Civil and environmental engineering professor Svetoslava Todorova, retired electrical engineering and computer science professor, William Tetley and engineering students David Coghiel ‘24 (civil engineering), Elliot Salas ‘24 (electrical engineering) and Jasmine Rodriguez ‘25 (mechanical engineering) participated in the TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo in Washington, DC from June 17-19. The group was a recipient of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) competitive program grant.
The EPA’s P3 program is a competition where undergraduate/graduate student teams design sustainable solutions to real-world environmental challenges. Todorova, Tetley, Coghiel, Salas and Rodriguez showcased their Smart Water Box, a low-cost sensor unit designed to monitor water quality in small rivers, in a 90-second sales pitch and answered questions in a booth where they displayed their sensor unit.
“The TechConnect World Innovation Expo was a great opportunity that I utilized to network with other student researchers, government agencies, and private companies,” says Rodriguez. “As one of the few student attendees, it was easy to stand out and make better connections with the professionals I interacted with. The P3 National Student Design Competition also gave me valuable insight into what other universities are researching and what issues are at the forefront of people’s concerns when it comes to our environment.”
“Our project stood out as a cost-effective, low-maintenance, solar-powered alternative to traditional water quality monitoring systems. I assisted with the development of the unit and fieldwork to ensure its continuous operation,” says Coghiel. “I was able to connect with different universities and companies to share experiences, knowledge, and accomplishments. Furthermore, introducing our project in an elevator pitch and a booth in the conference hall gave us valuable presentation experience that is bound to help us in our careers.”
P3 has a two-phase program where teams receive $25,000 for a one-year award. The expo concluded phase 1 of the EPA P3 award cycle and the group will compete for the second round of funding in phase 2 during the fall.
“The experience of presenting our project to other schools and EPA representatives was incredibly rewarding,” says Salas. “I was also thrilled to support my team and celebrate their achievements, like David’s impressive elevator pitch and Jasmine’s unique 3D prints, which are integral to our project. While I served a significant role in this project, I must acknowledge the collective effort of our group and the guidance of our mentors, Svetla and William. The time spent in DC was enjoyable and inspiring, and I eagerly anticipate the future improvements our group will make to the water quality monitoring box.”
“Although we discuss the need of using a multifaceted approach in solving contemporary issues, at college level students are often taught in silos. This design project stimulated interdisciplinary collaboration and creativity by bringing together students from three different engineering departments,” says Todorova. “I am extremely proud of their motivation, team spirit, and drive for success. The team stood out with their 90-seconds sales pitch. Everyone came to congratulate us. We are thankful to Linda Hartsock, Strategic Advisor at SU Libraries, for her invaluable guidance and tips in developing a strong sales pitch.”
Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew today announced the appointment of two new associate provosts, who will join the Academic Affairs leadership team effective Aug. 1. Julie Hasenwinkel will serve as associate provost for academic programs, and Elisa Dekaney as associate provost for strategic initiatives.
“Syracuse University is so fortunate to count outstanding teachers, scholars and administrators like Julie and Elisa among its faculty members, and I am truly grateful for their willingness to serve in these important roles,” Agnew says. “Their past leadership experiences and fresh perspectives position them to make a positive impact not only on the Academic Affairs team, but also across the University and in the local community.”
Hasenwinkel, a Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence, is currently chair of the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS). She is also a faculty affiliate of the BioInspired Institute. She has served as ECS associate dean for academic and student affairs and senior associate dean.
Her professional and scholarly areas of expertise include faculty development in teaching and learning; engineering education and active learning pedagogies; student success initiatives; orthopedic biomaterials; and biomaterials for nerve regeneration. She holds a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Northwestern University, an M.S. in bioengineering from Clemson University and a B.S.E. in biomedical engineering from Duke University.
“I’m very excited to take on this role and to have the opportunity to work with colleagues across the University and the leadership team in Academic Affairs to enhance our academic programs, student success, experiential inquiry and teaching and learning excellence,” Hasenwinkel says. “I look forward to implementing the goals of the academic strategic plan and exploring innovative ways that we can meet the current and future needs of our students so they can thrive at Syracuse University and beyond.”
In the role of associate provost for strategic initiatives, Dekaney will work to strengthen the academic experience through strong connections with campus and community-based programs, particularly in the arts and humanities. In this role, she will oversee University-based cultural organizations like the Syracuse University Art Museum, La Casita Cultural Center and Punto de Contacto/Point of Contact, among others. Dekaney will also have oversight of the University’s study abroad and study away initiatives. She assumes the role from Marcelle Haddix, who was recently named dean of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dekaney, now the associate dean for research and global engagement and a professor of music education in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, is also a Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence.
Her scholarly research focuses on aesthetic response to music, world music and cultures, International Phonetic Alphabet, Indigenous and Afro-Brazilian culture and clinical simulation applied to music education. She holds a Ph.D. in choral music education from Florida State University, a master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas, a bachelor’s degree in sacred music (piano) from the Seminário Teológico Batista do Sul do Brasil and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the Universidade Federal Fluminense.
“I am honored to join Interim Provost Lois Agnew and the entire Academic Affairs team. This role presents an incredible opportunity to collaborate with Syracuse University faculty, staff and students in driving innovative projects and fostering a culture of excellence in an environment welcoming to all,” Dekaney says. “I am committed to advancing our strategic goals with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. By ensuring that our initiatives reflect these core values, we can create a transformative educational experience that benefits all members of our community.”
Sameeraa Soltanian-Zadeh ’26, a third-year Ph.D. student in mechanical and aerospace engineering, has been selected as an Innovation in Buildings (IBUILD) Graduate Research Fellow by the US Department of Energy (DOE). The fellowship is managed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and administered by Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).
The Graduate Research Fellowship aims to support the number of well-trained, diverse graduate student scholars prepared for research-intensive careers in fields supporting decarbonization. Recipients of the fellowship will receive financial support to conduct research at their home institution in an area that has shown relevance to advancing decarbonization efforts. Soltanian-Zadeh’s research focuses on indoor air quality and urban environmental dynamics, highlighting the effects of occupant behaviors on indoor air quality and building energy efficiency. This research will contribute to environmental justice, offering insights into public health, energy efficiency, and sustainable urban development, especially regarding the role of building occupants.
“By focusing on the intersection of indoor air quality, occupant behavior, and energy efficiency, my work has the potential to significantly impact how we design and operate buildings in the future. This research is crucial as we strive to create healthier, more sustainable urban environments while simultaneously tackling the urgent need for decarbonization,” says Soltanian-Zadeh. “Receiving the prestigious IBUILD fellowship marks a significant milestone in my academic journey and research career. This fellowship supports my ongoing work and is a step forward in my mission to create healthier, more sustainable built environments. The IBUILD program offers great opportunities to grow my skills, connect with other researchers, and learn about new developments in building science. Ultimately, it will help me contribute to a future where buildings not only meet energy needs but also enhance air quality and promote healthier living environments for all.”
“Sameera has made excellent progress in her Ph.D. study and played a key role in the project on ‘Integrated Whole-Building Energy Efficiency Retrofit Solution for Residences in Cold/Very Cold Climates’ and the Building America project on ‘Reducing Applied Losses in Heat Pumps’, both sponsored by DOE as well as the project on developing a multiscale building and urban environmental and energy monitoring systems supported by Syracuse Center of Excellence (SyracuseCOE)”, says Professor Jensen Zhang, Executive Director of SyracuseCOE and Soltanian-Zadeh’s Ph.D. study advisor.
Mary Beth Monroe, an associate professor of biomedical and chemical engineering at the Syracuse University College of Engineering and Computer Science, has been selected to receive the 2023 Rosalind Franklin Society Special (RFS) Award in Science.
The RFS Awards in Science recognize contributions and dedication to advancing scientific knowledge, and outstanding peer-reviewed research by women and underrepresented minorities in STEM. The anthology of award winners is available digitally on the Rosalind Franklin Society website and in print.
“I am very grateful for this recognition from the RFS for my lab’s work that was published in Tissue Engineering, Part A (DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2022.0192),” says Monroe. “I’d especially like to acknowledge my former Ph.D. student, Dr. Henry Beaman, who spearheaded the published work. His creative approach to cell encapsulation within porous scaffolds could have a large future impact in wound healing and tissue engineering.”
Monroe leads the Monroe Biomaterials Lab in the multidisciplinary BioInspired Institute at Syracuse University. Monroe and her team aim to advance polymer chemistry to develop safer and more effective medical devices and improve healing outcomes. Their current research focuses on using shape memory polymers for hemorrhage control, Crohn’s fistula closure, and reducing the risk of infection and aiding wound treatment.
RFS, in partnership with Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., launched this prestigious annual award for the best paper by a woman or under-represented minority in science in each of the publisher’s more than 100 peer-reviewed journals to highlight the important contributions of these scientists and provide role models and mentors for younger scientists following in their footsteps. A total of $100,000 has been allocated for this year’s award winners. The award specifically recognizes the best paper published in 2023 in each of these journals.
The anthology includes a biography of each winner and an abstract of their selected work and is a remarkable compendium of research in science, engineering, and medicine that has been accomplished by outstanding investigators who, early in their careers, were not considered “real” scientists, engineers, or medical researchers because they did not fit the stereotypical scientist, engineer, or physician role.
The RFS Awards in Science 2023 was produced with support from the Rita Allen Foundation, Lyda Hill Philanthropies, and the Warren Alpert Foundation.
About the Rosalind Franklin Society The Rosalind Franklin Society is an honorific, interdisciplinary, and international society which recognizes, fosters, and advances the important contributions of women in the life sciences and affiliated disciplines. In so doing, the Society honors the under-recognized achievements of the late Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958), a British x-ray crystallographer whose work producing x-ray images of DNA was crucial in the discovery of its structure by James Watson and Francis Crick. Franklin symbolizes progress for women in science, but her accomplishments were not recognized during her lifetime, awarded posthumously, nor are they completely acknowledged today. To celebrate the life, work, and symbolic power of this remarkable heroine in science, the Society recognizes the work of outstanding women scientists, fosters greater opportunities for women in the sciences, and motivates and educates by examples young generations of women who have this calling.
About Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. is a global media company dedicated to creating, curating, and delivering impactful peer-reviewed research and authoritative content services to advance the fields of biotechnology and the life sciences, specialized clinical medicine, and public health and policy.
Trolley Trolls is a motorized cart designed to assist in carrying items, allowing users to have their hands free for other tasks. This original device was presented as a senior design capstone project at the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s Open House and was created by Ralph Lawrence Graham ‘24, Taylor Michael Madison ‘24, Alfonso Rivas ‘24, and Ernest Whitbeck ‘24. In this Q&A session, team members Graham and Madison discuss their project.
How does your senior design capstone project work?
Graham: Our project is a 3-tiered self-following motorized cart. The person using the cart wears a belt with a code on it. The code is then detected and that’s what triggers the cart to move. We used webcams attached to a Fusion 5 running image processing via Python that then feeds data to a PID controller system running on an Itsy Bitsy M4 chip to make the cart function.
Madison: We also talked about having distance sensors on the lower half of the cart. It goes much slower in reverse than it does forwards. If you go forward, it will go forward but if you come toward it, it will go backward but not as fast.
What inspired you to pursue this project?
Madison: Our team member, Alfonso, originally had the idea of a suitcase that would follow you through an airport. Some faculty didn’t know how practical placing a bunch of batteries and cameras on a suitcase would be, especially considering security risks for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Aviation Association (FAA).
We decided to go with something more utility-based that we could use around campus and came to a cart that could be used for a lab or food.
Are there other applications this motorized cart can have?
Madison: It can be applied to maintenance, hospitals, grocery stores, and even restaurants. We see all these areas benefiting from something like our cart for hands-free tasks.
How do you feel after completing your project?
Graham: We achieved what we were intending. It took a lot of research and trying things out. It was a process, and it was amazing to see the result of it and how everything works. It helped develop our skills more and we look forward to doing more things in a professional environment.
Madison: Even as a senior project that was supposed to be a showcase of what we’ve learned, we were learning continuously through this project. Continuously touching on other parts of engineering and developing skills we already have, it was great to put it all together.
Ernest Whitbeck ‘24, Ralph Lawrence Graham ‘24, Alfonso Rivas ‘24, and Taylor Michael Madison ‘24
Andrea Hoe ‘23 G‘28 was ecstatic when she received an invitation to join NASA’s Graduate Research Fellowship program. It felt like years of hard work had finally paid off. She had always been fascinated with space, but it wasn’t until high school that she discovered her passion for space architecture. Since then, she’s made it her mission to work with NASA and continue exploring her interests in cutting-edge design.
“Whether it was participating in STEM programs or conducting independent research, my goals and achievements were strategic towards realizing my dream of becoming a space architect,” says the aerospace engineering student. “Now, to have the opportunity to collaborate with NASA feels like the culmination of a journey filled with challenges, setbacks, and moments of sheer determination. It is a surreal experience, and I am eager to begin this new chapter in my academic career.”
She initially began her undergraduate studies at Syracuse University as an architect student but found herself gravitating towards research opportunities. While architecture and space habitat design have their differences, she saw concepts that overlapped and knew she could apply her studies in architecture to space habitats.
“Architecture provided me with a solid foundation in design principles and unconventional thinking. I knew I wanted to apply this knowledge to engineering. I believe the intersectionality of disciplines is important in today’s time and will push society forward. By embarking on this academic journey, I aim to bridge the gap between creativity and innovation to explore new possibilities for space exploration.”
The NASA Fellowship sponsors graduate student research and development of innovative space technologies. The fellowship includes a research grant, which will provide her the opportunity to research lunar regolith composites with carbon nanotubes for space habitation applications. The study aims to create a concrete-like structural material that can be made from soil on the moon, which is known as lunar regolith.
The primary focus of the research is to investigate the effects of adding carbon nanotubes to lunar regolith. Even a small amount of these nanotubes can significantly enhance the compressive strength of the lunar soil, making it an ideal choice for durable structural material in space architecture. “Our future testing plans are diverse and exciting as we aim to delve deeper into optimizing the composition and properties of this lunar regolith-based material. Space is an extreme environment, so exploring its durability and resilience is imperative.”
She believes this research is pivotal to ensuring secure and stable habitats on the moon as well as manned missions to Mars and beyond, paving the way for the future of human space exploration. “Syracuse’s architecture program empowered me to be creative and think critically, particularly in my final thesis project. The aerospace engineering department has allowed me to pursue my ambitions and gain insightful experiences. I am truly grateful. Receiving the NASA Fellowship and grant is an indescribable event for me. It is a validation of years of hard work, dedication, and unwavering determination.
“I am so grateful for the support from the professors at Syracuse who assisted me in this journey and for the recognition from an institution as esteemed as NASA. I am particularly grateful for the mentorship of my research advisor, Dr. Wang, whose guidance and support have made this possible.”
Assistant professor in electrical engineering and computer science Jason Pollack envisions a promising future for quantum at Syracuse University. As the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) undergoes significant growth with renovated lab spaces, new faculty members, and groundbreaking research, it marks a transformative period not only for the college but for quantum-related fields as well.
“It’s exciting for me to be in a place where you can build a program and culture from the ground up,” Pollack says. “I’ve been telling my students that by the time they finish their grad school career, there will probably be three times as many people in quantum-related subjects as there are now. It’s very exciting that Syracuse University has put in all these resources.”
Prior to being an assistant professor in ECS, Pollack attended the California Institute of Technology for graduate school and completed post-doctoral fellowships at the University of British Columbia and the University of Texas at Austin. He became interested in how underlying quantum physics can be seen in the world around us and switched from physics to computer science, collaborating frequently with mathematicians, engineers, scientists and experts within related fields.
Pollack’s research focuses on the theory of quantum information. He aims to understand basic information and computational structures underlying quantum systems. He also collaborates with other faculty members studying quantum in ECS and across the university, particularly in discussing ideas such as random quantum walks in superconducting cavities and the design of metamaterials with exotic refractive index. This highlights the significant role theorists like Pollack play in quantum experiments.
“Without theory, experimentalists wouldn’t know what theory to work on next. There’s always a whole set of possible things to do but then there’s the question of what to do next to increase my technical prowess or understanding. You have to take some steps to convert your results or what you’d like to understand about the world.”
Pollack’s paper published in March 2024 discusses quantum thermodynamics and focuses on understanding the entanglement structure of quantum states. When two particles become entangled, their properties may remain correlated regardless of the distance. “The world is made up of atoms and molecules, but if you want to run a heat engine, you don’t have to manipulate individual gasoline molecules to run the engine. I want to understand what types of interaction a quantum system can have with an environment so I can treat it like a traditional, classical thermodynamic system. If I wait long enough, it becomes characterized by its temperature or energy.”
Pollack also has research interests in quantum decoherence, which refers to the study of interactions between the environment and quantum systems (tiny particles like atoms and molecules.) His other research program is concerned with the physics seen by observers with only limited access to, or an imperfect ability to make measurements on, the quantum state.“Syracuse’s quantum community will be changing within a few years. The plan for ECS is to grow quantum faculty, and we’re going to be on the map. Students who want interdisciplinary work can certainly find it.”
Pollack will be teaching graduate course CIS 700 “The Structure of Quantum States” where students will learn the features of quantum-mechanical systems. Starting next academic year, he will also be teaching an undergraduate course on quantum computing.
A new $40 million award for the New York Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research Technology Innovation Corridor (NY SMART I-Corridor) was announced yesterday by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer at a press conference in Syracuse hosted by INFICON. Syracuse University will lead the NY SMART I-Corridor’s Collaboration and Commercialization Center. (Photo courtesy of Onondaga County)
Syracuse University will play a leading role in advancing Central New York’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities thanks to $40 million in new funds made available to the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region through the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Regional Technology and Innovation Hub. The new award for the New York Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research Technology Innovation Corridor (NY SMART I-Corridor) was announced yesterday by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer at a press conference in Syracuse hosted by INFICON. J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, spoke at the event, and Duncan Brown, vice president for research, represented the University as principal investigator on Syracuse University’s component of the Tech Hub award.
“This is a monumental victory for the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region as the first major Tech Hub award in the nation, bringing a whopping $40 million from my CHIPS and Science Law. With this major investment, the feds are shining a national spotlight, and confirming what I have long known, that America’s semiconductor future runs through the heart of Upstate NY along the I-90 corridor,” said Senator Schumer. “From the fields near Syracuse that will become Micron’s massive mega-fab to the cutting-edge research labs in Rochester and workers learning these manufacturing skills in Buffalo, this award helps connect the region to seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity and establish Upstate NY as the heart of America’s semiconductor industry. I created the Tech Hubs competition with Upstate NY in mind, and pulled out all the stops to win this award—first proposing this program in my Endless Frontier Act, then passing it into law as part of my CHIPS and Science Act, making the case to bring the region together, advocating at the highest levels and delivering the transformational investment to make today possible. It’s never been more clear: the heart of America’s semiconductor industry runs along the I-90 corridor in Upstate NY!”
Syracuse University will lead the NY SMART I-Corridor’s Collaboration and Commercialization Center (C3), which includes Cornell University, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Rochester and University of Buffalo. C3 will administer millions of dollars in grants to allow small and medium-sized businesses to collaborate with the region’s universities, bring new ideas to market and accelerate growth of the semiconductor industry in the region.
“Syracuse University is proud to lead this higher education collaboration that will help drive innovation and establish the NY SMART I-Corridor as a world leading entrepreneurial incubator for the semiconductor industry,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “I am grateful for Senator Schumer’s steadfast advocacy. This substantial new grant builds on major investments the University is making. It will help create critical high-tech infrastructure and facilities, attract top semiconductor manufacturing researchers and faculty to the region, and develop unique experiential learning and internship opportunities for talented students.”
To support the NY SMART I-Corridor, the University is investing $10 million, which is matched by a $10 million investment from Onondaga County, to create a state-of-the-art advanced semiconductor manufacturing facility. The center is part of a more than $100 million investment in strategically transforming STEM and expanding the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) at Syracuse University over the next five years.
“Together with our regional partners, and with the dedicated support of Senator Schumer, Syracuse University has a key role to play in the revitalization of Central New York,” says Haynie. “Today’s announcement is another exciting milestone in the realization of that goal, and we are gratified by the continuing opportunity to foster collaboration and innovation across the Tech Hub.”
As the NY SMART I-Corridor seeks to become the epicenter for American semiconductor commercialization efforts, C3 will integrate the region’s extensive assets into a single “point of entry” for small and medium-sized businesses, according to Brown.
“In our knowledge-driven society, university-led research and development is central to economic development. C3 will allow businesses of all sizes to partner with universities to develop, prototype and test new products,” Brown says. “Through these partnerships, the NY SMART I-Corridor will accelerate the transfer of ideas from lab to market.”
Modeled on New York State’s Centers for Advanced Technology, C3 will drive innovation in the I-Corridor’s semiconductor supply chain by establishing:
Innovation Asset/Expertise Engagement Network, an inventory of semiconductor relevant facilities and innovation expertise across the I-Corridor, accessible via a central online portal;
Knowledge/IP Collaboration Architecture, a new IP architecture for the region that incentivizes cross-collaboration between sectors and institutions and strengthens commercialization efforts in the I-Corridor; and
Formal Community of Practice, which will facilitate collaboration between businesses, researchers, investors and manufacturers in the region and sponsor programming and internships designed to benefit underrepresented communities.
The federal Tech Hub designation spans Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo and includes Ithaca, Auburn and Batavia. Key academic partners include Monroe Community College in Rochester, which will lead the hub’s workforce development efforts, and University at Buffalo, which will lead the effort to improve the region’s supply chain for semiconductors.
Schumer created the Regional Tech Hubs competition as part of the CHIPS and Science Bill, and said the three-region consortium beat out hundreds of applications and was one of only 31 regions across the U.S. chosen for the Tech Hub designation.
In recognition of superior scholarship, the following students have been entered on the Engineering & Computer Science Dean’s List for Spring 2024.
To be eligible for Dean’s List recognition, the minimum semester grade point average must be 3.40 or higher, must have earned a minimum of 12 graded credits and must have no missing or incomplete grades.
Eight teams of engineering students presented designs for original devices to industry experts and investors. These students were part of Invent@SU, a six-week summer program where students design, prototype, and pitch to judges.
On June 20th, the teams gave their final pitch presentations to a panel of 14 expert judges. The room was filled with guests, including Dean Cole Smith, Syracuse University Life Trustee Bill Allyn and program supporter Mike Lazar. The event kicked off with poster presentations that gave the student teams the opportunity to showcase their inventions and answer questions from the judges.
This year’s competitors were:
TreadBed: Jason Bae ’25 (biomedical engineering), Sandy Lin ’25 (computer science), Ian Roche ’25 (mechanical engineering), Colin Wanderman ’27 (mechanical engineering)
A patient transfer device that reduces the amount of lifting required for caregivers when moving a patient between a stretcher and a hospital bed.
MagniClaw: (Tied for Second Place)Davis Hood ’26 (electrical engineering), Jennifer Mason ’26 (mechanical engineering), Matthew Pinto ’27 (biomedical engineering), Carter Thompson ’26 (aerospace engineering)
A device that securely locks wheelchairs in place for moving vehicles.
Swift Straps: (Tied for Second Place) Jessica Moreno ’26 (aerospace engineering), Patrick Phanichyakarn ’26 (mechanical engineering), Amira Salihovic ’25 (biomedical engineering)
Retractable, color-coded restraint straps that make transferring or transporting EMT patients more efficient.
An all-inclusive solution for monitoring your dog’s health and ensuring their safety through a health harness.
Invent@SU is made possible by program sponsor Michael Lazar, partner sponsor the Lyons Family Foundation, and team sponsor Ralph Folz. A special thank you to Bill and Penny Allyn for sponsoring multiple years since 2017.
“Students learn about design, ideation and intellectual property, then conceive an original invention, prototype the invention and refine it in response to weekly feedback from diverse audiences of guest evaluators. In addition, students learn key business, entrepreneurship and professional skills, such as: communication, creating a “pitch,” financing a start-up, sustainable design, accounting, marketing, pricing, leadership and teamwork,” said Professor Alex Deyhim. “All 8 teams did an amazing job and walked away with invaluable lessons learned and friendships that will last a lifetime.”
As engineering students Fundi Juriasi ‘24, Hanna Salem ‘24, Prince Sarquah ‘24 and Sukhleen Atwal ‘24 brainstormed ideas for their senior design project, they couldn’t seem to land on an idea they all agreed on. Sarquah’s interest lay in robotics, Juriasi was fascinated with face-tracking cameras, and Salem liked the idea of a Lego sorter that could assort the bright-colored blocks by color. Inspired by her passion for the environment, it wasn’t until Atwal combined their ideas that the group finally came to a project they all loved: a camera-tracking, plastic-sorting robot.
Plastic pollution continues to be a significant environmental issue, with millions of plastic items entering our planet’s oceans every year and this is often due to improper waste disposal. The engineering group’s plastic sorting robot shows promise in enhancing current waste management methods by automating the sorting process. They believe that this technology could play a crucial role in reducing landfill waste, increasing recycling rates, and promoting more sustainable practices.
“Most plastics come with recyclable code, but the problem is, sometimes the code gets damaged, and it can’t be seen without advanced cameras,” Juriasi says. “We wanted to make our project more achievable, so we placed QR codes on objects to mimic how it can be implemented in the real world.”
Their robot, ARMie, uses a camera to scan QR codes and identify the type of material based on the code. With instructions from the user interface, ARMie sorts each item into the appropriate bin for recyclable, non-recyclable, or further sorting. This innovative system streamlines the recycling process, enhancing its efficiency and accuracy.
The hardware consists of the microcontroller board Arduino Uno, a robotic arm, servo motors, a PWM/servo driver, a camera, bins, and a power supply. The key technologies and software used for the project include the open-source code-writing software Arduino IDE, Python, graphical user interface (GUI), and QR codes.
Despite the challenges that came with putting this ambitious project together such as mechanical durability and power supply balance, the students were able to present ARMie at the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s (ECS) Open House. “Overall, I would say this project was good. It has real-world applications and potential to impact sustainability,” says Salem.
“By integrating technology with environmental sustainability, ARMie facilitates a smarter way to manage waste, offering a significant step forward in our recycling efforts,” says Juriasi.
Melissa Yeung, a first-year Ph.D. student in mechanical and aerospace engineering, has joined the 2024 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). The fellowship offers three years of support for graduate research over a five-year period.
Yeung currently works in the fluid dynamics lab of Yiyang Sun, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and her research focuses on supersonic jet engines. “The goal of my work is to alleviate the undesired features through strategically placed small micro-jets of air,” Yeung says. “I am currently focused on optimizing these micro-jets such that they can continuously modulate themselves to adapt to various flight conditions. By doing so, the flow can be controlled even in off-design conditions and with minimal energy input.
“Understanding these complex flow physics is vital for the development of next-generation high-performance aircraft. Successfully controlling this flow can improve upon the aircraft’s performance and ensure the safety of nearby workers or civilians. This work is one of many steps in pushing supersonic flight for commercial use.”
