazing opportunity, and I am proud to be included in such an amazing program,” says Nelums. “It is not often that I get to interact with people in my field who look like me, so this representation matters a lot to me.”

]]> How Robotic Rehabilitation Devices Transform People’s Lives /blog/2025/03/21/how-robotic-rehabilitation-devices-transform-peoples-lives/ Fri, 21 Mar 2025 17:47:21 +0000 /?p=208510 The image shows a person holding a mechanical device in what appears to be a laboratory or workshop setting. The device seems to be part of an engineering or robotics project, and the room contains various pieces of equipment and tools.

Evan Tulsky in the Bionics, Systems and Controls Lab (Photo by Alex Dunbar)

Observing his father’s work in physical therapy research and cognition tests, Evan Tulsky’s ’24 interest in robotics and rehabilitation took shape at a young age. He recognized the crucial role that rehabilitation devices play in transforming people’s lives, motivating him to pursue research in this field while attending the College of . This path would lead him to the Bionics, Systems and Controls (BSC) Lab, an interdisciplinary research space centered around robotics and rehabilitation.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of control systems, dynamics and rehabilitative devices,” says Tulsky, a mechanical engineering graduate student. “I was raised around research, and this was the best place for it. This is a really cool lab.”

Led by Victor Duenas, assistant professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering, the BSC Lab focuses on individuals who have had strokes or other neurological conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord or nerves. Tulsky joined the lab as an undergraduate research assistant and is now pursuing his Ph.D., where he’s been building devices that support hip, foot and ankle movements.

Because the muscles and joints in the lower body work together, problems in one area can impact the others during movement. A robotic ankle-foot device and hip exoskeleton could help individuals with hip and knee issues since ankle pain can put stress on the hip and knee.

“If you’re working on an ankle and hip device, you’re working on the entire leg—they’re interconnected,” says Tulsky. “The goal is to develop devices that support all three joints and different movements.”

The lower limb exoskeleton—a wearable device that helps with walking, standing and other lower limb bodily functions—is the latest project in development in the BSC Lab, which Tulsky has been assisting with. This exoskeleton will give individuals with spinal cord injuries or strokes balance and flexibility, allowing them to rotate their legs naturally around their pelvis and hip area.

“Most exoskeletons don’t focus on foot placement and balance,” Tulsky explains. “People with spinal cord injuries can’t land on their foot well. With this device, we’re trying to make motions as natural as possible and help people regain their confidence.”

Tulsky’s graduate studies build upon his research in muscle activity, particularly electromyography (EMG). EMG measures the electrical activity of muscles and nerves and is a great way to assess the health of nerves and muscles that allow movement and other bodily functions. He would present a research paper on EMG and muscle activity in the ankle and foot at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Conference on Controls, Technology and Applications. The conference took place in England in 2024.

The BSC Lab conducts research in collaboration with the ϲ Veterans Affairs Medical Center since the University has a well-established history with the veteran population. Tulsky has been honored as the Richard A. Bernard Scholar for his efforts in assisting the disabled population and received recognition for the best thesis in engineering.

“My journey is driven by a deep-seated passion to leverage technology for enhancing human health and quality of life,” Tulsky says. “I aspire to continue contributing to innovations that advance the field of rehabilitative robotics and empower individuals facing physical limitations.”

]]> Philanthropy That Brings Outside the Box Thinking to the Student Experience /blog/2025/03/14/philanthropy-that-brings-outside-the-box-thinking-to-the-student-experience/ Fri, 14 Mar 2025 21:24:54 +0000 /?p=208332 two people standing side by side

Kim and Mike Venutolo

Michael “Mike” Venutolo ’77 and his wife, Kim, vividly remember sharing an eight-hour bus ride through the 110-degree desert in the United Arab Emirates with a half dozen engineering students from ϲ. Mike had helped design a novel two-week internship experience to expose the students to issues involved in producing and transporting potable water hundreds of miles across the desert. It was the kind of experiential learning that the Venutolos have supported through their philanthropy. The kind that directly and rapidly transforms the student experience.

“In the many hours we spent together, we learned so much about their lives and hopes and dreams,” says Kim. “These students come from all walks of life and many of them don’t have the funding they need to help them get where they want to go.” The desire to directly help students “get where they want to go” is the motivation behind their recent gifts to the Forever Orange Campaign for ϲ and what has become a nearly $2 million legacy in philanthropy that can only be described as “outside the box” thinking by a dedicated alumnus who describes himself as “atypical.”

Venutolo, who was appointed to the University Board of Trustees in 2022, came from modest means—his father was a plumber, and he grew up in a New Jersey town where many teens went to vocational and technical high schools to learn trade skills. “I grew up in a household filled with experiences,” says Venutolo. “There was a lot less learning from textbooks and a lot more learning from doing what my parents and grandparents did.”

His parents insisted that he go to college, but he says he didn’t do very well—until he met a counselor who helped him identify a field where he could excel (civil engineering) and a few professors who spent the time to support his success.

The atypical student became an atypical graduate, taking his engineering degree overseas to work in Saudi Arabia. “I was a junior engineer, working on a multibillion-dollar project building the world’s first major desalination plant,” Venutolo says. “We had no Google. If we had a critical question, we had to drive two hours to the closest telegraph office. It was hands-on problem solving.”

Venutolo would spend more than four decades living overseas, building a successful career and creating a company that became a worldwide leader in engineering and construction services. Living in the Gulf region and England, he was disconnected from the Orange community, but decided to attend his 30th class reunion and forge a new bond to bring his international experience to benefit his alma mater. He helped originate the Middle East Regional Council and engaged his company, Raymond International Pipeline Services Group, in the design and implementation of summer internships for civil and environmental engineering students.

seven people in safety vests and hard hats standing

The Venutolos designed and supported engineering internship experiences, which included this group of six students who went to a site in Kuwait in 2014.

In a 2012 article published in the American Society for Engineering Education, ϲ professors credited Venutolo with “helping to create and support another model for successful development of future global engineers.” The article, titled “Stepping Outside the Box: Education of Global Engineers,” detailed the significance of this kind of experiential programming. “These programs have provided an essential service to the engineering profession by providing students with a solid foundation of genuine openness, cultural curiosity and cultural understanding, as well as a greater appreciation for the power of communication, interpersonal relationship skills, organization and team membership,” the professors wrote.

Venutolo also supported the creation of a new construction engineering lab in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) in 2016, providing students on campus with a dedicated space for hands-on educational and research initiatives. His appreciation for international experiences and experiential learning is reflected in Venutolo’s most recent philanthropy, pledging nearly $1 million to create or support:

  • Kim and Michael Venutolo ’77 Fund for Experiential Learning to support students studying abroad and the London Center program with particular focus on community and cultural engagement through program-sponsored travel,
  • Kim and Michael Venutolo ’77 Fund for Professional Development to augment the activities of ECS clubs and societies specifically oriented to building professional skills, networking and education through their activities, including student travel to conferences,
  • Kim and Michael Venutolo ’77 Undergraduate Endowment Scholarship to provide scholarship and financial assistance to deserving ECS undergraduates,
  • Kim and Michael Venutolo ’77 Fund for Remembrance and Lockerbie Exchange to support trips to Lockerbie, the Lockerbie Academy and other remembrance related activities and
  • Invention Accelerator Fund, which supports undergraduates as they design, prototype and pitch their inventions.

“We want to make a difference in individual students’ lives, to make it possible to attend a conference or get a passport or get on a plane to the Middle East,” says Venutolo. For his wife, Kim, who never had a chance to get a college degree, helping college students achieve their dreams is particularly satisfying. “I feel like these students try their hardest and we like to help.”

“Mike and Kim have a deep understanding of the importance of experiential learning opportunities to student academic, professional and personal growth, and a passion for supporting these opportunities abroad,” says Erika Wilkens, Ph.D., assistant provost and executive director of ϲ Abroad. “Their generous gift will provide students with invaluable immersive learning experiences in London, Lockerbie and beyond, and enable them to develop global skills that will benefit them for years to come.”

Both Venutolos have been judges for , which encourages the kind of innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that guided Michael in his career development. “Michael has told me that he credits ϲ with his ability to succeed,” says Kim, who went to work after high school in order to help her family financially. Now married nearly 20 years, Michael credits Kim with being “a champion for the underdog” and identifying opportunities for philanthropy that directly help students. “It doesn’t have to be huge dollars,” says Kim. “It’s just got to be from your heart. I love the University that has adopted me. I’ve become Orange.”

