Jennifer Ross

Interim Dean Jennifer Ross an award-winning biophysicist studying the organization of the microtubule cytoskeleton and enzymes using high-resolution single-molecule imaging techniques. Ross has a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of California Santa Barbara, where she was a member of their Materials Research Science and Engineering Center for her graduate work. Her research uses protein engineering to study intracellular organization from the single molecule to the collective and material scales. Her work has been recognized by several awards including the receiving the Margaret Oakley Dayhoff Award from the Biophysical Society, the Cottrell Scholar Award from Research Corporation for Science Advancement, and she is a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Ross is an advocate of the teacher-scholar model for faculty creating pathways and opportunities for students from the classroom to the laboratory. She has mentored over 100 undergraduate students in her lab and has 23 peer-reviewed publications with a total of 40 undergraduate co-authors. Students in the Ross Lab are trained in a week-long BioBootCamp offered at least once per year to train students in basic wet lab, protein purification and quality control, microscopy, and quantitative analysis. As a Cottrell Scholar, she has also developed a hands-on experiential course in optics aimed at life science and physical science students where student build a light microscope to understand classical optics. This course has been picked up by several training facilities around the world including at the Marine Biology Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA and the Bangalore Microscopy Course at the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bangalore, India.

Ross has a track record to leadership for both her scientific community and at Syracuse University. She has served as secretary/treasurer and chair of the Division of Biological Physics at the Biophysical Society, has been a Council Member for both the Biophysical Society and is currently a council member at the American Physical Society, is the appointed chair for the 2027 March Meeting (the entire meeting), and recently organized the 2025 Soft Condensed Matter Gordon Research Conference. At Syracuse, she served as the Physics Department chair from 2020 – 2024 and Associate Dean for Creativity, Scholarship, and Research in the College of Arts and Sciences from January – October of 2025. She was appointed as interim dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science starting November 1, 2025.

Saman Priyantha Kumarawadu

Research Interests:

  • Artificial Intelligence and deep Learning
  • Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications and security
  • Data Mining
  • AI for Sustainability

My research interests broadly lie in the areas of artificial intelligence, machine, Internet-of-Things and Data Mining. Mainly, I focus on the application of deep learning and AI algorithms in developing new methodologies for real-time decision making to solve challenging real-world problems. Building deep learning-based software to make real world impact in the areas of health, agriculture, and education is one of the primary objectives of my research. I further extend my research to explore the impact of artificial intelligence in social, economic and cultural context, and the usage of machine learning to secure IoT infrastructures in various application domains such as smart homes, smart health, and smart wearables.

Selected Publications:

  1. Fathima Amira Azeer, and Priyantha Kumarawadu, Network Intrusion Detection System using Convolution Neural Networks, (2022) Proceedings of International Conference on Intelligent Application of Recent Innovation in Science & Technology (IARIST)
  2. Chameera De Silva and Priyantha Kumarawadu, Performance Analysis of Machine Learning Classification Algorithms in the Case of Heart Failure Prediction (2022) The 18th International Wireless Communications & Mobile Computing Conference
  3. Shadiya Mohammed Raly and Priyantha Kumarawadu (2022) Real-Time Burglar Recognition Based on Human Skeletal Data using OpenPose and Long-Short Term Memory Network. Asian Journal of Information Technology, 21(1), 1-5,
  4. Priyantha Kumarawadu, and Mohammed Izzath, (2022). Sinhala Sign Language Recognition using Leap Motion and Deep Learning. Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Capsule Networks, 4(1), 54-68.
  5. Avishka Jayasundara, Dimanthinie De Silva and Priyantha Kumarawadu, (2022) “Personality Prediction of Social Network Users using LSTM based Sentiment Analysis” Proceedings of 1st   IEEE International Conference on Smart Technologies and Systems for Next Generation Computing,
  6. Christina De Lile and Priyantha Kumarawadu, (2021) “A comprehensive Investigation Supporting Educational Development of Special Needs Students through Personification and Emotion AI”, Proceedings of   ACM 4th International Conference on Education Technology Management (ICETM)

Min Liu

Degrees:

  • Ph.D. in Engineering Project Management, University of California Berkeley, 2007
  • Master of Science in Building Science, National University of Singapore, 2001
  • Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology; Concentration: Construction Engineering Management, 1997
  • Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Qingdao Institute of Architecture and Engineering; Concentration: Structural Engineering, 1994

Lab/ Center/ Institute affiliation:

  • Syracuse University Infrastructure Institute

Areas of Expertise:

  • Lean Construction techniques for construction productivity improvement.
  • Work module development for Digital Twin design.
  • Using data mining and machine learning approaches for intelligent construction planning.
  • Integration of project information into visualization and simulation models.
  • Project control systems and field management technologies.

Areas of expertise:

Dr. Min Liu’s research field is developing innovative approaches and generating knowledge on how to integrate the Human and Engineering aspects of construction planning to improve productivity and project performance. She has published over 50 articles in top-ranked journals in Construction Engineering and Management. Her current research interests and expertise include:

  • Implementation of Large Language Modeling in construction planning reliability improvement
  • Ontology for construction working method and management database
  • Construction worker’s mental health
  • Infrastructure project delivery and policy
  • Prioritizing bridge preservation activity based on safety and socioeconomic factors

Honors and Awards:

Dr. Liu’s recent research on using the Information Theory approach to quantify information exchange effectiveness in construction planning won the 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Thomas Fitch Rowland award. Her work has also received the Best Paper Awards from the 2018 International Group of Lean Construction Conference and the 2017 Lean and Computing in Construction Congress. She received the “Thank a Teacher” awards in 2018, 2017, and 2011 at the North Carolina State University.

Selected Publications:

