There is one type of stem cell that can remarkably transform itself into any cell in the human body. Known as human induced pluripotent stem cells, or hiPSCs, they hold enormous potential for medical research, and biomedical and chemical engineer is putting them to work.

In his lab, Ma uses hiPSCs to grow three-dimensional replica hearts that beat, organize and function like the real thing, opening the door to faster drug screening and more personalized patient care.

“Stem cell technology can have a significant impact on how we treat heart disease and on overall heart health,” says Ma, associate professor in the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering in the . “Our lab focuses on how we can better understand some of the fundamental questions on cardiac physiology and development.”

By studying how a heart forms during embryonic development, Ma and his research team can build miniature cardiac models that replicate the structure, rhythm and cellular makeup of a patient’s own heart.

Because the models are made from the same genetic biological materials as the patient, they offer a powerful tool for testing the efficacy鈥攁nd potential side effects鈥攐f treatments for heart disease, cancer and other conditions without putting patients at risk.

In the (STEM) lab, Ma and his student researchers study how the heart forms, how different cell types build the replica’s working chamber and how that chamber develops the vascular structure that feeds the heart’s muscles.

Ma鈥檚 innovative research project, titled Engineering Stem Cell-Based Cardiac Organoids, examines the cardiotoxicity鈥攄amage to the heart muscle or valves caused by harmful substances like chemotherapy and radiation鈥攊mpact on these 3D heart models. His work has been supported by a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award, the NSF鈥檚 most prestigious award for early-career faculty.

鈥淎 drug鈥檚 adverse effect on the heart is the number one reason a treatment will be pulled from the market. We use this research to better understand the effect a drug has on the heart鈥檚 muscles,鈥� Ma says. 鈥淭his research is helping accelerate the drug screening pipelines while also reducing the resources that are poured into these drug delivery frameworks.鈥�

Closing the Gap Between Lab and Patient

Ma says in a normal drug development platform, researchers will use two major models: a zebrafish model and mouse models, which tend to be more expensive.

Using these models, researchers will observe the potential embryotoxicity effect of the drug. Ma’s lab’s methods closely mimic the high-throughput potential and unique regenerative abilities found in zebrafish, with one significant difference.

鈥淥ur model is more human-based and is more relevant and applicable on a human scale,鈥� Ma says. 鈥淲e believe that our models have more accuracy in terms of predicting the possible toxicity effect on human tissues.鈥�

If a patient is suffering from heart disease and is experiencing muscle loss in the heart, Ma says this form of stem cell research can help regenerate the muscles and makeup of the heart without fear of the cell tissues being rejected by the patient.

How NSF Support Helped Build a Better Heart

When Ma came to the University 10 years ago, he started his lab to create cardiac models using stem cells.

In 2020, helped Ma create a better model heart and map out the different cells in the organoids. By observing how the cells communicated with the other cells, Ma learned how these cardiovascular cells are creating better, stronger heart muscles.

A research breakthrough came in 2022. Seeking to manufacture exponentially higher quantities of stem cell components needed to advance new disease treatments from clinical trials into mainstream use, Ma received a $500,000 NSF future manufacturing seed grant.

Game-Changing Research

Ma and his team have published several papers on their findings and plan to explore how machine learning could improve their heart models, how physical forces on heart tissue affect its ability to pump blood and how their model compares to traditional zebrafish toxicity screenings.

Eventually, they want to build a system helping patients assess treatment risks based on their health history and how well a drug works.

When it comes to pregnant women, Ma hopes to classify treatments based on the patient鈥檚 risk for developing fetal heart problems and offer solutions that present a much lower risk for developing an abnormal heart.

鈥淭his is really helping us to establish ourselves in the field of cardiac organoids and embryotoxicity,鈥� Ma says. 鈥淢y students do all of the work in the lab and I鈥檓 thankful that my research has been supported by a group of talented students.鈥�

Four 性视界 University faculty members recently participated in the (ALT) workshop, a prestigious, two-day program designed to prepare mid-career faculty for senior academic leadership roles.

Co-founded by , president of the , the workshop brings together faculty and research leaders in the fields of chemistry, physics and astrophysics with current department chairs, deans, provosts and vice presidents for research from across the country. The program is co-sponsored by the , Research Corporation for Science Advancement and the .