“Through these extraordinary gifts, Mike and Kim have given current and future Orange students the chance to pursue a life-changing education: an education that is distinctive in the way it fosters innovation and professional growth,” says ECS Dean J. Cole Smith. “Thanks to them, ECS will now be able to provide new life-changing scholarships, support experiential learning initiatives through our engineering and computing clubs and organizations, and devise groundbreaking inventions through our invention accelerator program, Invent@SU.”

“When we can talk to the students, see what they are inventing or touch what they are building, that’s what gets us excited,” says Venutolo. Now that he is based in the states (he and Kim live in New Jersey), he has more access to the students and more reasons to visit campus as a University Trustee. “I’m really honored and proud to be part of the group. I’m enjoying bringing an international perspective and more outside the box thinking.”

four people seated at table

The Venutolos’ philanthropy helps support such initiatives as Invent@SU.

]]> In Memory of Renowned Chemical Engineering Alum Andreas Acrivos ’50 /blog/2025/03/12/in-memory-of-renowned-chemical-engineering-alum-andreas-acrivos-50/ Wed, 12 Mar 2025 19:56:15 +0000 /?p=208291 person standing against a whiteboard

Andreas Acrivos

The College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) noted the passing of chemical engineering alumnus Andreas Acrivos ’50, on Feb. 17, 2025. Acrivos was recognized by the American Institute of Physics as one of the greatest fluid dynamicists of the 20th century and was a leading figure in the chemical engineering field.

Born in Greece, he came to the U.S. to study at the University on a fellowship and received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1950. He earned a Ph.D. degree from the University of Minnesota in 1954 and began his academic career as a faculty member in chemical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, shortly after.

In 1962, he moved to the newly formed chemical engineering department at Stanford University and played a major role in bringing the chemical engineering program to national prominence. In 1986, Acrivos became the Albert Einstein Professor of Science and Engineering and the director of the Benjamin Levich Institute for Physico-Chemical Hydrodynamics at the City College of New York, where he worked until his retirement in 2001.

Acrivos won numerous awards and recognitions for his research. He was a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Arts and Sciences. He served as editor-in-chief of the scientific journal Physics of Fluids from 1982 to 1997. He received the National Medal of Science from President George Bush in 2002 and was awarded honorary doctor of science degrees from several universities. During his long academic career, he also mentored numerous students, many of whom distinguished themselves in academia and the industry.

“The two-quarter course that Professor Acrivos taught at Stanford was the most memorable course I ever took in my entire education,” says biomedical and chemical engineering professor Ashok Sangani, who was one of Acrivos’ graduate advisees. “The course was so good that I have been teaching the same material at ϲ over the past 40 years even though there is a lot of temptation to add more. It was simply a classic!”

As a fitting tribute to his monumental mentorship, the American Physical Society named its annual award for the outstanding doctoral dissertation in fluid dynamics after Acrivos. Since 2014, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers has also given the Andreas Acrivos Award for Professional Progress in Chemical Engineering to individuals who have made significant contributions to chemical engineering.

Acrivos’s enduring legacy is reflected in his stellar academic family, which spans approximately four generations of scholars teaching at various universities across the United States and the world. Additionally, he was a great support of ECS and its commitment to providing its students with transformative learning experiences. His impact will be felt for generations to come.

]]> In the Return Phase of Life: Giving Back to the University That Launched His Career /blog/2025/03/11/in-the-return-phase-of-life-giving-back-to-the-university-that-launched-his-career/ Tue, 11 Mar 2025 22:11:29 +0000 /?p=208265 person holding piece of round metal standing next to a bookcase

John Chawner ’84 holds a disk of aluminum that was part of a testing device for supersonic airflow he created during his time at the University. Chawner recently provided a gift to establish a new endowed professorship.

In his home office, John Chawner ’84 proudly displays a disk of aluminum dated “4-8-84.” It is a treasured memento from his days at ϲ and, in many ways, it is symbolic of his approach to service and philanthropy to his alma mater, which includes a recent gift establishing a new endowed professorship. Chawner vividly recalls assembling a 100-foot-long shock tube, a testing device for supersonic airflow, in the basement of Link Hall, assembling it from parts, bolts and instrumentation that was scattered in offices throughout the engineering building. It was part of an independent study project under John LaGraff, then professor of mechanical, aerospace and manufacturing engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

“Creating such a device required open-ended thinking that is critical to learning,” says Chawner, who credits ϲ for laying the foundation for a highly successful career that made possible the generous gift for the professorship. “I feel that I was transformed by my time at the University, from a raw 18-year-old to someone ready to enter the professional world. I want to ensure that today’s students and professors are able to maximize their time at ϲ and enjoy the benefits of higher education.”

Chawner has supported scholarships for deserving students for years, but his latest gift funds an endowed professorship within the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Through the Forever Orange Faculty Excellence Program, the University will match one-third of the gift to ensure that the John R. Chawner Endowed Professorshiphas the resources to support world-class scholars and the research needed to propel their work forward.

Chawner earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering in 1984 and, later, a master’s degree from The University of Texas at Arlington. Immediately after graduation from ϲ, he got a job with General Dynamics in Texas. “I came out of ϲ with a great body of knowledge and raw skills that allowed me to get into the aerospace and defense field at a great time,” says Chawner. “I’m an engineer by degree but I’m a programmer by practice because I got involved in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), which was a brand new software technology back then. A bunch of us 22- to 25-year-olds were given the opportunity to develop this capability from scratch and that launched the rest of my career.”

Cultivating Talent

Chawner would go on to launch Pointwise Inc., which became internationally renowned for developing mesh generation software for CFD in aerospace applications. The technology has been applied to virtually every major military aircraft and spacecraft, including the F-16, F-22, F-35, B-2, and Space Shuttle. After more than 26 years at the helm, Chawner sold Pointwise to Cadence Design Systems where he continued to work until retiring in 2023 and forming his own consulting firm.

“Owning a small business is like agreeing to be punched in the face for a living,” Chawner told an interviewer in a blog on how to become a CFD engineer. In all seriousness, he loved the process of cultivating talent, inspiring creativity in teams, and the continuous learning required to develop and successfully market new technologies. “Everyone wants to pigeonhole engineers,” he says, but he personally defied being defined and found great value in following more than 300 blogs in engineering, business and marketing. He calls himself “an early adopter” of social media and eventually created a very popular blog called Another Fine Mesh to educate and share information.

Chawner is still educating, sharing and inspiring through a company called (he’s the chief gibberish officer), where he attempts to redefine the stereotype of consultants. “What you need is someone with direct experience to guide you through the gibberish with simple, direct and actionable advice. That’s my role,” he says, adding the consulting work allows him to remain relevant, to pass along earned wisdom.

Building Future Engineers

Chawner brings that same wisdom and experience to his role as a member of the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Advisory Board at the College of Engineering and Computer Science and as a member of the Dean’s Leadership Council. “John’s service to the college is invaluable,” says Dean J. Cole Smith. “He has acquired wisdom over the years that has impacted our approach to educating and preparing engineering students for successful careers. His generosity has opened doors, helped build futures and, with this new gift, creates a legacy that will continue to support innovation and creativity for generations to come.”

“I’m a big believer that an engineering education should not be like going to a trade school. It’s about developing the aptitude and ability to learn,” says Chawner, who describes himself as a continuous learner. “An engineering education allows one to be very impactful and I want to enable students and professors to enjoy that. The investment Micron has made in the ϲ region amplifies that impact and essentially multiplies the effect of the gift.”

Chawner says he views philanthropy as a way to give back “to a place that gave me so much in terms of education and other life experiences.” Those “experiences” include his wife, Cathy, of nearly 40 years, whom he met “at a mixer” during freshman year. They lived in the same dorm and share many memories, including the first football games in the then-Carrier Dome.

Those were the years in the first phase of life, says Chawner—the learning phase, which is followed by the earning phase, and finally, the returning phase. Learn, earn, return. “I’m in the return phase where I give back what I’ve learned and earned,” he says.

]]> Smart Cities Research @ SU Holds First Workshop /blog/2025/03/07/smart-cities-research-su-holds-first-workshop/ Fri, 07 Mar 2025 12:45:02 +0000 /?p=208204 A person standing behind a podium next to a video screen on the wall. People in chairs at tables facing the speaker.On Feb. 14, ϲ Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems (ϲCoE) hosted the first Smart Cities Research @ SU workshop, led by , associate professor at the School of Information Studies (iSchool). Professor Erdogan is one of the recipients of a 2024 ϲCoE Faculty Fellow award. This past year, ϲCoE to support 11 research and innovation projects led by faculty members from ϲ and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Erdogan is the director of the , an interdisciplinary research hub focused on the interaction of human, physical and natural systems and on connecting the interdependencies between them. The center seeks to leverage information science and digital technologies to inform public policy, advancing sustainability and resiliency.