*Graduate student advised by Dr. Min Liu, **Corresponding author

  1. Javanmardi, A.*,  Liu, M., He, C.**,  Hsiang, S., and Hosseini, A.* (2024). “Improving Construction Meeting Effectiveness: Trade-off Between Reactive and Proactive Site-level Planning Discussions. Accepted by ASCE Journal of Management in in March 2024.
  2. Ding, F.*, Liu, M.**, Hsiang, S., Hu, P., Zhang, Y. and Jiang, K.* (2024). “Duration and Labor Resource Optimization for Construction Projects—A Conditional-Value-at-Risk-Based Analysis.” Accepted by Buildings in February 2024.
  3. Scala, N., Schiavone,V., Alves, T., and Liu, M., (2024). “The Gold Standard: Developing a Maturity Model to Assess Collaborative Scheduling.” Accepted by Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management in January 2024.
  4. He, C.*, Liu, M.**, Hsiang, S., and Pierce, N. (2024). “Synthesizing Ontology and Graph Neural Network to Unveil the Implicit Rules for US Bridge Preservation Decisions.” Accepted by ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering in January 2024.
  5. Javanmardi, A.*, He, C.*, Hsiang, S., Hosseini, A.*, Liu, M.** (2023). “Enhancing Construction Project Workflow Reliability Through Observe-plan-do-check-react Cycle: A Bridge Project Case Study.” Buildings, 13(9), 2379. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13092379
  6. Chen, G.*, Li, H., Liu, M.**, and Hsiang, S. (2023). “Motivating Reliable Collaboration for Modular Construction: Shapley Value-based Smart Contract.” ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering, 39(6), 04023042. https://doi.org/10.1061/JMENEA.MEENG-542
  7. Chen, G.*, Liu, M.**, Zhang, Y., Wang, Z.*, Hsiang, S. M., and He, C*. (2023). “Using Images to Detect, Plan, Analyze, and Coordinate a Smart Contract in Construction.” ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering, 39(2), 1–18.  https://doi.org/10.1061/JMENEA.MEENG-5121
  8. He, C.*, Liu, M.**, Zhang, Y., Wang, Z.*, Hsiang, S. M., Chen, G.*, Li, W., and Dai, G. (2023). “Space–Time–Workforce Visualization and Conditional Capacity Synthesis in Uncertainty.” ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering, 39(2), 04022071. https://doi.org/10.1061/JMENEA.MEENG-4991
  9. Chen, G.*, Li, H.**, Liu, M., and Hsiang, S. (2023). “Knowing What is Going on – a Smart Contract for Modular Construction.” Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 50(3), 210-223. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjce-2021-0649。
  1. Zhang, M.*, Chih, Y., Zhang, Y., Liu, M.**, and Hsiang, S. (2022). “Impacting Factors of Work Engagement  in Construction Projects -an Information Theory based Analysis.” Engineering Economy, 32 (9), 1-13.
  2. Bonilla, M.*, Rasdorf, W., Liu, M., Al-Ghandour, M., and He, C. (2022). “Inequity Reduction in Road Maintenance Funding for Municipalities.” Public Works Management & Policy, 28(3), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087724X221130047
  3. Jiang, K.*, Liu, M.**, He, C.*, Zhang, Y., Wang, Z.*, and Hsiang, S. (2022). “A Choquet Integral Based Approach to Explore Workforce and Duration Optimization for Construction Projects.” Journal of Civil Engineering and Management.
  4. Scala, N., Schiavone,V., Olivieri, H., Seppänen, O., Alves, T., Liu, M., and Granja, A. (2022). “Comparative Analysis of the Implementation of Critical Path Method, Last Planner System, and Location-Based Techniques in Brazil, Finland, and the United States.” Engineering Management Journal, 35(3), 237- 256.  DOI:10.1080/10429247.2022.2069981
  5. He, C.*, Liu, M.**, Scala, N., Alves, T., and Hsiang, S. (2022). “Prioritizing Collaborative Scheduling Practices Based on Their Impact on Project Performance.” Construction Management and Economics. 40(7-8), 618-637,  DOI: 10.1080/01446193.2022.2048042
  6. Scala, N., Liu, M., Alves, T., and Hawkins, D., and Schiavone, V. (2022). “The Gold Standard: A Collaborative Scheduling Maturity Model.” Engineering, Construction, and Architectural Management, 30(4), 1636-1657. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-07-2021-0609
  7. He, C.*, Liu, M.**, Zhang, Y., Wang, Z.*, Hsiang, S., Chen, G.*, and Chen, J. (2022). “Exploit Social Distancing in Construction Scheduling: Visualize and Optimize Space–Time–Workforce Tradeoff.” ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering, 38(4), 04022027.  https://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29ME.1943-5479.0001037
  8. Wang, Z.*, Zhang, Y., Tian, L., and Liu, M.**(2022), “Exploring the Application of Takt Time Planning Method in Construction Management.” Journal of Civil Engineering and Management (in Chinese). 39(02), 157-166.

Natarajan Gautam

Areas of Expertise:

  • Stochastic modeling, control, and optimization
  • Data science: predictive and prescriptive analytics
  • Logistics and scheduling
  • Energy management
  • Queues and networks

Dr. Gautam’s research is on efficiently-operating systems with dynamics and uncertainty. He uses data-driven methods complemented by stochastic models for optimal design, performance analysis, and control of such systems. He has applied this work in computer systems, data centers, wireless and wireline networks, microgrids with renewable energy sources, smart manufacturing, and transportation. His methodologies are grounded in applied probability, data science, and optimization.

Honors and Awards:

  • US Patent Number 11720850 awarded to “Rohit Malshe, Liron David Yedidsion, Abhilasha Prakash Katariya, Dipal Patel Gupta, Jin Ye, Natarajan Gautam (2023) Dynamic package selection algorithm for delivery”.
  • Amazon Scholar, Amazon Corporate LLC, May 2019-present.
  • Fellow, IISE (Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, formerly IIE), May 2017.
  • Outstanding Young Industrial Engineer Award (education category), by IIE, May 2006.

Selected Publications:

  • Gautam, N. and Geunes, J.P. (2023) Analysis of Real-Time Order Fulfillment Policies: When to Dispatch a Batch? INFORMS Service Science, https://doi.org/10.1287/serv.2022.0042
  • Xu, J., Hou, I.-H. and Gautam, N. (2022) Age of information for single buffer systems with vacation server, IEEE-Trans. on Network Science and Engineering, Vol. 9, No. 3, 1198 – 1214.
  • Xu, J. and Gautam, N. (2021) Peak Age of Information in Priority Queueing Systems, IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, Vol. 67, No. 1, 373-390.
  • Ejaz, I., Alvarado, M., Gautam, N., Gebraeel, N. and Lawley, M. (2019) Condition-Based Maintenance for Queues with Degrading Servers, IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, Vol. 16, No. 4.
  • Kwon, S., Ntaimo, L. and Gautam, N. (2019) Demand Response in Data Centers: Integration of Server Provisioning and Power Procurement, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, Vol. 51, No. 4.
  • Xu, J., Tran, H., Gautam, N. and Bukkapatnam, S. (2019) Joint Production and Maintenance Operations in Smart Custom-Manufacturing Systems, IISE Transactions, Vol. 51, No. 4, 406-421.
  • Kwon, S., Ntaimo, L. and Gautam, N. (2017) Optimal Day-Ahead Power Procurement with Renewable Energy and Demand Response, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Vol. 32, No. 5, 3924-3933.
  • Hsu, Y., Abedini, N., Gautam, N., Sprintson, A. and Shakkottai, S.  (2015) Opportunities for Network Coding: To Wait or Not to Wait, IEEE Transactions on Networking, Vol. 23, No. 6, 1876 – 1889.
  • Mohapatra, A., Gautam, N., Sprintson, A. and Shakkottai, S. (2014) Optimal Network Coding Decisions in Delay-sensitive Wireless Transmission, IEEE Transactions on Communications, Vol. 62, No. 8, 2965-2976.
  • Ko, Y.-M. and Gautam, N. (2013) Critically loaded multi-server queues with abandonments, retrials, and time-varying parameters, INFORMS Journal on Computing, Vol. 25, No. 2, 285-301.
  • Gautam, N. (2012) Analysis of Queues: Methods and Applications, 802 pages, CRC Press (Taylor and Francis), Boca Raton, FL.