性视界 University has invested in faculty participation in the program for several years, reflecting a commitment to developing the next generation of national research leaders, says , vice president for research.

“Universities benefit enormously when their faculty are not only experts in their fields but are also well-prepared for the realities of leadership,” Brown says. “The ALT Workshop equips faculty with the strategic mindset and practical tools to be effective in roles that shape the direction of the entire institution.”

Leadership Positioning

This year’s workshop drew participants who are positioned for administrative or team leadership roles within their departments and colleges. Four faculty members from the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) attended:

• , associate professor of biology and chemistry
• , professor and director of the biochemistry program
• , professor of physics
• , Kathy and Stan Walters Endowed Professor of Quantum Science and director of the Institute for Quantum and Information Sciences

Faculty who participated in recent years include:

• , associate professor of biology and associate director of the BioInspired Institute, A&S
• , associate professor, Samuel and Carol Nappi Research Scholar and biomedical and chemical engineering graduate program director, College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS)
• , Milton and Ann Stevenson Endowed Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and chair of the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, ECS

, professor of physics and interim dean of ECS, has served the program as a workshop facilitator, a role reserved for experienced academic leaders such as department chairs, deans and provosts.

Curriculum for Leaders

The ALT Workshop builds practical leadership skills not typically covered in traditional academic training. Topics include developing and communicating vision, motivating colleagues and staff, managing up and down within an institution, legal accountability and outreach. Participants complete a 360-degree feedback exercise, engage with panels of experienced academic leaders and participate in mock interviews for such positions as dean, center director and department chair. They leave with individualized leadership plans tailored to their career goals.

Eligible faculty members interested in applying for this program in fall 2026 can contact their department chair or the (resdev@syr.edu). Applications typically open in the fall. More information is available on the .听

Three 性视界 University faculty members鈥�, and 鈥攈ave been named fellows of the (AAAS). The highly prestigious designation recognizes extraordinary achievements and contributions to the advancement of science.

Fifteen 性视界 faculty members have been named AAAS Fellows since 2004. This is the first time the honor has gone to three professors in a single year.

鈥淭his is one of the most distinguished honors a researcher can receive, and I am incredibly proud that three of our exceptional faculty members have earned this recognition,鈥� says Lois Agnew, vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer. 鈥淭heir work reflects 性视界 University鈥檚 deep commitment to advancing knowledge that matters, both within our fields and for the world at large. We congratulate them on this well-deserved honor and look forward to the continued impact of their scholarship.鈥�

Duncan Brown

Brown, the Charles Brightman Endowed Professor of Physics in the (A&S), has served as the University’s vice president for research since 2022. An internationally recognized leader in gravitational-wave astronomy, he was a founding member of the search for merging black holes that led to the discovery of gravitational waves with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO).

His current research focuses on the development of Cosmic Explorer, a proposed next-generation ground-based gravitational-wave observatory, and the use of gravitational-wave observations to explore the nuclear equation of state.

AAAS recognized Brown for 鈥渇oundational contributions enabling the search for and discovery of gravitational waves from black hole and neutron star coalescences, and for leadership in the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and Cosmic Explorer.鈥�

Kevin Crowston

Crowston is a distinguished professor of information science in the . His research explores how information and communication technology鈥攑articularly the internet and artificial intelligence鈥攃hanges the way people work. He and his colleagues have explored Free/Libre Open Source Software development, citizen science, data science teamwork and the future of journalism, using a mix of observation, theory-building and tool design. His most recent project, supported by a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, examines the impact of generative AI on human skill development and retention, particularly in programming.

AAAS recognized Crowston for 鈥渄istinguished contributions to information science through groundbreaking research on coordination theory and virtual organizations, exceptional editorial leadership and dedicated service building interdisciplinary communities studying technology-mediated work.鈥�

Lisa Manning

Manning is the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Physics in A&S. Her research uses computer modeling and physics-based theory to understand how groups of cells behave in living tissue and how materials like glass or sand deform and break down.

Her work has real-world implications for cancer, wound healing, embryonic development and asthma. In 2019, she was named a fellow of the American Physical Society (APS), an honor given to just half of 1% of the professional organization鈥檚 membership. She served as founding director of the from 2019-23.