Professor Erdogan’s Faculty Fellow project, “Smart Cities Research Network Development for Sustainable and Resilient Communities,” aims to bring together faculty members, government agencies, and community partners to develop an institutional framework for smart cities research. A smart city is one that utilizes sensor networks, advanced Information Communication Technologies (ICT), Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, big data analytics and cloud computing to deliver services more efficiently and improve quality of life for residents. The applications can span almost all aspects of city governance including but not limited to mobility, resilience and disaster response, environmental monitoring, energy efficiency, engagement and community, economic development, housing, waste management and more.

The Feb. 14 event was the first of two workshops supported by this Faculty Fellow award. With a strong interdisciplinary approach, the workshop engaged faculty from the School of Information Studies (the iSchool), the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, the School of Architecture and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Government stakeholders also attended, including representatives from the City of ϲ’s Office of the Mayor and from the ϲ Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC).

To kick off the workshop, Professor Erdogan, along with iSchool Associate Dean for Research and ϲCoE Executive Director , gave opening remarks. Jennifer Tifft, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the City of ϲ, and Vincent Scipione, Director of Digital Services for the City of ϲ, shared relevant initiatives and research needs at the municipal level. Faculty from across SU then gave lightning talks to highlight ongoing scholarship. also facilitated a working session to identify research themes and areas for potential collaboration.

“This workshop was a crucial step in establishing a collaborative foundation for smart city research at SU and positioning the university as a leader in smart city innovations,” says Erdogan. “At its core, this initiative is about using technology and data for social good, about creating sustainable and resilient communities. Meaningful smart city research begins with collaboration, which is why bringing together key community members was essential.”

“In this first workshop, we focused on engaging faculty and government partners, leveraging our collaboration with the City of ϲ to identify critical problems, develop potential real-world applications, and explore how ϲ can help lead in smart city innovation. Looking ahead, our next workshop will expand this effort by engaging community organizations and industry partners. We want to build a research network that actively listens to and serves the community, ensuring technology is used to meet real needs.”

“ϲCoE is pleased to host and support this and future workshops on smart cities research and collaborations,” says Zhang. “In collaboration with our academic, industrial and community partners, ϲCoE is establishing a multiscale air quality, stormwater, and energy flow monitoring system testbed across ϲ. The multiscale testbed and its near-real-time data will open ample opportunities for both academic research and industrial innovations in the development of smart city technologies and systems, including preliminary results that support applications for externally sponsored collaborative research projects.”

Faculty who are interested in joining the second Smart Cities Research @ SU workshop should contact Professor Sevgi Erdogan at serdogan@syr.edu.

]]> MakerSpace Helps Turn Creative Dreams Into Reality /blog/2025/03/05/makerspace-helps-turn-creative-dreams-into-reality/ Wed, 05 Mar 2025 17:09:08 +0000 /?p=208053 The image shows a person wearing a gray and orange shirt and a cap, operating a machine in what appears to be a print shop or workshop. The background features various rolls of colored vinyl or paper stacked on shelves. The machine the person is using has multiple spools of thread, indicating it might be an embroidery or printing machine.

At the intersection of curiosity and technology sits the , a thought-provoking environment where members of the University community can come together to work on creative artistic projects while sharing interests, ideas and technological knowledge.

A person poses for a headshot.

Mike d’Amore

It’s a space with state-of-the-art equipment where creativity thrives and where ideas become reality, and since January, the first floor of the Marshall Square Mall has become the MakerSpace’s new home on campus.

“There’s definitely this misconception about MakerSpace that it is just 3D printing, but this place is so much more than that,” says Mike d’Amore, a MakerSpace student supervisor and second-year graduate student in data science in the School of Information Studies. “It’s a free-flowing, creative spot and there are always cool projects being made. One of my favorites was this cool, see-through, futuristic body of a guitar we made that played nicely on one of our amps.”

From embroidering and laser engraving to soldering electronics and recording music using the space’s myriad instruments, the experienced, the occasional dabbler and the amateur can try their hand at the tools and equipment to bring their ideas to life.

“If you can visualize it, you can build it here at MakerSpace. There is no limit to what we can create,” says John Mangicaro, MakerSpace’s technical lab manager and a 45-year member of the University community. “We encourage students to come in, share their vision and we’ll find a way to make it work. Within half an hour of being here, you can learn how do to everything we do.”

Among the resources available at MakerSpace are the following:

  • A 3D printout of a dragon.Several types of the latest 3D printers
  • A 3D printing area
  • Full color printers
  • Embroidery and sewing equipment
  • A laser engraving area
  • Vinyl cutting and printing
  • Dye sublimation and direct-to-garment machines that can produce stickers or T-shirts
  • Soldering, electronics and other tools
  • Creative software (Adobe Suite, Blender, Bambu Labs, Fusion 360, Inventor, Pro Tools, Simplify3D and Solidworks)
  • A dedicated classroom area for faculty members
  • A music studio, complete with an acoustic, bass and electric guitar, electronic drum set, keyboard, microphones and other musical instruments for live performances, and a recording room with ProTools Mixing Software to capture those performances.
A man smiles while posing for a headshot.

John Mangicaro

MakerSpace is entirely student-driven, and the new location is an evolved version of the former space, says Mangicaro.

A student smiles while posing for a headshot.

Matt Lustrino

Student workers like d’Amore, Matt Lustrino ’25 and Zoe Power ’28 make sure the facility runs smoothly. They strive to provide a seamless experience for the campus community, tracking every project, organizing and cleaning up the different creative spaces and following up with progress reports at the end of each shift.

“I’ve been a maker for some time as a hobby, doing soldering, 3D printing and music projects, so to find an environment on campus like MakerSpace that had all of those elements, it was the perfect fit for a job,” says Lustrino, who is studying information management and technology in the iSchool with a concentration in cybersecurity.

“MakerSpace is such a cool place. The potential for what we can create here is limitless. It’s also a great environment for meeting other creative people,” says Power, who is studying geology in the .

MakerSpace has evolved into an essential campus resource, one that impacts students, faculty and staff members. Leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, MakerSpace tracked roughly 1,900 jobs per calendar year. Last year, that figure rose to 3,400 work orders. So far this year, MakerSpace has finished more than 550 projects and is on-pace for a record-setting year.

A student poses for a headshot.

Zoe Power

The move to the new location has also helped with visibility and awareness. In just their first two weeks in the new space, Mangicaro says the number of projects being handled was up 60% compared to the same time frame last year.

“I’m a terminal tinkerer. I love fixing and building things, I love people and I love working with the creative students here. This place is truly special,” says Mangicaro, who built the first iteration of MakerSpace 12 years ago in the Kimmel Hall Computer Lab.

The campus community is invited to an , from 3 to 5 p.m. MakerSpace’s resources are available to members of the campus community with a valid SU I.D. The academic year hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

]]> Micron Day Offers Opportunity to Explore, Learn About Micron Technology and ϲ Collaboration /blog/2025/02/27/micron-day-offers-opportunity-to-explore-learn-about-micron-technology-and-syracuse-university-collaboration/ Thu, 27 Feb 2025 22:54:45 +0000 /?p=207921 The first Micron Day, held at ϲ Feb. 25, showcased the innovation and growing momentum of the technology company’s transformative investment in the community and the deep connections being made with the University and Central New York.

“Today is more than just the event. It’s about building a future, a future where innovation thrives, where opportunities abound and where our community prospers,” said Jeff Rubin, senior vice president for digital transformation and chief digital officer, during his welcoming remarks. “And at the heart of the future is the powerful synergy between ϲ and Micron.”

Micron Day participant tries a VR headset

A Micron Day participant tries on a virtual reality headset. (Photo by ana gil studios)

As part of Micron’s $100 billion plan to transform the Central New York(CNY) community into the nation’s leading producer of semiconductor fabrications, the University is a key collaborator in building and training the workforce for Micron’s leading-edge memory megafab in Clay, New York.

Micron Day brought together hundreds of University faculty, staff and students; community members; local high school students and Micron employees to explore the collaboration between the University and Micron Technology and learn about the opportunities Micron is bringing to Central New York.

The day included a number of panel presentations and exhibitions featuring University programs and degrees and community organizations. One of the day’s highlights was the announcement by Micron and the University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) that 90 transitioning servicemembers, veterans and military spouses have achieved a certificate of completion in semiconductors through IVMF’s Onward to Opportunity program.

Alumni Contribute to Micron’s Mission

An alumni panel, moderated by Sarah Newton-Klitz, Micron’s director of strategic workforce programs, was composed of three University alumni: Kim Burnett ’91 (Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics), Micron’s lead for K-12 STEM education outreach; Joe Nehme ’11 (Whitman School of Management), senior manager of external affairs; and Savion Pollard ’25 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), equipment engineer. Pollard, a U.S. Navy veteran, was Micron’s first Central New York hire.