Jianshun “Jensen” Zhang

Degrees

  • Ph.D., University of Illinois and Urbana-Champaign; 1991
  • M.S. and B.S. Beijing Agr. Eng. University; 1982 and 1985

Lab/Center Affiliations

Areas of Expertise:

  • Material Emissions, Air Purification, Ventilation, and Indoor Air Quality
  • Hygrothermal Performance of Building Materials and Enclosure Systems
  • Building Energy and Environmental Systems
  • Built Environmental Systems Measurements, Modeling, and Controls
  • Intelligent Buildings
  • Combined Heat, Air, Moisture and Pollutant Simulations (CHAMPS)
  • Multi-disciplinary and Multi-scale Building Systems Design and Optimization
  • Effects of indoor environmental quality on occupant exposure, productivity, and creativity

Professor Zhang’s research ranges multi-scale BES from nano/micro-scale in porous media to buildings and urban environment and involves engineering, architectural design, human health, and performance. Major ongoing research projects are:

  1. Virtual Design Studio (VDS): development of a digital platform for an integrated and coordinated design of green buildings. The project involves close collaboration between engineers and architects to develop a designer-oriented software tool for performance-based building system design.
  2. BM-IDC: Building monitoring and intelligent diagnosis and control. Using a full-scale testbed, a “Virtual Building” based near real-time monitoring system is developed and deployed to collect essential data for fault detection and diagnosis, and improvement of building operation.
  3. CHAMPS: Development of combined heat, air moisture, and pollutant simulation software for building system design and control optimization. The CHAMPS simulation environment includes a whole building model, an enclosure model, an HVAC mode and a room model. It is supported by a collection of shared databases of weather, materials and assemblies, pollutants, sources, and sinks. Reduced-order models will be developed for near-real-time simulation in design and predictive control in the operation of buildings.
  4. ME-IAQ: Material emissions and indoor air quality. A model-based approach is taken to develop fundamental mass transfer models with essential model parameters determined from experiments. The research leads to better models for performance prediction and better test methods for evaluating both short and long-term emissions.
  5. ACT-IAQ: Air cleaning technologies and indoor air quality. A model-based approach is taken to develop better test methods, evaluate the performance of existing air cleaning technologies, and develop new ones for improving indoor air quality.
  6. BEST: Building enclosure system technologies. This research includes experimental measurements and modeling of the hygrothermal (thermal and moisture) storage and transport properties of various building materials, model prediction of their impact on enclosure assembly performance, and full-scale evaluation and validation at reduced and full-scale setting under both laboratory and field conditions.
  7. Effects of IEQ on human performance. Human subject study is performed using a total environmental quality research facility. The focus is on how the improved thermal and air quality via personal ventilation would impact the performance of creativity and productivity of building occupants.

Honors and Awards:

  • 2019 ASHRAE Research Administration Committee Service in ASHRAE Research Award
  • 2018 ASHRAE Central New York Chapter Award for Contributions to Research and Education in HVAC and IAQ.
  • Elected Fellow of ASHRAE, 2012
  • Frontier Foreign Expert Award, State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, the P.R. China, 2012
  • Shiyuan Chair Professorship from Nanjing University, China, 2011
  • Best Paper of the Year award, Building Simulation—an International Journal, 2010
  • Elected and active member of The ISIAQ Academy of Fellows, International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, 2009
  • ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award, ASHRAE, 2008
  • JSPS Fellowship, Japanese Society for Promotion of Scientific Exchange, 2007
  • Otto Monsted Professorship from Technical University of Denmark, 2006
  • Citation by New York State Governor George E. Pataki in his 2003 State of the State address for scientific contributions to the development of the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental Systems, 2003
  • American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) National Finalist Award and New York State Diamond Award for the development of the Coupled Indoor/Outdoor Environmental Simulator (C-I/O-ES) of the Building Energy and Environmental Systems Laboratory (BEESL), 2003
  • ASHRAE Certification of Appreciation Award, 1999
  • IRC/NRC Outstanding Research Achievement Award, 1999
  • Second place paper award at the Healthy Buildings/IAQ 97 international conference, Washington, DC, 1997
  • IRC/NRC Outstanding Research Achievement Award, 1995
  • Best paper award at the 5th International Jacques Cartier Conference on Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation and Energy Conservation, 1992
  • Outstanding research paper award (top 2.5%) by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 1989
  • Phi Kappa Phi and Alpha Epsilon honor societies, 1989
  • Excellent student awards, BAEU, 1980

Select Publications

Dung, A., J. Zhang and Z. Liu. 2021. Impact of humidity on formaldehyde and moisture buffering capacity of porous building material. Journal of Building Engineering, Volume 36, April 2021, 102114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2020.102114.

Zhao, J., J. Zhang, J. Grunewald and S. Feng. 2021. A probabilistic-based method to evaluate hygrothermal performance of an internally insulated brick wall. Building Simulation. Volume 14, 283-299.

Liu, Z., A. Nicolai, M. Abadie, M. Qin, J. Grunewald and J. Zhang. 2021. Development of a procedure for estimating the parameters of mechanistic VOC emission source models from chamber testing data. Building Simulation.Volume 14, pages269–282.

Shen, J., B. Krietemeyer, A. Bartosh, Z. Gao, J. Zhang. 2020. Green Design Studio: A modular-based approach for high-performance building design. BUILD SIMULATION – an International Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-020-0728-9.

Zhou, S., Z. Liu, Wang, C.J. Young, T.C. VandenBoer, B. Guo,J. Zhang, N. Carslawand T. Kahan. 2020. Hydrogen Peroxide Emission and Fate Indoors during Non-bleach Cleaning: A Chamber and Modeling Study. Environ. Sci. Technol.2020, 54, 24, 15643–15651. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c04702

Lv, Yang, Xi Chen, Shanshan Wei, Rui Zhu, Beibei Wang, Bin Chen, Meng Kong, Jianshun (Jensen) Zhang. 2020. Sources, concentrations, and transport models of ultrafine particles near highways: A Literature Review. Building and Environment 186 (2020) 107325

Afshari, A., L. Ekberg, L. FOREJT, J. MO , S. RAHIMI, J. SIEGEL, W. CHEN, P. WARGOCKI, S. ZURAMI, J. ZHANG. 2020. Electrostatic Precipitators as an Indoor Air Cleaner—A Literature Review.  Journal of Sustainability: 12, Issue 21, 10.3390/su12218774

Zhang, J. 2020 Integrating IAQ control strategies to reduce the risk of asymptomatic SARS CoV-2 infections in classrooms and open plan offices, Science and Technology for the Built Environment, 26:8, 1013-1018, DOI: 1080/23744731.2020.1794499

Han, K. and J. Zhang. 2020. Energy-efficient building system integration with a smart and low cost sensing/control network for sustainable and healthy office environments: Demonstration case study. Energy and Buildings. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2020.109861

Rui Zhang, Jensen Zhang, Roger Schmidt, Jeremy Gilbert, Beverly Guo (December 2019). Effects of Moisture Content, Temperature and Pollutant Mixture on Atmospheric Corrosion of Copper and Silver and Implications for the Environmental Design of Data Centers (RP-1755). Science and Technology for the Built Environment.  December 2019,  DOI: 10.1080/23744731.2019.1701331

Kong, M., Zhang, J., Dang, T. Q., Hedge, A., Teng, T., Carter, B., Ezzat Khalifa, H. (2019). Micro-environmental control for efficient local cooling: Results from manikin and human participant tests. Building and Environment, 160, [106198]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.106198

Meng Kong, T. Dang, J. Zhang, and H. E. Khalifa. Micro-environmental control for efficient local heating: CFD simulation and manikin test verification. Building and Environment. 147 (2019) 382-396, (DOI) 10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.10.018

Zhang⁠, S., Shapiro, S⁠., Gehrke⁠, G., Castner, J.⁠, Liu, Z.⁠, Guo⁠, B., Prasad⁠d, R., Zhang, J., Haines⁠e⁠, S., Kormos⁠f, D., Frey⁠h, P., Qin⁠, R., and Dannemiller, K. C. 2018. Smartphone app for residential testing of formaldehyde (SmART-Form). Building and Environment.