Yeung believes the fellowship will give her greater flexibility in her research, fund her research activities and enable her to attend more conferences. She’s also grateful for the support she’s received from Sun, Professor Emeritus Mark Glauser, and Gina Lee-Glauser, retired vice president for research.
“Their guidance has been crucial to my success and without them, I would have not had the honor of being an NSF GRFP recipient,” Yeung says.
Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter today announced that J. Cole Smith has been reappointed to a five-year term as dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS). Today’s announcement follows a comprehensive review process that includes feedback from key stakeholders, including ECS faculty, staff and advisory board members.
“In Cole’s nearly five years as dean, the College of Engineering and Computer Science has grown stronger on multiple counts and made great strides towards reaching a new level of excellence,” Provost Ritter says. “This is an exciting time for the college, and I can think of no better leader to shepherd the students, faculty, staff and alumni into this new era.”
Smith assumed leadership of ECS in October 2019. His tenure has been marked by several high points for the college. A massive renovation, which included multiple new lab spaces and the Allyn Innovation Center, served to modernize ECS buildings and facilities. The pending new Campos Student Center, supported by a recent $2 million gift that Smith helped secure, will further enhance the college’s physical space.
“Engineering and Computer Science is driving regional, national and international growth in areas such as advanced manufacturing, sustainable infrastructure, healthcare engineering, advanced computing technologies and materials science,” Smith says. “I have never been a part of a more exciting moment at the nexus of college, University, city and national growth. What we are doing here matters and will resonate for decades to come, and it is a true privilege to have the opportunity to realize the transformational opportunity that awaits Syracuse University and the College of Engineering and Computer Science.”
Smith came to Syracuse from Clemson University, where he held positions as associate provost for academic initiatives and chair of the Department of Industrial Engineering. His research focuses on integer programming and combinatorial optimization, network flows and facility location, computational optimization methods and large-scale optimization due to uncertainty or robustness considerations. In 2023, he was named an Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) fellow.
With funds sub-awarded through the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Convergence Accelerator program, Syracuse University’s Center for Sustainable Community Solutions (CSCS) will help develop more accessible pathways for small communities to develop and maintain safe drinking water infrastructure. This collaborative project will focus on communities in Puerto Rico, with the ultimate goal being to use this case study as a framework that can be replicated in other U.S. locations and beyond. The project officially kicked off in February 2024.
Access to clean drinking water is a right for all that is threatened by the looming climate crisis. In 2022, 2.2 billion people lacked safely managed drinking water; and 2 billion people lacked a basic hand washing facility, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Many of those without access are communities of less than 10,000 people who face their own unique obstacles. In Puerto Rico, challenges for these small communities include limited economic resources and severe natural disaster risk, which is amplified by climate change. Unless viable and proactive solutions are developed, this lack of access will prevail.
This $650,000 research project, named VersaWater by its team, is funded by the NSF Convergence Accelerator Program and led by Cornell University in partnership with CSCS; Interamerican University of Puerto Rico’s Center for Environmental Education, Conservation and Research; and AguaClara Reach.
Through the Convergence Accelerator Program, the water research team will use a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to accelerate the science and community engagement practices around Puerto Rico’s safe drinking water technology using three convergent focus areas: governance and financing, community education and workforce training, and resilient water system technologies.
“The Center for Sustainable Community Solutions (CSCS), which operates the Environmental Finance Center (EFC), has been a leader in environmental finance for over 30 years,” shared CSCS Director and the water project’s Co-Principal Investigator Melissa Young. “Ensuring that funding is not only available for investments like this but that it is also accessible is crucial to making everlasting change for the health and welfare of small communities.”
She continued, “We’re proud to be a part of the esteemed NSF Convergence Accelerator Program, which importantly prioritizes community-focused research and social impact.”
CSCS aims to identify how small communities can better access federal funding made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) — a law that authorized billions of dollars for federal investment, including significant financial support for water infrastructure in small communities — and the barriers they experience in doing so. CSCS leverages over three decades of community-based work in EPA Region 2 (which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and eight Native Nations.)
Cornell Engineering is leading VersaWater (formerly called WaterSAVerS), bolstered by its ties to the non-profit AguaClara Reach, who have together been developing open-source sustainable water treatment technologies specifically for small and very small communities in the Global South over the past 20 years, according to Ruth Richardson, the water project’s Principal Investigator representing Cornell.
“The AguaClara technology aims to create gravity-powered water treatment plants specifically for small and very small communities. Innovations in automated dosing, water movement, and hydraulics create treatment plants that ease operation and maintenance demands since labor is a major cost for [these communities],” Richardson said.
What’s ahead
CSCS and team are currently in Phase 1 of the NSF Convergence Accelerator Program. Over the course of nine months, the water team will develop their initial idea into a proof of concept, identify new team members and partners, and participate in the NSF Convergence Accelerator’s Phase 1 innovation curriculum, which provides fundamentals in human-centered design; team science; use-inspired research; early-stage prototyping; and communications, storytelling, and pitching.
At the end of Phase 1, the water team will participate in a competitive formal NSF pitch and proposal process, which is used in selecting teams for Phase 2. Teams selected for Phase 2 will continue accelerating their solutions toward impact. By the end of the Convergence Research phases, solutions are expected to impact societal needs at scale and be sustainable beyond NSF support.
The Center for Sustainable Community Solutions (CSCS) at Syracuse University
CSCS is a nonprofit organization working at the intersection of sustainability communications, policy, and science to foster economic well-being, environmental stewardship, and social equity by engaging community members at all levels to provide the coordination and knowledge needed to make informed decisions that
support sustainability, resiliency, and climate adaptation. The Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center (EFC), operated by CSCS, is a pillar in this mission that facilitates the development of sustainable and resilient communities throughout US EPA Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and eight Native Nations) and nationally.
U.S. National Science Foundation
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that promotes the progress of science by investing in research to expand knowledge in science, engineering, and education across all 50 states and territories. NSF supports nearly 2,000 colleges, universities, and other institutions through competitive grants aimed at advancing science with broad impacts across the nation and its people. Learn more at nsf.gov.
About the NSF Convergence Accelerator
Launched in 2019, the NSF Convergence Accelerator—a TIP program—builds upon NSF’s investment in basic research and discovery to accelerate solutions toward societal and economic impact. The program’s multidisciplinary teams use convergence research fundamentals and innovation processes to stimulate innovative idea sharing and development of sustainable solutions. For more information about the program, visit new.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/convergence-accelerator.
Professor Emeritus in mechanical and aerospace engineering, Mark Glauser, has received the 2024 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Fluid Dynamics Award. The award recognizes individuals with outstanding contributions to the understanding of liquid and gas behavior in motion and notable accomplishments within the aerospace community. This prestigious award is proudly sponsored by the AIAA Fluid Dynamics Technical Committee.
Glauser was selected for his seminal contributions to the innovative use of multi-point low-dimensional methods for understanding and control of turbulent flows. He will be recognized during the 2024 AIAA AVIATION Forum and AIAA ASCEND event in Las Vegas, Nevada in July. He will also give a special Fluid Dynamics Award Lecture.
“This is indeed a great honor for me and reflects very positively on the Syracuse University mechanical and aerospace engineering department and the approximately 70 of my outstanding MS and Ph.D. students who have been key to my success,” says Glauser.
A civil and environmental engineering research group has won the 2024 Best Case Study Award in the Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment. The paper was written by graduate student Lucie Worthen G’19 along with Assistant Professors Christa Kelleher from the College of Arts and Sciences and Cliff Davidson from the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS). The award is nominated and selected by the Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI) editorial board.
The research group was awarded for their work on “A Diagnostic Analysis of Low-Impact Development Simulations with Stormwater Management Model (SWMM).” The paper compares the results of the SWMM of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with measurements of stormwater runoff from the green roof of the Nick Pirro Convention Center owned by Onondaga County.
Worthen, Kelleher, and Davidson will be recognized at the 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Convention during the awards and lectures presentation.
Since childhood, Marco Campos has carved his own path, one that took him from poverty to great success. Today, Campos, together with his sister, Deanna Campos-Miller, are committed to creating opportunities for educational institutions and communities in support of student success through their foundation, Campos Foundation.
Through the foundation, Campos, whose son is a third-year student in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, has just pledged $2.15 million to Syracuse University as part of the Forever Orange Campaign. The gift will fund a new student center in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS). The student center will offer programming designed to attract underrepresented students to the college and support the academic success of all ECS students. It comes at a time of tremendous growth for ECS. As part of the University’s Academic Strategic Plan, ECS will grow its enrollment and faculty ranks by 50% by 2028.
“The Campos Student Center will provide dedicated space for our students with a home for collaboration, community and access to resources that maximize their success,” says ECS Dean J. Cole Smith. “This space will facilitate club activities that enhance the experience of our diverse student body. More than that, it will be a home on campus that is inviting and welcoming to all.”
The Campos Student Center will be housed on the second floor of the Center for Science and Technology.
Marco and his sister grew up in West Denver, Colorado, raised by a single mother with limited resources. Campos-Miller says her brother literally wore the boots in the family. “Marco got the snow boots, but I didn’t have any, so when we had to walk to school in the snow, he would walk in front of me and pave the way to school,” says Campos-Miller. “He told me, ‘Walk right behind me in my footprints.’”
Today, the siblings are paving the way for student success through the Campos Foundation.
“As a young teenager, I didn’t have role models,” says Campos. “I sensed there was something bigger, but there wasn’t a clear path.” He was talented in math but received little encouragement or support until becoming part of a summer bridge program in his senior year of high school. That opened the door to engineering at the University of Colorado in Boulder where, for the first time, his potential was recognized and cultivated. “I never loved engineering and math, but I saw the pathway to a career in an engineering degree,” says Campos. “It was grueling work, but the perseverance and grind ultimately get you there. You have to be consistent and hold the course.”
Campos-Miller says her brother has never forgotten where he came from. “Marco wants to elevate as many people as possible, and he can do that by funding the right kinds of programs,” says Campos-Miller. “Grit, perseverance and compassion are the best ways to describe Marco. He was always a really good dreamer!”
Campos’ gift was inspired by a recent visit to campus and by the success of an earlier gift made by his foundation to the University of Colorado in Boulder. He says he saw the geography and the demographics of Syracuse and thought he could make a similar impact. He believes the new student center will be a welcoming and inclusive home where engineering, computer science, and other STEM students can go for academic support, financial advice and career direction. The student center is intended to inspire those who have big hopes and dreams but maybe haven’t been empowered in the past, he says.
“This kind of philanthropic support represents a true endorsement of and investment in the vision, mission and strategic planning of the College of Engineering and Computer Science,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “I am grateful to Marco and Deanna for their commitment to Syracuse University and am confident this center will have an impact on generations of students pursuing career paths in engineering.”
Campos’ career began with an internship at Texaco during his college years, and he was hired immediately upon graduation. By age 30, he had accumulated enough work and consulting experience, confidence and wealth to start his own company and start giving back. Campos EPC, established in 2005 with headquarters in Denver, offers engineering, procurement and construction counsel for utility, energy and midstream organizations. The company also offers STEM education initiatives through a community outreach program, while the foundation supports summer bridge programs, scholarships and SmartLabs at primary and secondary schools, among other initiatives.
“When I talk about the company, I rarely talk about the business,” says Campos. “Everyone can engineer. Everyone can project manage, but I want to be known for trying to improve the community and improve quality of life.”
He credits his hard-working employees for their commitment to giving back and driving the success of the Campos Foundation. He notes that the guiding principle of Campos companies is, “Our People are our Power,” and the power of philanthropy rests with his employees.
Campos and his sister believe the foundation’s intensive focus on mission through philanthropy, and the recruitment of specialized talent to lead and manage these kinds of student-centered programs helps universities “move the needle” when it comes to attracting students of all backgrounds to engineering fields. “This has become our corporate and social responsibility,” says Campos. “You have to be focused and disciplined and patient in your approach. Working with the University, we set up metrics to make sure the funding is accomplishing our established goals.”
Campos-Miller says the naming of the new student center aligns the hopes and dreams of students with the man who forged an enviable path to success. “Campos isn’t just a name. It’s the story behind the name. It represents possibilities and pathways to get there.”
“We all have a sphere of influence and it’s incumbent on each of us to affect our sphere of influence in the most positive ways we can,” says Campos. “Putting good out there in the universe brings back good, even more than we put out.”
New York City has over 12,000 miles of sidewalks, thousands of buses, and a huge transit system that can get you from one end of the city to the other. It’s perfect for pedestrians – but how accessible is it?
Vision loss affects hundreds of New Yorkers, who may find it difficult to navigate sidewalks, crosswalks, and intersections. However, steps are being taken to address these accessibility issues. Along with recent federal court orders for NYC to install accessible pedestrian signals throughout the city, four electrical and computer engineering students are taking accessibility a step further with their navigational cane, Pear Vision+.
“We knew we wanted to make something that was really practical and useful,” says Armani Isonguyo ‘25. “Traditional canes serve only as a physical extension of the user, providing information of any obstacles within 5 feet proximity. Our cane offers comprehensive navigational aid.”
Created by Isonguyo, Alexander Segarra ‘24, Elliot Salas ‘24, and Isaish Fernandez ‘24, the engineering group’s smart cane can identify obstacles in a person’s way, which direction they’re facing the obstacle, and whether the objects are moving. It also provides feedback through audio descriptions via Bluetooth and vibrations, giving users a better understanding of their surroundings.
“I love video games and Nintendo Switches and PlayStation 5s all incorporate vibration into gameplay,” Salas says. “The original idea was actually to put a PlayStation 5 motor in the cane for vibration, but we used a 5V haptic motor disk instead.”
The smart cane is equipped with NVIDIA’s Jetson platform, which helps it identify objects in the surrounding environment. It also has a depth-sensing camera that can determine distances and create a three-dimensional view of the environment. This assists visually impaired individuals in identifying obstacles in real time and navigating their surroundings safely. The cane was also modeled using Shapr3D, a 3D modeling tool.
“With the design, we didn’t focus too much on the length or thickness of the cane, based on previous inspirations in the real world,” says Segarra. “We focused more on the handle and the angle you would want to hold so it doesn’t break.”
The students presented Pear Vision+ at the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s (ECS) Open House and also won the William Peil Award for the best electrical engineering and computer science senior design project. They see potential for their project to impact the lives of many.
“I saw this project as one that was meaningful in advancing a certain industry and the world. I’m glad to be part of something that can be impactful,” says Segarra.
“This project not only pushed the boundaries of what we can achieve with technology but also taught us the importance of engineering solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives. We are proud to contribute to a more accessible world,” says Isonguyo.
Michael Blatchley’s broad experiences in biomedical engineering and interests in tissue formation made him the perfect fit for both the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the BioInspired Institute. Get to know Blatchley as he discusses his career path, advice to students, and his new role as an assistant professor.
Tell us about yourself and what brought you to Syracuse University. What sparked your interest in teaching here?
I’m originally from Indiana, went to Purdue in my hometown of West Lafayette, lived in Baltimore, Maryland for graduate school at Johns Hopkins, moved to Boulder, Colorado during my postdoc, and now, of course, I’m in Syracuse. I’ve been lucky to experience many different areas of the country and loved my experiences in each place, but Central New York fits my interest in the outdoors, and Syracuse itself has been a great fit for my family.
I was drawn to Syracuse University by my great interactions with faculty and students, the investment in junior faculty, and the collaborative nature of a lot of the current research on campus. I can envision numerous collaborations within biomedical and chemical engineering (BMCE) as well as across disciplines in other departments. I’m really looking forward to working as part of the BioInspired Institute because I of course love the science and engineering components, but I also love the arts and think the crossover between the arts and sciences can lead to interesting and innovative ideas.
What are your research interests?
Despite my earliest career aspirations to become an NBA All-Star, my genetics precluded me from success along that career trajectory, so I decided instead to pursue a career in academia.
I’m interested in understanding how tissues form, and how we can take what we learn from biology to build ever-improving models of human tissues in the lab. We can use these models to understand aspects of fundamental biology and tissue regeneration, but also to model disease and, perhaps someday, produce lab-grown tissues for transplantation.
What made you interested in this research?
I became interested in this type of work through a circuitous path spanning a few different fields. When I was an undergraduate, I chose to major in Biomedical Engineering because I had broad interests in all fields that made up the “fundamentals of engineering,” and I liked how those could be applied to solving problems in human health. I also knew I was interested in research, so I looked for a number of different summer research opportunities throughout my undergraduate years.
I first worked at a small startup/contract research company synthesizing and characterizing different biomaterials for medical applications. I then worked in plant biochemistry for a summer through a program funded by HHMI to merge statistics and biology, where I learned a lot of transferrable research skills and how genetically modified organisms can be used to study fundamental science toward real-world applications. Finally, I worked in a clinical research lab with a focus on pulmonology. These broad experiences, combined with my exposure to tissue engineering during a course in my senior year, laid a perfect foundation for me to pursue a PhD with a focus on tissue engineering.
I went into the PhD program with more of an interest in translational work but really developed a love for work in building fundamental in vitro models as well. Since then, my work has spanned the spectrum of tissue engineering, from projects focused on more fundamental modeling of regeneration to designing materials to better characterize in vitro organ models, to engineering dynamic materials to control how tissues form in a reproducible and predictable way. I am fascinated by learning how tissues grow so we can better grow them ourselves, and the field of tissue engineering is perfect to pursue research questions around this central premise.
What are you most excited about in your role as an assistant professor?
Something that really attracts me about academia is the intellectual freedom. Along those lines, I am looking forward to continuing my own work and following my research interests in new directions through collaboration and discovery. But what I’m looking forward to even more is helping guide and mentor students and other trainees toward finding what they are passionate about in research or in their chosen career paths.
What advice do you have for students?
Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and learn new things. My most memorable classes helped me broaden my interests rather than narrow my scope of study. The same goes for research. I worked in a wide range of fields that helped me refine my interests to pursue research I was passionate about.
Always ask a question if you have it (maybe ask it in your head one time before you ask it out loud to make sure it’s thoughtful and constructive, but don’t be afraid to ask it!).
What are some things you like to do for fun?
I love to spend time with my family outside, hiking, biking, running, skiing, etc. I’m also a film buff, but weirdly my 18-month-old daughter isn’t as interested in Lynchian horror and 80s schlock as I am. I like to cook and bake, as well. Reviews range from feigned interest to shocking surprise.
Syracuse University today announced its plans to launch the Syracuse University Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, an interdisciplinary center that will bring together expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, manufacturing processes, optimization and robotics to advance the science of semiconductor manufacturing. The center will be funded by a $10 million investment from the University, as well as a $10 million grant from Onondaga County. The center is part of a more than $100 million investment in strategically transforming STEM and expanding the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) at Syracuse University over the next five years.
Housed in the University’s Center for Science and Technology and situated within ECS, the new center will position the University and Central New York as a global leader in research and education on the intelligent manufacturing of semiconductors.
“Syracuse University and Onondaga County have a longstanding history of collaborating in ways that are mutually beneficial for our students, faculty and staff; the Central New York community and the economic prosperity of our region,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “I am grateful for the county’s support. I look forward to the teaching and research that will occur at this new center as well as the meaningful ways that its educational outcomes will contribute to a thriving advanced semiconductor manufacturing industry in Central New York.”
Today’s announcement comes as Micron Technology continues its $100 billion investment in Central New York, which is expected to create 50,000 new jobs in the region, including 9,000 high-paying jobs directly with Micron. Micron will also invest $500 million in community and workforce development, focusing on assisting traditionally underrepresented and disadvantaged populations while training or retraining the region’s workforce.
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, who was central to attracting Micron to Central New York, says this new facility will play a significant role in helping to drive economic development, cultivate the talent pipeline, attract federal research and development funding and build the semiconductor supply chain in Syracuse.
“As Onondaga County prepares to become the hub for memory technology chip production, we know that we will need our partners in higher education to help develop the necessary workforce critical to ensuring our success,” says McMahon. “With this historic investment by Onondaga County and Syracuse University to launch the Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, we are taking a huge step forward in that effort. This new center will serve as a vital workforce pipeline as Micron proceeds with the largest investment in the country at White Pine Business Park. I want to thank Chancellor Syverud and the entire team at Syracuse University for their commitment and partnership in making this important initiative a reality.”
The new Syracuse University Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing will drive progress in manufacturing processes across the semiconductor supply chain. A state-of-the-art teaching and research facility, it will replicate an autonomous-advanced manufacturing floor enabling research and design that will make Syracuse and the United States globally competitive in semiconductor manufacturing technologies. Students will be trained in the manufacturing technologies of today and create the new ideas that will drive the industry tomorrow. This university’s ongoing partnership with Micron and the county will ensure that Onondaga County can deliver chips through the most high-quality and cost-effective manufacturing processes possible for years to come.
“Central New York is about to undergo a once-in-a-generation transformation and Syracuse University will play a critical role as one of the region’s key higher education partners,” says Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation J. Michael Haynie. “We are proud to partner with the county, Micron and other community and business leaders to prepare a workforce in a way that capitalizes on all of the economic opportunities facing our region today.”
The new center is aligned with the University’s academic strategic plan and leverages the investment it has already made in AI, manufacturing, quantum technologies and precision measurement. Over the next five years, the University will hire more than 10 new faculty at various ranks with expertise in manufacturing process engineering and automation, optimization and artificial intelligence, materials science engineering and other related fields.
“Not only will this center support economic and workforce development, it will also generate significant academic opportunities for both our students and our faculty from a teaching, learning and research perspective,” says Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter. “There is huge demand for trained professionals in and across these fields and Syracuse University will be at the forefront of preparing the next generation of scientists, engineers and leaders in the advanced semiconductor manufacturing space.”
The center’s research will drive the improvements in manufacturing needed to give designers the ability to create tomorrow’s most advanced chips. It will also deliver the skill sets needed by today’s semiconductor industry by educating graduate and undergraduate students in cutting-edge manufacturing and supply-chain technologies.
ECS Dean Cole Smith, who is leading the efforts to expand engineering at Syracuse, says the new center will allow the University to attract and retain diverse and talented student scholars from across the globe who will come to Syracuse to live, learn, study and work. The University will also work closely with the county and the City of Syracuse to recruit students from area high schools, including the new STEAM High School. These efforts directly support the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s plan to grow its undergraduate enrollment by 50% by 2028.
“We want to make advanced manufacturing tangible, exciting and accessible for all students, even if they have not yet seen engineering and computer science as a potential career field,” says Dean Smith. “One of the most exciting aspects of this center is in its dual use for research and education. Prospective students, especially those coming from Central New York, will see amazing opportunities for themselves in the field of semiconductor manufacturing. Instead of just reading about the industry, they will both witness exciting research and interact with an automated, intelligent factory floor when they visit the center.”
Work to transform existing space into the new facility is underway.
19 teams of engineering students presented their designs to industry partners at the end of the 2024 spring semester. These presentations were part of their senior capstone design course spanning the fall and spring semesters. Each team worked directly with their company sponsor to solve complex engineering problems. The top three capstone teams won a monetary prize based on the judges’ scores and this year’s winners were Pursuit Aerospace (first place), Govsphere (second place), and Aerovec (third place).
“I am so proud of all of my students who presented their senior design capstone projects to a panel of 14 industry expert judges,” says Kenneth and Mary Ann Shaw Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurial Leadership Alex Deyhim. “Each team presented the results of their year-long company-sponsored projects. They also gave poster presentations to our esteemed guests during the networking lunch.
“We are grateful to our 19 faculty mentors who worked with the teams all year, and to our esteemed panel of judges who gave their time and expertise to provide invaluable feedback to the teams. We also want to thank Boeing Corp. for sponsoring the Boeing Award. All the teams gave amazing presentations and determining the winners required calculating the scores to three decimal places!”
The projects and companies that students worked with in the 2023-2024 academic year were:
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-
Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
Integrated Sustainable Building Design: Designed an HVAC System for a new library in São Paolo, Brazil.
Hydronic Shell
Simulation of a Novel Heating & Cooling Concept: Identified the key components of the design for the Hydronic Shell, a modular HVAC system integrated into panels that form an insulated shell over an existing building.
Pursuit Aerospace
CNC Machining Fixture – Clamp Redesign: Manufactured all components to be used within the CNC machine and enhanced the overall performance of the clamping mechanism.
Aerovec
Small-Scale Wind for Rooftop Applications: Assisted with the design of a small-scale wind turbine that could be installed on rooftops for commercial, industrial, and agricultural applications.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Neutron Velocity Selector Test Base and Cover: Designed a permanently mounted base with an attached protective cover to house all models of NVS during the testing phase and ensure the safety of all test participants in the event of a worst-case scenario.
American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE)
Promoting Electric Propulsion (PEP): Designed and built an aquatic vessel propelled by electrical propulsion.
New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT)
Deformation of Elastomeric Bridge Bearings: Determined the maximum horizontal shear force bridge bearings could withstand before permanent deformation.
Microsoft
Bifacial Coldplates for High Power Servers: Developed a liquid-cooled server to provide efficient and adequate heat transfer from protected and stressed equipment.
Corning
Generative AI for Solving Real-World Problems: Improved mechanical engineering design processes by eliminating the manual operation of 3D design software through means of generative AI.
Boeing
Sustainable Composite Materials for Aircraft Interiors: Investigated the feasibility of sustainable composite alternatives to address end-of-life and environmental issues without sacrificing durability or product quality.
Lockheed Martin
Additively Manufactured Cold Plate: Investigated, analyzed, procured, and tested AM cold plate designs that were representative of designs under consideration for use in high heat dissipating electronic module assemblies.
Lote Biologics
Utility Steam Generation Plant Design: Developed an appropriately sized new design, which met current and future facility demands in a highly efficient manner.
Thermal Space
Lightweight Graphene Radiators for Space System: Developed a baseline radiator panel design that could help to predict performance such as heat rejection capacity as well as temperature gradients.
SEPAC
Universal Torque Testing Machine: Developed and prototyped a torque and burnishing system for electromagnetic clutches and brakes for SEPAC.
Northrop Grumman
Generate an Empirical Database to Characterize Critical Oscillating Heat Pipe: Designed and tested physical OHP heatsinks to determine which design would allow for the highest heat flux in a system.
L3Harris
Universal Adjustable Antenna Mounting System: Created a sustainable, reliable, and user-friendly solution for temporary communications systems installation on helicopters.
Govsphere
Modernization of MedX Rehab Medical Machines: Designed the next generation of the MedX Rehab Lumbar Extension and Cervical Extension machines, integrated electric motors, and redesigned the counterbalance, weight stack, and frame of each machine.
SAAB
Micro-Unmanned Underwater Vehicle STEM Design: Designed and constructed a cost-effective modular STEM kit variant of a military micro-unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) at a reasonable cost for academic use.
Electrolux
AGV (Automated Guided Vehicles): Evaluated implementing Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) at the Kinston, North Carolina facility and facilitated efficient transportation of materials, including raw and assembled sumps, within the facility.