Micron Day alumni panelists Kim Burnett '91, Savion Pollard '25 and Joe Nehme '11

Micron Day alumni panelists Kim Burnett ’91, Savion Pollard ’25 and Joe Nehme ’11

Burnett’s education includes child development, industrial and labor relations, business and science education, including a long career as a teacher. Nehme works with stakeholders to advocate for the company as federal, state and local governments begin to take a more active role in reshoring semiconductor manufacturing. Pollard is a current senior in ECS, majoring in electrical engineering with a minor in computer science. That, combined with his experience in the U.S. Navy, has helped him build skills that prepared him well for the semiconductor industry.

“You can see here that this is just a sampling of the different job opportunities that Micron has available,” said Newton-Klitz. “And when I think about even the experience at Micron, it really is a little city that has a variety of jobs that we need.”

Burnett has experienced the power of a good job has on the experience of a family. “I want to be sure that folks, particularly children, have an opportunity for a good paying job,” she says.

Nehme is an Upstate New York native and has seen the manufacturing that has been lost in the region over the years. “To work for a company that is committed to reshoring semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States, in my hometown, I saw no better opportunity,” he said.

All of the panelists said their time at ϲ prepared them well for their roles at Micron. “So much of my time in Whitman was built around working in teams, collaborating with others; to troubleshoot and solve problems,” Nehme said. “And those are all things that I deal with and that we look at every day in my role here at Micron.”

Their advice for students? Focus on your passion and the things that you like out of the activities that you do. Continue to invest in yourself, be open, curious and coachable.

Fireside Chat on What’s Ahead

Micron Day Fireside chat with three participants

J. Michael Haynie (center), the University’s vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive dean of the Whitman School of Management, moderated a discussion with Scott Gatzemeier, Micron’s corporate vice president for front-end U.S. expansion, and April Arnzen, Micron’s executive vice president and chief people officer and president of the Micron Foundation. (Photo by ana gil studios)

To close out the day, J. Michael Haynie, the University’s vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive dean of the Whitman School of Management, moderated a discussion with April Arnzen, Micron’s executive vice president and chief people officer and president of the Micron Foundation, and Scott Gatzemeier, Micron’s corporate vice president for front-end U.S. expansion, to talk about what’s ahead.

The future for the semiconductor industry, Gatzemeier said, is in artificial intelligence. “That’s what’s driving huge amounts of demand for our product and also customization and collaboration with a number of partners in our space that we’re very, very excited about watching this growth continue,” he said.

That growth requires a workforce of epic proportions throughout the industry. “We started partnering early,” said Arnzen. “We know it is going to be a challenge, and so scaling up existing pathways—engineering, science and math programs—is going to be very important. Creating new pathways and opportunities for people to access these careers is part of our strategy as well.”

The University is one of four nationwide university networks that Micron works with to modernize the curriculum and create hands-on learning opportunities to build a talent pipeline.

Arnzen said one of the differentiating factors for Central New York region and the University was the commitment to veterans and those transitioning from military service. “We knew that this ecosystem existed and the know-how existed as well,” she said.

Haynie talked about the role of community, alluding to a previous reference as the Micron project as Central New York’s “Erie Canal moment.”

“We know that a healthy and thriving community is important for a healthy and thriving business,” Arnzen said. “This is definitely an Erie Canal moment, both for this community and frankly, for Micron too. We have the opportunity to do this well, to do it right and make sure that this lasts for decades to come.”

]]> University and ANDRO Awarded Navy Contract for AI Spectrum Research /blog/2025/02/10/university-and-andro-awarded-navy-contract-for-ai-spectrum-research/ Mon, 10 Feb 2025 16:33:28 +0000 /?p=207452 ϲ, in collaboration with ANDRO Computational Solutions, LLC, Marconi-Rosenblatt AI Innovation Lab of Rome, has been awarded a Phase II Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) research contract by the Office of Naval Research valued at approximately $2 million. This project focuses on pioneering research to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) deep learning technologies to enhance radio spectrum utilization in challenging conditions.

side-by-side photos of Pramod Varshney and Biao Chen

Pramod Varshney and Biao Chen

The project is led by Anu Jagannath, ANDRO chief scientist and chief research officer, and Jithin Jagannath, ANDRO chief scientist and chief technology officer. The lead project team at ANDRO also includes Senior Scientist Sabarish Krishna Moorthy, with support from ϲ professors Biao Chen and Pramod Varshney from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Their expertise contributes valuable insights into advanced signal processing and distributed systems modeling for the project.

The collaboration between ANDRO and ϲ showcases the power of academic-industry partnerships in tackling complex challenges. This collaboration has persisted for over 30 years and has benefited over the years from support from the Center for Advanced Systems and Engineering, a NYSTAR-designated Center for Advanced Technology. Under the STTR contract, the team is well-prepared to provide innovative solutions for both military and commercial applications. This venture aims to transform the landscape of intelligent spectrum technologies for various spectrum intelligence use cases.

]]> Student-Athlete Stays Ahead of the Game /blog/2025/02/09/student-athlete-stays-ahead-of-the-game/ Mon, 10 Feb 2025 01:24:10 +0000 /?p=207445 head shot

Liesel Odden (Photo by Alex Dunbar)

Liesel Odden ’24, G’25 knows all too well the challenges of being a student-athlete. One minute she’s in the research labs of Link Hall; the next minute, she’s boarding a bus for an away game in a different state. As the co-captain of the University’s women’s soccer team and a student in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS), Odden juggles these responsibilities much like she juggles soccer balls on the field.

“One of the hardest parts about being a student-athlete is traveling. In the fall semester, over the course of nine days, I was in Texas, Virginia and Florida,” says Odden. “But I’ve learned a lot more about time management since being in college.”

Playing soccer for as long as she can remember, Odden was thrilled to learn that ϲ’s team was in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), widely recognized as the top conference for women’s soccer. And the chance to play her favorite sport while pursuing her research interests was appealing.

“My coaches made this place feel like home, and treated me like family,” she says. “I also saw ϲ had environmental engineering and that, along with research opportunities, was exciting.”

Odden is enrolled in the 4+1 accelerated program for environmental engineering, a combined degree where students complete both a bachelor’s and master’s at the same time in five years, though she will complete both degrees early.

She credits Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Cliff Davidson with helping her discover this accelerated program and though the courseload is rigorous, it’s also been helpful. Online lectures make catching up on work much easier, especially when she’s on the road.

As a research assistant, Odden collaborates with Davidson to analyze survey data on how different organizations respond to extreme weather events caused by climate change. Using information gathered from survey data, they’re attempting to find patterns between locations, organizations and strategies to respond to extreme weather events.

“With climate change, we’re going to be seeing a lot more flooding, droughts, heat waves and other extreme weather events so we need to have better ability to respond,” Odden says. “I think that we can be prepared and respond better if we know how different people and organizations strategize.”

Displaying leadership qualities both on and off the field, Odden has traveled to Mixco, Guatemala, for several summers, leading volunteer teams for Hogars Helping Hands, a nonprofit organization founded by her parents. The nonprofit focuses on supporting orphaned children and the local community, with volunteer groups building stoves, installing concrete floors and painting village homes among other tasks.

With the help of professors Elizabeth Carter and John Trimmer, Odden also aims to establish a student chapter of Engineers Without Borders at the University.

As Odden continues balancing her life as a student-athlete, she relies on her strong support system to achieve her goals and stay ahead of the game.

“I’ve always felt very encouraged by Dr. Davidson. He’s been an incredible mentor to me and I feel like I’ve learned a lot from him. Dr Trimmer and Dr. Carter have also both been super supportive of me as a student-athlete,” says Odden. “In ECS, I have felt very supported and love how much I’ve grown as a student and my passions have been fueled and cared for. After I’m done playing soccer, I’ll have a great environmental engineering background that I can have a career in.”

]]> University to Host Micron Day Feb. 25, Showcasing Innovation, Ongoing Partnerships and Career Paths for Students, Community /blog/2025/02/06/university-to-host-micron-day-feb-25-showcasing-innovation-ongoing-partnerships-and-career-paths-for-students-community/ Thu, 06 Feb 2025 17:51:45 +0000 /?p=207375 campus building during the winter with graphic treatment with text Micron Day, Feb. 25, Schine Student Center, with block S

In further preparation of building the educational infrastructure and advancing innovation to support Micron’s transformational presence in Central New York, ϲ will hold its first on Tuesday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Schine Student Center’s Panasci Lounge and Room 304A, B and C. The University is playing a key role in building and training the workforce of the future—through investments in a state-of-the-art teaching and research facility, attracting top semiconductor manufacturing researchers and faculty, and developing experiential student opportunities—to help power Micron’s leading-edge $100 billion memory megafab in Clay, New York.