Han, K.H., Zhang, J.S. and Guo, B. (2018). Caveats and Technical Challenges in Performance Evaluation of Activated Carbon (AC) and Non-AC Filtration for NO2 Abatement toward Energy-efficient and Healthy Ventilation. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 360:560-570. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.08.006.

Synergistic Activities

  • Jianshun Zhang has 28 years of research experience in Built Environmental Systems (BES) and has authored/co-authored 100+ peer-reviewed journal papers and 100+ refereed conference papers, one book, 2 ASTM and 1 ANSI/BIFMA Standards. His research ranges multi-scale BES from nano/micro-scale in porous media to buildings and urban environment and involves engineering, architectural design, human health and performance. He leads an international group in developing methods and tools for combined heat, air, moisture and pollutant simulations (CHAMPS) for building systems.
  • He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in the areas of building energy and environmental systems and fundamental heat and mass transfer and has advised/co-advised over 20 Ph.D. students, over 20 M.S. students, and 8 Postdoctoral Fellows.
  • He serves on the Editorial Boards of several international journals: “Energy and Buildings,” HVAC&R Research,” “Ventilation,” “Building Simulations,” “High-Rise Buildings,” and “Frontiers of Architectural Research.”
  • Zhang served on ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee (2006-present, 2011/12 Chair) and Research Administration Committee (2003-2005), and is a member of Technical and Standard Committees in the society. He is also a Voting Member of ASTM D22.05 on Indoor Air, AWMA and ISIAQ, and a U.S. Expert Representative to the ISO standard committee on air purification. He is elected Fellow of ASHRAE (2011) and ISIAQ (2009), and Member of Board of Directors of International Assoc. of Building Physics.

Pun To (Douglas) Yung

Dr. Yung has long been intrigued by the interfacing of microbes with engineering tools on a micro- and nano-scale. He is unravelling methods to rapidly assess the viability of superbugs and harness energy from extremophiles using a combination of electrochemical, optical techniques and MEMS devices.

Degree(s):

  • B.S. in Electrical Engineering (Biomedical Engineering concentration), University of California, Los Angeles, 2003
  • B.S. in Mathematics/Applied Science (Medical and Life Sciences plan), University of California, Los Angeles, 2003
  • Ph.D. in Bioengineering, California Institute of Technology, 2008

Teaching Interests:

Dr. Yung is an advocate of a hybrid teaching and learning environment replete with project-based hands-on work, experiential activities and peer collaboration, a style departing from traditional top-down expository pedagogies.

Honors:

  • NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2008
  • Vice-Chancellor’s Exemplary Teaching Award, Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012
  • Dean’s Exemplary Teaching Award, Faculty of Engineering, Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011, 2012
  • Outstanding Teaching Award, Department of Electronic Engineering, Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

Recent Publications:

  • Liu, Si Li, Wen Jie Wu, and Pun To Yung. “Effect of sonic stimulation on Bacillus endospore germination.” FEMS microbiology letters 363.1 (2016): fnv217.
  • Wu, Wen Jie, Si Li Liu, and Pun To Yung. “Realization of Conductometry on a Digital Microfluidic Platform for Real-Time Monitoring of Bacillus Atrophaeus Endospore Germination.” IEEE Sensors Journal 16.8 (2016): 2244-2250.
  • Tao, Wenyan, Yanqing Ai, Sili Liu, Cheuk Wing Lun, and Pun To Yung. “Determination of Alpha-Fetoprotein by a Microfluidic Miniature Quartz Crystal Microbalance.” Analytical Letters 48.6 (2015): 907-920.

Svetoslava Todorova

Degrees:

  • PhD, Civil Engineering, Syracuse University
  • MPA, Environmental Policy and Administration, Syracuse University
  • MS, Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University
  • BS/MS, Civil Engineering, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Bulgaria

Lab/ Center/ Institute affiliation:

  • Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems (SyracuseCoE)
  • Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict Resolution (PARCC)

Areas of Expertise:

  • Transport, cycling, and bioaccumulation of metals in aquatic environments
  • Sustainable engineering practices in built and natural environments
  • Urban stormwater management
  • Smart sensing for monitoring water and air quality
  • Science for policy formation and effective implementation

One aspect of my research focuses on using field and analytical approaches to study the fate and transport of mercury in aquatic ecosystems and develop technologies to mitigate mercury contamination. I am also working on creating low-cost sensors and passive sampling methodologies to help disadvantaged and underfunded communities, as well as developing countries, monitor water and air quality.

My previous engineering practice included designing urban water infrastructure, landfills, and assessing contaminated sites. I was part of a team addressing contaminant issues from the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. Additionally, I am involved in international policymaking related to the sound management of chemicals and wastes through the UNEP Minamata Convention on Mercury.

Professional Registrations and Certifications:

  • EnvisionTM Sustainability Professional (ENV SP), 2014
  • Board Certified Environmental Engineering Member (BCEEM), 2024

Honors and Awards:

  • Roster of Scientists (nominated and selected), UN Minamata Convention on Mercury, developing monitoring guidance for evaluation of the convention, 2022- current
  • Member Scientists (nominated and selected), UN Environment (UNEP), Ad hoc Working Group on Future Science-policy Panel under the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm and Minamata Conventions, 2022- current
  • Expert Member (nominated and selected), Working Group on Management of Contaminated Sites, UN Minamata Convention on Mercury, 2018-2019
  • Teaching Excellence Award, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Syracuse University, 2015
  • Member scientist, United Nations Environmental Program Mercury Partnership, 2011- current
  • New York State Water Environment Federation, N.G. Kaul Memorial Award for achievements in water quality, 2011

Selected Publications:

Yoshimura, K., Todorova, S., and Biddle, J. 2020. Mercury geochemistry and microbial diversity in meromictic Glacier Lake, Jamesville, NY. Environmental Microbiology Reports, 12(2): 195-202.

UN Environment, Chemicals Branch, Guidance Document on Management of Contaminated Sites, Geneva, Switzerland, July 2019, Report, contributing author

Todorova, S. Using Simulation as an Experiential Learning Tool for Enhancing Students Learning in Environmental Engineering. Proceedings of the 2019 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), p. 1412.

Todorov, D., Driscoll, C. T., Todorova, S., and Montesdeoca. 2018. Water quality function of an extensive vegetated and an impermeable, high-albedo roof. Science of the Total Environment 625: 928-939.

Martinez, G., McCord, S., Todorova, S., Driscoll, C.T., Wu, S., Araujo, J., Vega, C., and L. Fernandez. 2018. Mercury contamination in riverine sediments and fish associated with artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Madre de Dios, Peru. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15(8).

Yilei Shi

Degrees:

  • Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Florida International University; Concentration: Structural Engineering, 2009
  • Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology; Concentration: Structural Engineering, 2002
  • Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Southeast University; Concentration: Structural Engineering, 1999

Research Interests:

  • Transportation resilience
  • Sustainable construction materials
  • Structural behavior under extreme loading conditions

Current Research:

  • Improve transportation resilience by evaluation of structural performance of innovative construction materials, etc.
  • Evaluation of structural performance of sustainable construction materials
  • Design, construction and maintenance of structures under extreme loading and special construction conditions; for example, earthquake, wind, impact, and accelerated construction, etc.