AAAS recognized Manning for 鈥渄istinguished contributions to the theory of mechanical response and adaptation in biological materials.鈥�

Distinguished Group

Brown, Crowston and Manning join 12 other 性视界 faculty members previously named AAAS Fellows: , distinguished professor of physics (2024); , professor of physics and interim dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science (2023); , associate professor of biology (2023); , professor of electrical engineering and computer science (2018); , University Professor of Environmental Systems and Distinguished Professor, civil and environmental engineering (2017); , professor of physics and A&S interim associate dean for creativity, scholarship and research (2016); , dean emeritus and professor emeritus of biology (2013); , professor emerita of physics (2013); , professor emeritus of Earth and environmental sciences (2012); , professor emeritus of biology (2011); , professor of biology (2007); and , professor emeritus of political science (2004).

性视界 University has been selected as a 2026 awardee by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, one of just 14 institutions nationwide to earn the prestigious recognition. The award provides funding to support six scholar-mentor pairs over three years, with two undergraduate Beckman Scholars named each year beginning this spring.

The Beckman Scholars Program provides 15-month mentored research experiences for exceptional undergraduate students in chemistry and life sciences. Each scholar receives comprehensive support during two full summers and an academic year of intensive research engagement, professional development opportunities and preparation for graduate or medical school.

, professor of physics听 in the and interim dean of the , is principal investigator. 鈥淭he Beckman Scholars Program will provide transformative research experiences for students who demonstrate exceptional promise in science and engineering working with our outstanding faculty from the ,鈥� she says. 鈥淭his award recognizes the University鈥檚 deep commitment to undergraduate research and our proven track record of offering experiential training in interdisciplinary fields.鈥�

Fourteen faculty members, all of whom are affiliated with BioInspired, will serve as Beckman Mentors. They are (chemistry and biology), (chemistry), (physics), (biomedical and chemical engineering), (biology), (biomedical and chemical engineering), (biology), (chemistry), (biomedical and chemical engineering), (biology), Ross (physics), (physics), (chemistry) and (biomedical and chemical engineering).

Scholars will participate in BioInspired鈥檚 annual symposium, present at national conferences and receive mentoring support from the .

Application Process

The will handle student recruitment and selection, onboarding and ongoing support.

The Beckman Scholars Program is open to sophomores working on research in one of the Beckman Mentor labs. Scholars must commit to 15 months of continuous research and be interested in pursuing a graduate degree and leadership roles in their field of study. The 2026 cohort of Beckman Scholars will be funded through summer 2027.

Applications will be handled through the process. Interested students should submit an intent to apply form by Thursday, Feb. 12, with final applications due Thursday, Feb. 26.

Information sessions for first-year students interested in future Beckman Scholar opportunities will be held in February and March.

For more information about eligibility and the application process, visit the SOURCE website at or contact SOURCE Director Kate Hanson at 315.443.2091 or khanso01@syr.edu.

A growing cohort of University faculty members from diverse disciplines is engaged in complementary research that bridges molecular biology, cell biology, biophysics, neuroscience and aging and has implications for the treatment of Alzheimer鈥檚 and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Recently bolstered by new hires who are focused on neuroscience and disordered proteins, the group of researchers exemplifies a key strength of the higher education environment, where a diverse range of experts can come together in a holistic way to work on tackling society鈥檚 most pressing issues.

鈥淭his is what universities do,鈥� says , vice president for research. 鈥淯niversities are the only places that have this kind of breadth and depth of expertise, where individuals can work to find causes, effects and cures for diseases that are affecting everyday Americans and their families.鈥�

Conversations Across Disciplines

The University has long had a solid portfolio of aging-related research, as evidenced by the work of faculty affiliates at the . There, scholars focus on population aging and health and functioning across the life course, among other areas.

鈥淔rom the aging studies perspective, we鈥檙e interested in understanding aging 鈥榝rom cells to society,鈥� and I think we are known for being particularly been strong on the society side,鈥� says , director of the institute and a professor of sociology in the .

Now, she says, the recent strategic hires position the University to further advance understanding of the molecular and cellular processes that might contribute to degenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer鈥檚 and related dementias, that affect aging populations.