The College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) is proud to announce Professor Shiu-Kai Chin as the recipient of the Chancellor’s Medal, the University’s highest honor. This award is presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Syracuse University and the world. Chin’s research has greatly impacted the field of computer security and he remains a leading figure in trustworthy computer system research. He is currently the Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence and professor of electrical engineering and computer science.
“It’s a huge privilege. I owe so much to this university and the wonderful people here,” says Chin. “I’m very pleased and proud to receive the Chancellor’s Medal. My obligation is to pay things forward.”
In 1969, when Chin was a high school junior attending camp, he visited Syracuse University’s campus for the first time. This trip would influence his decision to attend Syracuse for his undergraduate studies and pursue his interest in computer science and engineering, which were relatively new fields at the time. Syracuse University was one of the few research institutions that offered this curriculum, making it an easy choice for Chin to pursue his studies. He would graduate with a computer engineering degree in 1975.
Chin started his professional career at General Electric and planned to obtain a master’s degree. General Electric offered an advanced three-year engineering course which led to a master’s degree from Syracuse University upon completion, and after completing the course, Chin continued working at General Electric. However, he reconsidered after a colleague mentioned how enjoyable it was to work at Syracuse University.
“They told me they have fun at Syracuse every day. I had never associated fun and work in the same sentence,” says Chin. “I have no regrets working for General Electric. It was satisfying. The concept of work, while meaningful and important, also being fun, I’ve never had that thought.”
Chin would land a position with Syracuse University in 1986, bringing his expertise in computer security, systems assurance, and formal verification to his teaching. His research involves the use of mathematical logic for designing and verifying trustworthy computer systems. He also focuses on policy-based design and verification, with an emphasis on using computer-assisted reasoning and higher-order logic theorem provers.
Chin has received awards and honors, including the Provost Faculty Fellow, Chancellor’s Citation for Outstanding Contributions to the University’s Academic Programs and the Crouse Hinds Award for Excellence in Education. He has worked closely with Syracuse University’s Center for Information Systems Assurance and Trust, as well as the Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism. He has also written multiple publications on his research, worked with the Air Force’s trustworthy systems and hardware-based security and collaborated with JP Morgan Chase on transaction security.
When Chin reflects on his career at the University, he finds joy in conducting his research but also in seeing his students explore and discover on their own.
“I love the exuberant, optimistic energy and excitement that new students carry. It reminds me of when I was a student as well. It happens every year when a new batch of students come,” he says. “I also love it when students come back and want to meet with me and tell me what happened after they graduated. That’s what makes faculty life so remarkably satisfying.”
Though Chin is retiring from the University, he will continue research efforts with the government and corporations and has some active proposals that are under consideration with the Air Force. He also has a CRADA (Cooperative Research and Development Agreement) with NSA in mission assurance, cybersecurity and trustworthy AI in security, all of which he looks forward to completing.
“Syracuse was the first institution that made me feel at home. I never had to explain myself. The faculty in the college understood me. I’m very fortunate that Syracuse University took a chance on me.”
The College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) is proud to announce that Abby Fite G’18 has joined the College as the Director of Inclusive Excellence.
Fite is returning to Syracuse University from Bucknell University where she was the Associate Director for Gender and Sexuality Resources and Women’s Resources in the Office of Gender and Sexuality Resources, Equity and Inclusive Excellence. While at Bucknell, Fite received the President’s Diversity and Inclusion award in April 2023.
Prior to Bucknell, Fite was the Manager of Graduate Administration at the University of Pittsburgh’s Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and was a Program Coordinator at Syracuse University’s LGBTQ Resource Center.
In the Director of Inclusive Excellence role, Fite will help create strategic goals for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) within ECS and advise on effective implementation of initiatives undertaken as a part of ECS’s strategic plan. Fite will oversee assessment of DEIA in the College along with overseeing and coordinating training and education of faculty, staff, students, and student leaders.
“Over a decade ago, I began my career in higher education by accepting a position at Syracuse University’s LGBT Resource Center. Not long after, I enrolled in Syracuse’s School of Education to pursue a Master’s in Cultural Foundations of Education. Each of my professional and educational experiences has shaped the person I am today, but none more so than my experiences at Syracuse, where I discovered my passion for higher education administration; where I developed the understanding of identity and power and privilege and oppression that undergirds my work in DEIA; and where I met so many of the mentors and mentees who affirm and challenge and sustain my commitment to equity and justice, not just in the workplace but across my life,” says Fite. “I am thrilled to return to the University where I grew into myself; and as the Director of Inclusive Excellence for the College of Engineering and Computer Science, I look forward to cultivating a culture of belonging that invites students, staff, and faculty of all identities to do the same.”
Fite received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Vassar College, a master’s degree in cultural foundations of education from Syracuse University and a doctoral degree in educational foundations, organizations and policy from the University of Pittsburgh.
As the construction industry faces challenges in infrastructure maintenance, Syracuse University has established the Infrastructure Institute to develop new approaches to address these issues. Under the leadership of Min Liu, the institute strives to develop talent, conduct research, and educate the public to ensure a sustainable, collaborative future in infrastructure.
“The biggest issues we see right now are public safety, the environmental impact of infrastructure, and a long-term shortage of skilled laborers,” says Liu. “My vision for this institute is to build a platform to facilitate different people from different sections to work together.”
Liu earned her Ph.D. in engineering project management from the University of California, Berkeley in 2007. She then worked as an assistant and later associate professor at North Carolina State University until 2022. During her tenure, she conducted research on construction engineering and management, collected large amounts of empirical data, and used modeling programming to analyze the data and improve productivity.
Additionally, Liu worked with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Construction Industry Institute. She also became Chair of the ASCE Construction Research Council from 2020 to 2021. In 2022, Liu joined Syracuse University as the Abdallah H. Yabroudi Endowed Professor in Sustainable Civil Infrastructure and the director of the Infrastructure Institute, bringing years of experience to her respective roles.
The Infrastructure Institute is developing academic programs, research opportunities, and internships for students and educational programs for public officials and professionals. The institute also collaborates with a wide range of professionals, including information technology experts, data analysts, architects, environmental design professionals, journalists, and business professionals.
Min’s goal is to create a platform that consists of three main pillars: the public, private, and student and faculty sectors. Since building infrastructure requires funding from the government, the union labor association serves as the workforce to construct infrastructure, and students are the future of the industry, collaboration between these three sectors is integral for the success of the institute.
“Public authorities provide the direction and funding for infrastructure. Universities and faculty provide education to students. Students will then become the fresh blood for the public authorities and construction industry. These three sectors are crucial and it’s important they work together.”
Liu has organized various events to integrate the different disciplines within the institute. They held a reception attended by nine different departments and centers at the University. During the event, lightning talks were hosted, and attendees discussed their vision for the future and ongoing research. This event also provided an opportunity for people to socialize and get to know each other.
“With the support of the Office of Research and collaborating with the School of Architecture, the institute developed a request for proposal to encourage and facilitate collaboration across the SU campus to improve infrastructure policy and delivery based on the I-81 project,” says Liu.
Liu has also taught a capstone course that included various students across the college with the goal of helping them prepare for their roles in infrastructure project management and delivery.
Four civil and environmental engineering students in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) won first place in the regional American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Sustainable Solutions Competition. The competition took place at the Upstate New York-Canada ASCE Student Symposium at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in mid-April, and the team consisted of Emma Liptrap ’24, Ananya Chandra ’24, Sam Livingston ’24, and Caitlin Spillane ’24. Liptrap served as team captain.
The ASCE competition challenges students to understand and implement sustainable solutions and the primary goal of the team’s project was to reinvigorate a fictional city’s waterfront. They designed a community center, a mixed-use development, a commercial area, and a waterfront park with pedestrian pathways and a bus loop with accessibility throughout the site. The waterfront’s innovative design also utilized green infrastructure to manage stormwater and mitigate flooding. The design exceeds the “Superior” level of the Institute of Sustainable Infrastructure’s ENVISION framework.
Additionally, a group of seven civil and environmental engineering students participated in the Student Steel Bridge Competition at RPI and the student team consisted of Patrick Alberga ‘25, Henry Bievenue ‘24, Henry Long ‘25, Sumit Mistry ‘24, Maxwell Pozar ‘25, Aaron Shinn ‘25 and Arturo Venegas ‘25. Shinn served as team captain.
The Steel Bridge Competition challenges students to create a scaled-model steel bridge. The team designed, fabricated, and constructed a 150 lb. and 21-foot-long steel bridge in segments and assembled the segments into a fully functional bridge within a time limit. The bridge was then subjected to various geometry and loading tests during the competition.
The Sustainable Solutions team has received an official invitation to compete at the 2024 ASCE Student Championships at Brigham Young University in June and is preparing for the national competition.
Get to know the staff who keep the department of mechanical and aerospace engineering (MAE) running smoothly!
Name: Karen Dixon-Cherebin
Title: Academic Support Coordinator
Tell us about your role at Engineering and Computer Science:
I am responsible for managing class scheduling, enrollment and classroom assignments, among other academic tasks for students and faculty.
I also assist the Department Chair with MAE events and special projects.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
Having the opportunity to work with a diverse group of students. I like to remind students to let their faith be bigger than their fear.
Name: Megan Claxton
Title: Budget Manager
Tell us about your role at Engineering and Computer Science:
I manage all department funding and provide guidance on the usage of available funds. I also help to facilitate grant proposals and manage the grants once awarded.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
My favorite part about working at ECS is having a good network of friendly and helpful colleagues.
Chemical engineering senior Emily Fittante ’24 received the 2024 Allen J. Barduhn Award. This award acknowledges academic excellence with a commitment to service the chemical engineering profession.
Hometown:
Niagara Falls, NY
Activities you have been involved with:
AIChE, Research in Dr. Monroe’s Lab, Alpha Omega Epsilon
Favorite thing about Biomedical and Chemical Engineering:
That the class sizes and welcoming environment allowed for me to form close relationships with both my professors and classmates.
Favorite thing about Syracuse University:
That Syracuse offers plenty of organizations, activities, and opportunities to meet people from various backgrounds and with similar interests.
Plan after graduation:
To gain experience in process engineering through working in the industry and potentially returning to school to complete my Master’s.
The College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) is proud to announce Professor Shobha K. Bhatia as the recipient of the Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award. From research and teaching to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, her outstanding contributions have made her a leading figure within her fields of study and ECS. As Bhatia prepares to retire, she leaves a legacy of inclusion, empowerment and environmental justice, inspiring hundreds of students and colleagues to do the same.
“The Chancellor’s Award means a lot. The greatest honor is that my colleagues took time to nominate me,” says Bhatia. “My students [at Syracuse] and colleagues from around the country and abroad wrote beautiful letters. I’m thrilled to receive this award.”
Bhatia completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering at IIT Roorkee, India in 1971 and 1973. She went on to earn her Ph.D. as a Commonwealth Scholar at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver in 1980. While searching for a job, she initially didn’t consider the College of Engineering and Computer Science as an option. However, when her husband, Tej Bhatia, became a faculty member at Syracuse University’s Languages, Literatures and Linguistics (LLL) Department, she decided to join him.
Aside from the chilly weather, Bhatia wasn’t sure what to expect when she first arrived at Syracuse University. She was the only female faculty member in ECS at the time and the only full female professor in the engineering college until 2008. This experience defined her approach to supporting colleagues and students.
“Syracuse University made me feel like this was my university, my work – my voice meant something. I want to give the same feeling to my students – it’s their university, their department, their lab.”
Infusing environmental justice and sustainability in her research goals, Bhatia is an influential figure in geotechnical engineering. Her research on geotextile tubes has critical applications in containment systems and filters. She also developed the Bubble Point technique, which more accurately evaluates geotextile filters used in roads and landfills. The American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) recognized the increased efficiency and accuracy of the Bubble Point technique and has adopted it as a standard test method.
Bhatia has published over 150 articles and book chapters covering topics that range from soil materials and erosion control to road and building construction and the protection of water quality. She has taught many courses at Syracuse University, as well as guest lectures and seminars in the United States, Mexico, India, Singapore, and the United Kingdom among others. Bhatia also served as a consultant with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station on the dynamic analysis of the 340-foot-high Folson dam.
In addition to her impactful research and contributions, Bhatia has been instrumental in creating programs to support undergraduate students in their academics within the University. As co-director of Women in Science & Engineering (WiSE), she developed a learning community designed for first-year women in STEM. She has worked with the WiSE leadership team to establish the WiSE Future Professoriate Program for graduate students and the WiSE undergraduate Women of Color Career Preparation Program (WWoC), both of which provide support for women pursuing STEM degrees.
When reflecting on her work, Bhatia does not focus on what she has given to the University, but rather on what Syracuse University has given to her. “When I think about the times, I was the happiest working, it was with my students and colleagues. Working with them has always been a highlight. The Syracuse community has been wonderful, and I’ve been able to make lifelong friends.”
Bhatia has also received the 2024 USUCGER Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Award for her efforts toward improving DEI initiatives in geotechnical engineering and the 2025 Robert M. Koerner Award for her contributions to the geosynthetics industry.
She will continue her work at Syracuse University as a research faculty member for two additional years, working on several collaborative research projects in the U.S. and India. ECS will not be the same after Bhatia’s retirement, but her legacy of collaboration, innovation, and revolutionary research will benefit the university for years to come.
“People have been asking me how I feel but I’ve never retired before, so I don’t know what I feel. It’s a new experience for me,” Bhatia says. “It’s an interesting time for me to reflect because we don’t often take time to reflect…When I think about my accomplishments, it’s not about the number of papers I’ve published. It’s the people I’ve worked with and what we’ve been able to accomplish together.”
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) Professor Farzana Rahman received a Meredith Teaching Recognition Award at the 2024 One University Awards. The award is sponsored by the Syracuse University Meredith Professors to recognize excellence in teaching and foster a culture of collegial mentoring among faculty members.
Rahman joined the College of Engineering and Computer Science in the spring of 2020. She has taught core courses in the across the EECS department. Central to her teaching approach is an active learning style, which pairs hands-on programming exercises with challenging projects that demand students to cultivate skills in problem-solving, debugging, and software engineering in general. She is dedicated to creating equitable education and learning experiences for all students.
“Farzana Rahman is an exemplary teacher,” says Professor Shiu-Kai Chin. “Our students are fortunate that they can learn fundamental concepts from her. She represents our profession and Syracuse University in an exemplary fashion.”
“We have seen Professor Rahman motivate students through her enthusiasm, high expectations, challenging, and well-structured course design,” says Interim Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department Chair Susan Older. “Despite her successes in the classroom, we are most appreciative of the reflection she maintains as she isolates student learning difficulties, designs activities to remedy these difficulties, and then self-evaluates how she can improve each course from semester to semester.”
“Professor Rahman has served as the ‘go-to’ professor for many women and underrepresented students who frequently seek her advice on resume building, internship/job interview preparation, research supervision, and the higher education admission process,” said Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Academic Initiatives Jae Oh.
Biomedical engineering senior Jade Carter has been selected by the Patrick P. Lee Foundation as the 2024 Distinguished Lee Scholar.
The Lee Foundation focuses on post-secondary scholarships for students studying engineering and technology and are well positioned to enter the workforce upon graduation with minimum debt. Each year, the Lee Foundation awards 100 scholarships to students at ten colleges and universities including Syracuse University.
The Distinguished Lee Scholar Award is given to “an exceptional Lee Scholar who has successfully integrated the Foundation’s values of integrity, leadership and service into their personal and academic endeavors. The Distinguished Lee Scholar is a leader in and out of the classroom, helps foster the community of Lee Scholars, and finds meaningful ways to give back to others.“
My favorite aspect of BMCE is its vibrant research environment, which is highlighted by the communal lab equipment and workspace. This setup fosters a collaborative atmosphere where one can readily seek assistance from colleagues during experimental roadblocks. Additionally, it facilitates a dynamic exchange of ideas and learning opportunities among undergraduate and graduate students, all within a friendly and supportive context.
Favorite thing about Syracuse University:
My favorite part about SU is the campus’s beauty, especially during the summer and winter seasons.
Plan after graduation:
I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, where I am advancing research in medical biomaterials, particularly wound dressings.
Biomedical and chemical engineering (BMCE) students presented their senior capstone design projects at the National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC). The presentations consisted of seven biomedical engineering teams and three chemical engineering teams. Members of the BMCE Advisory Board, consisting of industrial and academic representatives, served as judges for the poster session. This senior design course challenges students to study real-world issues and develop a solution from concept to prototype.
Triple C+: An Adaptive Neck Orthotic
Develops a neck orthotic focused on comfort, adaptability, and safety for patients with neck muscle weakness.
Members: Colin Babick, Shaila Cuellar, Roxana Gomez, Brenna Henderson
Client: Sarah Seib
BiRed Breast Cancer Imaging Table
Aims to revolutionize breast cancer diagnosis by enhancing patient comfort and accessibility
Members: Jonathan Hernandez, AMathieu Barthelemy, Dominic Clinch, Jonathan Ngo, Alyssa Shelburne
Client: Dr. Satish Kandlikar, CEO of BiRed Imaging
Gait 2 Go: Gait Analysis Anytime Anywhere
Simplifies gait analysis for clinicians by eliminating the need for expensive labs and gait experts
Mechanical engineering students Ian Storrs, David Denneen and Hunter Knarr and their faculty mentor, Professor Kasey Laurent, qualified for the 2024 American Society of Naval Engineers Promoting Electric Propulsion (PEP) Unmanned Division competition in Virginia Beach. This is the first year that Syracuse University College of Engineering and Computer Science is participating in the PEP program. The student team worked extremely hard designing and building their remote-controlled electric boat, overcoming a number of obstacles to complete their project in time for the two-day competition.
On Tuesday, April 16th, 35 craft qualified to race in time-trial heats for five miles. Under the supervision of Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock, Combatant Craft Division (NSWCCD CCD), team after team took their craft into the open water and tested them in the rigorous Virginia Beach conditions. Judges from the Office of Naval Research, ASNE Tidewater Section, ROBONATION, and student volunteers tracked and documented their progress.
Oliver Fernandez ’08 graduated with a civil engineering degree and played for the Syracuse University football team. He lives in Washington D.C. with his wife Leah and their two children. Fernandez owns McKenzie, a construction company that has successfully completed over $100M worth of projects.
Fernandez will be the keynote speaker at the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s 2024 Convocation at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 11th. The Convocation will be held at the Lally Athletics Complex.
What initially brought you to Syracuse University?
“My mom really steered me into going to college and Syracuse University. I was a good student but I had an eye-opening experience when I went to Syracuse. I knew I was in the right environment to go to the next level but at the same time I knew I needed to step up and sharpen my skills.”
I got into a really good routine. I was focused on school. I knew that if I couldn’t hold up the school part of the deal, I would not be playing on the sports side. That experience was incredible and it taught me to take action on what I could do. Don’t compete against anyone else, just compete against what you are capable of. I started getting better day after day at both football and in my classes. It all snowballed in a good direction.”
How did you start your career after graduation?
“I moved to Atlanta and I was working in construction but wound up moving back to Maine to take care of my mom. Some classes I took in Atlanta opened my eyes to real estate. When I moved to New York, I started looking at property in Washington, D.C. and decided to buy and renovate a building. I was 23 years old and one of our neighbors was so impressed with our work that he financed me to renovate two buildings he owned. Things just kept growing and expanding from there. Last year we did $40 million in projects.”
Have you found that your engineering background has been beneficial in running your company?
“We are working on solving problems every day. My mindset is – we need to prioritize the problems. We solve this one problem and it will knock all the other dominos down. Engineering can be very practical and the principles help guide everything we do. Engineers think about life in practical ways and it helps with business and entrepreneurship.”
What advice would you have for current students?
“I took the hardest option. I started my own business but it made me the person I am today. That’s what taking the hardest challenge does – it makes you the person you dream of being. Look at all your options and see which one can take you to where you want to be.”
Is part of the process to keep setting new goals that are more challenging?
“My initial goal was to get to $10 million in business in a year but after two or three years we were there. I like new challenges so we are resetting the target for $100 million dollars a year. Reaching these goals shows the team that we can get there. Confidence is everything and it is another great characteristic that Syracuse University developed in me.”
Electrical engineering and computer science (EECS) professor Qinru Qiu has been named a Distinguished Professor by the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS).
Her current research focuses on improving the energy efficiency of computing, from runtime power and thermal management of computer systems, and energy harvesting real-time embedded systems, to her recent works in brain-inspired hardware and software for neuromorphic computing.
“I am delighted to learn that Professor Qinru Qiu is being elevated to the rank of Distinguished Professor,” says EECS Distinguished Professor, Pramod Varshney. “Qinru is widely known for her seminal work on energy-efficient computing as well as neuromorphic computing. Her contributions to scholarship, education, and service at Syracuse University are exemplary. She truly deserves this timely recognition.”
“I am very excited and truly honored to receive this special award,” says Qiu. “I want to thank my colleagues for their support and trust. This is a new start for me, and I will continue performing my best.”
Despite advances in cybersecurity, even the most protected networks are vulnerable to cyberattacks due to software bugs or security flaws. Though vulnerability detection methods such as fuzzing can detect bugs, these methods have some limitations. Endadul Hoque, assistant professor in electrical engineering and computer science, has made significant progress researching computer networks and systems security and is working to enhance network security by developing an innovative automated solution.
Hoque has received a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award to research context-sensitive fuzzing for networked systems. This grant supports early career faculty with their professional development and will build upon Hoque’s research on computer networks and systems security, program analysis, and software engineering.
“Many big tech companies like Google and Microsoft have been investing in fuzzing techniques and have seen the importance of finding bugs in existing software,” Hoque says. “The National Institute of Standards in Technology (NIST) also endorses fuzzing as an automated technique for security testing. This project will push boundaries within the field and have an impact on cybersecurity.”
Hoque’s project has three research goals. The first goal is to create a language that can encode complex structures of inputs that change depending on the context and develop algorithms that can quickly generate correct inputs based on this language. The second goal is to create techniques that can mutate these inputs without losing their context sensitivity, which is essential for the process of fuzzing. The final goal is to create mechanisms that ensure the internal state of a protocol is accurately maintained. This will allow each fuzz input to be tested in a suitable state for the protocol being tested.
“In this area of research, people tend to focus on strengthening the system by finding flaws in the existing system that we use in our day-to-day life,” Hoque says. “How can we find loopholes in real-world security-critical systems? This research award falls under that category to advance the limitations of existing methodologies.”
As part of his project, Hoque plans to improve cybersecurity courses and hold K-12 workshops to promote cybersecurity awareness, integrating his research findings into these initiatives. The project will also encourage undergraduate and graduate students from historically marginalized communities to get involved with educational and research activities.
Additionally, Hoque will form a team for cybersecurity competitions such as capture-the-flag (CTF) competitions, where participants search for hidden text strings in vulnerable websites or programs. These gamified competitions are also an effective way to improve cybersecurity education.
“This project has the potential to significantly enhance the robustness of protocol implementations and cybersecurity education, benefiting society. I’m happy to have received this prestigious award.”
Advancing Women Engineers (AWE) held its first in-person meeting with a panel event and networking dinner. Dedicated to building a community for women in engineering by leveraging the support of its alumnae network, AWE seeks to empower the next generations of women in STEM to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and find a sense of belonging.
“The panelists talked about their experiences and their journey as women in the College of Engineering Computer Science (ECS). They gave us advice and supporting words that I will carry on during my next three years in college,” says computer science student Esther Chang ‘26.
“AWE’s Networking group was a fantastic way for me to not only meet alumni but to also know them on a more personal level. This way, I could relate with them a lot more,” says computer science student Adya Parida ‘25.
“The panelists shared their struggles in college and uncertainty regarding their careers. Many panelists changed jobs multiple times and I could relate to that since I am also unsure about my career path currently,” says computer science student Meagan Gonzalez ‘26.
In addition to providing a safe space for women in engineering, AWE seeks to raise awareness about the meaningful work that engineers do and improve the perception of women in STEM while offering mentoring and career and internship opportunities.
“The biggest takeaway for me was the fact that I am not alone in engineering and there is a large Orange community of talented women engineers who have been in my shoes before, and I can always reach out to them for guidance,” says Parida.
“For me, the biggest takeaway is that it is possible to graduate from ECS and find a job in a respectable environment and kindhearted people. Hearing from alumnae let me learn that not every experience after college will be negative and you can still have a successful and positive experience,” says Gonzalez.
AWE plans to host many events to engage alumni and students through networking, immersion programming, “Real Talk” sessions, virtual conferences, and more.
“As a student who transferred into computer science this semester, it was great to see the alumni of our school to see where I would land after graduating,” says Chang. “The AWE event provided me with a lot of insight into what my future would look like as a woman in ECS.”
On April 8th, 2024, Syracuse University experienced a total solar eclipse. Students, faculty and staff gathered on the quad to share in a once in a lifetime event and share it with the broader Central New York community.
The College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) is proud to welcome Professor Alex K. Jones as the Klaus Schroder Endowed Professor for Engineering and the Chair of the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department (EECS). He joins Syracuse from the University of Pittsburgh where he had a 21-year career in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) with courtesy appointments in Computer Science (CS) and Physics and Astronomy.
“I’m thrilled to join Syracuse University at this important time,” said Jones. “The designation of Syracuse University as a core partner in a Regional Tech Hub for computer chips along with the establishment of the new Micron fabrication facility is a tremendous opportunity to become a national leader in the semiconductor space with direct access to opportunities through the CHIPS and Science Act. I am also excited about the outstanding potential within the EECS Department in topics like artificial intelligence, sustainable energy, quantum science and information, and many others thanks to the talented faculty, students, and staff. In partnership with ECS and Syracuse University, broadly, I think you will see great things from EECS in the coming years that will benefit our students, our city, our state and beyond.”
Jones’ research interests are broadly in the areas of computer architecture and compilers. He is best known for research and leadership advancing the field of sustainable computing. His contributions are related to applying full lifecycle thinking to the study of environmental impacts and optimizations for computing systems including projections of environmental impacts, such as with servers in data centers.
Jones demonstrated that the critical environmental impacts from manufacturing these servers can meet or exceed those from the powering their operation in data centers. This trend has started to be noted by industry over the last half decade. More importantly, in handheld systems like mobile phones, 80% or more of the greenhouse gas emissions comes from manufacturing.
Among his research contributions in this area, Jones’ work has demonstrated that leveraging existing silicon in novel ways, such as processing-in-memory, creates an opportunity to holistically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He has created a tool suite called GreenChip to help encourage the use of environmental-related metrics in the development of next generation computing systems. Jones has received a Carnegie Science Award, a Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation Faculty Fellowship, and was elevated to Fellow of the IEEE for his contributions to sustainable computing.