Teaching Interests:

  • Solid Mechanics and Materials
  • Civil and Structural Engineering Design
  • Capstone Design
  • Bridge Engineering
  • Earthquake Engineering

Honors:

  • Fellow, ASCE

Selected Publications:

Shi, Y. (2021). “Structural Design and Construction of Linked Towers.” 2021 Architectural Engineering Institute Virtual Conference, Denver, CO, April 2021.

Shi, Y. (2019). “A Statistical Summary of Accelerated Bridge Construction Practice in Federal and State Transportation Agencies.” 2019 International Accelerated Bridge Construction Conference, Miami, FL, December 2019.

Hathaway, F., Heath, G., Shi, Y. (2019). “Application of Accelerated Bridge Construction of a Steel Arch Pedestrian Bridge: A Capstone Project Perspective.” 2019 International Accelerated Bridge Construction Conference, Miami, FL, December 2019.

Shi, H., Salim, H., Shi, Y., Wei, F. (2015). “Geometric and Material Nonlinear Static and Dynamic Analysis of Space Truss Structures.” Mechanics Based Design of Structures and Machines: An International Journal, Taylor & Francis, 43(1), 38–56.

Shi, Y., Zohrevand, P., Mirmiran, A. (2013). “Assessment of Cyclic Behavior of Hybrid FRP-Concrete Columns.” Journal of Bridge Engineering, ASCE, 18(6), 553–563.

Shi, Y., Li, B., Mirmiran, A. (2011). “Combined Shear and Flexural Behavior of Hybrid FRP-Concrete Beams Previously Subjected to Cyclic Loading.” Journal of Composites for Construction, ASCE, 15(5), 841–849.

Mehmet Sarimurat

Research interests

  • Multiphysics modeling and simulation
  • Turbomachinery/Aircraft propulsion
  • Air management system design and optimization
  • Computational and experimental aero-acoustics

Teaching Interests

  • MAE571 Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics

Patents

  1. Rau, Mark Patrick, Mehmet N. Sarimurat, and Ryan K. Dygert. “Double inlet backward curved blower.” U.S. Patent No. 11,041,502. 22 Jun. 2021.
  2. Sarimurat, Mehmet N., and Thong Q. Dang. “Compact, high-efficiency air handling unit for residential HVAC systems” World Intellectual Property Organizations, Patent Application No WO2021003211, 2021
  3. Bushnell, Peter R., Yu H. Chen, and Mehmet N. Sarimurat. “Temperature-controlled cargo container with air distribution.” U.S. Patent No. 9,233,791. 12 Jan. 2016.
  4. Sarimurat, Mehmet N., Peter R. Bushnell, and Lee G. Tetu. “Inducer fan assembly for a furnace.” U.S. Patent No. 8,584,664. 19 Nov. 2013.

Journal Papers

  1. M.N. Sarimurat and T. Q. Dang “An Analytical Model for Boundary Layer Control via Steady Blowing and its Application to NACA-65-410 Cascade”, ASME Journal of Turbomachinery, Vol. 136, No. 6 (2014): 061011, doi: 10.1115/1.4025585
  2. M.N. Sarimurat and T. Q. Dang “Shock Management in Diverging Flow Passages by Blowing/Suction Part 1: Quasi-1D Theory”, AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 28, Issue 6, 2012, pp. 1222-1229, doi: 10.2514/1.B34136
  3. M.N. Sarimurat and T. Q. Dang “Shock Management in Diverging Flow Passages by Blowing/Suction Part 2: Applications”, AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 28, Issue 6, 2012, pp.1230-1242, doi: 10.2514/1.B34137

Publications

  1. M.N. Sarimurat “An Analytical Investigation of Flow Blowing into Compressible Main Flow”, ASME-GT2017-64907, ASME Turbo Expo, 2017, Charlotte, NC
  2. M.N. Sarimurat and T. Q. Dang “An Analytical Model for Boundary Layer Control via Steady Blowing and its Application to NACA-65-410 Cascade”, ASME-GT2013-95342, ASME Turbo Expo, 2013, San Antonio, TX

Quinn Qiao

Degrees:

  • Ph.D. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2006
  • M.S. Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Science, 2003
  • B.S. Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 1999

Center Affiliation: NSF IUCRC Center for Solid-State Electric Power Storage (CEPS)

Research Interests:

  • Batteries
  • Solar cells
  • Micro/ nano fabrication
  • Biomedical sensors
  • Precision agriculture

Dr. Quinn Qiao is a professor in the department of mechanical and aerospace engineering and an affiliate professor in the department of electrical engineering and computer science at Syracuse University. He is the site director for the NSF Industry University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) for Solid State Electric Power Storage (CEPS), and SU campus lead for NSF Engine project. Before moving to Syracuse University, he was the Harold C. Hohbach Professor of Electrical Engineering at South Dakota State University and the Director of the U.S. Economic Development Center at the University. He has also been working on batteries (lithium ion, lithium metal, solid state, etc.), solar cells, and biosensors. He has published more than 300 peer reviewed papers in leading journals including Science, Nature Communications, Energy and Environmental Science, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Advanced Materials, Advanced Energy Materials, Advanced Functional Materials, Nanoscale, Joule, ACS Energy Letters, Nano Energy, IEEE Sensors Journal, IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, IEEE Electron Device Letters, etc. He has more than 16,200 citations on Google Scholar and a H-index of 69.

Honors:

  • 2019 Commercialization Award, SDSU
  • 2016 Faculty Excellence for Global Engagement in International Research, SDSU
  • 2015 Distinguished Researcher of the Year, SDSU
  • 2014 F O Butler Award for Excellence in Research, SDSU
  • 2014 Visiting Professorship from Hefei University of Technology, China.
  • 2013 Best Poster Award at 3rd International Conference on Nanotek and Expo, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
  • 2012 Best Paper Award, Inter-Continental Advanced Materials for Photonics (I-CAMP) Summer School on renewable and sustainable energy
  • 2012 3M Non-tenured Faculty Award
  • 2012 Young Investigator Award
  • 2010 NSF CAREER Award
  • 2009 Bergmann Memorial Research Award from US-Israel Binational Science Foundation
  • 2009 Doctor New Investigator Award from American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund
  • 2006 Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Student Abroad, China Scholarship Council (CSC)
  • 2006 ASME Solar Energy Division Graduate Student Award

Select Publications:

Sung-Doo Baek, Wenhao Shao, Weijie Feng, Yuanhao Tang, Yoon Ho Lee, James Loy, William B Gunnarsson, Hanjun Yang, Yuchen Zhang, M Bilal Faheem, Poojan Indrajeet Kaswekar, Harindi R Atapattu, Jiajun Qin, Aidan H Coffey, Jee Yung Park, Seok Joo Yang, Yu-Ting Yang, Chenhui Zhu, Kang Wang, Kenneth R Graham, Feng Gao, Quinn Qiao, L Jay Guo, Barry P Rand, Letian Dou, Grain engineering for efficient near-infrared perovskite light-emitting diodes, Nature Communications volume 15, Article number: 10760 (2024).