鈥淭his is really enabling us to build some synergies that will be helpful moving forward,” Wilmoth says. “We鈥檙e working to increase conversations across the disciplines so that the people in physical sciences and neurosciences and social sciences are talking to one another.鈥�

Much of that molecular and cellular work is happening at the University鈥檚 , where some researchers are studying the role of disordered proteins鈥攆lexible cellular molecules that lack a fixed structure鈥攊n neurodegenerative disease. Among those researchers is , interim dean of the 听and professor of physics in the (A&S) (who was associate dean for creativity, scholarship and research in A&S at the time this interview was conducted). Like Wilmoth, she sees the potential for synergies across disciplines.

鈥淎t BioInspired, we have a lot of the molecular to cellular to tissue [expertise], but we don鈥檛 have as much on the human subject side,” Ross says. “There are some opportunities to make that bridge across.鈥�

New Faculty Members

Three of the new faculty members are part of a research cohort led by , associate professor of biology and chemistry, whose work focuses on proteins associated with neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases, particularly ALS. “[Hiring] this cohort was a grass-roots effort and would not have been possible without cross-University support,”听 Casta帽eda says. “We have a tremendous opportunity here to set the University and the broader 性视界 area as a national hub for new ways to study disordered proteins and their role in disease.”

, an assistant professor of chemistry, studies how proteins interact with their surroundings, with a particular focus on disordered proteins. He aims to understand how these proteins work in different situations, both inside and outside the cell, and how they contribute to both health and disease.

, an associate professor of biology, studies the development of centrosomes, which serve to organize cells and are key to cell division. Jao explores the process by which centrosomes are built, how they transport proteins within cells and how centrosome dysfunction contributes to human disease.

, an assistant professor of biology, is a plant molecular and cell biologist who examines how plants sense and respond to their environment, especially through the behavior of disordered proteins. Because plants are similar to humans at the cellular and protein level, her work contributes to an understanding of human disease and has potential to inform the development of new or improved medicines.

Another plant molecular and cell biologist who recently joined the University is , assistant professor of biology. She investigates how genes, behaviors and environmental factors can cause cellular change, particularly in stem cells. She also studies how environment and behavior contribute to age-related diseases.

Two of the new faculty members, whose research focuses on neuroscience, work together in a joint lab, where they create biomaterials and nano-scale drug delivery systems to remove toxins from proteins.

, assistant professor of biology, studies molecular-level mechanisms related to Alzheimer鈥檚, Parkinson鈥檚 and multiple sclerosis. He investigates how intrinsically disordered proteins are related to nervous system deterioration and also examines how inflammation and metabolic dysfunctions affect听 body-brain interaction and how obesity affects nervous system functions.

, assistant professor of biomedical and chemical engineering, studies how insulin resistance, oxidative stress, inflammation and the recycling and repairing of damaged cells is related to Parkinson鈥檚, some liver disease and metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Rounding out the cohort is , who joined the University last year as an associate professor of economics. Her research looks at labor, aging and health, with a focus on the economics of caregiving. She is a faculty associate at the Aging Studies Institute and a faculty affiliate at the Center for Aging and Policy Studies.

鈥楢lways Send Out the Team鈥�

Ross says this kind of diversity of expertise that spans multiple disciplines and angles of inquiry is required for the pursuit of new knowledge.

鈥淔undamental research is like looking for a lost child in the woods,鈥� she says. 鈥淵ou would never send out one person; you would always send out the team.鈥�

She says each researcher will make new discoveries, even discoveries not necessarily related to the initial inquiry. For example, work on Alzheimer鈥檚 or other neurodegenerative disease may inadvertently lead to new ways of fighting physically degenerative disease.

鈥淭he pathway that we use to get to the end point is the important part, because that’s the pathway that allows every single researcher to be covering all the ground that needs to be covered to make all of the technological pushes for the future,鈥� Ross says.

Adds Wilmoth: 鈥溞允咏� is uniquely positioned to come at this from different angles and maybe offer a different perspective. Having faculty who have complimentary interests and skillsets enables the sort of creativity that is only possible when you have a critical mass of faculty.鈥�

Eleven awards recognizing excellence in research innovation were presented at s annual symposium last week.