Jones has a significant background in academic leadership. He served as Pitt’s Director of Computer Engineering from 2011—2017, a joint program comprised of faculty from the CS and ECE departments. He led the program to unprecedented growth and an increase in visibility and rankings nationally. Jones’ philosophy combined better engagement between students and faculty in the program and a curriculum that included the newest developments in the field and aspects of the excellent research undertaken by computer engineering program faculty. During his tenure as director, Computer Engineering at Pitt became a top 50 program nationally, where it remains today.
Following his tenure with Computer Engineering, Jones joined the NSF Space, High Performance, and Resilient Computing (SHREC) Center and served as Associate Director from 2018—2020. He led a project team in memory reliability for high performance and space applications. He demonstrated that off-the-shelf dynamic random access memory (DRAM) used in commodity computers had specific radiation properties such that 95—99% of the faults were from predictable locations. He developed a technique that combined a fault repository and low-level error correction that could protect standard DRAM from radiation faults in space, avoiding the need to use radiation hardened devices that are expensive and trail the state of the art by several generations.
In August of 2020, Jones joined the National Science Foundation (NSF) as a program manager in the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) directorate in the Computer and Network Systems (CNS) Division as part of the Computer Systems Research (CSR) cluster. A significant accomplishment was his creation of the Design for Environmental Sustainability of Computing (DESC) program. He was also the managing program director of the ATHENA AI Institute led by Duke University. In his third year at the NSF, he was elevated to serve as cluster lead for CSR. In his fourth year, he was appointed as the Deputy Division Director for the Electrical, Communications, and Cyber Systems (ECCS) Division, which is a member of the senior leadership team of the Engineering (ENG) Directorate.
While at NSF, Jones established a new personal research direction in quantum computing. Attracting nearly three million dollars in funding from Foundation and Department of Defense grants with his physics colleague Michael Hatridge (Pitt/Yale) and the latter with Hatridge and Robert Schoelkopf (Yale) to develop modular computer architectures, Jones’ research demonstrates better target quantum gates and interconnection topologies that can be realized with high fidelity superconducting systems. These approaches improve the size of quantum applications that can be solved in noisy quantum machines.
Jones received his Ph.D. from Northwestern University, where he was a Walter P. Murphy Fellow. His first major paper at Northwestern on translating MATLAB applications into hardware descriptions went on to be a seminal work (top 25 paper of all time) in the IEEE Field Programmable and Custom Computing Machines (FCCM) Conference. His Ph.D. work in compilation/high-level synthesis of C/C++ codes into hardware descriptions crystallized his interest in compilation and configurable computing. This work informed some of his early work at Pitt in design automation of coarse-grain reconfigurable computing fabrics and radio frequency identification (RFID) devices. Compilation remains a core focus of Jones’ research as applied to configurable architectures and most recently in terms of programming quantum systems (transpilation).
In his spare time, Jones is a freelance clarinetist. In Pittsburgh he was the principal clarinetist of the Pittsburgh Philharmonic, where he has been a featured soloist, served briefly as its artistic director, and served as guest conductor. He also enjoys downhill skiing.
The College of Engineering and Computer Science Career & Internship Fair Spring 2024. Mechanical engineering capstone teams testing their prototypes in the subsonic wind tunnel. Guru Madhavan, senior director at the National Academy of Engineering, gives a guest lecture on cultural, ethical, and environmental responsibility in engineering. Members of WiSE (Women in Science and Engineering) celebrate the contributions of longtime members and leaders Professors Karin Ruhlandt, Shobha Bhatia, Suzanne Baldwin and Eleanor Maine.Students present their work during Engineering and Computer Science Research Day 2024. Members of AWE (Advancing Women Engineers) at their networking dinner and panel event. Electrical and computer engineering students working on capstone projects in the renovated lab space.
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professor Kasey Laurant and student Cody Van Nostrand ’24 running an experiment in the water channel lab
Boasting an impressive wingspan of over seven feet, the golden eagle is one of the largest birds of prey in North America. In addition to being cunning, skilled hunters and their ability to soar effortlessly for hours, golden eagles might also utilize strong gusts of wind to assist their flight – an ability that piqued the interest of aerospace and mechanical engineering professor Kasey Laurent.
During her Ph.D. studies at Cornell University, Laurent conducted research on golden eagles by recording their acceleration as they flew, and the study formed the foundation for her dissertation on bird and drone flight. She also participated in Cornell’s Raptor Program, which provides a home for injured or non-releasable birds for research, training, and rehabilitation. This experience gave her valuable insights into bird flight and behavior.
“Slowly throughout my Ph.D., I became more of a bird person. That’s what motivates my research here at Syracuse University,” she says.
Laurent’s research aims to enhance flight and aerodynamics by measuring wind speeds and unsteadiness within air flows. Her work’s interdisciplinary nature also enables collaboration with biologists to explore ideas for improving aerodynamics by learning from nature.
“If you step outside on a windy day, you’ll feel the wind coming from various directions and at varying strengths at random intervals,” says Laurent. “If we measure the wind at a single point in time, that value will be random, but if we measure the wind over a long period of time and evaluate the statistics of how the wind changes over time, we’ll find patterns. My research looks at how these patterns, or signatures, may be deduced by looking at the locomotion of animals in turbulent environments. Will a bird fly a certain way in the turbulent atmosphere?”
As Laurent puts together a proposal for gust soaring seen with golden eagles, she’s also interested in gathering data from crows, goshawks, and turkey vultures, large birds that also use strong wind gusts to aid their flight.
“Goshawks fly through the forest and can maneuver very fast in different environments. When flying close to treetops, turkey vultures’ wings have an angle to them, allowing them to restabilize. It would be difficult to replicate this in man-made vehicles since they’re not flexible and don’t have joints like birds, but there’s still much we can learn.”
Studying how birds utilize wind and atmosphere to aid their flight would assist in improving the flight of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs.) Smaller aircraft often face issues when encountering wind gusts, causing them to lose control and potentially crash. Understanding how to maneuver around gusts could open up new possibilities for aircraft to fly in without sustaining damage from wind gusts and even utilize gusts to their advantage, similar to birds.
This research can be useful in creating smaller and lighter UAVs for various applications, including search and rescue missions. The main challenge with drones is that they have a limited range, which requires them to return to a base to change batteries and repeat the process. If the drones have a longer lifespan, they can continue with their search without the need to land or replace the battery.
“If we find a way to let the gusts move aircraft around, power won’t be an issue. We’ll just need to know how to maintain stability in that gust,” Laurent says. “Most research looking at flight in turbulence aims to develop methods to reject gusts, but it seems, according to the eagles, that may not be the best approach. We can learn a lot from nature to improve aerodynamics and locomotion.”
Master’s and doctoral students from across the College of Engineering and Computer Science presented their research on Friday, March 22th at the 2024 ECS Research Day, which was held at the National Veterans Resource Center. From fundamental studies to prototype development, a total of 113 posters and 20 oral presentations highlighted the broad research activities across the college.
A keynote address, “The Crucial Role of Strategic Decision-Making in Career Progression: A Personal Journey” was delivered by Melur K. “Ram” Ramasubramanian, Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost at the State University of New York (SUNY) and the President of the SUNY Research Foundation. As an alum with PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering from SU, Ramasubramanian shared his experience and insightful career advice with the attendees.
“ECS research Day is a signature event that we organize ever year to celebrate graduate research in our college. This year is particularly exciting with a new record of participation and high-quality research presented. It showcases the strong scholarly work in many areas.” said Dacheng Ren, Associate Dean for Research.
ORAL PRESENTATION AWARDS
Communications and Security
First Place: Feng Wang. Maximum Knowledge Orthogonality Reconstruction with Gradients in Federated Learning. Advisor: Dr. M. Cenk Gursoy
Second Place:Nandan Sriranga. Detection of temporally correlated signals in distributed sensor networks. Advisor: Dr. Pramod Varshney
Energy, Environment and Smart Materials
First Place: Johnson Agyapong. The Formation of Deterministic Wrinkle Morphologies via 4D Printing of Shape Memory Polymer Substrates. Advisor: Dr. James Henderson
Second Place: Ashok Thapa. Passive Oscillating Heat Pipes for High-Heat Dissipation. Advisor: Dr. Shalabh Maroo
Health and Well-Being
First Place: Yikang Xu. A New Anti-Fouling Indwelling Urinary Catheter with Embedded Active Topography. Advisor: Dr. Dacheng Ren
Second Place: Natalie Petryk. Hydrolytic and oxidative degradation of polyurethane foams for traumatic wound healing. Advisor: Dr. Mary Beth Monroe
Sensors, Robotics and Smart Systems
First Place: Yasser Alqaham. Energetic Analysis on All Possible Bounding Gaits of Quadrupedal. Advisor:Dr Zhenyu Gan
Second Place: Zachary Geffert. Multipath projection stereolithography (MPS) for rapid 3D printing of multiscale devices. Advisor: Dr. Pranav Soman
POSTER PRESENTATION AWARDS
First Place: Omkar Desai. A caching system for concurrent DNN model training. Advisor: Dr. Bryan Kim
Second Place (tied): ZifanWang. Catch You if Pay Attention: Temporal Sensor Attack Diagnosis Using Attention Mechanisms for Cyber-Physical Systems. Advisor: Dr. Qinru Qiu
Second Place (tied): Shreyas Aralumallige. Chandregowda. Exploring the Role of Bio-Flocculant Interactions with Clay Minerals in Addressing Mining Industry Challenges. Advisor: Dr. Shobha K Bhatia
Third Place (tied): Matthew Qualters. Experimental Flow Control Techniques on a Supersonic Multi-Stream Rectangular Jet Flow. Advisor: Dr. Fernando Zigunov
Third Place (tied): Pardha Nayani. Unleashing Bandwidth: Passive Highly Dispersive Matching Network.Advisor: Dr. Younes Ra’di
Honorable Mention:Ziyang Jiao. The Design and Implementation of a Capacity-Variant Storage System.Advisor: Dr. Bryan Kim
Honorable Mention:Ratnakshi Mandal. The dance of DNA and histone proteins: molecular insights into chromosome formation. Advisor: Dr. Shikha Nangia
When it comes to lifelong learning, there’s no better example than Paul Ossenbruggen ‘63. With several decades of experience as a professor, and an engineering career spanning over 40 years, he continues to publish new research papers to this day. However, the journey towards settling into his teaching role took some time. With so many different things he enjoyed learning, it made choosing a specific career difficult.
“I never seem to settle in anything. Some people got involved with one thing and that’s what they do,” he says. “That’s not me – I jump around from one thing to the next.”
Graduating from Brooklyn Tech High School in 1959, Ossenbruggen was uncertain about his career path. Though he began studying civil engineering at Syracuse University, he remained open to exploring other options. At one point, he even considered becoming an airline pilot. It was only during his internship at an energy technology company, Babcock and Wilcox, that he finally discovered his passion for nuclear engineering.
“Babcock and Wilcox make huge boilers,” he says. “Even though I was a civil engineering student, I was getting more involved with nuclear engineering. It was challenging but interesting and I loved every second of it.”
After completing his undergraduate studies at Syracuse in 1963, he continued pursuing his interest in nuclear engineering when working at General Dynamics Electric Boat, where he helped build nuclear submarines. Yet, a part of him wanted to continue learning and exploring other options.
“I loved my job at Electric Boat. They designed and constructed the first nuclear-powered submarine, the U.S.S. Nautilus,” he says. “But I felt there was so much more I wanted to learn so I decided to go to grad school at the University of Connecticut in 1967 and later Carnegie Mellon University for my Ph.D. in 1970. I like learning new things.”
Initially planning to return to Electric Boat, Ossenbruggen became interested in higher education and decided to pursue teaching instead. He began teaching at Northeastern University in Boston, and later in 1975, he moved to the University of New Hampshire where he taught for 34 years. He also taught at the University of California, Berkeley from 2000-2003.
Teaching not only allowed him to mentor and guide students but also explore new engineering concepts, which he found fulfilling. During his tenure as a professor, he also wrote a textbook in 1984 titled “Systems Analysis for Civil Engineers.” The book combined the fundamentals of engineering economics and civil engineering systems and garnered critical acclaim at the time of its publication. It was also translated into Chinese.
“It was a cutting-edge book. Civil engineers didn’t usually write this kind of textbook,” he says. “And one of the great things about it is that it’s still being read to this day.”
Nowadays, Ossenbruggen has settled down, returning to Syracuse where he sees a bright future for the University and the city. He’s been particularly excited about Micron’s plans to invest an estimated $100 billion into Central New York as well as the community grid in downtown Syracuse.
“I’m excited to be in Syracuse now to see this transformation happen. Micron is going make a big difference,” he says. “I’ve been to every meeting, and it looks promising to me. This area turned into a rust belt but hopefully, it’ll become stainless steel.”
Ossenbruggen also looks forward to the Operations Research and System Analytics Master’s Program, which he believes will bring immersive learning to the college’s forefront and fuel students’ passion for learning and discovery.
“I’ve been interested in operations research since I was a grad student at Carnegie Mellon. It had just got off the ground when I was completing my Ph.D. I even proposed a similar course while I was at the University of New Hampshire.
“I’m glad ECS is committed to introducing this program. It’s interdisciplinary, which I like very much. The course selection is great and offers a nice variety of courses that can be tailored to meet a student’s interests. Syracuse University is in a great position.”
Undergraduate Researcher in the Bionics, Systems and Control Lab
Favorite thing about biomedical and chemical engineering (BMCE):
My favorite thing about BMCE is the diverse selection of courses which have equipped me with fundamental skills that are essential for my journey towards becoming a Rehabilitation Engineer.
Favorite thing about Syracuse University:
My favorite thing about SU are the support programs for minority students including the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) and the Our Time Has Come Program (OTHC). These programs actively supported me and provided invaluable resources and opportunities for my success.
Plans after graduation:
I plan to attend graduate school and earn my master’s in movement science.
The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) has selected computer science student Cheryl Olanga ‘25 as the recipient of the Deloitte Foundation Scholarship.
The Deloitte Foundation is committed to investing in education and equity by supporting underrepresented students. Through grants that help students develop critical skills in business, accounting, and STEM, the foundation seeks to promote the success of students, educators, and schools by collaborating with academic institutions and nonprofit organizations to drive social impact.
Olanga is currently the assistant treasurer for the Syracuse University NSBE chapter. The organization engages in community service and outreach with high school students, and members discuss their experiences, introduce students to STEM subjects, and help students with science projects. Olanga also works in the Office of Admissions in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, giving tours and talking with prospective and admitted students. She’s also a peer leader for the Office of Success Advising and a member of the Engineering Ambassadors.
Olanga is also researching the implications of AI on policing in Syracuse with the Lender Center for Social Justice. “For me, winning this scholarship is like receiving an affirmation that the future of underrepresented groups within the study and practice of engineering and computer science is bright.”
Get to know the staff who keep the department of biomedical and chemical engineering (BMCE) running smoothly.
Name: David Stablein
Title: ESTEEMED LEADERS Program Coordinator
Tell us about your role at Engineering and Computer Science (ECS):
As program coordinator for the ESTEMED LEADERS Program, I work with our ESTEEMED LEADERS students as they prepare for a future as researchers in biomedical engineering fields. I coordinate all the services, events, and activities that directly support the ESTEEMED LEADERS students.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
The reception to my ideas is positive and supportive.
Name: Emilia Stojanovski
Title: Academic Operations Specialist
Tell us about your role at ECS:
I am responsible for graduate student processes, faculty/ post doc hiring, course scheduling, and curricula support in the department. I manage the processing of all graduate student forms including petitions, independent study proposals, degree certifications and OPT/CPT recommendations. I also handle the graduate admissions process for the department, research/teaching assistantship appointments, as well as the 4+1 program application and admission process.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
The staff and faculty within ECS are wonderful, and we all work together for the greater good of the students in our College. The students in ECS are amazing, as I’ve had opportunities to work with so many across the undergraduate and graduate levels during my time here. It’s exciting to see where their paths take them and knowing that I may have helped them in any way is extremely fulfilling!
Name: Amy Forbes
Title: Administrative Assistant
Tell us about your role at ECS:
I provide administrative support for BMCE through ordering materials for BMCE labs and courses, assisting with space reservation, key distribution, and card access, and assisting with the planning and coordination of department seminars, speaker visits, and faculty candidate interviews and visits.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
Mechanical and aerospace engineering students Kendra Miller, Elan Fullmer and Sydney Florence Jud were awarded first place at the New York State Green Building Conference student poster competition on February 29th and March 1st 2024. The students were advised by Professor Jackie Anderson.
Their project titled, “Generating Renewable Electrical Energy” is sponsored by Aerovec, a startup company focused on developing small-scale, modular wind turbines for remote applications and microgrids. Aerovec is one of 19 industry-sponsored capstone projects that mechanical and aerospace seniors are working on this year. Aerovec is looking into multiple installation locations, such as commercial building rooftops, construction sites, and sites which need natural disaster relief assistance. This senior design project is primarily focused on the feasibility of an array of wind turbines on commercial rooftops for local energy generation.
For nearly 37 years, Professor C.Y. Roger Chen has been a guide to many students on their academic and professional journey. Teaching electrical engineering and computer science courses at Syracuse University since 1988, Chen has continued to mentor several doctoral students who have gone on to have successful careers in big tech.
Naresh Sehgal G’88, Ph.D.’94 is one of many former students whose career was shaped by Chen’s mentorship. As one of Chen’s first master’s students, the two developed a close bond that lasted beyond Sehgal’s time at Syracuse University. Now, after retiring from a 32-year career at Intel Corporation, Sehgal and other alumni are seeking to give back.
“After leaving Syracuse in 1988, Chen agreed to continue being my Ph.D. advisor remotely before the advent of the internet, Skype, Zoom, or any online meetings. He’s extremely humble and flexible,” says Sehgal. “Along with my former Intel colleagues, Bill and Bharat, who also studied under Chen, we wanted to give something back to him and Syracuse University.”
Sehgal, along with Bill Halpin ’88, G’95, Ph.D.’05, Bharat Krishna G’94, Ph.D.’05, Nagbhushan Veerapaneni G’87 and Uminder Singh G’91, Ph.D.’94 established the Dr. Roger Chen Scholarship to honor their professor and advisor for his unwavering guidance and support. For five years, the scholarship will provide financial assistance of up to $10,000 per year to undergraduate students in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and will support students studying computer engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science.
“Syracuse played a huge role in my success and that of my friends. Many of us were able to afford college through assistantships and scholarships,” says Halpin. “The investment by Professor Chen and Syracuse has led us to have fantastic careers and blessed lives. Recognizing him was something that we talked about for a long time.”
The alumni hope this scholarship sets a precedent of appreciation for the college and its faculty who have played a vital role in shaping the careers of many students. They hope to inspire students to pursue their dreams by supporting them, just as Chen and the University once did for them.
“During my master’s studies, Syracuse generously supported me through a teaching assistantship which was a big help,” says Sehgal. “We are glad to have attended this university and studied under Professor Chen. We’re forever grateful for his patience and encouragement.”
“It was natural for us to want to help make college affordable for the next generation of students,” says Halpin. “We hope that this scholarship creates a virtuous cycle where more Alums donate today thereby creating the next generation of Alums who feel the same desire to donate.”
If you would like to make a gift in honor of Dr. Roger Chen and pay it forward, please visit Dr. Roger Chen’s Scholarship Fund. Thank you!
Dr. Aswini Pattanayak working in the quantum technology lab.
Two-dimensional (2D) materials are the thinnest nanomaterials known to exist. Being only about a single or few layers of atoms thick, these delicate sheets have found many applications in electronic devices, quantum optics, and photovoltaic technology. Pankaj K. Jha, assistant professor in electrical engineering and computer science, is leading a quantum technology laboratory with members Aswini Pattanayak, Jagi Rout G’28, Amir Targholizadeh G’28, Theodore Todorov ’26, and Grisha Nikulin ’27 to understand emerging 2D materials and use their findings to develop transformative devices for applications in quantum information science.
Professor Pankaj Jha working on a home-built confocal microscope to investigate the optical properties of 2D materials and heterostructures
Jha is developing single-photon detectors using iron-based superconductors that could work at higher temperatures. Currently, superconducting photodetectors require low temperatures to operate. Pattanayak, a post-doctoral scholar, is leading this project to understand photodetection in iron-chalcogenide-based superconductors and investigating the interaction between these superconductors with other 2D van der Waals (vdWs) materials, exploring unique quantum phenomena at their interfaces.
“High-temperature single photon detectors will have both scientific and fundamental impact. Any application that requires sensitive photon detectors will benefit from these devices,” Jha says.
Pattanayak is also mentoring Todorov, an undergraduate student, in light interferometry. Interferometers combine light to create an interference pattern that can be measured and analyzed. “Interferometry is the basis of optics because it allows you to analyze the classical and quantum optical properties of light,” Todorov says. “The resulting interference can allow one to understand properties of the laser such as path length, wavelength, and refractive index of the medium it has passed through.”
“In this era of quantum exploration, the investigation of superconductors serves as the cornerstone for unlocking unparalleled frontiers in quantum technologies and devices,” says Pattanayak.
Professor Pankaj Jha, Theodore Todorov, Aswini Pattanayak, Amir Targholizadeh, and Jagi Rout (left to right)
Rout, a graduate student, is exploring heterostructures using nanofabrication techniques. Her research focuses on studying high-temperature superconductivity. In addition to working on single-photon detectors, Rout is developing Josephson junctions, devices made by placing thin, non-superconducting materials between two superconductors, and she’ll be using iron-chalcogenide-based superconductors.
“The interplay among topology, magnetism, and superconductivity makes our material an intriguing platform to investigate the strange yet promising interactions in the subatomic realm,” says Rout.
Rout is also mentoring Todorov and Nikulin in the exfoliation of 2D materials. Nikulin’s interest is Superconducting Qubit Architecture and Quantum Algorithms. “Superconducting-based photon detection also has significant applications towards reducing quantum decoherence in quantum computation systems,” says Nikulin.
Targholizadeh, a graduate student, is developing flat photonic devices based on metasurfaces capable of functioning at extremely low temperatures. He aims to address and solve some of the outstanding challenges that single photon detectors face, such as polarization sensitivity, and near-normal incidence requirements, among other issues.
“Metasurfaces are recently introduced as a new paradigm for nanophotonic devices, and in our laboratory, we are working on conceiving, designing, fabricating, and testing these metasurface-based devices,” Targholizadeh says.
Jagi Rout working on creating heterostructures with 2D materials with a fully motorized transferred setup.
In addition to research, Jha started a quantum information science and engineering seminar (QISE) at Syracuse University with support from an internal FCAR Grant. With speakers from academia, industry, and national labs, seminars are open to all and cover experimental and theoretical topics in QISE and adjacent research.
“The response to the QISE Seminar Series has been outstanding, with 60-70 % student audience participation,” Jha says. “I see a bright future for quantum science at the University.”
From teaching in South Korea to academic advising in the U.S. Army, Britton Inglehart brings diverse experiences to his new role as the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s Graduate and Global Career Advisor. In this Q&A session, Inglehart discusses his responsibilities, his vision for the future, and advice to students on how to make the most of their college experience.
Tell us about yourself and what brought you to Syracuse University
I’m from Wellesley Island, New York, which is about an hour and a half north of here and right on the Canadian border. The area is nice, but career opportunities are not unless you’re in the trades. My eyes were always on what else is out in the world. High school and college opened up my eyes to the world around me. I started learning Japanese, became an ESL tutor and this started my career.
I went abroad to teach in South Korea and China, leaving in 2008 and returning in 2019. Then, I worked for the US Army Education Center as an academic advisor, which is how I got into higher education. I just finished my master’s at Nazareth College and came here to Syracuse to wrap it all up into one neat, nice bow. This position fits all my experience into one role.
What is the role of the Graduate and Global Career Advisor?
This is a brand-new position so I’m building it up as I go. Currently, the main focus has been helping my students build their resumes, really diving into what they need. However, I always emphasize to them that resumes are only part of what they need to be successful.
Another big thing I’m working on with students is networking, branching out, and being open to finding roles and professionals online to connect. I’ll show them how to combine Handshake, LinkedIn, and Indeed to build up their confidence, know what they’re looking for, and go in with a broader scope.
What are you most excited about in your role and what’s your favorite part?
I’m really excited about building up a database for international students. Some international students are having a hard time finding employment. Helping them out with CPT and OPT, getting in touch with employers about visa sponsorship, and guiding students to find the right people to go to are priorities.
My favorite part is the one-on-one with students. It’s one of the reasons I decided to get into higher education. Teaching was great, and I loved it but sometimes it’s hard to help everyone. With this role, I can see a lot more progression and growth. It’s very rewarding to see this in students. [Students repeatedly come back to my office] and this shows me that the discussions I’m having with them are beneficial.
What advice do you have for students?
Don’t stress about the future right now. It’s okay to think and start planning but don’t let that prospect get in the way. In rowing, one of my favorite pastimes, you’re always looking at where you were. You don’t know what’s ahead. It’s more important to figure out what you’re doing currently and how to do that well so that the future is ready. Get your resumes ready, pass your classes, and build experience.
What are some things you like to do for fun?
I like to go to the gym, and I enjoy rowing. I’m hoping to join Cazenovia’s team so that I can utilize this area for that. I also read and write. I’m currently working on a fiction series influenced by D&D (Dungeons and Dragons). Not sure if it will ever get anywhere, but it’s something I like to do.
I also play video games. I’m big into the Final Fantasy series, which I grew up with. I also like Ghost of Tsushima, God of War, Legend of Zelda and Myst.
“How do we bring people from different majors together to create a collective community?” This question led the Syracuse chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) to explore new ways to forge relationships with the broader campus community. As the student organization welcomes new E-board members, they seek to strengthen bonds within the group’s membership and create a welcoming environment for all to join.
“People in engineering typically meet other engineers – architects stay in Slocum Hall, engineers stay in Link Hall,” says vice president Theodore Todorov ’26. “We’re looking for ways to form new connections and bring people together.”
Founded in 1963, the AIAA aims to shape the future of aerospace through ingenuity and innovation while supporting aerospace professionals to succeed in their careers. The Syracuse University chapter of AIAA contributes to this mission by hosting review sessions. These sessions cover primary engineering and higher-level aerospace courses, and club members can request specific topics to study.
As a first-year student, Todorov loved being part of the club since he got to interact with other like-minded individuals. However, he noticed some aerospace engineering students he knew didn’t attend these meetings. Though the club was also open to non-engineering students, they also weren’t coming to meetings. When appointed as the club’s vice president, Todorov started thinking about ways to encourage more aerospace engineering and non-engineering students to join the club.
“We wanted to branch out more,” he says. “We thought ‘How can we change that? How can we make our club more social?’”
Breaking away from their usual meeting agenda, the club hosted an ice cream social to allow students to connect and relax. To their surprise, several students showed up, eager to mingle and fill their stomachs. This positive response prompted the e-Board to continue hosting more social events that allowed students to have fun.
After the successful ice cream social, the AIAA has decided to host bigger social events in the future. They plan to organize the STEM Olympics, which will involve a campus-wide scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt would feature clues related to different programs such as biology, chemistry, and engineering. This event will also have prizes, and yard games and will take place before midterms so that students can unwind before their exams.