Zeyu Chen, Fan Wu, Rajesh Pathak, Lu Chen, Jinxin Bian, Sally Mabrouk, Jeffrey W Elam, Quinn Qiao, In Situ Exploration of Dipole Field Effects on Weak Hysteresis in 3D/2D Perovskites, Adv. Electron. Mater. 10, 2400107, 2024.

Tarif Anam, Md Tawabur Rahman, Liang Dong, Quinn Qiao, Low-Temperature Detection of Carbon Monoxide With Enhanced Sensitivity Using Ag-Loaded ZnO/rGO-Modeling, Simulation, and Validation, IEEE Sensors Journal, 18827 – 18834, 24 (12), 2024.

Hanjie Lin, Shuya Li, Yuchen Zhang, Chun Chu, Walker MacSwain, Robert W Meulenberg, Quinn Qiao, Dong Zhao, Weiwei Zheng, Epitaxial Growth of Lead-Free Double Perovskite Shell for CsPbX3/Cs2SnX6 (X = Cl, Br, and I) Core/Shell Perovskite Nanocrystals with Enhanced Photoelectric Properties and Stability, Adv. Funct. Mater. 2024, 34, 2309480.

Jinyu Zhao, Rajesh Pathak, Zhenxin Zhao, Xu Chen, Madan Bahadur Saud, Hansheng Li, Fan Wu, Quinn Qiao, Jeffrey W Elam, Xiaomin Wang, Advanced nano-bifunctional electrocatalyst in Li-air batteries for high Coulombic efficiency, Green Chem., 2023,25, 10182-10208.

Quasi‐homojunction organic nonfullerene photovoltaics featuring fundamentals distinct from bulk heterojunctions, Yifan Wang, Michael B Price, Raja Sekhar Bobba, Heng Lu, Jingwei Xue, Yilin Wang, Mengyang Li, Aleksandra Ilina, Paul A Hume, Boyu Jia, Tengfei Li, Yuchen Zhang, Nathaniel JLK Davis, Zheng Tang, Wei Ma, Quinn Qiao, Justin M Hodgkiss, Xiaowei Zhan, Advanced Materials 34 (50), 2206717, 2022.

Yifan Wang, Michael B Price, Raja Sekhar Bobba, Heng Lu, Jingwei Xue, Yilin Wang, Mengyang Li, Aleksandra Ilina, Paul A Hume, Boyu Jia, Tengfei Li, Yuchen Zhang, Nathaniel JLK Davis, Zheng Tang, Wei Ma, Quinn Qiao, Justin M Hodgkiss, Xiaowei Zhan, Simultaneously enhancing exciton/charge transport in organic solar cells by an organoboron additive, Advanced Materials 34 (42), 2205926, 2022.

M Bilal Faheem, Bilawal Khan, Jaweria Z Hashmi, Abiral Baniya, WS Subhani, Raja Sekhar Bobba, Abdullah Yildiz, Quinn Qiao, Insights from scalable fabrication to operational stability and industrial opportunities for perovskite solar cells and modules, Cell Reports Physical Science 3 (4), 2022

Rajesh Pathak, Ke Chen, Fan Wu, Anil U Mane, Ratnakumar V Bugga, Jeffrey W Elam, Quinn Qiao, Yue Zhou, Advanced strategies for the development of porous carbon as a Li host/current collector for lithium metal batteries, Energy Storage Materials 41, 448-465, 2021

Wei He, Ke Chen, Rajesh Pathak, Matthew Hummel, Khan Mamun Reza, Nabin Ghimire, Jyotshna Pokharel, Shun Lu, Zhengrong Gu, Qiquan Qiao, Yue Zhou, High-mass-loading Sn-based anode boosted by pseudocapacitance for long-life sodium-ion batteries, Chemical Engineering Journal 414, 128638, 2021.

Zhenxin Zhao, Zonglin Yi, Huijun Li, Rajesh Pathak, Xiaoqin Cheng, Junliang Zhou, Xiaomin Wang, Qiquan Qiao, Understanding the modulation effect and surface chemistry in a heteroatom incorporated graphene-like matrix toward high-rate lithium–sulfur batteries, Nanoscale 13 (35), 14777-14784, 2021

Yi Hou, Erkan Aydin, Michele De Bastiani, Chuanxiao Xiao, Furkan H Isikgor, Ding-Jiang Xue, Bin Chen, Hao Chen, Behzad Bahrami, Ashraful H Chowdhury, Andrew Johnston, Se-Woong Baek, Ziru Huang, Mingyang Wei, Yitong Dong, Joel Troughton, Rawan Jalmood, Alessandro J Mirabelli, Thomas G Allen, Emmanuel Van Kerschaver, Makhsud I Saidaminov, Derya Baran, Qiquan Qiao, Kai Zhu, Stefaan De Wolf, Edward H Sargent, Efficient tandem solar cells with solution-processed perovskite on textured crystalline silicon, Science, 367 (2020) 1135-1140.

Rajesh Pathak, Ke Chen, Ashim Gurung, Khan Mamun Reza, Behzad Bahrami, Jyotshna Pokharel, Abiral Baniya, Wei He, Fan Wu, Yue Zhou, Kang Xu, Qiquan Quinn Qiao, Fluorinated hybrid solid-electrolyte-interphase for dendrite-free lithium deposition, Nature Communications, 11 (2020) 1-10.

Yinhua Lv, Ruihan Yuan, Bing Cai, Behzad Bahrami, Ashraful Haider Chowdhury, Chi Yang, Yihui Wu, Qiquan Qiao, Shengzhong Liu, Wen-Hua Zhang, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., (2020). doi:10.1002/anie.201915928

Yilei Wu, Sebastian Schneider, Christopher Walter, Ashraful Haider Chowdhury, Behzad Bahrami, Hung-Chin Wu, Qiquan Qiao, Michael F Toney, Zhenan Bao, Fine-Tuning Semiconducting Polymer Self-Aggregation and Crystallinity Enables Optimal Morphology and High-Performance Printed All-Polymer Solar Cells, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2020, 142, 1, 392-406.

Md Ashiqur Rahman Laskar, Wenqin Luo, Nabin Ghimire, Ashraful Haider Chowdhury, Behzad Bahrami, Ashim Gurung, Khan Mamun Reza, Rajesh Pathak, Raja Sekhar Bobba, Buddhi Sagar Lamsal, Ke Chen, Md Tawabur Rahman, Sheikh Ifatur Rahman, Khalid Emshadi, Tingting Xu, Mao Liang, Wen‐Hua Zhang, Qiquan Qiao, Phenylhydrazinium Iodide for Surface Passivation and Defects Suppression in Perovskite Solar Cell, Advanced Functional Materials, 2020, 2000778. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202000778

Rajesh Pathak, Ke Chen, Ashim Gurung, Khan Mamun Reza, Behzad Bahrami, Fan Wu, Ashraf Chaudhary, Nabin Ghimire, Bin Zhou, Wen‐Hua Zhang, Yue Zhou, Qiquan Qiao, Ultrathin Bilayer of Graphite/SiO2 as Solid Interface for Reviving Li Metal Anode, Advanced Energy Materials, 9 (2019) 1901486.

Fan Wu, Rajesh Pathak, Ke Chen, Guiqiang Wang, Behzad Bahrami, Wen-Hua Zhang, Qiquan Qiao, Inverted Current-Voltage Hysteresis in Perovskite Solar Cells, ACS Energy Letters, 3(10):2457-2460, 2018.