More than 100 undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and faculty members from , and presented their research at the event. Leaders from regional businesses and industry partners also attended.

Winners were selected in five categories:

Sensing, Actuation, Intelligence and BioInspired Systems

First Place: Rohit Jakkula
Graduate researcher, (ECS)
, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, adviser
“Transformable Modular Robots”

Second Place: Silverio Johnson
Postdoctoral scholar, (A&S)
, assistant professor of physics, adviser
“Quenching Variability of Drosophila Larval Behavior Using Multi-Sensory Stimulation”

Development and Disease

First Place: Anthony Watt
Graduate researcher, ECS
, associate professor, Samuel and Carol Nappi Research Scholar and biomedical and chemical engineering graduate program director, adviser
“Machine Learning Analysis of Multimodal Waveforms and Synthetic Data Augmentation for Predicting Cardiotoxicity in Single Cell hiPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes”

Second Place: Anton Jayakodiarachchige
Doctoral student, A&S
, assistant professor of biology, adviser
“Investigating the Dual Role of Mediterraneibacter Gnavus in the Small Intestine: Friend or Foe?”

Honorable Mention: Arpan Banerjee
Doctoral student, SUNY Upstate Medical University
, professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences, biochemistry and molecular biology and cell and developmental biology, adviser
“The Role of USP10 in Corneal Angiogenesis via YAP/TAZ Signaling”

Designer Biology

First Place: Daniel Fougnier
Doctoral student, A&S
, professor of biomedical and chemical engineering, adviser
“Voxelated Assembly of Large-Scale Tissue Constructs”

Second Place: Paul Sagoe
Doctoral student, ECS
, assistant professor of biomedical and chemical engineering, adviser
“Tailoring Polymeric Nanoparticles Properties for Enhanced Targeted Delivery to Macrophage Subpopulation”

Function Without Form

First Place: Nirbhik Acharya
Postdoctoral scholar, A&S
, associate professor of biology and chemistry, adviser
“STI1 Domain Engages Transient Helices to Drive Phase Separation of Yeast Ubiquilin”

Second Place: Jess Niblo
Postdoctoral scholar, A&S
, assistant professor of chemistry, adviser
“Profiling Structural Sensitivity Across Human Transcription Factor”

Adaptive Energy and Infrastructure Materials

First Place: Vanshika Vanshika
Doctoral student, A&S
, associate professor of chemistry, adviser
“Turn on the Lanthanide NIR Emission of Non-Fluorescent Lanthanide-Based Double Perovskite Nanocrystals by Incorporating a Fluorescent Sensitizer”

Second Place: Ruosi (Joyce) Qiao
Doctoral student, ECS
, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, adviser
“Binder-Free Dry-Processed Electrode Enabled by a Porous Carbon Current Collector for Lithium-Ion Batteries”

BioInspired supports research on complex biological systems and the development and design of programmable smart materials to address global challenges in health, medicine and materials innovation. 听Associated faculty come from life sciences, engineering, physics and chemistry.

National Science Foundation (NSF) funding for 性视界 University faculty research projects totaled $19.7 million in fiscal year 2025, an increase of $5.8 million over last year鈥檚 total, according to the .

NSF also recognized four faculty members with prestigious.

Duncan Brown, vice president for research, says expanded NSF funding and the selection of four faculty for CAREER recognition is a testament to the strength, quality and innovativeness of research taking place across campus. 鈥淪uch positive outcomes show how important it is that our researchers continue to apply for federal grants. Doing so helps assure that continuing projects can maintain their momentum without interruption and that new research ideas have the support they need to realize societal impact,” says Brown.

CAREER Awards

CAREER Awards are NSF鈥檚 highest recognition for early-career academic professionals. The awards are designed to help recipients build the foundation for a lifetime of leadership and integration of education and research. Receiving the awards this year are:

• , assistant professor of chemistry in the
• , assistant professor of electrical engineering in the
• , assistant professor of physics in the
• , Maxwell Dean Associate Professor of the Politics of AI听in the

Hu works on that are super sensitive to mechanical forces and that can show visible signs, like changing color, when they are deformed or damaged. This helps materials report damage on their own and makes it possible to study how subtle force moves through complex systems, such as synthetic plastics and biological materials. He also designs smart materials that adapt their behavior or properties in response to other triggers, such as ultrasound, light or chemicals.