“The idea is when people go to make their teams, they would select people from other majors or programs to have a better chance at solving clues,” says Todorov. “This is one of the best ways we can have students from different majors meet.”
Todorov has been playing a leading role in organizing this event, in addition to assisting with review sessions and other duties related to the vice-president position. The e-Board has much more planned and is eagerly looking forward to students seeing what’s in store. They envision a bright future for the Syracuse chapter of the AIAA, not only as support for the future of aerospace engineering but also as a social club where people can connect.
“I saw potential for the club when I joined my freshman year and I believed AIAA could be so much more,” Todorov says. “We want to make a big impact and are excited to see where it will go next.”
Looking to join or partner with AIAA? Click here to get connected!
Younes Radi, assistant professor in electrical engineering and computer science, has been recognized as a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for his contributions to research in applied electromagnetics and microwave engineering. He has also been chosen as an Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.
The IEEE is a global organization devoted to advancing technology for humanity’s benefit. Senior Membership is awarded to members who have made a significant impact within their fields. Only 10% of the IEEE’s more than 400,000 members hold this grade, which requires extensive experience, professional maturity, and documented achievements of significance.
Radi’s research focuses on the physics of fields and waves, with emphasis on tailoring electromagnetic wave-matter interaction. He has made significant scientific contributions on a broad range of topics in theoretical and applied electromagnetics, optics, and photonics, including artificial electronic and photonic materials, RF/microwave circuits, antennas, and propagation. His papers have been published in several high-impact journals including Nature Physics, Nature Communications, National Science Foundation, and IEEE family journals.
In addition to his Senior Membership and becoming an Associate Editor at IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Radi has also been chosen by the University as one of the two faculty to compete in the 2024 Moore Inventor Fellows Program. These recent achievements reflect Radi’s focused efforts to re-establish Syracuse University as a renowned center of electromagnetics and microwave engineering research.
Professor Younes Radi and his research group
“Syracuse University has a rich history in applied electromagnetics and microwave engineering and was one of the leading universities in the world in this field,” says Radi. “I’ve been to many places in Europe and the US and have never seen a city like Syracuse where you can find so many high-end companies in applied electromagnetics and microwave engineering. This creates a great platform to bridge the research in my team with the local industry.
“I am extremely grateful to the department, college, and also the office of VPR for their amazing support in establishing a state-of-the-art RF and mm-Wave laboratory, which we have named ‘RadLab.’ This facility will pave the way for new collaborations with local industry and position Syracuse as a highly active hub for advanced research in applied electromagnetics and microwave engineering.”
In December 2023, students in Professor Svetoslava Todorova’s course CEE 341 “Introduction to Environmental Engineering” served as expert witnesses and lawyers in a mock trial. In this simulated trial, they learned the importance of scientific accuracy and engineering judgment in litigation practice.
Using real data from a contamination case in Europe, students were split into three groups representing different companies accused by the city of contaminating its groundwater pumping wells. For three weeks, they worked with their groups to analyze chemical and hydrological data, considered toxicological exposure, and government regulations to provide their engineering interpretation of the issue to their fictional company’s CEO.
“Our group worked hard over the weeks leading up to the trial and were trying to look at all possible directions that the trial could go. We chose two of our witnesses to be expert witnesses in the fields of groundwater flow and toxicology, with our last witness being an employee from another company,” says civil engineering student Kana Wong ‘25.
After weeks of preparation, students from CEE 341 and students from ECS 101 “Introduction to Engineering,” taught by civil and environmental engineering professor, Peter Plumley, came together in the School of Law’s courtroom. CEE 341 students served as legal professionals and witnesses and the ECS 101 students served as the jury. A legal professional from the local community also served as the judge while Plumley served as the court bailiff.
“The concept of upper-division students role-playing as legal professionals and witnesses and entry-level students as jurors adds a great dimension to the student learning experience. Professor Todorova’s [project] effectively recreates the atmosphere and components of a real-world civil trial,” says Plumley.
“From the lawyers who smiled coyly after nailing a speech or debate with their witnesses, to being yelled at by the other passionate jurors when voting, it made me truly feel like I was in a political court case. I was a little worried I wouldn’t be able to interpret any of the law terms, but after the first trial I sat through, being the foreperson in the second trial was a breeze,” says environmental engineering student Natahlia Hammond ‘27.
Plumley and the judge kept track of time during all legal proceedings, which included opening statements, questioning witnesses, cross-examining opposing witnesses, and closing statements.
“I served as the expert witness employed by my company to show our findings. I was questioned by my company’s lawyers and cross-examined by [opposing counsel]. The roles we played were done in the hopes that we could [shift the focus onto] the other companies rather than the one we were chosen to represent,” says environmental engineering student Emma Crandall ‘25.
“As one of the lawyers from my group, it was important to have a good grasp of all of my company’s data and what may play to our strengths and weaknesses in our defense, but to also know how the procedures worked overall when cross-examining witnesses,” says civil engineering student Noah Ialongo ‘25.
“As the faculty member providing the jurors, I especially appreciate that the outcome of each trial depends so much on the defense and delivery of the expert witnesses and the cross-examination by the associated company attorneys,” says Plumley. “Svetla and I are also particularly thankful for the School of Law for allowing our engineering students to experience the inner workings of a courtroom.”
“It was absolutely captivating to see how junior engineering students applied the knowledge they gained in class, managed to build a defense plan, and utilized expert witnesses, detailed maps, and cross-examination to defend and deflect the prosecution,” says Todorova. “Developing a solid scientific argument in support of, or against the presented evidence is critical.”
Biomedical and Chemical Engineering (BMCE) Department Chair Julie Hasenwinkel has been reappointed for a five year term through summer 2029. She has served as BMCE Department Chair since 2019 and has led continued growth within the department while emphasizing scholarship, research and innovation.
Hasenwinkel has been a BMCE faculty member since 1999 and was a founding member of the Syracuse Biomaterials Institute, where her research group has studied spinal cord injury using Raman spectroscopy and microindentation, and has developed polymeric biomaterials for nerve regeneration applications. Her group has also developed bone cements for fixation of total joint replacements and treatment of vertebral compression fractures. She holds five US patents.
Prior to becoming the BMCE department chair, Hasenwinkel was the College’s senior associate dean and previously the associate dean of student and academic affairs. She has led efforts to increase retention, graduation, and placement rates; and enhance undergraduate education through faculty development, the renovation of four state-of-the-art collaborative classrooms, and the development of several cohort-based scholars programs. She has also served on the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Promotion and Tenure, chaired the Academic Affairs Committee and the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee of the University Senate, and is the recipient of multiple honors, including the University’s Seinfeld Scholar Award and Teaching Recognition Award. In 2022 she was named as a Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence and participated in the ACC Academic Leaders Network.
“I sincerely appreciate the opportunity and privilege to lead this exceptional department and work daily with talented and supportive faculty, staff, and students,” said Hasenwinkel “The collaborative and collegial environment in BMCE is truly special and I am excited to continue to work towards enhancing and sustaining what we have built collectively, as we also help to lead the transformation of ECS.”
“Dr. Hasenwinkel’s leadership has been essential to the growth of BMCE and our College. Her work has long been impactful in student success for our College, especially over the past decade as she spearheaded our efforts to create and implement our three-tiered advising model,” said Dean J. Cole Smith. “Her research vision contributed to a slate of exceptional hires in BMCE during her first term, and has helped make her department an exceptionally welcoming and intellectually rich place to thrive. I am grateful for everything she does for ECS and for Syracuse University.”
Hasenwinkel earned her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Northwestern University, her master’s degree in bioengineering from Clemson University, and her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Duke University.
I oversee all budget and financial operations and provide financial guidance to ensure the financial stability and smooth functioning of the department. Work closely with faculty and staff on the grants proposal and awards management.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
Working with a team of diverse backgrounds and innovative minds. By providing support, guidance and leadership regarding all budget and financial aspects to the faculty and students, I am happy to see they obtain more research funding and exceptional educational experience.
In recognition of superior scholarship, the following students have been entered on the Engineering & Computer Science Dean’s List for Fall 2023.
To be eligible for Dean’s List recognition, the minimum semester grade point average must be 3.40 or higher, must have earned a minimum of 12 graded credits and must have no missing or incomplete grades.
Syracuse University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science and the School of Information Studies (iSchool) have been ranked 26th for Best Online Graduate Information Technology Programs by U.S. News & World Report for 2024.
Syracuse University moved up eight spots in the rankings from 2023.
In the rankings for Best Online Graduate Information Technology Programs for Veterans, Syracuse University was ranked 14th, an increase of one spot from 2023.
Wenliang (Kevin) Du, the Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor in electrical engineering and computer science, has been recognized as a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) for his contributions to cybersecurity education and research.
The ACM is the world’s largest society of computing professionals, and their member grade recognizes the top 1% of ACM members worldwide for their groundbreaking contributions to computing and information technology. All 2023 inductees have been well-established ACM members who were chosen by their peers.
Du has been at Syracuse University since 2001 and his research focuses on computer and network security. He founded the SEED open-source project in 2002 and the cybersecurity lab exercises developed from this project are now being used by 1,100 institutes worldwide. Additionally, his self-published book, “Computer & Internet Security: A Hands-on Approach”, has been adopted by 280 institutes worldwide. His research papers have been cited 17,800 times, and he has won two Test-of-Time Awards. Du was also elevated to a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in 2023.
“This very prestigious award means a lot to me, as it recognizes over 20 years’ of my work on cybersecurity education and research, especially my work on cybersecurity education,” says Du. “I was told by many friends not to spend too much time on the education part, as it won’t help my tenure case – I am glad that I didn’t listen to them. Now the global impact of my work on cybersecurity education is huge.”
Assistant professor in biomedical and chemical engineering Mary Beth Monroe has received the Young Investigator Award from the Society For Biomaterials. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding achievements in biomaterials research.
The Society For Biomaterials is a group of multidisciplinary professionals from various fields including academia, healthcare, government, and business. They aim to advance biomaterial science and education to improve professional standards for human health while promoting excellence in biomaterial science, engineering, and technology.
Monroe’s research is focused on engineering new biomaterials to address clinical needs in wound healing. Seeking to make significant strides in polymer chemistry to facilitate safer, more efficient medical devices, her biomaterials lab conducts basic and applied research to produce and analyze polymeric biomaterials that enhance healing outcomes.
“Dr. Monroe is off to a fantastic start as a junior faculty member, and she brings tremendous creativity, energy, and enthusiasm to her research lab, teaching, mentorship activities, and service efforts. We expect her to continue to lead in these areas and to excel as a biomaterials scholar as she inspires those around her to lead as well,” says the SFB BioInterfaces Special Interest Group Awards Committee, Ashley Brown, Benjamin Keselowsky, and Christopher Siedlecki.
“I have been engaged with SFB since my first semester of graduate school,” says Monroe. “It is a huge honor to be recognized by this scientific society that has had such a huge impact on my career by providing me with mentors, collaborators, and an outlet for scientific inquiry over the past 10+ years.”
From October 28 to November 4, 2023, 11 students accompanied by civil and environmental engineering professor, Svetoslava Todorova, attended the 5th Conference of the Parties (COP5) of the Minamata Convention on Mercury held in Geneva, Switzerland. This trip was part of the Role of Science in Environmental Governance course where students explored how scientific, political, social, and economic views shape environmental policy.
At the conference, students observed delegates discussing the environmental impact of mercury pollution, which has become a public health issue due to its harmful effects on the nervous, digestive, and immune systems and lack of biodegradability. Participation in these ongoing negotiations helped students understand the complexity of reaching international agreements.
“No matter the preparations made in the classroom and on our own, being an observer at COP5 showed me that there is no replacement for experiencing the negotiations firsthand. It was interesting to see how many moving pieces go into these conventions, and increased my appreciation for the work they do and what they can accomplish,” says environmental engineering student Brady Hartnett ’24.
The students witnessed several key decisions being made, including the establishment of new timelines for phasing out products containing mercury, recognizing the disproportional impact of mercury pollution on Indigenous communities in the Arctic and Amazon regions, and coming to an agreement on the threshold for mercury waste.
“I think one of the most challenging aspects of the COP-5 negotiations was getting all the countries to agree on particular topics. This became evident when the threshold for the mercury levels in waste was being discussed. It took the delegations seven years to finally agree on this threshold. I am very glad that I had the privilege of witnessing this history being made,” says civil engineering student Caitlin Spillane ’24.
Students also had the opportunity to meet with delegates, non-government officials, and UNEP representatives from several different countries.
“We had a networking opportunity with Ken Davis, a former Peace Corps Volunteer and EPA employee who works for UNEP, as part of the Minamata Secretariat,” says environmental engineering student Ananya Chandra ’24. “He gave valuable insights about the importance of international negotiations, the mechanisms of the Minamata Convention, and his career path.”
Todorova and her students also visited CERN, one of the world’s largest centers for scientific research on fundamental particle physics, and received a special in-depth tour of the particle accelerator. This was made possible by Syracuse University professor Marina Artuso and Bolek Pietrzyk from CERN.
“It was so interesting to be touring places that not only hold global significance but are places that people work every day,” says civil engineering student Julia Johnson-Milstein ’25. “Walking through those hallways, I knew that I was passing some of the brightest minds in the world.”
On their final day in Switzerland, they visited a cheese and chocolate factory, ending their memorable trip with a fun tour.
“The trees and villages I saw on the bus to the factories are the same trees and villages that are impacted by environmental regulations that are decided on in rooms much like those I sat in. It was watching the mountains protect the nature underneath that showed me how important the work of the last week was, and I will be forever grateful for this experience,” says psychology student Gary Shteyman ’26.
When Todorova and her students returned to Syracuse, the class held their own intergovernmental negotiations. Acting as delegates representing different countries and regions, they developed a new mercury treaty.
“This is experience-based learning at its best because it trains students by immersing them into an authentic situation,” Todorova says. “It was also rewarding to see them apply the negotiation techniques we discussed in class as well as to replicate the dynamics they observed during the real convention.”
Assistant professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering Yiyang Sun has received the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Young Investigator Program (YIP) Award. She has been awarded for her research efforts and contributions to unraveling multi-modal interactions in fluid flows using modal analysis, a cutting-edge technique in analyzing and understanding intrinsic physics in unsteady aerodynamic problems.
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is the lead scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. It aims to improve the career development of young investigators while providing opportunities for discovery and research. Recipients of this award have received a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in their respective fields and demonstrate outstanding ability and potential to conduct research for the AFRL. The AFOSR will award $21.5 million in grants to scientists and engineers across different U.S. research institutions.
Sun’s research outcomes could have a significant impact on advancing the designs of aircraft with improved aerodynamic performance for challenging operation conditions. She will receive about a $450,000 grant in this award for three years to continue her research activities in unsteady aerodynamics.
“I am so grateful for receiving this award from AFOSR as the recognition motivates me to continue contributing to aerospace engineering at Syracuse University and the field in general,” says Sun. “The College of Engineering and Computer Science and Mechanical and Aerospace Department have been amazingly supportive in helping me pursue my career and forming an engaging environment for my students to do great work.”
Fast fashion may seem affordable, but its true cost goes beyond the price tags on clothing. The industry’s unsustainable, unethical practices have negatively impacted the environment and its current lack of government regulations has allowed these practices to run rampant around the globe. Despite the dominance of cheap, quick clothing production among modern retailers, Syracuse University biomedical engineering alumna Alexis Peña ’16, and her colleague, Lauren Blake, are determined to revolutionize the textile industry with their start-up, Good Fibes.
“Since summer 2022, Lauren and I have embarked on understanding the fashion industry ecosystem to provide innovative solutions for the current challenges,” says Peña. “At Good Fibes, we’re developing methods for biomanufacturing natural textile fibers using biological building blocks. Our mission is to enable a circular textile economy through material innovation.”
The biotech startup aims to produce lab-grown fibers through cellular agriculture and use engineered molecules to create renewable, biodegradable, and non-toxic fibers. They hope this will offer alternatives to synthetic fibers such as polyester, which currently make up over 50% of clothing material. Synthetic fibers can also take hundreds of years to degrade and shed microplastics and chemical pollutants into the environment.
Though fibers like cotton, silk, or wool are natural fibers, their production processes don’t align with sustainability goals or meet the industry’s needs. Cotton processing demands extensive amounts of water and silk production requires a considerable amount of energy. Wool products may also contain harsh chemicals and dyes that make them less biodegradable.
Natural materials can also be unpredictable in supply due to weather, humidity, animal diet, or plant soil, which can cause variations in harvest seasons and batch-to-batch quality. Additionally, the industry faces challenges related to performance criteria and variability in quality, which ultimately leads to a reliance on synthetic fibers.
Good Fibes’ bioengineered fibers solve these issues by providing environmentally conscious production and better-quality materials compared to current synthetic textiles.
“The lack of reliable alternatives to synthetic fibers is a major pain point in the textile industry. Our bioengineered fibers not only provide an alternative to petroleum-based fibers but also address limitations of cotton, silk, and wool by having year-round production and tunable properties such as elasticity, tensile strength, and dye affinity” says Peña.
Peña and Blake recently completed their Ph. Ds in May 2023 at Johns Hopkins University. The co-founders also taught a course called “Future Fashion Innovation” to material scientists and engineering undergraduates at Hopkins during intersession and adapted the course into a webinar for Johns Hopkins School of Medicine alumni during Earth Week in 2023.
Peña and Blake presenting their final pitch for Chain Reaction Innovations (Photo courtesy of Argonne National Laboratory)
Additionally, Good Fibes has been selected as a participant in a lab-embedded entrepreneurship program (LEEP), Chain Reaction Innovations (CRI) program at Argonne National Laboratory. The CRI program is designed to support entrepreneurs and their innovative research with a focus on clean energy.
“Fashion should allow people to feel good about their clothing but also feel good about what happens to their clothing after they wear it,” says Peña. “We believe this can truly innovate the textile industry and bring a much-needed change to fashion’s monolithic infrastructure.”
From the drylands of Kenya to the rainforests of Suriname, civil and environmental engineering professor John Trimmer has dedicated his career to making a difference. After a service-learning trip to Nicaragua, where he helped with construction projects, Trimmer was inspired to pursue humanitarian engineering and improve the well-being of others. With a core research focus on water systems, sanitation, and resource recovery, he strives to promote sustainable living.
As an undergraduate at Bucknell University, Trimmer was able to work with a few non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In addition to his trip to Nicaragua, he collaborated with a Peace Corps volunteer in Suriname, South America, stationed in a remote village and working on a rainwater collection system. After graduation, Trimmer continued working with the Peace Corps and spent three years in Uganda working with an NGO that specialized in constructing water tanks, latrines, classrooms, and other structures.
After completing his Ph.D., which included working in Uganda on innovative approaches to sanitation systems, Trimmer joined the Aquaya Institute on their mission to improve global health through safe water and sanitation access. His work at the Aquaya Institute largely focused on research and he found himself based in Nairobi, Kenya, interacting with pastoral communities in dry regions of the country.
Trimmer and Aquaya Institute colleagues at Nairobi National Park in Kenya
“Though the communities were nomadic, it seemed like they were also looking to settle, and they were open to permanent infrastructure,” Trimmer says. “It was very qualitative. We focused primarily on asking questions regarding their current water systems and what they do for sanitation. We also did interviews and discussion groups to understand what these communities wanted and needed.”
While working with the Aquaya Institute, Trimmer also researched the effectiveness of a program that aimed to provide more durable infrastructure to vulnerable households in northern Ghana. Since unstable soil is an issue that impacts certain areas, they wanted to ensure the structures they built would last.
“If you dig a traditional pit latrine, it may collapse because the soil is unstable. Since the locals in the area didn’t have the means for a more durable structure, we were looking at different ways those systems could be supported financially,” Trimmer explained. “UNICEF funded the project so durable structures could be installed.”
As Trimmer has traveled to different countries, he’s loved working with young researchers and found it rewarding to help them develop their skills and witness their growth. This passion for mentoring younger researchers would translate to his position as a Syracuse University professor, giving him a chance to continue guiding and supporting students.
While teaching courses at the University, Trimmer plans to collaborate with NGOs he’s previously worked with on upcoming projects. He hopes to collaborate with colleagues to develop a platform that models sanitation systems to implement them as a teaching and research tool in the classroom. This will enable him to share the knowledge he’s gained from his humanitarian work and educate future researchers to do the same.
The College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) has named Jae C. Oh as Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Academic Initiatives and Michelle Blum as Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
Oh is the David G. Edelstein Professor for Broadening Participation in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) and served as the Chair of EECS for the last six years. He’s also been recognized with the Distinguished Scholar Award from the International Society of Applied Intelligence. He’s dedicated his efforts toward helping organize ECS resources to achieve the goals that pertain to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and seeks to broaden participation throughout the College, especially in the Ph.D. program.
“I feel deeply honored to serve the faculty, staff, and students at ECS in my new role. I want to thank all the EECS faculty and staff for their support during my six-year tenure as the EECS Chair. I am grateful to have the same supportive ECS community in my new role, which will require me to work closely with Dean Smith and the entire faculty and staff of ECS,” says Oh.
Blum serves as an associate teaching professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and has been a leader of ECS through her service as Undergraduate Program Director for Mechanical Engineering, and Dean’s Faculty Fellow for Assessment. She recently won the 2023 ASEE St. Lawrence Section Outstanding Teaching Award and works to help transform the educational and student support mission of the college. Supporting career initiatives and success programs, she seeks to find innovative ways to continue optimizing the student experience at ECS.
“As I step into the role of Associate Dean for Student Affairs in ECS, I am dedicated to being a service leader. I will make it my priority to foster a positive and inclusive college culture and ensure that all students have access to the resources they need to succeed,” says Blum.
Get to know the student success and career advising team!
Name: Sarah Mack
Title: Director, Student Success & Career Services
Tell us about your role at ECS:
In my role, I oversee all aspects of Student Success and Career Services including development of strategic initiatives that serve the personal, academic, and career development needs of all undergraduate students in the College of ECS. This includes programming and services directly impacting the College’s retention and graduation rates, supporting students on academic probation, employer engagement, increasing internship and research participation, and career knowledge and placement rates for graduating students.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
Working in an environment where innovation and creativity is encouraged; and having a team that strives to provide an exceptional student experience from the time a student decides to come to ECS to the day they cross the stage at convocation and land their first post-grad opportunity.
Name: Jenn Fazio
Title: Assistant Director of Employer Relations
Tell us about your role at ECS:
I primarily work with external constituents to develop and maintain effective recruitment relationships to expand internship and full-time job offerings for our students. I also help plan, organize, and implement major events including semi-annual career fairs, industry days, immersion trips, and events across campus that pertain to ECS students.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
I love having the autonomy to build relationships with external as well as internal stakeholders to ultimately benefit our students and the College as a whole. I also love that each day brings new challenges, ideas, and changes that help shape my work in a positive way.
Name: Derek Pooley
Title: Assistant Director, Student Success
Tell us about your role at ECS:
In my role, I work with students one on one to support them in being the best student as possible. I also plan all of our College Wide Programming; Syracuse Welcome and Family Weekend.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
I enjoy the students. We have a ton of fun and very interesting and engaging conversation. I also think that the colleagues that I work with are truly here to support the student and truly want to be here for them, and that is another part of my day that I love.
Name: Malea Perkins
Title: Student Success Advisor
Tell us about your role at ECS:
I communicate with students about their day-to-day interaction and activities. We discuss how classes are going, what they are involved in and more importantly, how they are doing overall as a person.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
My favorite part of working here is getting to know the students and watching their growth from freshman year through senior year. It is amazing to watch them grow as students, researchers, and leaders in organizations. It is so interesting to hear about their experiences in internships, going abroad and seeing their excitement as they land jobs. Their enthusiasm and curiosity about life and what it holds for them keeps me going everyday.
Name: Mia Funderburg
Title: Student Success Advisor
Tell us about your role at ECS: I support students with their well being as a student in rigorous programs inside ECS. I am also responsible for providing life skills , best practices , and time management while being an engineering student. Lastly being able to see them grow and supporting that is apart of my role.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
Seeing students be successful.
Name: Shelby Bergen
Title: Career Advisor
Tell us about your role at ECS:
I am a Career Advisor for the College of Engineering and Computer Science. I collaborate with undergraduate students on their professional and career development through one-on-one meetings, workshops, and events.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
Seeing the excitement on a student’s face when they achieve their academic, professional or career goals. Empowering young professionals in feeling confident about sharing their stories and experiences.
Name: Chelsey Franza
Title: Career Advisor
Tell us about your role at ECS:
My current role at ECS is primarily student facing, providing guidance and coaching to students throughout their academic and career development journey. We work through the process of discovering where a student is, exploring where they want to be, and identifying the gaps to maximize potential through personalized support, 1 on 1 learning, group sessions, and strategically placed programming.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
My favorite part about working at ECS is learning from the students! There isn’t a day I leave work without knowing something new about something or someone. It is inspirational to see what our students are capable of!
Name: Britton Inglehart
Title: Graduate & Global Student Career Advisor
Tell us about your role at ECS:
My role at ECS is to support students with their career development to find the best path for their graduate degree and, ultimately, assist them to graduate with a job. I am looking forward to bringing my knowledge, experience, and expertise to the team and to the students.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
My favorite part of working at ECS is getting to know the students holistically and crafting unique pathways and experiences for them to succeed. I love learning about what the students are working on and about their experiences as a whole.
Name: Taylor Larsen
Title: Student Success Advisor
Tell us about your role at ECS:
I am a Student Success Advisor for the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences. My role primarily focuses on helping students adapt to college life and provide proper resource referrals.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
My favorite part of working at ECS is helping students realize their potential.
19 teams of engineering students presented their designs to industry partners at the end of the fall semester as part of their senior capstone design course. Each team is working directly with their company sponsor to solve complex engineering problem. The senior design capstone course is an engineering exercise that spans the fall and spring semesters.
The companies the students are working with in the 2023-2024 academic year are:
Aerovec
American Society of Naval Engineers
ASHRAE
Boeing
Corning
Department of Transportation
Electrolux
Govsphere
Hydronic Shell
L3Harris
Lockheed Martin
Lotte Biologics
Microsoft
NIST
Northrop Grumman
Pursuit Areospace
SAAB
SEPAC Thermal Space
“We are also grateful to our 19 faculty mentors who have been working with the teams all semester, and to our esteemed panel of judges who gave their time and expertise to provide invaluable feedback to the teams,” said Kenneth and Mary Ann Shaw Professor of Entrepreneurial Leadership Alex Deyhim. “We look forward to seeing the work the teams will do in the spring semester to deliver a final solution to their sponsors.”
Apple snails are one of the most invasive species on our planet. Consuming several plants that provide food and habitats for various wildlife, and disrupting entire ecosystems, these snails have earned a permanent ban from the United States, only allowed in the country for research. Along with the damage they leave in their slow path of destruction, these shelled creatures also possess an ability that’s unique to their species.