Hytham Elbohy, Behzad Bahrami, Sally Mabrouk, Khan Mamun Reza, Ashim Gurung, Rajesh Pathak, Mao Liang, Qiquan Qiao, and Kai Zhu. Tuning Hole Transport Layer Using Urea for High‐Performance Perovskite Solar Cells. Advanced Functional Materials, 2019, 29, 1806740. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201806740.

Evan T Vickers, Thomas A Graham, Ashraful H Chowdhury, Behzad Bahrami, Benjamin W Dreskin, Sarah Lindley, Sara Bonabi Naghadeh, Qiquan Qiao, Jin Z Zhang, Improving charge carrier delocalization in perovskite quantum dots by surface passivation with conductive aromatic ligands, ACS Energy Letters, 3 (2018) 2931-2939.

Ashim Gurung, Qiquan Qiao, Solar Charging Batteries: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities, Joule, 2 (7), 1217-1230, 2018.

Md Faisal Kabir, Md Tawabur Rahman, Ashim Gurung, and Qiquan Qiao, Electrochemical Phosphate Sensors using Silver Nanowires Treated Screen Printed Electrodes, IEEE Sensors Journal, 18 (9), 3480-3485, 2018.

Upendra Neupane, Behzad Bahrami, Matt Biesecker, Mahdi Farrokh Baroughi, and Qiquan Qiao, Kinetic Monte Carlo Modeling on Organic Solar Cells: Domain Size, Donor-Acceptor Ratio and Thickness, Nano Energy, 35, 128-137, 2017.

Roya Naderi, Ashim Gurung, Zhengping Zhou, Geetha Varnekar, Ke Chen, Jiantao Zai, Xuefeng Qian, Qiquan Qiao, Activation of passive nano-fillers in composite polymer electrolyte for higher performance lithium ion batteries, Advanced Sustainable Systems, 1, 8, 1700043, 2017.

Ashim Gurung, Ke Chen, Geetha Varnekar, Reza Khan, Salem Saad Abdulkarim, Rajesh Pathak, Roya Naderi, Qiquan Qiao, Highly Efficient Perovskite Solar Cell Photo-Charging of Lithium Ion Battery using DC-DC Booster, Advanced Energy Materials, 1602105, 2017.

Mukesh Kumar, Ashish Dubey, Nirmal Adhikari, Swaminathan Venkatesan and Qiquan Qiao, Strategic review of secondary phases, defects and defect-complexes in kesterite CZTS-Se solar cells, Energy & Environmental Science, 8, 3134-3159, 2015.

Qi Wang, Iain W. H. Oswald, Xiaolong Yang, Guijiang Zhou, Huiping Jia, , Qiquan Qiao, Yonghua Chen, Jason Hoshikawa-Halbert, Bruce E. Gnade, A Non-Doped Phosphorescent Organic Light-Emitting Device with Above 31% External Quantum Efficiency, Advanced Materials, 26: 8107–8113, 2014, doi: 10.1002/adma.201402947 .

Jing Li, Min Yan, Yu Xie, and Qiquan Qiao, Linker Effects on Optoelectronic Properties of Alternate Donor-Acceptor Conjugated Polymers. Energy & Environmental Science, 4 (10), 4276-4283, 2011.

Mahbube Siddiki, Jing Li, David Galipeau, and Qiquan Qiao*, A review of polymer multijunction solar cells (invited review, among top ten most-read paper in July 2010). Energy & Environmental Science, 3(7): p. 867-883, 2010.

Prakash Joshi, Yu Xie, Mike Ropp, David Galipeau, Shelia Bailey, and Qiquan Qiao. Dye-sensitized Solar Cells based on Low Cost Nanoscale Carbon/TiO2 Composite Counter Electrode. Energy & Environmental Science (invited and cover article, among top ten most-read paper in August 2010), 2, 426 – 429, 2009.

Prasad Taranekar, Qiquan Qiao, Hui Jiang, Ion Ghiviriga, Kirk S. Schanze, and John R. Reynolds, Hyperbranched Conjugated Polyelectrolyte Bilayers for Solar-Cell Applications, Journal of the American Chemical Society (communication), 129(29), pp 8958 – 8959, 2007.

Jae C. Oh

Degree(s):

  • Ph.D in Computer Science, The University of Pittsburgh

Lab/Center Affiliation(s):

  • Distributed Multi-agent Systems Laboratory (Director)

Areas of Expertise:

  • Distributed systems, multi-agent systems, Game Theory, and Symbolic and Non-Symbolic AI.
  • Studying Interaction dynamics among multiple entities in networked and non-networked environments.

I am interested in studying interaction dynamics among multiple entities in networked and non-networked environments, resource allocation and management in distributed environments, dialogical artificial intelligence, and studies on visual dialogues and visual art.

Honors and Awards:

  • Distinguished Scholar, International Society of Applied Intelligence, 2011.

Selected Publications:

Nathaniel Gemelli, Jeffrey Hudack, Steven Loscalzo and Jae Oh, “”Using Coalitions with Stochastic Search to solve Distributed Constraint Optimization Problems,” in Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Agents and Artificial Intelligence. 2015

A Game Theoretic Framework for Community Detection, The 2012 IEEE/ACM International Conference in Social Networks Analysis and Mining, ASONAM 2012. Best Paper Award. with K. Mehrotra and P. McSweeny

An Open Co-op Model for Global Enterprise Technology Education: Integrating the Internship and Course Work. SIGCSE 2012. With J. Saltz.

Joo Lee and Jae C. Oh, A Node-Centric Reputation Computation Algorithm on Online Social Networks, in Lecture Notes in Social Networks: Application of Social Media and Social Network Analysis, Springer International Publishing, Eds:, Kazienko, Przemyslaw and Chawla, Nitesh, Pages 1-22.

Jae C. Oh, Emergence of self-reflection through visual dialogues based on evolutionary algorithms,” a description of Informatrix III from a computer science perspective, in the Art Catalogue of 14th International Festival of Intermedia Art, Maribor, Solvenia, October 13, 2008, English), ISBN 978-961-6154-19-2, an Art Catalogue

Wonkyung Park and Jae C. Oh, \New Entropy Model for Extraction of Structural Information from XCS Population,” Proceedings of the Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference 2009 (GECCO 2009), July, Montreal, Canada, ACM, Best paper award.

Shikha Nangia

Degrees:

  • Ph. D. Chemistry (2006) University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
  • M.Sc. Chemistry (2000) Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India
  • B.Sc. Chemistry (1998) University of Delhi, Delhi, India

Lab/Center Affiliation:

  • Syracuse Biomaterials Institute

Research interests:

  • Blood-brain barrier
  • Targeted cancer drug delivery
  • Multiscale modeling of nanomaterials
  • Nanomedicine
  • Virus nanotechnology

Current Research:

My research group focuses on studying blood-brain barrier using theoretical and computational techniques. The goal is to enable the transport of drug molecules across the blood-brain barrier, which has been the biggest impediment for finding a cure for brain related ailments such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. This project was funded through the NSF-CAREER award.