Kim aims to bridge the information gap between software systems and hardware devices by embedding implicit hints between systems and devices. The research helps听improve data storage performance and data retrieval reliability while maintaining compatibility. It supports complex, large-scale computing needs of modern businesses and technologies such as artificial intelligence and big-data analytics.

Mansell builds and fine tunes , the tools that detect the tiny ripples in space caused by cosmic events such as black hole mergers. She also works with a special kind of light called 鈥渟queezed light鈥� that helps make the detectors more precise.

Zhang uses quantitative methods to study how the interests of citizens and technical experts could shape the. She explores the politics of digital technologies regarding AI governance; the international political economy in the age of advanced automation and quantitative social science methods.

Record Year for NSF Funding

The $19.7 million in awards is the highest amount since 2022, according to Chetna Chianese, senior director in the (ORD). She says the success highlights the faculty鈥檚 continued striving for research success regardless of a shifting federal funding landscape.

The NSF funding supports dozens of projects across five schools and colleges in multiple research areas, including:

• An for doctoral students in emergent intelligence biological and bio-inspired systems for the
• A cluster of three projects to support the Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy and Astrophysics
• One new and two renewed Research Experiences for Undergraduates projects
• A project to further explore new physics at the LHCb experiment at , the European center for nuclear research
• A training program for upskilling photonics technicians in advanced optics and quantum research-enabled technologies
• A project to explore the science of social-psychological processes and AI companionship

Support for Proposals

The Office of Research offers broad support for faculty pursuing sponsored funding, including through , departmental research administrators and ORD. Faculty beginning to pursue external funding and resources to support their research and creative activities can start by working with , who bring deep knowledge of external funders and stakeholders to provide strategic consultations.听The Office of Research additionally supports faculty through the , which helps them plan, draft and complete their proposals. That program will resume in the spring semester ahead of the summer 2026 deadline.

ORD also provides guidance regarding the ongoing changes to federal funding, the changing federal funding landscape, updates on new executive orders and adjusted administrative policies and regulatory requirements. 鈥淲e are keeping faculty updated via email and an internal SharePoint, but our team can also provide project-specific guidance to principal investigators who reach out to us,鈥� Chianese says.

Faculty听interested in applying for NSF and other grants can contact the ORD staff at resdev@syr.edu.

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鈥檚 disease and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

Now 性视界 University scientists are diving deep to understand how these tiny, temporary droplets鈥攌nown as condensates鈥攚ork, which could lead to new ways of treating or preventing several brain disorders.

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

鈥淟osing protein quality control is related to some neurodegenerative disorders,鈥� says Casta帽eda. 鈥淲e 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.鈥�

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鈥檚 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.

The Casta帽eda 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.

鈥淲e 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,鈥� says Casta帽eda. 鈥淭hink of it as understanding a car engine by both building and dismantling it.鈥�

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, Casta帽eda notes.

鈥淭his field requires scientists from multiple fields鈥攂iology, chemistry, physics and engineering鈥攚orking together,鈥� says Casta帽eda. 鈥淭his 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.鈥�

Story by John Tibbetts

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 鈥淪elf-Assembly of the Tau Protein: Computational Insights Into Neurodegeneration.鈥� 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.

Tessa DeCicco 鈥�25, a biomedical engineering student in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, is this year’s recipient. Her paper, titled 鈥淒efining Anatomical Relationships of the Tibial Tubercle to Inform Execution of Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy in Revision of Total Knees,鈥� 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 性视界 University 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, 性视界 University’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 .

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.

A team of researchers from 性视界 University and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette who specialize in functional morphology鈥攈ow the shape and structure of an organism helps it function鈥攔ecently 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.

鈥淚n order to prevent being swept away, these sculpins need another way to keep themselves in position,鈥� 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 性视界 University. 鈥淥ne 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.鈥�

Previous research has shown that sculpins use hydrodynamic mechanisms鈥攍ike having a small, streamlined body and using their fins to create negative lift鈥攖o 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鈥� features and the fine hairs on gecko feet. She then reached out to Garner, who is an expert in animal adhesion and attachment.