The event, open to all University community members and the Central New York community, will focus on how the collaboration between Micron and the University is driving innovation in the semiconductor industry and creating exciting career pathways for students and community members. Attendees will get insights into the future of the semiconductor industry, information on educational and training pathways, and networking opportunities with industry leaders and educators. Those planning to attend are asked to or contact sumicron@syr.edu.

“I encourage any student, faculty or staff member—and members of our greater community—interested in learning more about how the University is engaging with Micron and community partners to come to Micron Day. There will be dynamic speakers, panels and exhibitions that should be both informative and entertaining, as well as networking,” says J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation. “I hope that all participants walk away from Micron Day with a better understanding of the opportunities headed for our university and entire community—as well as a sense of how they can personally be a part of it.”

Highlights of the Day

  • Alumni Perspectives: Valuable insights will be shared through a panel discussion featuring successful Micron employees who are ϲ alumni (9:10 to 9:40 a.m.).
  • Industry Insights: Micron leaders will speak on supply chain innovations (10:05 to 10:40 a.m.), the transformative role of artificial intelligence in gaming (11:05 to 11:40 a.m.) and career opportunities at Micron (12:05 to 12:40 p.m.).
  • Career Pathways: Exhibitors from University schools and colleges, workforce development partners, and community institutions will engage with attendees and inform them about local programs and training opportunities that align with Micron’s workforce needs (all day).
  • Fireside Chat: Haynie will engage in a candid conversation with April Arnzen, Micron’s chief people officer, and Scott Gatzemeier, Micron’s corporate vice president of front-end U.S. expansion, on the company’s commitment to employee growth and development as well as Micron’s investments in the Central New York community to help prepare for the addition of the nearly 50,000 jobs forecasted once their plant is fully constructed (1:05 to 1:40 p.m.).

The event is part of the continuing collaboration between Micron and regional partners, including the University, and will highlight the work being done in advance of the establishment of the company’s state-of-the-art facility. Below, Haynie discusses the work underway and opportunities that will be realized for Central New York.

What does Micron mean for Central New York and ϲ?

One of our elected officials described it as “this generation’s Erie Canal moment,” and I think that is spot on. Micron coming to the region, along with the many supply chain companies that will follow, are an absolute game changer for everyone in Central New York.

This is an $100 billion investment and the impact on our economy will be tremendous—along the lines of 50,000 new jobs. It will lead to growth in population, new business creation and more. This growth will also pose challenges with respect to workforce, housing, child care and other issues, but ϲ stands ready to be part of the solution to make our Erie Canal moment a success for everyone involved.

Describe the collaboration taking place between Micron and ϲ.

ϲ has committed to work as a partner with Micron in support of its New York expansion. The University’s collaboration with Micron is broad and deep, and is supported by many schools, colleges and units. For example, the College of Engineering and Computer Science is expanding aggressively and bringing on more faculty and staff to support more students studying fields that will prepare them for careers in the semiconductor industry.

The Martin J. Whitman School of Management has brought in Micron’s chief people officer to discuss career options for students with a business education background. The D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families is operating semiconductor industry career preparation pipeline programs for veterans and transitioning service members. And the Future Ready Workforce Innovation Consortium is a whole-of-the-university ecosystem of academic, skills training and partnership programs supporting a multi-faceted approach to investing in and providing talent and workforce development in New York state. There are many more examples I could cite, and that goes to highlight we are so fortunate to have great partners in Micron, Onondaga County and several other community organizations.

]]> Forward-Looking Philanthropy Boosts Investment in the College of Engineering and Computer Science /blog/2024/12/20/forward-looking-philanthropy-boosts-investment-in-the-college-of-engineering-and-computer-science/ Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:51:30 +0000 /?p=206437 For many years, William T. “Ted” Frantz ’80, P’13 has been a faithful contributor to his alma mater, donating annually to the (ECS) where he earned an undergraduate degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering. But this year, Frantz made a philanthropic decision and a substantial investment in ECS that is designed to be transformative for the college and the region.

university campus with various buildings

A gift from William T. “Ted” Frantz ’80, P’13 will establish a new endowed chair in engineering and computer science. (Photo by Joey Heslin)

His new gift, which will be partially matched by the University through the Forever Orange Faculty Excellence Program, will establish the William T. Frantz Endowed Chair in Engineering and Computer Science. “The idea for this gift has been simmering for nearly 20 years,” says Frantz. The engineer turned investor, who has studied and invested in many promising concepts and companies, says his newest investment in ECS as part of the was a matter of just-the-right timing.

“The timing is ideal, coming on the heels of Micron Technology’s $100 billion commitment to the region,” says Frantz. He says the partnership opportunities between the technology company and the University are a boon for students, faculty and the wider community. “It’s a great time to invest in the University, the expansion of the engineering program and in the region. These things tend to build on each other.”

Frantz draws similarities to the success of Silicon Valley, where he once worked for Hewlett-Packard. “I witnessed the growth of Silicon Valley and how nearby universities like Stanford, Berkeley and Santa Clara provided the intellectual expertise, engineering and research,” he says. Forward-looking investors seized opportunities brought about by the region’s dynamic partnerships and ingenuity.

New Ideas

Investing in new ideas has always held appeal for Frantz, who has provided capital for companies exploring new computer technologies and biotech firms developing new therapeutics for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes and other diseases. “It’s the challenge of seeing something grow and make a go of it, get off the ground and get bigger,” says Frantz.

The man who loves to see new ideas get off the ground and soar was perhaps inspired at a young age by his neighbors. They were airline pilots who built an aerobatic plane in the garage. A curious young Frantz helped out after school. One of those neighbors was Leo Loudenslager, who was a mechanic in the Air Force and a pilot for American Airlines, but who is best known for winning multiple U.S. Aerobatic Championships. “Leo was innovative,” says Frantz. “The design changes he made shook up the aerobatic community. And he not only built it, he flew it.”

Frantz, who has his own pilot’s license, has combined his passion for flight with his desire to fuel innovation through investment in a significant gift he made to ϲ students and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in 2008. Frantz funded the purchase and upkeep of an advanced flight simulator that would allow students to get hands-on experience with flight vehicles that they designed and to experiment “with the ‘edge of the envelope’ without endangering any persons or property.”

Edge of Innovation

Similarly, Frantz hopes his latest gift will help keep ECS on the edge of innovation, build on past successes and bring greater prestige. He notes that the gift is structured to allow for flexibility in that it is not restricted to a particular aspect or field of engineering. The recipient of the endowed chair will be selected by the dean of the college and hold a term of five years that is renewable. Frantz says flexibility allows the dean to look into the future and identify new fields where investing in faculty expertise would be most promising.

“Ted is a visionary in his approach to philanthropy,” says ECS Dean J. Cole Smith. “His background as both an engineer and investor allows him to look far into the future, to see where technology and creativity can take the next generation of engineers and computer scientists. His generosity is literally helping us shape the future of our program as we address the challenges facing our globe.”

“I’ve been studying the history of ϲ,” says Frantz. “At one point, it was the center of commerce with proximity to the Erie Canal that allowed steel and manufacturing to thrive. But the city did not adjust to change, and new growth industries did not take root and adapt. Now, with Micron’s investment, the city has new opportunities, and ϲ is perfectly situated to take advantage of those opportunities.”

About ϲ

ϲ is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors closes the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what’s possible.

About Forever Orange: The Campaign for ϲ

Orange isn’t just our color. It’s our promise to leave the world better than we found it. Forever Orange: The Campaign for ϲ is poised to do just that. Fueled by more than 150 years of fearless firsts, together we can enhance academic excellence, transform the student experience and expand unique opportunities for learning and growth. Forever Orange endeavors to raise $1.5 billion in philanthropic support, inspire 125,000 individual donors to participate in the campaign, and actively engage one in five alumni in the life of the University. Now is the time to show the world what Orange can do. Visitto learn more.

]]> Automotive Engineering Course Focuses on Vehicle Design and Development /blog/2024/11/25/automotive-engineering-course-focuses-on-vehicle-design-and-development/ Mon, 25 Nov 2024 16:38:04 +0000 /?p=205793 A class in the , automotive engineering (MAE 457), is designed to equip students for careers in the automotive industry and a variety of other fields. This course will ignite students’ curiosity to explore the design and development of different vehicle engines and will be taught by mechanical and aerospace engineering professor . The course will also cover new topics in automotive engineering, including hybrid and electric vehicles.