By wiggling its flexible foot underwater, an apple snail can create a flow that brings floating food particles to itself, a process biologists refer to as “pedal foot collection.” Fascinated by the snail’s unique ability, this would inspire the latest research of a mechanical and aerospace engineering professor, Anupam Pandey, whose findings were published in the high-impact science journal Nature Communications.
“One of my research interests is understanding how soft, highly deformable, solid materials interact with adjacent liquid flow,” Pandey says. “Organisms that live underwater exploit this interaction for locomotion and feeding. Apple snails have evolved to leverage their proximity to the water-air interface to transport or pump liquids.”
To understand the process behind pedal foot collection, Pandey designed a robot the size of a centimeter that oscillates rhythmically and mimicked the apple snail’s motion. He then placed the robot underwater in a tank and sprinkled Styrofoam particles on the surface to see if it could collect it, discovering that the robot functioned similarly to a pump.
“We found that our bio-inspired robot was able to drag particles from distances that are five times its size. But more interestingly, we found an optimal speed at which pumping maximizes,” explains Pandey. “This optimal speed seemed to depend on robot geometry as well as the properties of the liquid it’s submerged in. Combining experiments and modeling, we predicted the optimal conditions under which the robot pumps the most liquid.”
In addition to understanding the role speed and liquid play in how the robot collects small objects and pumps liquid, Pandey also tracked the pattern of Styrofoam particle movement through long exposure photography, which he color-coded to make it easier to see how the particles moved.
While the small, oscillating robots have the potential for numerous applications, one notable benefit is as a collection device. Pandey believes that they could help address issues involving the collection of microplastics in oceans, which tend to remain at the water’s surface due to their small size.
Most plastic collection devices create strong disturbances at the water surface and cause microparticles to mix in the water. These microplastics travel to other water bodies, causing more plastic pollution which harms plants and animals and inevitably ends up in our food chain. However, devices like the undulating robot operate near the water’s surface with minimal interference and could potentially provide a solution to this problem.
“What’s great about this research is how interdisciplinary it is. Biologists may be interested in this, and it has several potential applications in engineering liquid flows at small scales, sensing and actuation of floating objects or even microplastics in water bodies,” Pandey says. “It will not only advance understanding of liquid transport near surfaces but lay the groundwork for future research as well.”
Under the leadership of Brianna Gillfillian ‘24, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) at Syracuse University has experienced a resurgence. By organizing interactive events to bolster participation, NSBE has rebuilt a community of aspiring engineers post-pandemic. It may come as a surprise that Gillfillian never planned on becoming president. However, when she saw the leadership struggle to keep the organization together, she knew she had to do something.
“I saw ways we could impact numbers and participation,” Gilfillian says. “I wanted to be a part of the change that brought NSBE back to where they were before the pandemic. I thought I might as well give it a shot.”
Founded in 1974 at Purdue University, NSBE is an organization dedicated to developing culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically and positively impact the community. The organization is open to all students and welcomes both engineering and non-engineering students. “Historically, the club was used to provide a space for Black engineers, who take up less than 4% of the industry,” Gillfillian says. “NSBE has been on a mission to increase the percentage of Black engineers over time.”
As Gillfillian attended meetings during her freshman year, she felt a sense of belonging to the club. It provided a safe space where older engineering students supported and mentored her, guiding her on her engineering journey. She would eventually serve as the membership and mentorship chair in her sophomore year, and in her junior year, she became the president of the club, a position she still holds to this day. With a hardworking e-board, Gilfillian wanted to restore the University’s NSBE chapter back to its former glory.
The pandemic impacted the club as they suffered from low participation, and Gillfillian knew the organization had to take action fast. She and the e-board organized interactive events such as NSBE Junior, a high school student outreach program aimed at inspiring young engineers to pursue STEM. NSBE Junior also provided volunteer opportunities for Syracuse students by allowing them to work with high schoolers, making it great for members passionate about teaching and working with the local youth.
“NSBE also has weekly study sessions called ‘I-Study.’ It’s basically tutoring with club members where students can ask us for help in academic areas they may struggle in,” Gillfillian says. “We also have a mentorship program that pairs younger students with older students so they can have a point of contact as they navigate the college.”
One of their biggest events, and also Gillfillian’s favorite, is the Black Excellence Gala, an event that commemorates student leaders and academic excellence. For the gala, they collaborate with the Black Honor Society and present awards to recognize the efforts of individuals within the student body. Students apply, get interviewed and the NSBE executive board votes on which student receives an award.
“To spice things up, we also have a People’s Choice Award where people are allowed to nominate Black-owned businesses, Black organizations and Black letter Greek organizations for different awards to acknowledge businesses or organizations doing well outside of academia,” Gillfillian says.
The student organization also participates in NSBE’s national and regional conferences, as well as AfroTech, the largest Black tech conference that attracts over 20,000 Black tech innovators for career and networking opportunities. However, a certain level of commitment to NSBE is required to attend these conferences. This is one way the leadership ensures that people who attend these conferences are genuinely involved with the group.
“Every single student who had the opportunity to attend AfroTech’s conference last year was able to secure both full-time jobs and summer internships,” Gillfillian says. “It’s great for students to advance their careers and grow professionally.”
Gillfillian is a highly involved college community member, holding four positions within student organizations and 10 leadership roles that are University-wide. Despite the busy schedule that comes with being a student organization president and a member of groups like the Kappa Lambda Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., she manages to balance her various roles and wouldn’t trade her role for anything else. Additionally, she greatly values the sense of community that the student organization provides. “I love the family-like structure. We’re a very tight-knit group and everyone is chill and close. We call ourselves NSBabes – it’s always a good time.”
With NSBE Junior, the Black Excellence Gala, and AfroTech, among other events, the organization is thriving more than ever. Even as Gillfillian graduates from the University next year, she believes the club will continue to be a safe space that motivates future innovators.
“NSBE is the best club to be. It’s great for ambitious young Black engineers and creates a lot of opportunities. People have gotten jobs, internships, made friends, developed their professional skills, and had a lot of fun while doing it.”
Looking to join or partner with NSBE? Click here to get connected!
Electrical engineering and computer science professor, Qinru Qiu, has been recognized as a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for her impactful contributions to the modeling and optimization of energy-efficient computing systems.
IEEE is a global organization that is committed to advancing technology for the betterment of humanity. With over 409,000 members in more than 160 countries, less than 0.1% of voting members are chosen for elevation to this member grade each year.
Qiu’s research interest focuses on improving the energy efficiency of computing, from runtime power and thermal management of computer systems, and energy harvesting real-time embedded systems, to her recent works in brain-inspired hardware and software for neuromorphic computing. The goal of her research is to provide machine intelligence to today’s computing platforms to achieve autonomous resource management with energy and thermal awareness and explore emerging computing paradigms.
“Professor Qiu has been leading the research community to seek solutions for highly energy-efficient machine intelligence through adopting biologically inspired models and processing mechanisms,” says nominator Diana Marculescu. “Her ground-breaking research has enabled a completely new computing paradigm, which leverages the unique property of different types of spike coding to replace the numerical calculation with simple logic operations, resulting in significant energy reduction.”
“I am excited and thankful for the recognition and truly grateful for all the support that I have received,” says Qiu. “I look forward to continuing my work in developing and promoting techniques to improve the energy efficiency of emerging computing systems.”
Karen Davis’s ’83, G’90 desire to create a welcoming environment for all has permeated every corner of the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS). Building the college’s career services from the ground up and becoming the Assistant Dean of Inclusive Excellence, her impact has been cemented into the college’s foundation. As she prepares to step down from her role, she leaves a lasting legacy that champions inclusion, community, and empowerment, inspiring hundreds of students to dream big and pursue their goals.
“People ask me, ‘What do you do?’” Davis says. “I tell them ‘Break barriers and build bridges.’”
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Davis loved the close, tight-knit community her neighborhood fostered, but wanted to see what was beyond her home borough. Her parents were rooted in their jobs and had no intentions of moving from the Bronx. “You did what you did, and you stayed where you were. That’s what my parents did. But I wanted to see what else was out there.”
This desire to see the world led her to attend Syracuse University during her undergraduate years. While she attended the University, she also worked full-time to support herself. Davis later realized that this experience was how she would connect with other students with similar backgrounds in her future role.
“There are students who come from where I come from. They are the first and only members of their family to pursue higher education. My experience allowed me to understand their mentality and when you get a sense of connection, these students can trust you.”
When Davis completed her undergraduate degree and MBA at Syracuse University, she received a job at UTC Carrier Corporation. With a background in computer science and programming languages, she would start in IT but eventually transition into HR where she oversaw diversity, equity, inclusion, and recruiting. This paved the way for her future career at Syracuse University.
After working at UTC for 15 years, Davis accepted the position of Director of Career Services at Syracuse and utilized her expertise from her previous work experience to build the program. She introduced the VMock resume platform to the University, expanded the career team by recruiting new staff, organized the first ECS career fair, and leveraged her network to provide students with job opportunities at companies like General Electric.
“When I was in career services, I used to call myself a matchmaker,” Davis says. “I would find the talent and the opportunity to make a match.”
Davis also assisted Senior Talent Acquisition Manager, Sharon Cole, on the CNY Works Program which aimed to provide inner-city youth with development skills to build future careers. During the summer, they had about 90 teens working in offices across campus, and they continued to lead this program for about 10 years.
“I wanted them to gain real experience and skills which could lead to new opportunities,” Davis says. “That’s what being involved with the community is. We are an extension of the community.”
Serving as Director of Career Services for 14 years, Davis would eventually become the Assistant Dean of Inclusive Excellence, where she also made a significant impact. Infusing diversity, equity, and inclusion into every aspect of the college, including education, research, and staffing, the Office of Inclusive Excellence also led student retention programs as well as training and education for faculty, staff and students. Davis also encouraged others to recognize that promoting inclusion is everyone’s responsibility.
“It’s our collective responsibility to foster an inclusive culture. From admissions to marketing, we must ensure it’s everyone’s mission to consider the needs of all students.”
One of Davis’s favorite aspects of her job has been the students, as she has been able to inspire and empower them to make a difference in their own lives and communities.
“Karen played an instrumental role during my development at SU,” says Asia Terry ‘12. “She encouraged me to step forward, to come out of my comfort zone, and to reach higher than I thought I could. I’m so grateful to have met Karen and for her presence in my formative years.”
“Karen was an important figure in my DEI journey since I was a freshman at Syracuse University,” says Shazif Shaikh ‘19. “She’s synonymous with warmth, compassion, kindness, and supportive in my world. She cares about the well-being and success of the people around her with actions taken to uplift them. I have been uplifted by Karen and have sought to do for others what she has done for me.”
As Davis makes her exit from the University, she believes Career Services and the Office of Inclusive Excellence will continue what she started and foster an environment where students, faculty and staff feel welcome and heard.
“It’s always been about impact. Students are the reason we’re here,” she says. “If you get the right message and it reaches the right people, it will grow. When you see it grow, that’s how you know that you’ve had a deep impact.”
Get to know the incredible staff who keep electrical engineering and computer science running smoothly!
Name: Shawn Knight
Title: Assistant to the Department Chair
Tell us about your role at ECS:
I am the administrative assistant to the department chair and assist the director of academic operations with the daily administrative operations of the department and I also serve as the departmental search administrator for hiring faculty and staff.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
Learning something new every day!
Name: Rebecca Noble
Title: Office Coordinator III
Tell us about your role at ECS:
I started as a member of the EECS team in August 2011, working for ISR at 621 Skytop in conjunction with BMCE. In 2013, I moved into my current position where I mainly handle scheduling and enrollment issues for the EECS department which covers CSE, ELE, CIS, and Cyber programs as well as CPS classes for non-engineering majors.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
My favorite part of working at SU is when we work convocation in May. It is a real joy to see the students I’ve worked with through the years taking the next steps on their journey. A close second is walking through the Thornden Park Rose Garden (with tea in hand) in June.
Name: Sarah Collins
Title: Director, Academic Operations
Tell us about your role at ECS:
Work with Chair and Program Directors to review, assess, design and implement administration policies and procedures. Assist Chair, Program Directors, faculty, staff and students with various needs and requests.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
Being in a new role (since June) I have enjoyed the challenges that come with learning a new role and working with new people. I have learned a lot and continue to come across new things that I haven’t necessarily been involved with previously supporting my professional and personal growth.
Name: Cynthia Bromka-Skafidas
Title: Administrative Assistant II
Tell us about your role at ECS:
I work with our budget manager, Linda Lowe, in ordering supplies and other special orders, and make sure our Graduate Assistants, Fellows and hourly workers get paid in a timely manner. I also assist with academic matters related to our graduate students. I have been with EECS over 30 years.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
Watching students present their projects at the end of the year and seeing their achievements.
Name: Cynthia Salanger
Title: Admin Specialist I
Tell us about your role at ECS:
Helping students from the time they arrive on campus until they are certified to graduate.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
Helping students achieve their goal of graduating.
The Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) recognized Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Sam Clemence as a recipient of a DFI Legends Award on November 2, 2023. This award was established to honor practitioners that have made significant contributions and advancements to the research, design, construction, manufacturing and use of deep foundations.
Clemence was recognized for his 40 years of comprehensive research on the design and behavior of helical foundations. He is credited with shaping the modern use of helical piles and tiebacks, which advanced to a widely implemented foundation tool and robust business industry. He was a founding member and chair of DFI’s Helical Piles and Tiebacks Committee.
Matthew Conte ’06, principal at the Conte Company, introduced Clemence at the DFI Awards ceremony and provided this tribute to Clemence’s accomplishments, innovation and leadership.
“If you work in the helical pile industry, you have Sam Clemence to thank. The modern use of these deep foundations was shaped by Sam. His research has created one of the most comprehensive data collections of torque-to-capacity and helix plate analysis in the industry. The use of helical piles and tiebacks advanced into a widely implemented foundation tool and robust business industry. Serving as the first Chair of the DFI Helical Pile and Tiebacks Committee, Sam made it known that these foundations have their place in design standards.
As an Assistant Operations Officer in the US Navy Civil Engineer Corps, Sam completed projects in some of the most remote locations in the world. Installing deep foundations into crystallized coral and constructing bridges using elephants probably would not surprise you if you were familiar with his creative approach to engineering.
With a career close to 50 years as an educator, Sam developed a unique way to both relate to young engineers while also preparing them for the industry ahead. He didn’t have to tout his accomplishments; you could recognize them in how he taught. When I meet other Syracuse University engineering alumni, we always share a fun story about our time with Professor Clemence. A legend always leaves a lasting impression on those they meet. The contributions of Sam Clemence have made impressions on the current deep foundation industry and will continue to do so in the contributions of the students he has taught.”
Karen Herrera ‘24 knows all too well how much work goes into running a student organization. Having started as the events coordinator for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) at Syracuse University, she now serves as the current co-president, which is a big step up in workload. But to her, the extra work is worth it. At SHPE, Herrera has been able to balance academic and organizational work and found a supporting community where she can be herself. “I didn’t realize how much work it would actually be, but it keeps me busy,” says the senior computer science student. “I love what I do and everyone I’ve met.”
Founded in 1987 to empower Latinos and Hispanics in the STEM field, SHPE at Syracuse University strives to create a diverse environment on the University campus and help students reach their fullest potential. It’s open to all students and comprises both engineering and non-engineering students. Herrera was in a STEM program for underrepresented groups in high school so when she came to Syracuse University, she was eager to be a part of SHPE’s mission. Initially, she was a general member but her passion for the cause led her to take on the role of events coordinator.
As the events coordinator, she helped organize the very first Brillanté Banquet, a grand event SHPE hosts to highlight Hispanic excellence within their community. And it was quite the spectacle. Taking place towards the end of the spring semester, the event entailed a catered dinner, an award ceremony, performances from individuals and organizations across campus, as well as a keynote speaker.
“The planning takes pretty much all semester. We have to reserve the venue and submit catering requests as well as find performers and our keynote speaker. We also submit budget requests to be able to pay for everything,” Herrera says. “It was one of my favorite events last year and I’m looking forward to it this year too.”
The Brillanté Banquet also gave Herrera insight into organizing large-scale events and communication efforts within the college. This instilled in her a desire to take up a leadership role within the organization and she would eventually become the co-president of SHPE at Syracuse with Julia Ruiz ‘24.
“Our last vice president, Julia, wasn’t ready to let go of SHPE just yet. She loved the work and community too much,” Herrera says. “That’s why we’re doing a co-presidency, and this is the first time it’s been done. We communicate occasionally, and she’s a very resourceful person.”
As co-president, Herrera oversees all of SHPE’s organizational activities. The organization is actively collaborating with several companies to get its name recognized, and it has received invitations from other local companies to collaborate. Herrera also spends time reading and responding to emails and assisting with event coordination and monthly meetings.
“Our monthly meetings are where we discuss upcoming events, networking, volunteer opportunities or just catch up. We usually meet between 7 pm and 8 pm depending on people’s availability” Herrera says. “During a recent meeting, we took a break from our usual discussions and made slime to de-stress.”
As the end of the year approaches, the organization also hosts a “Cocoa and Cram” event, a study session for finals where hot cocoa is served for attendees – something Herrera always looks forward to. “Most of the time, it’s not that much studying. It’s just nice to hear how everyone’s semester went. It’s very chill,” she says.
Another event Herrera is looking forward to is the SHPE National Convention in early November, which is held in a different city each year and brings in thousands of Hispanic students in STEM. With networking, workshops, and awards, it’s an opportunity that many students don’t want to miss. “This is my first convention and I’m excited for the workshops and career fair. It’s going to be big,” Herrera says.
Karen Herrera
As she continues to work towards her goal of breaking into STEM, Herrera has loved the close relationships she’s formed with the group’s members and the club has been the perfect place for like-minded, ambitious individuals with a passion for STEM to connect.
“I love how the club has become a little family. Our meetings are so long because we get sidetracked and talk about other things,” Herrera says. “The connections and friends I’ve made here are great and I’m grateful to be part of this organization.”
Looking to join or partner with SHPE? Click here to get connected!
The College of Engineering and Computer Science has added a new Master of Science program in Operations Research and System Analytics. The program uniquely combines mathematical modeling, computer programming, data science and business analytics to solve significant problems in a variety of domains.
“We train students to be professionals in the field of operations research and system analytics and this is a program in which students look at systems, optimize them and make sure systems work as efficiently as possible,” says electrical engineering and computer science Professor Natarajan Gautam. “Students will also get a chance to work on real world problems.”
Gautam says graduates will have skills that are in high demand by technology companies. He describes it as an applied operations research program with computer science and artificial intelligence elements.
“This program is housed in the department of electrical engineering and computer science but the courses go across Syracuse University. There are courses in mechanical engineering, civil engineering and in the other programs on our campus,” says Gautam. “This is a wonderful place if you are excited about doing operations research and want to tie it to management and information technology.”
The new program is designed for students who have an undergraduate degree in any STEM field. A variety of electives are offered that will allow students to tailor the program to their interests.
“You are not going to be seeing anything you saw as part of an undergraduate program during this master’s degree and it will take you to the next level. It will make students valuable in the workforce.”
Whether you’re looking to try a new recipe, dimming the lights in your living room, or curious about the species of bacteria living inside your mouth, Amazon Alexa has got you covered. With a simple voice command, Alexa’s ability to perform various tasks or answer questions has made it widely popular, with over 40 million users in the United States alone. Despite the convenience smart speakers like Alexa offer, these devices have also raised some privacy concerns.
Amazon has been known to collect data on users which includes their shopping habits, preferences, and even their location for personalized marketing. But that’s not all. When using waking words such as “Hey Alexa” to activate smart speakers, the audio of your voice command is also recorded and stored, becoming Amazon’s property. This means that Amazon owns your voice audio and can do whatever they want with it.
“Big tech companies are using our personal information. We’re less like customers and more like their product,” says graduate student Brian Testa ’24. “I’ve always been sensitive to that. I don’t use a lot of technology at home for that reason.”
Using voice data, companies like Amazon and Google have now developed technology that poses even more threats to privacy: AI and machine learning that can determine people’s emotional state or mood from their voice. This patented technology can even pick up on feelings from emotionally neutral phrases like “What’s the weather?” Since there are no laws in place to prevent this, there’s no protection against it.
“In the US for the last five to 10 years, lots of researchers have been working on how they can use voice to infer emotions, mood or even mental health,” says assistant professor in electrical engineering and computer science, Asif Salekin. “In my own lab, we have previous works on tech that can infer mental disorders like depression, social anxiety, manic disorder, and even suicidal tendencies from one’s voice.”
While this technology can be useful in certain circumstances, most users, if not all, have not consented to having their emotions detected by smart speakers. These privacy concerns led Testa, Professor Salekin, graduate students Harshit Sharma ’26 and Yi Xiao 26, and undergraduate student Avery Gump ’24 to begin researching ways to protect users’ privacy from smart speakers.
“Consent is key,” Salekin says. “We’d still like to use smart speakers since they’re quite useful – I have them in my own home. This project was about finding a way to use these devices without giving companies the power to exploit us.”
Led by Testa, the group conducted extensive research and developed a device that can be attached to a smart speaker or downloaded as software onto a laptop. This device emits a mild noise that only the smart speaker can hear and masks the emotional tone in your voice, providing a new level of privacy protection for concerned users.
“Through the use of a speech emotion recognition (SER) classifier, a smart speaker can analyze how people are feeling based on how they sound. We created a microphone device that listens for the wake word ‘Hey Alexa’”, Testa says. “When the smart speaker activates, our device activates too and begins to emit a noise that disrupts the smart speaker from detecting your emotions. However, only the smart speaker hears this noise.”
Currently, their device masks your emotional state by presenting it as a completely different emotion. When you speak, the smart speaker may detect from your voice that you’re sad, angry, or frustrated when you’re not feeling any of these emotions. This unpredictability makes it difficult for smart speakers to accurately determine your true emotions or mood and also prevents machine learning from picking up on any patterns and mood correlations. The group hopes to improve the device’s functionality by making it mask your emotions as neutral rather than presenting them as a different emotion.
“To create the mild noise our device emits, we utilized genetic programming to identify a combination of specific frequencies that disrupt the smart speaker from determining a person’s mood,” Salekin says. “Only the speaker hears this noise, but it can hear your speech commands clearly, so the utility of the smart speaker remains intact.”
Though the sound is only detected by the smart speaker, the group wanted to see how loud it would be when the device is used. Testa played the sound in the lab when Professor Salekin was having a meeting and Salekin didn’t even realize it was playing, which showed that the noise wasn’t disruptive. Additionally, they also conducted a survey with others to see if the noise was loud enough to be disruptive.
Testa, Salekin, Sharma, Xiao, and Gump are currently working on patent submissions, form factors, and speaking with companies about commercializing their device. What sets their patent apart from similar concepts is that while past technology focused on determining people’s moods or emotions, their technology is all about protecting them. This unique approach makes their device the first of its kind.
“It was a fun project,” Testa says. “This paper was published by me and as the first listed author, I’m excited about it. I’ve been working towards my Ph.D., and this is another step towards that goal.”
“Working with the students in real-world applications and research with real results was exciting,” Salekin says. “This research has many components and the collaboration between us was great. We’re excited to see what the future for this tech holds.”
Extracting oil from the Earth in ways that minimize environmental harm is a challenging task. Methods like hydraulic fracturing require the injection of fluids into rock formations to create pressure for oil and natural gas to flow out. However, this process often causes air pollution and water contamination due to the use of toxic chemicals.
As researchers continue finding new ways to extract oil, distinguished professor in biomedical and chemical engineering, Radhakrishna (Suresh) Sureshkumar has made significant progress in research involving fluid mechanics and soft materials. Supported by the Petroleum Research Fund (PRF) from the American Chemical Society (ACS), he’s exploring the structure and flow behavior (rheology) of polymeric solutions that offer promise in efficient oil extraction.
“The ACS seeks to promote fundamental petroleum research and my research has received funding from the PRF in the past. They awarded me my very first grant during my tenure at Washington University and I’m looking forward to continuing research supported by the agency” says Sureshkumar.
With the fund, he and graduate student Senyuan Liu have been analyzing a group of molecules known as copolymers, which fall under the category of polymers, large molecules made of long, repeating chains of smaller molecules. Copolymers are made up of multiple polymers that possess different properties and are chemically bonded together. Most notably, copolymers consist of different blocks that have varying affinities to water. Some blocks are hydrophilic, meaning they like water and others are hydrophobic, which means they like oil.
Oil and water are known to not mix. However, there is a way they can be made compatible by using a substance called a surfactant. When a surfactant is added to water and oil, it creates an emulsion, the mixture of two or more liquids that don’t naturally mix. Using computational modeling, Sureshkumar and Liu are exploring the thermodynamic patterns underlying the assembly of copolymers in aqueous solutions. Further, they are investigating how molecular assemblies deform under flow conditions.
“Detergent is a good example of a surfactant. Dirt is oil-like material and when washing clothes, you add detergent to the washing machine because oil and water are not thermodynamically compatible,” Sureshkumar explains. “A surfactant has two parts to its molecular structure: one part is hydrophilic, the other is hydrophobic. So, when water, oil, and detergent are put together, it creates an emulsion allowing water and oil to mix.”
He and Liu have also been studying how copolymers self-assemble into various shapes such as spheres, cylinders, disks, and vesicles when they’re in water. Since copolymers possess different properties, some being hydrophilic and some hydrophobic, the oil-loving molecules avoid contact with water, leading to self-assembly and the formation of different shapes.
To further explore fluid dynamics, Sureshkumar and Liu have now developed technology that uses molecular dynamics simulations to study self-assembling molecules and their applications in oil extraction. They experiment with how these shapes self-assemble in different environments and have recently published a paper about their work.
“The molecular simulation we’ve created contains water and we can adjust the temperature and pressure as well. Adding individual polymer molecules, moving them around and tracking the process allows us to see how the invisible hand of thermodynamics causes them to self-assemble into various shapes,” Sureshkumar says. “We can see how these types of polymers will react in a natural environment, an engineered environment, or even the human body using this simulation.”
Studying how structures organize into different shapes and the thermodynamic mechanisms behind the creation of polymer structures is crucial, according to Sureshkumar. This research enables new ways to understand how to extract petroleum from the Earth and he believes the oil and natural gas industry can benefit from numerous applications of this research. It can also help unravel the mysteries of nature and answer questions regarding what causes polymers to self-assemble in the first place.
“Why would nature take a bunch of molecules and assemble them into a particular shape? This is a fundamental question,” he says. “Gaining an understanding of how nature creates nanostructures, we can engineer nanoscopic assemblies of molecules in a smart way and design better technologies to benefit society. The current grant from the Petroleum Research Fund helps us continue such fundamental explorations.”
I manage the ECS student and research shops, providing engineering consultation and training for undergrad and research projects of all kinds.
Engineering students of all majors are welcome to stop in and sign up for a short training session to use equipment.