鈥淢y 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,鈥� says Garner, who is also a member of the at 性视界, where researchers collaborate to develop and design smart materials to address global challenges. 鈥淯sing a very similar framework to studies I have conducted in lizards and sea urchins, we worked together to design and execute this study.鈥�

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

鈥淲e 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,鈥� says Kane. 鈥淭here are some similarities in sculpins that make us think they could be doing something similar.鈥�

Garner notes that their work is the first description of these microstructures on the fin rays of sculpins. 鈥淲e 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,鈥� 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.

While many of her peers were enjoying the time off between high school graduation and starting college, Luiza Owuor 鈥�26 was participating in the University鈥檚 (CAREER) program, which introduces students to the research opportunities available to them on campus.

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.

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

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

Owuor, a native of Kisumu, Kenya, was recently named as a 2025-26 性视界 University 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鈥檝e 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鈥檚 through designing medical devices, developing therapeutic technologies or conducting research that leads to breakthroughs.

Once I got involved in research at 性视界, 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鈥檓 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鈥檝e been guided and supported by people who believed in my potential. Mentoring others鈥攚hether through Academic Excellence Workshops or Catalyst Scholar mentoring鈥攆eels like a full-circle moment. It鈥檚 my way of paying it forward.

How has your time at 性视界 University helped fuel your development?

性视界 has been instrumental in my growth鈥攁cademically, professionally and personally. Through leadership roles like serving as president of the Society of Women Engineers and alumni relations chair for NSBE, I鈥檝e 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. 性视界 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.

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鈥攆rom water and sewer pipes to planes, trains and automobiles. But plastic materials experience stresses that degrade them over time. That鈥檚 why plastics in many critical applications are replaced on pre-set schedules, which is expensive but crucial for maintenance and public safety.

鈥淲hen 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,鈥� 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鈥檚 team developed exceptionally sensitive mechanophore molecules鈥攃alled 鈥渃onfigurational mechanophores,鈥濃�攖hat 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.

鈥淭hese new molecules could enable research into previously unobservable mechanical events in different materials, including synthetic plastics and biomaterials,鈥� Hu says.

The 性视界 team鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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.

鈥淥ur lab is developing the next-generation molecular force sensors with further enhanced mechanosensitivity and capable of exhibiting fluorescence signals or other functional responses,鈥� Hu says. 鈥淲e 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.鈥�

Story by John H. Tibbetts

The 鈥檚 third annual was held Oct. 24-25, bringing together undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and faculty from 性视界 University, SUNY Upstate Medical University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, along with other regional research and industry partners.

The event featured poster presentations by 79 undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Several researchers presented 鈥渓ightning talks鈥� on topics such as how and how the human body reacts; fabricating and creating and new technologies to address听problems 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:

• 鈥�25, a dual mathematics and physics major in the (A&S), for 鈥�.鈥� (Principal investigators are , physics professor, and Antun Skanata, research assistant professor of physics.)
• , a doctoral student in physics in A&S, for 鈥�.鈥� (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 鈥�.鈥� (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 鈥�.鈥� (Principal investigator is , associate professor of .)
• G鈥�21, a mechanical and aerospace engineering doctoral student in ECS, for 鈥�.鈥� (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 鈥�.鈥� Her work involves testing to find an improved diagnostic biomarker听for 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 鈥�.鈥�(Principal investigator is , professor of biomedical and chemical engineering.)

A project by , 鈥�,鈥� 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 鈥渟ocial impact鈥� initiative was , G 鈥�22, an assistant teaching professor in the , for her work, 鈥� The project explored an interdisciplinary collaboration between the University鈥檚 Departments of Chemistry and Architecture that aimed to foster societal impact through sustainable innovation in architectural materials.听(Her collaborator was , associate professor of chemistry in A&S.)

Winner of the People鈥檚 Choice Award was , a biomedical and chemical engineering doctoral student in ECS. His project, 鈥溾��

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鈥�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, 鈥�,鈥� 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, 鈥�,鈥� was published in the journal ACS Applied Biomaterials in February.
• , a doctoral student in bioengineering at ECS, received an honorable mention. His paper, 鈥溾�� was published in the journal ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering in June.