A professor poses with car parts inside of a classroom.

Mechanical and aerospace engineering professor Andrea Shen is teaching automotive engineering, a course designed to equip students for careers in the automotive industry and a variety of other fields.

Students in MAE 457 will learn about how internal combustion engines work, along with the significance of biofuels, vehicle dynamics and how different factors impact engine performance. They will also have hands-on learning experiences with engines, observing the functions of diesel engines and gasoline engines located in Link Hall. Each student will also complete a project where they conduct research on a vehicle of their choice.

The course will also feature guest speakers from companies such as Space X, Ford, Harley Davidson, Sierra Space, Roush Yates, Cummins and Caterpillar, with students receiving an opportunity to interact with these industry professionals.

“I’m hoping students will gain an appreciation for cars,” says Shen. “They will gain an understanding of all the things that go on in the car and how they interact with each other. I also want to bring awareness on biofuels and the importance of research on combustion engines and automotives in the face of electric vehicles.”

Shen earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Virginia Tech and a Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Engine Research Center. She will incorporate her research focuses on gasoline engines, biofuels, and engine performance as well as creating representative models of different base fuels into the course.

]]> Biology Ph.D. Student Awarded Two Prestigious National Scholarships to Study Fungi’s Role in Forest Health /blog/2024/11/20/biology-ph-d-student-awarded-two-prestigious-national-scholarships-to-study-fungis-role-in-forest-health/ Wed, 20 Nov 2024 14:44:59 +0000 /?p=205596 Eva Legge, a first-year Ph.D. student majoring in biology in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), is one of two researchers nationally to be named a Mollie Beattie Visiting Scholar by the(SAF). The award honors Beattie, who was the first woman to head the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and its aim is to foster diversity in the natural resource professions.

Graduate student Eva Legge performing research in the forest

Eva Legge has been named a Mollie Beattie Visiting Scholar by the Society of American Foresters and was also awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. (Photo courtesy of Eva Legge)

Legge will receive a $10,000 scholarship to pursue her research on the role mycorrhizae play in boosting forest resilience. Mycorrhizae are fungi that grow on the roots of trees and plants and provide mutual benefits. As a Mollie Beattie Visiting Scholar, she will gain valuable professional development and networking opportunities. In addition to connecting with SAF members across the country, she can also submit her research to an SAF journal and collaborate with staff and partners at the SAF headquarters in Washington, D.C.

This latest award comes on the heels of Legge winning afrom the National Science Foundation over the summer. Like the Mollie Beattie award, the NSF fellowship includes a stipend and access to professional development opportunities. According to the NSF program, its mission is to “help ensure the quality, vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States.”

Legge is part of A&S biology professorMycorrhizal Ecology Lab and SUNY ESF ProfessorApplied Forest and Fire Ecology Lab. As a member of these teams, she studies how climate-adaptive forest management, such as timber harvest, assisted tree migration and prescribed fire, affects the symbiotic relationship between fungi and forests. Their goal is to devise strategies to safeguard these crucial yet delicate symbioses, ultimately aiding in the development of effective forest management practices.

“Climate change will likely add to the many stressors facing eastern U.S. forests. However, the positive benefits of fungal partnerships with tree roots can, in certain contexts, increase a forest’s stress tolerance,” Legge said in an.

With this funding, she will continue her research exploring the connection between forest management, mycorrhizal symbioses and seedling success. She hopes to improve management practices and maximize the advantages mycorrhizae offer to “future-adapted” seedlings, thereby enhancing the resilience of America’s forests.

Graduate student Eva Legge and team in Huntington Forest

Eva Legge (second from left) and her team have been conducting their latest field research in Huntington Forest, located in the Adirondacks. (Photo courtesy of Eva Legge)

“Eva is an exceptionally driven graduate student motivated by addressing critical knowledge gaps in forest ecosystem resilience to global change,” says Fernandez. “Her research focuses on the crucial role of belowground dynamics in forest resilience, bridging fundamental ecological research with applied forest management. Her multidisciplinary approach promises to advance both basic scientific understanding and sustainable land management practices in a changing world. I am thrilled to see her outstanding work recognized with these prestigious awards.”

Learn more about theand.

]]> Diving Into an Immersive Experience With Gravitational Waves /blog/2024/11/01/diving-into-an-immersive-experience-with-gravitational-waves/ Fri, 01 Nov 2024 17:01:30 +0000 /?p=205017

Science festivals offer a platform for researchers to demystify complex scientific phenomena and help the public better understand the relevance and importance of their work. By making science accessible to broader audiences, it can also inspire future scientists to pursue careers in STEM.

ϲ postdoctoral researcher Graeme Eddolls (left) and his collaborator Andrew Spencer (right) presenting their research on gravitational waves during the Orkney International Science Festival.

ϲ postdoctoral researcher Graeme Eddolls (left) and his collaborator Andrew Spencer (right) presenting their research on gravitational waves during the Orkney International Science Festival.

Graeme Eddolls, a postdoctoral researcher in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) who works with the (CGWAA), recently attended the in Scotland. The festival regularly draws prominent scientists, historians and experts who share their research with the public in approachable ways. Notably, when it was founded in 1991, it was the world’s second ever science festival, following the renowned Edinburgh Science Festival, which was established in 1989. Eddolls and his collaborators, Andrew Spencer, a lecturer at the University of Glasgow, and Leon Trimble, an audiovisual artist and honorary research associate at the University of Birmingham, presented their “Swimming with Gravitational Waves” project, which includes creative and interactive experiences that connect water, sound and gravitational waves. During the week, they also showcased their “Music of Deep Time” project and hosted booths at an Orkney Festival family event as well as a workshop at Kirkwall Grammar School.

About the Project

Leon Trimble performing at the Swimming with Gravitational Waves event.

Leon Trimble performing at the Swimming with Gravitational Waves event.

To a general audience, the concept of gravitational waves may seem complex and challenging to understand. However, as Eddolls explains, gravitational waves follow similar physics principles as those we observe in everyday phenomena like light, water and sound waves.

Gravitational waves are produced in the aftermath of some of the most energetic processes in the universe, like when black holes or neutron stars collide. These events produce ‘ripples’ in spacetime, a concept which was first predicted by Albert Einstein in his general theory of relativity. By the time these signals reach Earth, they are extremely faint. To detect them, researchers measure laser interference using detectors known as laser interferometers.

When a gravitational wave passes through a detector, it alters the distance that laser light travels along the detector’s two arms, changing their interference pattern. This technology, used by some of the most advanced detectors like the (LIGO) in the U.S., helped scientists make the first direct observation of gravitational waves in 2015, a monumental discovery made by an international team of physicists, including several researchers from ϲ.

Eddolls points out that a fascinating aspect of gravitational waves is that their vibration frequencies fall within the range of human hearing.

The team brought their rubber spacetime demonstrator to the cliffs of Orkney to capture a scenic photo during the festival.

The team brought their rubber spacetime demonstrator to the cliffs of Orkney to capture a scenic photo during the festival.

“While we can’t directly hear gravitational waves with our ears, we can take the signal from our detectors and turn it into sound,” he says. “You can actually to the converted signal of the first ever gravitational wave detection.”

Participants enter a swimming pool, where they can hear sound waves through speakers positioned above and below the water. This setup creates a unique auditory experience, mimicking how gravitational waves are produced everywhere in the universe. Furthermore, by swimming in the pool, participants can experience water waves through sight which gives the audience a good physical intuition of what waves are, how waves move and how waves interfere when they pass through each other.

A Scotland-ϲ Connection

Presenting at the prestigious Orkney International Science Festival was a homecoming for Eddolls, who is a native of Scotland. Before coming to ϲ in January, he was a postdoc at the University of Glasgow. He also received a bachelor’s degree in physics (2014) and a Ph.D. in experimental gravitational wave astrophysics (2022) from there as well.

“It was particularly meaningful for me to be able to return home and give something back in sharing the exciting, cutting-edge research that I get to conduct here at ϲ,” says Eddolls. “Not only does humanizing scientists help better shape the public’s perception of science, but it allows people to see themselves as potential future members of the scientific community, which I hope encourages people of all backgrounds to consider a career in STEM.”

At ϲ, Eddolls is currently working on Advanced LIGO, an upgraded version of the initial LIGO detector that made the 2015 gravitational wave discovery. Eddolls and other members of CGWAA are designing hardware aimed at minimizing sources of noise in Advanced LIGO’s detectors, helping to optimize sensitivity. He is also working on a non-gravitational wave project centered around nuclear fusion, where he and other ϲ physicists are working on controlling and generating very powerful lasers and applying this to nuclear fusion to help provide a step-change towards the goal of achieving sustained nuclear fusion, potentially supplying the world with limitless energy.