Our capabilities include; 3D printing, laser cutting, water jet cutting, welding and CNC machining.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
The wide array of interesting projects.
Sharing ideas with a diversity of curious minds.
William VanNordstrand
Title: Senior Experimental Machinist
What is your role here at ECS?
My role is to offer my expertise in cost effective designing, machining and assembly of research projects, student projects, clubs and wherever my help is needed.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
Being able to work for and work with very brilliant people.
Thomas E. Braga
Title: Senior Experimental Machinist
What is your role here at ECS?
I have the pleasure to interact with faculty, staff, researchers, engineers, and students using rough sketches and concepts or finished blueprints to understand their specific needs. Review work for feasibility and initiate corrective action as required. I use precision machines and hand tools to make concepts a reality to close tolerances; tools include mills, lathes, saws, presses, brakes and shears.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
The freedom to think outside the box and work with some of the smartest people on this planet.
Jim Sheedy
Title: Facilities Manager
What is your role here at ECS?
I am the Facilities Manager for the College of Engineering and Computer Science. My job is to make sure that the buildings under my care are in appropriate working order to meet the needs of all the various groups so those individual occupants can perform their jobs and duties to the best of their abilities.
What is your favorite part of working here at ECS?
I enjoy working with a team with a common goal to provide the best education and opportunities to the future generation so they can achieve their lifelong goals.
Balancing academics, club meetings, and extracurriculars can be demanding for engineering students but make for impressive resumes that are likely to land them any internship they desire. However, having a strong resume doesn’t necessarily guarantee success at an internship. Though hard skills are crucial, computer science student Adya Parida discovered that it takes more than this to succeed in these roles. To make the most of your experience, Parida believes you’ve got to get in tune with the company culture and learn how to be a team player.
“It’s something that I think a lot of college students may not know unless they work in a professional setting,” she says. “At the workplace, there are certain norms, and an internship is the best way to learn about that.”
During the summer of 2023, Parida had her first corporate workplace experience as a technology intern at the Federal Reserve Bank. Before that, she conducted research projects on malware and anomaly detection in cybersecurity and also worked as a residential assistant on campus. Despite the differences between research projects and corporate work, Parida found the transition to be a refreshing change of pace and her expertise in data analytics and coding allowed her to seamlessly fit into her new role.
She worked in the information security department and focused on analyzing data using machine learning algorithms and often collaborated with other departments, such as the tech group, to share her findings. The market group would then use this information to make informed decisions, which showcased the company’s collaborative culture and how interconnected each department was.
At the Federal Reserve Bank, communication played a vital role in Parida’s experience. It was not only limited to the stand-up meetings with management, which involved assignments, updates, and check-ins. She also met with other interns for coffee chats or lunches and these interactions provided her with insights into how other departments functioned. Additionally, she was able to apply the workplace norms and professional etiquette she learned from Career Services, something she believes more college students should learn to grow in a professional setting.
“Hard skills are important but so are soft skills like communicating effectively with team members. It also helps you ask good questions when you’re facing difficulties on a project,” Parida said. “The team was more than happy to answer questions and help.”
By immersing herself into the workplace culture and getting to know the organization, the benefits the Federal Bank had to offer its interns and employees left a strong impression on Parida, especially the work-life balance. You weren’t expected to work more than 8 hours, which she says is unheard of in the finance industry.
“I’ve had roommates who used to work in private banks and would leave home at 6 am and come back past 9 pm. Those work hours are crazy” she says.
The company further prioritized the team’s well-being with a gym, basketball courts, and wellness center in the building to ensure the team was getting everything they needed and didn’t feel burnt out or stressed.
“Despite the fact that the Federal Reserve Bank is on Wall Street, and it’s a cutthroat industry, it’s such a great place to work, especially since it’s a mission-driven organization,” Parida says. “They don’t look at you as a profit-making machine like other companies do.”
The positive culture within the company was also reflected in the way leadership operated. Even interns had the opportunity to schedule appointments with management and executives, who were always willing to speak with them, despite their busy schedules. Parida was surprised to have the chance to speak with both the president and vice president of the company. Attending professional networking events for women and roundtable conferences further highlighted the company’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and creating a supportive environment for its employees.
“I was able to schedule an appointment with the vice president and talked in her office for an hour. That’s something I feel isn’t common in other companies,” Parida says. “This was a learning experience for me that taught me internships and jobs are more than being confined to your cubicle or keeping to yourself. It’s about connection and networking and I’m incredibly grateful for the time I spent at the Federal Reserve.”
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) Professor Farzana Rahman was honored by the Technology Alliance of Central New York (TACNY) as the organization’s College Educator of the Year at the 23rd Celebration of Technology awards banquet in October 2023.
Rahman joined the College of Engineering and Computer Science in the spring of 2020. Since then, she has taught critical core gateway courses involving foundational knowledge of the computing discipline to all three majors of the EECS department. Central to her teaching approach is an active learning style, which pairs hands-on programming exercises with challenging projects that demand students to cultivate skills in problem-solving, debugging, and software engineering in general. She is dedicated to creating equitable education and learning experiences for all students by providing inclusive, educational opportunities that support women, genderqueer, non-binary, underrepresented and minority (URM) students.
As a diversity spokesperson of the department, Rahman spearheads various DEIA initiatives. One of her most impactful initiatives is Research Exposure on Socially Relevant Computing (RESORC), funded by Google Research, to increase both the exposure and visibility of undergraduate research at EECS. With more than 200 students participating in RESORC over the past 3 years, she has designed and facilitated multiple virtual workshops to help undergraduate students develop computing identity, research skills, practice teaching strategies, and explore research topics in the computing and engineering domains. The project formalizes best practices in research experiences to reach more students, particularly women from historically excluded groups and prepares them for graduate study.
Rahman’s research and mentoring initiatives have been supported by many funding agencies, including the National Science Foundation, Google, NCWIT, Google TensorFlow, and the American Association of Colleges and Universities to develop effective pedagogy in undergraduate computer science (CS) education. She’s won the NCWIT Extension Services (NCWIT ES-UP) award, ABI Systers PIO (Pass-It-On) award, Google ExploreCSR Award, and NCWIT educator award. She published numerous peer-reviewed articles in venues, including the Special Interest Group of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM SIGCSE), IEEE RESPECT, and IEEE Frontiers in Engineering Education, the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) conference.
Her overarching research interests are:
To explore the impact of active learning pedagogy in undergraduate computing courses.
The effectiveness of online and inverted classrooms.
How different pedagogical practices can increase underrepresented student performance in computing courses.
How effective re-entry pathways can facilitate the transition of returning women in computing-based discipline.
Aerospace Engineering student Greg Slodysko talks with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson over FaceTime
Growing up, Greg Slodysko had a deep fascination with space exploration. Games like Kerbal Space Program, which challenged players to design spacecraft for different missions, and movies like October Sky inspired him to create his own model rockets and sparked a keen interest in the world beyond our own.
“I was always excited to see photos from the Hubble Space Telescope, which has some of the best pictures we’ve ever taken of distant stars and galaxies,” Slodysko says. “I also enjoyed watching documentaries or films about space travel and even went to space camp in high school.”
Now a senior studying aerospace engineering at Syracuse University, Slodysko recently had an experience that further fueled his love for rocketry: a conversation with Bill Nelson, the current NASA Administrator. How exactly did he manage to meet with NASA’s chief officer? The answer lies in an unexpected craving for ice cream.
Nelson and Congressman Matt Cartwright visited a high school in Slodysko’s hometown of Pittson, Pennsylvania. After the event, the NASA administrator was craving a sweet treat, so they both decided to head over to a nearby ice cream shop. The shop owners were friends with Slodysko’s parents and knew he was studying aerospace engineering at the University, so they invited Slodysko’s dad to the shop while the NASA administrator and the congressman were there. This provided the perfect opportunity for Slodysko to speak with Nelson.
“When I first got the mention that I had a chance to talk to Bill Nelson, I went for it. I immediately said ‘Yes, get me in!’ These situations are rare and don’t happen often” he says.
Slodysko couldn’t physically attend the meeting since he was on campus but was thrilled to participate in an impromptu FaceTime call with Nelson. Though he was initially nervous, the conversation was filled with encouragement and support, reigniting Slodysko’s passion for aerospace engineering and potentially paving the way for a future at NASA.
“They told me I was on the right path, and they were impressed with my work. It was such an inspiring conversation that I’ll never forget” he says.
Slodysko intends to continue exploring his interest in structural design, propulsion, and aerodynamic analysis as he completes his undergraduate degree. He’s also currently completing a computer-based code that produces modular model rocket parts that are 3D printable. He aims to make this code available for free download online so that others can either create their own model rockets by adjusting code variables or work to improve the code created by him.
Additionally, he plans to enroll in graduate school and hopes to secure an internship with NASA, potentially getting to meet the administrator once again but this time, face-to-face. To Slodysko, this would be an experience that’s truly out of this world.
“I’m deeply grateful to Congressman Cartwright and Bill Nelson for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he says. “I’ll never forget this and I’m so excited for what the future holds. This is going to stick with me for a long time.”
Bryan S. Kim, assistant professor in electrical engineering and computer science, has received funding from semiconductor company FADU to explore how CXL, a new open standard for connecting computer components, would transform data center applications.
With CXL, an entire rack of computers can be connected through the peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) bus with shared memory coherency, rethinking how computers access and share data.
“CXL is still in its infancy with only limited publicly available hardware. After all, its specification is only a few years old” Kim explained. “Furthermore, how CXL and its hardware would affect software system design is completely unexplored.”
Kim’s collaborative project will investigate the fundamental technologies for building a software system with CXL memory, the designs for resilient and reliable CXL fabric, and the transformation of data center applications due to CXL.
“While there is a large research community interest in CXL, there are only a handful of research groups who have published in this area,” Kim said. “I am grateful to be at the leading front and continuing the success of this project.”
Michael Saksa had quite the summer. For six weeks, he competed in Invent@SU, where he and his team created a handy tool for clothing repair called HomeTailor. Following the competition, he began an internship with the New York State Department of Transportation where he explored what a possible future in aerospace engineering looked like for him. In this Q&A, Saksa talks about his internship, plans for the future and advice for students to make the most out of their experience at the University.
What sparked your interest in pursuing an education at Syracuse University?
I really loved the location. My family is from Hammond, Indiana and we love to vacation in Upstate, New York so we’re familiar with the area. I also love the great programs at Syracuse University and the support it offers students – It was an easy decision, really!
Can you discuss the company you interned with and your duties?
I interned with the New York State Department of Transportation as a student assistant. I assisted with projects in the Highway Design Department and we worked on a highway renovation project in Ithaca.
Since the project has expanded, we had to expand the land the state department owns. We focused on restoring the sidewalks and I drafted up new borders for the land.
What did you like the most about your internship?
It was a great working environment and management was accommodating. They gave us options to work at different times so you could come in or leave earlier. The people I worked with are also great. Even if I made a mistake, it was never a big deal. They treated everyone with respect.
Did you face any challenges during your internship?
Because I was in Invent@SU, I had to start the internship late. All of the other interns started six weeks before I did so they already knew each other and had good rapport. Initially, it did feel awkward being the new guy when everyone else was settled in. I eventually settled in and got to know some other great people too.
Were there any specific projects you enjoyed working on?
Most of my projects were highway restoration but I also did a little field work and surveying on I-81, which I enjoyed. Surveying is how they make GPS routes. We went along the side of the highway with equipment where there were points marked with stone markers which are known coordinates. We take the points and get more accurate pinpoints of them and with that data, we can improve GPS accuracy. New surveying technology has definitely improved GPS accuracy.
Where do you see yourself in the next few years?
I plan on continuing my education and hope to work at NASA or SpaceX. I feel like I’m getting valuable engineering experience and making great connections. I’ve learned a lot not only from the classroom but from this internship as well.
What advice do you have for students about making the most out of their academic experience?
I would say reach out to professors, go to office hours, connect with others on LinkedIn, and attend events like the career fair. That’s actually where I got my internship with the New York State Department of Transportation. Also, always try to show up for class – it’s very easy not to.
Try to put yourself out there and make friends. Get engaged in a community you’re passionate about and balance your social and academic life well.
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) announced that College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean J. Cole Smith will be part of the INFORMS Fellows Class of 2023.
INFORMS is the largest professional association for the decision and data sciences. It brings together academic and industry experts in operations research, analytics, management science, economics, behavioral science, statistics, artificial intelligence, data science, applied mathematics and other fields.
Smith was recognized for his “sustained leadership and service to INFORMS and the profession; impactful research in integer programming, network interdiction, and multilevel optimization; and for distinguished leadership in academia.”
“This is such a humbling honor to receive from an organization like INFORMS. The award recognizes students who’ve worked alongside me, mentors who guided my career, and leaders who provided me so many opportunities in research and administration,” said Smith.
“As we launch our own Master’s degree in Operations Research and System Analytics (OR/SA) at Syracuse, I encourage people to learn more about the INFORMS organization and the breadth of career opportunities afforded with an OR/SA degree.”
The new INFORMS Fellows will be honored during the organization’s annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona from October 15th to 18th 2023.
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Professor Bing Dong has been awarded as an International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA) World Fellow for his research contributions, mentoring, and outreach within the field.
The IBPSA Fellow is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of building performance simulation or have demonstrated their expertise through teaching, research, simulation code development, or applying building simulation on large-scale projects. To be eligible, recipients must have also been actively involved in the field for at least ten years.
Dong has distinguished himself through impactful contributions such as his pioneering research in occupant behavior modeling, development of novel simulation and control models to solve buildings-to-grid integration control problems, and education of junior researchers and students among other notable breakthroughs within building performance simulation.
“This award is very prestigious. IBPSA only gives fellow awards every two years and it’s nominated by six world experts in this area,” Dong said. “I’m looking forward to further contributing my knowledge and advancing the community of energy efficiency buildings to achieve net-zero energy and carbon buildings and cities. This achievement means a lot to me.”
“This is indeed a great recognition for many years of continuing excellence Professor Dong has demonstrated in the area of building performance simulation,” said MAE Department Chair and professor in manufacturing enterprises, Young Moon. “The association awards IBPSA fellows biennially and this year, 12 fellows were awarded worldwide with only two being in the USA. I am very glad that Dr. Dong’s leadership and contributions in this critical field now have been recognized worldwide.”
The lack of access to clean drinking water impacts billions worldwide. With an estimated 46% of the global population affected, underdeveloped communities don’t have the means to efficient technology for water purification. As the percentage of those affected grows, associate professor Ian Hosein was recently awarded a patent that shows promise in addressing global water security and revolutionizing sustainability. To Professor Hosein, sustainability is more than just a solution to environmental issues – it’s a means of empowerment.
“There’s an enormous amount of energy out there at a time when the world needs it most,” Hosein said. “We’re taking energy from the sea which everyone has access to and providing a simple technology to be able to harness that energy.”
As an associate professor in biomedical and chemical engineering and a leader of a research group that develops sustainable technologies, Hosein is dedicated to clean energy efforts. Sparked by a student’s curiosity to investigate alternative energy sources, he began the journey to his patent by exploring the effectiveness of current filtration systems.
“We worked a lot with polymers and plastics, which were great for filtration down to the atomic scale. They’re also impermeable to salts and let certain things in and out,” Hosein said. “Since most filtrations are using plastics, former student Fu-Hao Chen G’19 discovered that if you have saltwater on one side of the plastic film, and no salt on the other, you’ve essentially created a battery. Saltwater has a lot of energy, so when you place it next to non-salty water, there’s diffusion.”
Taking this a step further, they discovered the potential of using other materials to regulate the high and low energy difference between salty and non-salty water and harness it as energy.
“If you put a barrier between salt water and non-salty water, you have all this stored energy on one side and low energy on the other. It’s like hydroelectricity in a dam and you can control the current or amount of electricity produced.”
Biomedical and Chemical Professor Ian Hosein
The ability to control the amount of electricity produced is what distinguishes Hosein’s patent from other patents. While many filtration systems rely on a plastic film similar to Hosein’s device, they’re passive, meaning they can’t control the amount of electricity produced. Hosein’s patented technology is active, which means it can apply additional voltage on both sides to amplify its efficiency. Other filtration systems may have inconsistent voltage depending on how much salt is in the water.
“Our planet is 96% saltwater and saltwater also doesn’t discriminate,” he said. “It’s accessible to everyone, and anyone can gain access to clean energy with this. This could change the world.”
While similar concepts had been explored, they were complex and relied on materials like molecular tubes. Hosein set out to find a simpler approach, which led him and Chen to develop this innovative way to purify water.
With help from Syracuse University’s Office of Technology Transfer, they obtained a patent for the device, which Hosein intends to utilize to power small residentials and sealines. If his patented technology is scaled up, it may even be able to power sea transportation, which currently relies heavily on carbon-based fuels. With this renewable technology, Hosein also hopes to level the playing field of sustainability.
“Sustainable energy is very empowering,” he said. “With this tech, people can empower themselves to generate their own energy and have access to clean energy. They may not have access to oil and coal, but they do have seawater. With this device, we’re closer to a world where everyone has access to clean water and more renewable energy.”
Imagine a city where streetlights and crosswalks no longer rely on electric grids for power. Instead, they draw their energy from the construction material that makes up several buildings and sidewalks: concrete. While it sounds far-fetched, three College of Engineering and Computer Science students, Ian Storrs, Brendan Murty, and Ryan Mussaw, are working to make this a reality. Through research and testing, their discoveries have the potential to be a new commercial technology that harnesses an overlooked source of energy and makes an impact on sustainability.
Their invention, ConCurrent, relies on the principles of thermodynamics, a field of physics that involves energy, temperature, and heat. Concrete on its own can’t generate electricity. But heat can – and construction materials like concrete and asphalt can soak up a large percentage of the sun’s heat. With a huge amount of heat being absorbed into the concrete, the engineering trio discovered an ingenious way to transform this wasted energy into a power source by turning heat absorbed by concrete into electricity. This began their journey into the world of renewable energy research.
Originally a pitch for Invent@SU, their prototypes were concrete blocks fused with a thermoelectric generator, which transforms heat absorbed by the block into electricity when one side of the block is hot, and the other side is cool. The temperature difference between each side is crucial to generating electricity—the greater the temperature difference, the more electricity can be generated.
Brendan Murty, Matthew Brewster, and Ian Storrs working on a prototype during Invent@SU
“We were thinking our invention could power things in close proximity to roadways and illumination for sidewalks like embedded lights, kind of like what you’d see at movie theatres when you’re walking down the aisle,” Murty said.
However, a single concrete block isn’t enough to generate power for crosswalks or streetlights, so they’ll need a considerable number of these devices to achieve this. These blocks have been helpful in exploring the concept of heat, concrete, and electricity and they’ve included other materials in their prototypes to amplify the temperature difference on each side of the block.
“We included a copper plate on top to absorb heat and pull it down from the surface of the concrete,” Storrs said. “The aluminum plate pulls heat from the bottom to try to cool it. The sides are also wrapped in foam insulation to reduce heat escaping. And on the bottom, we have a heat pipe, a copper tube with fluid that’s good for moving heat.”
While some may think ConCurrent is solar power with extra steps, there are some differences. Solar power relies on sunlight. ConCurrent relies on solar radiation or the heat absorbed from the sun’s radiation. This means even when the sun goes down, their invention can continue functioning since concrete absorbs and retains heat.
“It’s a resource that hasn’t really been tapped in a real effective way. We have solar, which harnesses the sun’s energy but this specific realm hasn’t been focused on,” Murty said.
The research aspect of the project was by far the most interesting part to the engineers. They would be able to continue research on ConCurrent when offered a position at the Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) at the start of fall 2022. At the assessment center, Storrs, Murty, and Mussaw assisted manufacturing companies in conserving energy by suggesting changes in lighting and other power sources. Funded by the assessment center, their work also helped them when it came to research and they spent the summer reading other academic papers and building different iterations of the design.
“It’s a relatively small research area,” Storrs said. “We did find other projects that were doing similar things like a solar collector, but those projects focus on asphalt road surfaces. They’re also different since they have pipes underneath roads that circulate water and air to collect heat.”
ConCurrent’s function heavily relies on temperature difference, so the engineers have explored ways to reduce energy loss. They’ve considered filling the empty space of their thermoelectric generator with insulation materials and conducted experiments to test the effectiveness of covering pavement with absorbent black paint, as this could help increase solar radiation absorption. Their research has also allowed them to delve deeper into understanding heat absorption in asphalt pavements. Even with their many triumphs, however, the engineers did encounter some issues along the way.
Ian Storrs and Brendan Murty
“Since we’re a self-guided research team, we’ve had to narrow the scope and direction of our project as we did our literature review,” Storrs said. “This was initially overwhelming, but we were able to meet with the engineering librarian Jaun Denzer who was enormously helpful in pointing us in the right direction.”
Despite being a self-guided group belonging to different programs within ECS, the engineering trio is far from a ragtag bunch – they’re a dream team. Whether it be Storrs’s mechanical engineering knowledge or Murty’s previous experience using modeling software in his aerospace engineering course, each member has contributed something noteworthy to the project to make it what it is today.
Mussaw, who joined the group after Invent@SU, and his electrical engineering expertise also came in handy for ConCurrent’s electrical components, something the group initially struggled with during the competition. He discussed some things he desired to achieve with this invention.
“We’re hoping to have multiple temperature sensors throughout the prototypes we’re using,” he explained. “We’re also hoping to pull weather data from Syracuse Airport so we can compare weather data from stations – there will be a lot of data analysis to paint a better picture of what’s going on.”
Matthew Brewster, a civil engineering student who exited the group after Invent@SU, was credited with designing how their invention would look and even suggested using thermoelectric generators while ConCurrent was in its early stages of development.
“One of the ideas I had initially suggested when brainstorming was developing some type of solar sidewalk where the solar cells could be laid out and pressed into wet concrete,” Storrs said. “Matthew suggested using thermo-electric generators, which I had never heard of before. We essentially just ran with it from then on.”
What began as an Invent@SU pitch has now evolved into a research project where every member, current and former, has contributed to the project’s success. And though they didn’t place in the competition, their collective drive to make a positive impact on the environment has led to the creation of innovative solutions for renewable energy. With support from the ECS faculty and their experience at the assessment center, these engineers are paving the way for clean energy solutions and revolutionizing the way we consume power.
The junior electrical engineering lab is the latest among several renovations taking place in the Center for Science and Technology and the lab’s layout has significantly improved teaching and interactions within the educational space.
“It was a bit of a change when I first came back. They’ve transformed a pretty clunky environment into a usable space,” teaching assistant Kyle Maiorana said. “They also centralized a lot of the components and resources like lab instruments so you’re not running all over the lab to use them.”
The lab was originally a long, narrow room, making it difficult to navigate and teach, but the newly renovated lab is more open, allowing for better mobility.
“Before, we had half the students in one room, and half the students in another room. We were separated and I had to go back and forth. Now we’re all in the same room – it’s much nicer,” said Duane Marcy, associate teaching professor of electrical engineering and computer science. “It was really hard to teach in that space. Stand on one end of the room and students toward the back would have difficulty paying attention.”
According to Marcy, these renovations have been in the works for some time and he’s glad that they’ve finally been completed.
“We actually proposed the renovations about 10 years ago. We’ve had different drawings and architects look at it. When Bruce Molino came to the college, he took the lead on this project and made it possible. The renovations have made a huge difference by encouraging active, exploratory learning which is crucial in lab environments.”
“It invites a lot more collaboration,” Maiorana added. “With the amount of time I spent in the lab for the past couple of years, I’m a little bummed I graduated before I could use it. The renovations always happen right after you leave. It’s definitely a gift for the incoming students though. They have a lot of great space to use for their future projects.”
The College of Engineering and Computer Science is pleased to announce the transition of Melissa Young into a new role as Director of the Center for Sustainable Community Solutions – Environmental Finance Center (CSCS-EFC) at Syracuse University. CSCS-EFC is housed within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. With her extensive leadership experience and dedication to sustainability, Young is poised to build upon the Center’s long and successful history and to continue developing impactful programming for the communities it serves.
Young has been an integral part of the CSCS-EFC team since 2008, previously serving as Director of Resource Conservation Initiatives. Throughout her career, she has played a pivotal role in public engagement, outreach, education, and technical assistance initiatives. Her programmatic effort was previously focused on sustainable materials management, encompassing crucial aspects such as waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. In her new position, Young will expand her scope to include initiatives related to water and wastewater infrastructure, particularly for rural and underserved populations, which she had worked on when she was first hired at Syracuse University.
The shift in leadership comes as CSCS-EFC celebrates its 30th year anniversary in 2023. Since 1993, CSCS-EFC has used a unique community-based approach to assist hundreds of municipalities across EPA Region 2, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and eight Native Nations. CSCS-EFC provides essential training and brings together a variety of governmental and nonprofit actors to collaborate on sustainability issues, including water infrastructure management, water equity, climate resiliency, resource conservation, and sustainable materials management. Since 2015, CSCS-EFC has been awarded $15.75 million in federal, state, and local grants to support communities by providing tools, technical assistance, outreach and education, research, and more.
“This is an exciting time for Syracuse University’s CSCS-EFC as it continues to lead the way in developing solutions for communities across EPA Region 2,” says J. Cole Smith, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “Melissa’s background and track record of proven results and positive impact will be essential to taking CSCS-EFC to even greater heights.”
“I am honored and deeply committed to lead our organization’s efforts to catalyze positive change and foster environmental stewardship, while engaging deeply with communities across our region and beyond,” says Young. “Together with our dedicated team and partners, we will continue to innovate and expand our impact, working to create a more sustainable and resilient future for all.”
Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Svetoslava Todorova attended the second session of the United Nations (UN) Intergovernmental Negotiations Committee on Plastics during the summer of 2023 in Paris, France.
Todorova joined representatives from UN member states, regional economic integration organizations, UN agencies and intergovernmental agencies in an attempt to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. Unfortunately, the committee was unable to come to an agreement on a draft at the second session.
The next meeting of the committee will be held in November 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. The committee has the goal of delivering a final agreement by the end of 2024.
“Overconsumption of plastics in a throw-away society generates a lot of waste. Much of it is not easily degradable and can persist in the environment. Single-use plastics visibly accumulate on the streets and in our waterways. I had hoped that the high visibility of problems connected to plastics pollution would make intergovernmental negotiations easier,” says Todorova. “Unfortunately, during the second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiations Committee, the delegates were locked in extensive discussions on basic principles and missed engaging in more substantive topics. This shows how difficult these negotiations will be and how challenging it will be to overcome divergent interests and opposition to progress in reducing plastics waste.”
Machinery and power tools echo throughout Link Hall as construction workers bustle about the building. Since the spring of 2022, Link Hall has been undergoing renovations, and big changes are on the horizon. We sat down with Bruce Molino, the Director of Space Management and Strategic Initiatives, who shared some exciting developments students, faculty and staff can expect to see in the coming years, and he believes these renovations will transform Link Hall into a welcoming space that fosters collaboration.