]]> Future Therapeutic Strategies May Depend on Creative Scientific Approaches Today /blog/2024/10/31/future-therapeutic-strategies-may-depend-on-creative-scientific-approaches-today/ Thu, 31 Oct 2024 15:16:25 +0000 /?p=204911

Before any scientific question can be answered, it must be dreamed up. What happens to cause a healthy cell or tissue to change, for instance, isn’t fully understood. While much is known about chemical exposures that can lead to genetic mutation, damaged DNA, inflammation and even cancer, what has rarely been asked is how physical stressors in the environment can cause a cell or tissue to respond and adapt. It’s a piece of the puzzle upon which future medical breakthroughs might depend.

Homeostasis refers to a state of equilibrium; at the cellular and tissue level, any changes in environment will spur a response that balances or accommodates it. “Mostly people think of chemical changes, exposure to drugs, for instance,” says Schwarz, principal investigator on the project. “Here we ask, what if you squeeze a cell—or a group of cells or tissue—mechanically? Can it still carry out its functions? Maybe not. Maybe it needs to adapt.”

and , both professors in the and members of the, have been awarded a four-year National Science Foundation grant from Physics of Living Systems, for a project titled “.”

Two headshots of people side by side

From left, Alison Patteson and Jennifer Schwarz

As co-principal investigator Patteson notes, describing the idea this way is a new use of scientific language. “As physicists, we are proposing this idea that there is a mechanical version of homeostasis,” she says. “We have proposed a framework for that.”

Drawing upon previous collaborations that have examined specific scales (such as chromatin molecules, individual cell motion, and collective cell migration through collagen networks), the investigators will work to build a multiscale model to capture how chromatin remodels from physical stressors at the cell- and tissue-level. They will conduct experiments involving mechanical compression, and working with the, observe detailed microscopic images of the cells in action.

Fluorescence microscope image of a cell amidst fibrous structures, displaying vibrant colors with a scale bar indicating 50 micrometers.

3D reconstruction of a collection of cells, called a cell spheroid, with individual nuclei in yellow. This is an example of a detailed microscopic image used to study cell motility. (Photo credit: Minh Thanh of the Patteson Lab and Blatt BioImaging Center)

Understanding these mechanisms may have broad implications in health research, shedding light on the causes of and therapeutic treatments for inflammation and potentially, cancer.

“We know that most cancerous tissues get stiffer,” says Patteson. “That’s how you identify it. There’s clearly a change in mechanics associated with the development of the disease.”

But much remains to be discovered about the interactions and processes at different scales. “We’re not at therapeutic levels yet,” says Schwarz.

The professors note that creativity is essential to this stage of research—in imagining what might be possible and what new questions to ask, and in pushing the boundaries of existing scientific language. To that end, they have incorporated broader outreach between the physics and creative writing departments in their project.

In a collaboration with creative writing professorsԻ, along with M.F.A. candidate, students from both departments will cross over and embed in their respective classes. “[They’ll see] how a piece of poetry is creative, for example. Then, how a certain experiment is creative,” says Schwarz. “We want to get physicists thinking like creative writers, and vice versa.”

The colleagues like to think that students and their work will benefit from the exercise, not only in expanding their ideas of what is possible but also in taking a more thoughtful approach to the language they use. Instead of talking about hierarchy of scales,” says Patteson, “maybe we should be talking about coupled things, or partnerships.” A simple shift in perspective, after all, can sometimes put things in a whole new light.

Story by Laura Wallis

]]> Research Distinction Awards Presented at BioInspired Symposium /blog/2024/10/31/research-distinction-awards-presented-at-bioinspired-symposium/ Thu, 31 Oct 2024 12:50:23 +0000 /?p=204845 The ’s third annual was held Oct. 24-25, bringing together undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and faculty from ϲ, SUNY Upstate Medical University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, along with other regional research and industry partners.

young man in suit shows his poster to two onlookers

Doctoral student Cijun Zhang explains his research to BioInspired Symposium attendees. Zhang studies in the Xiaoran Hu functional organic materials lab.

The event featured poster presentations by 79 undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Several researchers presented “lightning talks” on topics such as how and how the human body reacts; fabricating and creating and new technologies to addressproblems from clean energy to robotics to medicine. Guest speakers from several universities made special presentations. Awards were presented to recognize researchers in multiple ways.

Three recipients were chosen in the Best Overall Poster category:

  • ’25, a dual mathematics and physics major in the (A&S), for “.” (Principal investigators are , physics professor, and Antun Skanata, research assistant professor of physics.)
  • , a doctoral student in physics in A&S, for “.” (Principal investigator is , William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Physics.)
  • , an M.D./Ph.D. student in cell and developmental biology at SUNY Upstate Medical University, for “.” (Principal investigator is , associate research professor of biology.)

Two presenters were recognized as Stevenson Biomaterials Poster Award winners:

  • , a biomedical and chemical engineering doctoral student in the (ECS), for her work on “.” (Principal investigator is , associate professor of .)
  • G’21, a mechanical and aerospace engineering doctoral student in ECS, for “.” (Principal investigator is , associate professor of .)

Two researchers received awards recognizing Best Lightning Talks:

  • , a doctoral student in chemistry in A&S, whose topic was “.” Her work involves testing to find an improved diagnostic biomarkerfor prostate and other cancers. (Principal investigator is , professor and director of biochemistry.)
  • , a doctoral student in biomedical and chemical engineering in ECS, for her research on bone tissue, described in “.”(Principal investigator is , professor of biomedical and chemical engineering.)

A project by , “,” was recognized as having the best commercialization potential. Can is a biomedical and chemical engineering doctoral student in ECS. (Principal investigator is Mary Beth Monroe.)

Receiving honors for her “social impact” initiative was , G ‘22, an assistant teaching professor in the , for her work, “ The project explored an interdisciplinary collaboration between the University’s Departments of Chemistry and Architecture that aimed to foster societal impact through sustainable innovation in architectural materials.(Her collaborator was , associate professor of chemistry in A&S.)

man in tan jacket speaks to a young woman presenting her research poster

Winston Oluwole Soboyejo, SUNY Polytechnic Institute President, asks Alexia Chatzitheodorou, a graduate research assistant, about her work on “Shape Morphing of Twisted Nematic Elastomer Shells.” Soboyejo was one of several university representatives to speak at the symposium.

Winner of the People’s Choice Award was , a biomedical and chemical engineering doctoral student in ECS. His project, “”

His research examines how hemostatic materials with antibacterial and antibiofilm properties can reduce infection rates and enhance the healing of traumatic wounds. (Principal investigator is Mary Beth Monroe.)

Best Publication Awards went to:

  • G’22, a graduate of the applied data science program who is now a doctoral student in bioengineering and biomedical engineering in ECS. He is exploring the use of hiPSC-CMs to study and understand cardiomyocyte biology through biology with artificial intelligence. His paper, “,” published in Cell Reports Methods in June, presented new methods for investigating the physiological functioning of cardiac organoids using machine learning algorithms.
  • , a doctoral student in bioengineering at ECS, studies wound healing and tissue regeneration. His paper, “,” was published in the journal ACS Applied Biomaterials in February.
  • , a doctoral student in bioengineering at ECS, received an honorable mention. His paper, “” was published in the journal ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering in June.
]]> NSF Grant in Biology Aims to Boost STEM Student Retention Through Hands-On Research /blog/2024/10/29/nsf-grant-in-biology-aims-to-boost-stem-student-retention-through-hands-on-research/ Tue, 29 Oct 2024 20:40:56 +0000 /?p=204806

As technology advances, companies face a growing need to hire graduates skilled in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). However, finding the ideal candidate can be difficult at times due to a limited pool of applicants. Part of the reason for this is that 1 in 3 students who originally declare as a STEM major change their field of study before they graduate, according to research from the .

three people standing outside building

Professors (from left) Abrar Aljiboury, Heather Coleman and Carlos A. Castañeda have been awarded an NSF grant to welcome undergraduate students from around the country to ϲ to conduct research over the summer. (Photo by Elise Krespan)

One way to keep STEM students engaged in their major is through hands-on research, where they can apply their theoretical knowledge to address real-world challenges. In 1987, the National Science Foundation launched the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program to help attract and retain STEM students by funding experiential learning opportunities during the summer.

Three biology faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) have been awarded that department’s first three-year , “.” , associate professor of biology, serves as the grant’s principal investigator (PI), with , associate professor of biology and chemistry, and , biology professor of practice, collaborating as co-PIs. The award will fund 10 undergraduate students per year (30 in total) from other institutions to conduct summer research at ϲ in biology and biology-affiliated labs alongside faculty.