“Link Hall was built at a different time and served a different purpose,” Molino said. “50 years on, it’s time for something new.”
The University has been experiencing new growth, hiring more researchers and elevating its research profile but research facilities haven’t kept pace with the college’s expansion. To attract new faculty and students, the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) aims to provide adequate spaces for researchers to work. The college also seeks to create new spaces for student engagement and upgrade the building’s accessibility.
Bill Allyn tours the Allyn Innovation Center construction site
One of the biggest changes students, faculty, and staff can expect to see is the first floor of the building, the Allyn Innovation Center, which will serve as a meeting and gathering space. This newly renovated hub will include lecture halls, classrooms, meeting rooms, spaces for Teaching Assistants, STEM labs, student success suites, and a brand-new entryway. Molino expressed excitement about how these spaces will shape interactions between everyone in the college.
“I think the Allyn Innovation Center will be a big deal,” he said. “It will completely change the energy of the building and how people meet and interact. I’m most excited to see that get developed.”
Bill Allyn talking with Dean Smith and College Leadership in the new west lobby of Link Hall
Molino is also looking forward to the development of new chemical engineering labs on the second and third floors of Link Hall. They’ll be designed as shared research spaces rather than individual faculty areas, promoting a collaborative culture within the college.
New Chemical Engineering Lab Space
However, Link Hall isn’t the only building undergoing renovations. The first floor of the Center of Science and Technology (CST) is also being renovated to include new wet labs that will be used for chemical or gas-based research and construction on this floor has already been completed. The fourth floor of the building is being renovated to include dry labs, which don’t involve chemical or gas-based research, and the CST basement will be a combination of both wet and dry labs.
Though construction has been smooth, there have been some challenges. Limited space has required all renovations to take place while the building is occupied, leading Molino to rearrange certain spaces until the completion of renovations.
Bill Allyn touring new labs on the fourth floor of Link Hall
The ongoing construction has caused interruptions and noise which have become increasingly common for faculty, staff, and students working during the past two summers. And Molino warns that as the construction nears completion, these disruptions may become more frequent.
“It’s going to get busy here for the next couple of years for construction,” Molino says. “It’s been a challenge to do this type of project with no swing space to work with. It’s also been difficult on research faculty, who must move their equipment and deactivate the lab impacting ongoing research.”
However, Molino believes the effort will be worthwhile, noting that facilities have a strong impression on recruiting potential students and faculty and these changes will have a significant impact on the future of the college.
“This building will feel very different in a few years,” he said. “It’s exciting and we can’t wait for everyone to see how it looks.”
Leaving home and starting a new chapter at college can be challenging. At the College of Engineering and Computer Science, we prioritize making all students feel welcome, so we’ve gathered valuable insights from fellow students who were once in your shoes. Sharing their experiences and advice to help you navigate this journey, here’s what they had to say:
Aaron Shinn ‘25 | Civil Engineering
“As a first-year student, I wish I put less pressure on myself. The transition to college can be difficult as you meet countless people, learn about different opportunities, and try to figure out what best interests you. Instead of overwhelming yourself over how things will unfold, just trust that simple actions like trying a bit of everything and building connections with those you meet early will be helpful in the future. You may not know who your closest friends will be, what you’re most passionate about, or what student organizations you want to commit to, but doing those little things will ensure that everything falls into place.”
Mary Schieman ‘24 | Environmental Engineering
“The biggest piece of advice that I could give a first-year student is to put yourself out there! Starting anything new can be terrifying, but college is a new slate where so many new opportunities are presented to you. I tended to isolate myself before college, but once I started joining clubs and meeting people, I enjoyed myself so much more. Everyone might seem like they have it together, but I promise we’re all still figuring it out.”
Paxon Andino ‘24 | Electrical Engineering
“As a first-year student, walking into Shaw Hall with a whole bunch of people I didn’t know was terrifying. If I could go back in time, I would put myself out there more. I started to get out more during my second year and by taking that leap of faith, I now have great friends and keep meeting more people. Your first year of college is crucial to figuring yourself out and getting involved. Trust the process and you’ll find your people, your passions, and yourself. Also, make important connections with professors, advisors, or people who have more knowledge in your major and in life. I hope you find your place at Syracuse University because it’s such a great place to be your authentic self. I wish you all the best and to make the community the best it can be.”
Isabella Perkins 25’ | Chemical Engineering
“I wish I had known about the beauty of trying new things. There are so many great programs and organizations here at SU that may or may not be a part of your home college. I wish I had taken the time to look into more of the different clubs and groups on and around campus as they are a great source not only to make connections but also as an outlet for the stresses that come naturally with schoolwork. It’s incredibly important to avoid getting burnt out by what you’re doing in school so joining clubs and different organizations that aren’t related to your major are great outlets. “
Experience college beyond the classroom and see what life as an ECS student is all about. Click here to explore all our clubs and organizations to connect with other students and faculty.
Accurate fluid replacement is one of the most important objectives in the initial treatment of burn patients. Giving a patient the incorrect volume can lead to serious complications and delay proper treatment. Fluid management and other treatment protocols are based on calculating what percentage of the patient’s total body surface area (%TBSA) is burned. The Burn Care Anywhere app aims to help emergency responders accurately estimate the %TBSA for fast and immediate treatment.
Burn Care Anywhere was developed as a 2022-2023 biomedical engineering capstone project by Jared Anderson ’23, Sara Leonardo ’23, Katie Southard ’23, and Alyssa Pape ’23 in partnership with the Clark Burn Center at Upstate Medical University.
The biomedical engineering capstone senior design course challenges students to study a real-world issue and develop a solution from concept to prototype. The experience gives students hands-on preparation to help them be successful after graduation.
The Syracuse University center in Strasbourg, France offers an incredible study abroad experience for Engineering and Computer Science students. Located in eastern France on the border of Germany, Strasbourg is centrally located with easy access to Switzerland, Belgium and Italy.
“The study abroad program is part of why I choose Syracuse in the first place,” says Emma Crandall ’25. “Strasbourg was one of the places they made it really easy for me as an engineering major.”
“I love the city. One of my favorite things is how easy it is to get around,” says Declan Wavle ’25. “It’s really an amalgamation of all different cultures coming together.”
Specially designed programs for second year students allow them to take required courses they need and remain on track for graduation.
“Syracuse does a very good job of making sure we stay on track as engineers even when we are studying abroad,” says Arturo Venegas ’25. “I am taking almost all my courses I need to take for this sophomore year. Which is amazing since that means there is no disruption to my four-year plan”
“That’s one of the best things about this program. You don’t have to sacrifice anything as an engineer,” says Tyler Lavaway ’25.
An electrical engineering lab at INSA in Strasbourg, France
Syracuse University students get to take some of their classes at France’s National Institute of Applied Science. All classes are taught in English.
“You don’t have to speak French to study in Strasbourg, there is no language requirement but I always say you have to want to learn,” says assistant director Mary Boyington. “You can have a wonderful opportunity, take French classes, live with a host family and learn the French language in an everyday environment.”
“It is really cool how you get to see you major done a different way and it is eye opening,” says Wavle. “You know there is a whole other world out there but you don’t experience it until you are actually there.”
A restaurant in the Petite France area of Strasbourg, France
Whether he’s exploring rocky quarries, mountain biking on winding trails, or training for club gymnastics, Trygve Moler prefers the outdoors. Growing up in Montana, he spent his childhood playing in open fields and poking around the wilds, instilling in him a deep appreciation for nature.
“My family camped a lot when I was younger,” he said. “I grew up living on the edges of town with fields and ditches to explore. Even as I’ve gotten older, I’ll take any excuse to be outside.”
His strong connection to the outdoors also made him aware of the current climate crisis that’s affecting Montana. Soaring temperatures, blazing wildfires, and winters that rival Syracuse’s chilly seasons have wreaked havoc on his home state.
“It’s not hard to notice highly irregular snowfall, extreme forest fires, and smoke when I’m living through them. Right now, Montana is experiencing a serious heat wave,” he said. “Winter is also unpredictable. Sometimes we barely get snow, but other times we get more than expected.”
These experiences ultimately shaped Moler’s decision to pursue environmental engineering at Syracuse University and further explore his fascination with the natural world. “There really was never a question about it,” he said. “I knew I wanted to be an engineer when I saw environmental was an option. It was an immediate choice.”
With an internship under civil and environmental engineering professor, Chris Johnson, Moler has gained experience in environmental lab and field work while considering possible career paths. Alongside fellow interns in Johnson’s biogeochemistry laboratory, he’s spent his summer in New Hampshire and Link Hall analyzing phosphorus in soil samples.
Phosphate, a naturally occurring form of the element phosphorus, plays a crucial role in plant growth and development, providing the essential nutrients required for root growth, seed formation, and winter survival. When there’s a sufficient amount of phosphate in the soil, plants can grow to be healthier and stronger. But when there isn’t enough phosphorus, plant growth can be slow.
The soil samples are collected from the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. For decades, scientists have conducted research in the area to better understand the environment and forest ecosystems, making it an ideal spot for analyzing the role of soil phosphorus in forest health.
“Hubbard Brook has a unique history, as some of the most interesting experiments in terms of soil, water, atmosphere, and wildlife took place there,” Moler explained. “It also has some of the longest-running data sets in those fields, as it was founded in the 1960s. For the purposes of my group, Hubbard Brook has the perfect climate to slow the decomposition of organic matter in the soil to a matter of years rather than months, which allows us to study how phosphorus, and many other important nutrients, cycle through the soil.”
Moler’s trip to Hubbard Brook was an amazing opportunity for fieldwork. He and the team stayed in a cabin and journeyed through the wilderness on days it wasn’t raining. Trekking through lush green terrain and flowing brooks, the group used a watershed map with a grid as their guide.
In certain locations, there would be markers on the ground and on the map which would indicate the areas to collect soil samples from. The soil would be dug from the ground, placed into individual bags, and the size and volume of the soil sample would be recorded. On a typical day, each group would collect samples at between eight and 15 sites.
After collecting the samples at Hubbard Brook, Moler and his group returned them to the lab for analysis. He and another intern would take turns preparing the samples to extract various forms of soil phosphorus. The process involved weighing soil samples, mixing acids and bases, shaking them to promote the extraction, and centrifugation to separate the solids from the liquid. The extract solutions were then analyzed for phosphate and total phosphorus.
A segmented flow analyzer was used to analyze phosphate and total phosphorus concentrations in the extract solutions. This device utilizes spectrometry to measure light attenuation or transmittance to determine phosphate concentrations. Before running samples through the machine, the solution must be adjusted to a specific acidity level by adding acids and bases until the sample changes color. Once the solution reaches the desired acidity level, samples can be analyzed by the segmented flow analyzer to determine phosphate concentration in the soil.
“I really enjoy my research,” Moler said. “My coworkers and the lab space are great, and I think this experience will be invaluable in the coming years. This is the most involved work I’ve ever been a part of.”
While interning at the biogeochemistry laboratory, Moler was introduced to a field he never knew existed and soon discovered the vastness of environmental research. Something as seemingly simple as soil had extensive research and analysis. Even nutrients found within the soil like nitrogen also had entire papers and in-depth studies, which he found fascinating.
“All the chemistry I’m learning is new. I didn’t even know biogeochemistry crossed over,” Moler said. “That entire area was unknown to me, and I was shocked about how deep every component of it was, including all the elements in the soil. You can read so much about it and all the experiments people have conducted. It was interesting to discover.”
When Moler isn’t working at the segmented flow machine, he’s somewhere in the wilderness or participating in physical activities. He’s expressed interest in joining the university’s Outing Club, a pack of outdoor enthusiasts whose adventures consist of weekly trips, ranging from hiking trails to spelunking caves – there couldn’t be a more perfect club for him to join.
However, his adventurous spirit goes beyond internships and extracurricular activities. He intends to study abroad in Santiago, Chile, which will allow him to immerse himself in a new culture, explore unfamiliar places, and practice his Spanish.
“Chile was an easy choice for me. In my fourth year of Spanish, I reported on the culture, history, environment, and current affairs of Chile, so I’m already fairly invested in the country,” he said. “I think it’ll be a cool place to study and explore. I’ve also been studying Spanish for four years, so I would love to make the leap to complete fluency.”
Moler considers these experiences to be vital and encourages Syracuse students to seize every opportunity to enhance their college experience through internships, extracurricular activities, and study abroad programs. Such experiences have helped him gain clarity about his future goals and career aspirations.
“For jobs and internships, just get moving,” he said. “I struggled for my first semester to find any opportunities, but it just takes some time and continuous applied effort. Talk to your professors, send emails, ask questions, check on different options, apply regardless of the requirements, and things will happen, especially here in Syracuse.”
“On the other hand, never take yourself too seriously,” he added. “It’s easy to get wrapped up in these big leaps and bounds that college allows us to make. But always remember to take time to have fun and play like a kid.”
The Jesús Izcoa Moure Bridge in Puerto Rico perfectly shows how looks can be deceiving. While it may appear free of noticeable damage when driven over, standing on the bridge reveals that it moves more than expected. This is due to its design as a cable-stayed bridge, where cables play a crucial role in balancing tensions and compressions while distributing weight to the piers and beams. However, the bridge has some cracks in its structure and moves slightly more than it should.
Rest assured, the bridge isn’t on the verge of collapse, but it is structurally deficient. This term is used by engineers to describe structures that aren’t in the best shape but still safe to use. And it’s more common than you think. In fact, more than a third of bridges in the United States are structurally deficient as of 2022. However, recent investments in construction aim to tackle the problem of aging infrastructure throughout the country.
Assisting in efforts to improve infrastructure, civil engineering student Alex Torres is currently spending the summer in his home country Puerto Rico gaining structural engineering experience. With the Carrasquillo Engineering Service Group, they’re on a mission to repair the Jesús Izcoa Moure Bridge and other structures in Puerto Rico to ensure their safety.
Wearing a helmet, vest, and steel-toe boots, Torres and the service group inspect cracks underneath the bridge, focusing on the beams, which act as the bridge’s support. Using scaffolding to get a better view and make their way around the structure, they also close lanes to restrict the flow of traffic as they scrape and refill areas of the bridge. This is all to balance tension and distribute weight to prevent the bridge from accumulating more pressure and collapsing.
“The bridge is divided into 6 spans and each span is subdivided into 4 squares. The spaces that need to be scrapped or refilled along the bridge are being identified,” Torres explained. “The purpose is that the bridge ends up as leveled as possible and with the most reasonable slope.”
Torres uses a device called Ground Penetrating Radar to avoid damaging crucial structural areas of the bridge. This device sends frequencies to the ground that bounce back when they detect iron rods in the concrete that support the bridge. The frequency data is then passed to a computer, which analyzes wavelengths and shows the highest points. This process determines the depth of any cables, wire tubes, or important structures beneath the concrete, and with this information, Torres can determine the amount of scraping required for the bridge repair that won’t cause damage to crucial areas.
“The highest point in the wavelengths determines how close under the surface the rod is. Therefore, with this you can calculate the maximum clear cover which tells you how deep you can scrape without touching the rods” Torres said.
Bridges aren’t the only infrastructures Torres has been inspecting. He also got the chance to collect data at a structurally deficient parking garage. Using ZipLevel, a tool that measures elevation with pressure through gravity, the multilevel garage was a great opportunity for him to see other structures in need of repair and devices civil engineers utilize in the field. Torres noticed that engineers could get creative with tools, seeing firsthand how experienced engineers would use devices for different purposes.
“I noticed how the engineers were analyzing ways to gather data in the field. When discussing how to approach certain repairs, one of them would come up with the idea to use a tool or device that no one else would’ve thought of using for that specific task. Sometimes you can adapt a device you used previously to something else and make it work perfectly for what you need.”
Despite hours spent in the tropical heat, Torres is excited to be working on location. The opportunity to collect data and gain practical experience is invaluable to him – he’d much rather do this than input information in an air-conditioned office. He also had the chance to view a construction plan for the bridge, which provided him with more exposure to the intricacies of civil engineering – an experience he would’ve never had if he weren’t on site.
“I saw a detailed plan of how the bridge was going to be built, including the materials and all the other details. It was interesting because each project has a plan like this. It’s what everyone follows when the project begins,” Torres said. “Seeing one firsthand was fascinating. When I become an engineer and start my own projects, I’ll also have to follow a plan like that. It was an amazing experience. Being able to read one so early on is a blessing.”
Torres enjoyed applying lessons learned from his Engineering and Computer Science courses, like ECS 101, to his current work. Understanding bridge tensions, compressions, and force dynamics helped him make connections between his work experience and classroom education. Additionally, his familiarity with AutoCAD, a software program used by architects and engineers to create model structures, proved useful during the bridge repair process.
When the service group isn’t collecting data or repairing damaged areas, Torres chats with the other engineers about their experiences, which provides him with an opportunity to explore different career paths within civil engineering. With the vast array of options available in this field, he’s narrowed his focus to structural and construction engineering as possible career choices after graduation.
“I think it’s good to have a sense of what you would be working on after you graduate,” Torres said. “It’s motivated me to study harder in school. I’m grateful for what I’ve learned at ECS and this experience.”
Torres also encouraged students to participate in various activities to make the most of their time at ECS. He emphasized the importance of pursuing one’s interests and being a part of the community. Not only has his experience allowed him to gain more exposure in civil engineering but it’s also allowed him to build a future for himself.
After weeks of preparation, the Invent@SU project presentations finally took place. Faculty, staff, alumni, and sponsors gathered at the Life Sciences Complex, packing into Breed Lecture Hall to witness eight teams present their creations and showcase their entrepreneurial flair.
For six weeks, 20 Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) students spent their summer days in Link Hall designing and prototyping inventions to pitch to sponsors and compete for cash prizes. Room 369 served as a collaborative space and innovative hub where students brainstormed and perfected their pitches with help from ECS faculty. Battling for first, second, and third place, the competition this year was close.
Among the roster of Invent@SU competitors were EasyUP, a lightweight collapsible staircase to help senior citizens get back on their feet after a fall, MAJK Pain Relief, a device that provides relief for people with lower back pain, HomeTailor, a handy tool for quick and easy clothing repairs, Collapsa Crutch, an alternative to non-collapsible crutches, The Boxer, a device designed to turn excess cardboard boxes into pulp, GluTrace, a cup that measures sugar content for people with diabetes, SproutSwim, a life vest for infants, and Rising Cane, a way to assist people as they stand up from a seated position.
With just five minutes to impress the judges, students strived to leave a lasting impression, which many highlighted was just as crucial as the invention itself.
“One of the biggest things I learned from this program was that engineers often only think about the engineering aspect of things. But we also must learn how the business side of things works too,” Saimun Uddin of Collapsa Crutch said. “We talked to patent lawyers and project managers… We also learned how to brand ourselves, and how to make sure you stick out when talking to sponsors.”
Uddin’s words about standing out in the competition proved to be true. With her teammates, Sophia Ameneyro and Seydou Diao, the trio would take home third place, winning a cash prize of $600. Their presentation demonstrated their ingenious invention’s functionality by keeping the collapsible crutch hidden in a backpack, revealing it at the end of their pitch to audience applause.
“The reason I chose engineering and ECS was to get hands-on involvement,” Uddin continued. “Sometimes in undergrad, you don’t always get much practical experience. But in this program, you’re able to apply what you learn. When we were designing and prototyping for Invent@SU, we realized how much we applied the things we learned in class. It was very enriching.”
In second place winning a $1,200 cash prize was The Boxer, the cardboard pulping device. Team members Gabriel Fatade, Adedeji Oyefeso, and Ethan Yankey exuded natural charm and camaraderie, capturing the audience’s interest with their engaging presentation.
“We started with a small idea and now we see the fruit of our labor,” Fatade said. “It’s amazing that people are willing to look at our invention and give it a chance. It’s honestly heart-touching. If you told me six weeks ago, we were going to create a machine for cardboard, I wouldn’t believe it.”
Though Fatade was initially anxious about being a computer engineering student while his team’s invention required mechanical engineering knowledge, he learned a lot by relying on his teammates and learned some things about mechanical engineering too.
“We had our ups and downs,” Fatade added. “There were a lot of mechanical things…But it gave me insight into what it’s like being on a team and taught me how to become a better team member as a whole.”
Taking home a cash prize of $2,000 and winning the championship title of Invent@SU 2023 was Rising Cane. With a captivating pitch, their suits and matching pink ties displayed their teamwork and collaboration, which team member Hunter McElhinney believed contributed to their success.
“We’re all one team. If everyone’s not on the same wavelength, things will go downhill quickly,” McElhinney said. “I think teamwork and consistency have gotten us through this competition. Everybody can be motivated at one point but who can stay consistent…That’s what it came down to. Getting hands-on experience, having a plan, and attacking it from all angles – when the puzzle pieces fall together, it’s a satisfying thing.”
For McElhinney and his teammates Nathaniel Paradis, Jack Sipperly, and Zach Starr, this isn’t the end. The victors plan on entering Rising Cane in other competitions at Syracuse University. Other Invent@SU teams also plan to work with Blackstone Launchpad in Bird Library to explore business plans and patents.
“This year, our teams all came up with truly creative inventions,” mechanical and engineering professor Alexander Deyhim said. “The technical depth and the use of engineering calculations that went into the development of each project was highly impressive.”
“I genuinely enjoyed getting up every day and coming to this program,” McElhinney added. “Even in the summertime, the last thing you want to do is work. But this really didn’t feel like work at all.”
Invent@SU is made possible by our sponsors. We’d like to thank Syracuse University Trustee Bill Allyn G’59 and Janet “Penny” Jones Allyn ’60 and Michael Lazar G’65 for their program sponsorship. We’d also like to thank the 2023 partner sponsor, the Lyons Family Foundation, and the 2023 team sponsor, Ralph Folz ’90. Their generosity makes it possible for us to provide a truly transformational experience for student inventors at SU.
For more information on the program, visit invent.syr.edu.
The Clarke Prize is considered one of the most prestigious awards pertaining to water science. It is awarded to thought leaders in water research, science, technology, or policy in the United States. Past honorees have included some of the most significant figures in civil and environmental engineering; the water, biological, physical, chemical, health, and political sciences; and public planning and policy.
Driscoll’s research largely involves characterization and quantifying the impacts of air pollution, such as acid rain and mercury, changing climate, and land and water disturbances on the structure and function of ecosystems, and pathways of ecosystem recovery. Much of his work has focused on forests and associated aquatic resources, including long-term studies at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, NH and the Huntington Forest in the Adirondacks, NY. Recent work has included strategies for the decarbonization of sectors and achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Over the past 40 years, Driscoll has advanced new analytical techniques, established and maintained long-term measurements and experiments, and developed a series of research and predictive models that simulate transformations of major chemical elements in forest vegetation, soil and surface waters in response to air pollution, climate and land disturbance. Beyond theory, he is interested in testing ‘in situ’ strategies to reverse the damaging effects of acid rain and mercury contamination, eutrophication, urbanization, and climate change. Driscoll has testified at US Congressional and state legislative committee hearings, and provided briefings to government agencies, industry and stakeholder groups on environmental issues. He has served on local, national and international committees pertaining to environmental management and policy.
Driscoll will receive the award and give a lecture in Irvine, California, on October 21, 2023. For information about attending the event, fill out the form on the Clarke Prize page.
Within weeks of arriving in London, computer science student Jovanni Mosca ’24 knew his semester abroad would be a life changing experience. He was living just outside central London, had traveled to multiple other countries in Europe and getting an up-close look at how global companies operate.
“We have a global major since we are creating software and technologies that spread around the world but we often don’t have knowledge of all the context that our work is going to be part of. So this is a valuable experience,” says Mosca.
A program uniquely designed for Syracuse University computer science students allows them to take courses they need in London and stay on track for a four year graduation. Kwaku Amofah-Boafo ’24 was thrilled to be taking his required classes mixed in with experiences across the United Kingdom.
“The best part of Study Abroad is interacting with the city,” says Amofah-Boafo. “Seeing that my major is computer science, visiting these places has given me the opportunity to see if I want to work abroad or work oversees in the future.”
Syracuse University’s London Center is based out of Faraday House in the West End. Students can take classes there and receive support from Syracuse University faculty and staff.
“I feel like Faraday House is your own little home space in London,” says Mosca. “Having the diverse faculty is cool. They are people of all different backgrounds who are either working in industry or teaching.”
“The classes are smaller, you interact more and I think that leads to better experiences in the classroom and the work you do,” says Amofah-Boafo.
The Syracuse Abroad computer science program is London is designed for the fall semester of a student’s junior year.
“Getting a chance to see what it is like to live here on a day to day basis and see people working has made me think about it in the future,” says Amofah-Boafo.
“It is an opportunity that will change your life, how you look at the world and it is invaluable,” said Mosca.
First-year aerospace engineering student, Theodore Todorov, has been selected as a CFSA-SOURCE Young Research Fellow at Syracuse University. For the next two years, he’ll work with assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science, Pankaj K. Jha, and his team in the Quantum Technology Laboratory on classical and quantum optics projects.
Quantum optics involves studying the nature of light and how it interacts with matter. For decades, researchers have used quantum optics to better understand quantum mechanics, the study of how atomic particles interact with each other. This research has led to numerous technological developments that have now become known as the quantum revolution, or Quantum 2.0, and with his team, Professor Jha has continued conducting research on quantum technology in his lab.
Offered by Syracuse University’s Center for Fellowship and Scholarship and the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement, the Young Research Fellows Program supports students passionate about research. With guidance from their faculty mentors, this fellowship gives students practical experience in early research and creative inquiry development.
Some of Jha’s research focuses on novel materials that can be thinned down to a single layer of atoms and used to build extremely sensitive photodetectors that can detect light at the level of single photons. In the fellowship, Todorov’s projects will involve studying and characterizing these photodetectors and photon counting for space applications, including quantum communications, imaging distant objects, and extending the range of clear air turbulences.
Todorov first discovered his passion for writing abstracts, collecting data, and drawing conclusions through a research course he took in high school. His fascination with telescopes, quantum optics and space exploration also piqued his interest in aerospace engineering, and following his arrival at Syracuse University, he desired to connect with other students and faculty who had similar interests – this made the fellowship program at Syracuse University more than ideal for him.
“I’m happy to be a part of the Young Research Fellows Program and the community that this program wants to foster,” Todorov said.
“Quantum optics and photonics for space applications is exciting research, and we are delighted to have Theodore join our team,” Jha added.
The fellowship hasn’t stopped Todorov from pursuing other projects this summer. He’s currently working with Syracuse University’s Center of Excellence in Environmental Energy Systems on research, creating sensor boxes so the team can position them around campus and measure air quality.
In the upcoming fall, he also plans to study the principles of classical and quantum optics and get trained in the Quantum Technology Laboratory in various experimental techniques and equipment, including lasers, single-photon detectors, and counters. He’ll focus on understanding and conducting classical and quantum interference experiments at the single photon level, analyzing the data, and writing a research paper by the end of the semester to present his work at a conference the following spring.