While this is the first REU site grant in biology at ϲ, faculty from the department have collaborated on similar programs through the site in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the site in A&S. Other active REU site grants at the University include the and the programs.

According to Coleman, a primary objective of the team’s project is to promote diversity within the STEM field and offer meaningful hands-on research experiences to students who may not have access to such opportunities at their home universities. They will focus on recruiting domestic students from minority-serving institutions, primarily undergraduate institutions and community colleges.

“Students who participate in research are more likely to see themselves as scientists and remain in STEM,” says Coleman. “Through this 10-week summer program, students from diverse backgrounds will have the opportunity to conduct research, join a cohort of summer undergraduate researchers across the university, participate in professional development and present their research.”

Beginning in 2025, REU students will conduct 10 weeks of summer research with one of 14 biology and physics faculty mentors. Research will focus on using microscopy to understand form and function across biological scales. This entails developing insight into the relationship between the shape, size and structure of an organism and exploring how these characteristics enable functions that support the organism’s survival.

“Each student’s project will incorporate microscopy into innovative biological research,” says Coleman. “All REU participants will gain exposure to microscopy methods, including fluorescence and super-resolution, using state-of-the-art instrumentation to address questions that cross multiple scales of biological research.”

The team notes that this REU will take advantage of the University’s strengths in microscopy, and the core facilities and resources, including the (directed by biology professor and managed by co-PI Aljiboury) and the BioInspired Institute’s (directed by Eric Finkelstein, Ph.D.).

Potential student projects include investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning neurodevelopment; identifying the connections between form, function and environment in animals that interface with and attach to surfaces; examining mechanisms driving plant responses to climate change; elucidating mechanisms of protein quality control to understand the assembly and disassembly of biomolecular condensates; and understanding how cells self-organize and develop.

The will host its first cohort of undergraduates in the summer of 2025. The program will begin accepting applications in November 2024 through the .

]]> Tool to Enhance the Taste and Texture of Sourdough /blog/2024/10/25/tool-to-enhance-the-taste-and-texture-of-sourdough/ Fri, 25 Oct 2024 20:33:57 +0000 /?p=204709
Four laboratory yeast culture jars labeled C1, Y1, YL2, and YL43, covered with aluminum foil, on a lab bench.

A team of ϲ researchers have published a study exploring how genomic diversity of acetic acid bacteria can alter properties of sourdough. Pictured are sourdough starters grown up from experimental communities (from the left: control [no microbes added], yeast only, yeast plus lactic acid bacteria, yeast plus lactic acid bacteria plus acetic acid bacteria).

When millions of peoplewent into lockdownduring thepandemic, they went in search of new at-home hobbies to help cure their boredom. Among them was making sourdough bread. In addition to being sustainable for its use of natural ingredients and traditional methods which date back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, it also is valued for its nutritional benefits. For example, studies have shown that sourdough contains more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants compared to many other types of bread. For people with mild sensitivities to gluten, sourdough bread can be easier to digest since much of the gluten is broken down during the fermentation process. What’s more, many lactic acid bacteria species, which are foundational to sourdough, are considered probiotics, associated with improved gastrointestinal health.

A Flavor Profile Years in the Making

The process of making sourdough bread begins with a sourdough starter. These starters are created when microbes–communities of bacteria and yeast–stabilize in a flour and water mixture. Known as a microbiome, this community of wild yeast and bacteria is what makes sourdough bread rise and contributes to its taste and texture. Sourdough notably differs from most bread because it relies on this starter of wild microbes to help it rise instead of baker’s yeast packets.

Many sourdough starters are preserved over generations, with some samples dating back thousands of years. To maintain a sourdough starter, you extract a sample from a previous dough and mix it into new flour and water. With enough transfers of the sourdough starter, the microbial community will be composed of the yeast, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and acetic acid bacteria (AAB) that are best adapted to the sourdough environment. What makes different sourdough starters unique are the varying strains of yeast and bacteria that produce the distinctive sour flavor.

Testing Genetic Diversity

Advances in sequencing technology have enabled researchers to rapidly profile microbial communities, such as the sourdough microbiome. In the College of Arts and Sciences, members of biology professorlab have been studying acetic acid bacteria to determine how genetic diversity of AAB impacts sourdough communities.

Three scientists in lab coats holding petri dishes in a laboratory.

Professor Angela Oliverio (left), Nimshika Senewiratne (middle), a Ph.D. candidate in Oliverio’s lab, and Beryl Rappaport (right), a Ph.D. student in Oliverio’s lab, co-authored a study which characterized acetic acid bacteria (AAB) from 500 sourdough starters to better understand how genetic diversity of AAB influences characteristics of sourdough.

While previous research has focused more on lactic acid bacteria and yeast, the ecology, genomic diversity and functional contributions of AAB in sourdough remain largely unknown. Beryl Rappaport, a Ph.D. student in Oliverio’s group, recently led a paper published in , a journal of the American Society for Microbiology, where she and other sourdough scientists, including Oliverio, Nimshika Senewiratne from the Oliverio lab, SU biology professor, and professor Ben Wolfe from Tufts University, sequenced 29 AAB genomes from a collection of over 500 sourdough starters and constructed synthetic starter communities in the lab to define the ways in which AAB shape emergent properties of sourdough. The team’s work was supported by aawarded to Oliverio earlier this year.

“While not as common in sourdough as lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria are better known for their dominant roles in other fermented foods like vinegar and kombucha,” says Rappaport. “For this study, we were interested in following up on previous findings which stated that when present in sourdough, AAB seems to have a strong impact on key properties including scent profile and metabolite production, which shape overall flavor formation.”

Several Petri dishes with bacterial colonies on a lab bench, labeled with dates and codes.

Plates testing for presence or absence of microbes grown in synthetic sourdough communities.

To assess the consequences of AAB on the emergent function of sourdough starter microbiomes, their team tested 10 strains of AAB, some distantly related and some very closely related. They set up manipulative experiments with these 10 strains, adding each one to a community of yeast and LAB. They kept a separate community of just yeast and LAB to serve as the control.

“Since we can manipulate what microbes and what concentrations of microbes go into these synthetic sourdough communities, we could see the direct effects of adding each strain of AAB to sourdough,” says Rappaport. “As we expected, every strain of AAB lowered the pH of the synthetic sourdough (associated with increasing sourness) since they release acetic acid and other acids as byproducts of their metabolic processes. Unexpectedly, however, AAB that were more closely related did not release more similar compounds. In fact, there was high variation in metabolites, many related to flavor formation, even between strains of the same species.”

According to Rappaport, strain diversity is often overlooked in microbial communities, in part because it is difficult to identify and manipulate levels of diversity due to the vastness of microorganisms within a given community. The human gut biome alone can have roughly 100 trillion bacteria living in it! By zooming into the diversity among closer relatives in the lab, researchers can start to understand key interactions in microbiomes.

To read the full story, .

]]> University Receives Department of Energy Funding for New Building Training and Assessment Center /blog/2024/10/21/university-receives-department-of-energy-funding-for-new-building-training-and-assessment-centers/ Mon, 21 Oct 2024 18:35:32 +0000 /?p=204510 Four people stand side by side in front of a glass building. They are wearing business casual attire, and all are smiling at the camera.

From left: Professors Bing Dong, Jackie Anderson, Ian Shapiro and Jensen Zhang (Photo by Alex Dunbar)

The University has received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to create new Building Training and Assessment Center (BTAC) to train undergraduate and graduate engineering students and build a clean energy workforce. The SU-BTAC, aligned with the vision of the DOE BTAC program, will educate and provide hands-on training for engineering students to perform assessments focused on reducing the energy burden for commercial and institutional buildings with a focus on disadvantaged communities.

The SU-BTAC will be housed at the (ϲCoE), New York State’s Center of Excellence in Environmental Energy Systems which engages more than 200 private companies, organizations and academic institutions to create new products and services in indoor environmental quality, clean and renewable energy, and water resource management.

With ϲCoE, the SU-BTAC will create relationships and company screening opportunities to connect commercial and institutional buildings with existing programs in the region relating to unions, apprenticeships, trade organizations, community programs and others.

“I see the SU-BTAC as an expansion of the ϲ Industrial Assessment Center (SU-IAC), now SU-ITAC, and as a great experiential learning opportunity for our students. Not only are we able to help commercial and institutional buildings with reducing their energy burden, but we are also able to teach and mentor the next generation of energy engineers,” says , director of IAC and associate teaching professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering.

SU-BTAC will be led by faculty from ϲ and supported by faculty from the City University of New York. The center will be co-directed by Professor , with involvement from professors and .

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