Additionally, we our group focuses on computational multiscale modeling of nanomaterials, including nanomedicine, drug delivery nanocarriers, and nano-bio interactions. The goal of this research is to design efficient nanosized drug delivery carriers to target cancer tumor cells that hold the key to a new era of cancer treatment. To achieve our research goals we are developing quantitative approaches for characterizing interaction of nanoscale entities with living matter (serum, cell-membranes, cells). Our computational approaches are directed to analyze these complex nano-bio interactions in an effort to design safe and smart drug delivery nanocarriers.

Courses Taught:

  • Statistical thermodynamics
  • Multiscale computational methods
  • Reaction kinetics
  • Engineering Materials, Properties, and Processing

Honors:

  • 2017 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Education
  • 2017 Meredith Teaching Recognition Award
  • 2016 College Technology Educator of the Year, Technical Alliance of Central New York
  • 2016 ACS OpenEye Outstanding Junior Faculty Award
  • 2015 Nappi Research Competition Award
  • NSF CAREER award (2015)
  • Faculty Excellence Award, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Syracuse University (2015)

Recent Publications:

Development of effective stochastic potential method using random matrix theory for efficient conformational sampling of semiconductor nanoparticles at non-zero temperatures, J. Scher, M. Bayne, A. Srihari, S. Nangia, and A. Chakraborty, Journal of Chemical Physics, 149, 014103 (2018). https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.5026027
Self-assembly simulations of classic claudins-insights into the pore structure, selectivity and higher-order complexes, F. J. Irudayanathan, X. Wang, N. Wang, S. Willsey, I. Seddon, and S. Nangia, Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 122, 7463-7474 (2018). https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b03842

Mechanism of Antibacterial Activity of Choline-Based Ionic Liquids (CAGE), Kelly N. Ibsen, H. Ma, A. Banerjee, E. E. L. Tanner, S. Nangia, and S. Mitragotri, ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering, 4, 2370-2379 (2018). https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsbiomaterials.8b00486

Dynamics of OmpF trimer formation in the bacterial outer membrane of Escherichia coli, H. Ma, A. Khan, and S. Nangia, Langmuir, 34, 5623-5634 (2018). https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b02653

Architecture of the paracellular channels formed by Claudins of the blood-brain barrier tight junctions, F. J. Irudayanathan, N. Wang, X. Wang , and S. Nangia, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1749-6632 (2017). https://nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nyas.13378

Modeling diversity in structures of bacterial outer membrane lipids H. Ma, D. D. Cummins, N. B. Edelstein, J. Gomez, A. Khan, M. D. Llewellyn, T. Picudella,  S. R. Willsey and S. Nangia, Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation, 13, 811–824 (2017). http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jctc.6b00856

Drug-specific design of telodendrimer architecture for effective Doxorubicin encapsulation, W. Jiang, X. Wang, D. Guo, J. Luo, and S. Nangia, Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 120, 9766–9777 (2016).  http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b06070

Jean-Daniel Medjo

Education:

       Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carleton University

       M.A.Sc., Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carleton University

       B.Eng., Electrical Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal

Areas of Expertise:

Routing protocols

Medium access control protocols

Wireless ad hoc networks

Unmanned aerial vehicles’ networks

LEO satellite networks

My research has focused on wireless ad hoc networks, especially the mobile/flying ones. I specialize in the design of routing protocols (Network layer) and medium access control (MAC) protocols (Link layer) for such networks, with the goal of increasing the packet delivery ratio and reducing the end-to-end packet delay/latency while keeping a low overhead. I am interested in integrating artificial intelligence (deep learning, reinforcement learning) in the design. Some applications networks are networks of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV/drones) and networks of LEO satellites.

Selected Publications:

Jean-Daniel Medjo Me Biomo, Thomas Kunz, and Marc St-Hilaire, “A Novel Routing Protocol for Reducing Packet Latency with Multi-Beam Antennas,” in Computer Networks, Vol. 220, 2023.

Jean-Daniel Medjo Me Biomo, Thomas Kunz, and Marc St-Hilaire, “MBA-DbMAC: A random-access MAC protocol for MBAs,” in Proceedings of the 11th EAI International Conference on Ad Hoc Networks (AdHocNets 2019), Queenstown, New Zealand, November 2019.

Jean-Daniel Medjo Me Biomo, Thomas Kunz, and Marc St-Hilaire, “Exploiting multi-beam antennas for end-to-end delay reduction in ad hoc networks,” in Mobile Networks and Applications, Vol. 23, No. 5, pages 1293-1305, October 2018.

Jean-Daniel Medjo Me Biomo, Thomas Kunz, Marc St-Hilaire, “Exploiting multiple beam antennas for end-to-end delay reduction in ad hoc networks,” in Proceedings of the 9th EAI International Conference on Ad Hoc Networks, Niagara Falls, Canada, September 2017.

Jean-Daniel Medjo Me Biomo, Thomas Kunz, and Marc St-Hilaire, “Directional antennas in FANETs: A performance analysis of routing protocols,” in Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Selected Topics in Mobile & Wireless Networking (MoWNet’17), Avignon, France, May 2017.

Thomas Kunz, Jean-Daniel Medjo Me Biomo, and Marc St-Hilaire, “NetAnalyzer: Analyzing dynamic network topologies,” in Proceedings of the 8th IEEE-IFIP Wireless and Mobile Networking Conference (WMNC 2015), pp. 64-71, Munich, Germany, October 2015.

Jean-Daniel Medjo Me Biomo, Thomas Kunz, Marc St-Hilaire, and Yifeng Zhou, “Unmanned aerial ad hoc networks: Simulation-based evaluation of entity mobility models impact on routing performance,” in Aerospace Journal, special issue on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 392-422, June 2015.

Jean-Daniel Medjo Me Biomo, Thomas Kunz, and Marc St-Hilaire, “An enhanced Gauss-Markov mobility model for simulations of Unmanned Aerial Ad hoc networks,” in Proceedings of the 7th IEEE-IFIP Wireless and Mobile Networking Conference (WMNC 2014), pp. 1-8, Vilamoura, Portugal, May 2014.

Jean-Daniel Medjo Me Biomo, Thomas Kunz, and Marc St-Hilaire, “Routing in Unmanned Aerial Ad hoc networks: Introducing a route reliability criterion,” in Proceedings of the 7th IEEE-IFIP Wireless and Mobile Networking Conference (WMNC 2014), pp. 1-7 , Vilamoura, Portugal, May 2014.

Jean-Daniel Medjo Me Biomo, Thomas Kunz, and Marc St-Hilaire, “Routing in unmanned aerial ad hoc networks: A recovery strategy for greedy geographic forwarding failure,” in Proceedings of the IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC 2014), pp. 2236-2241, Istanbul, Turkey, April 2014.

Shalabh C. Maroo

Degrees/Post-doc:

  • Post-doctoral Associate, Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 2010-2011
  • Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Florida, 2009
  • M.S. (thesis) in Mechanical Engineering, University of Florida, 2006
  • B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, 2003

Lab/Center Affiliations:

  • Syracuse Center of Excellence

Areas of Expertise:

  • Thermal management
  • Heat transfer
  • Nano and micro-technology
  • Energy conversion
  • Desalination

Energy and water are two of the most important necessities to maintain global security, prosperity and equity in human civilization. The global energy use is estimated to increase by ~60% while nearly 4 billion people are expected to live under severe water stress by 2050. Drinking water production from seawater is a highly energy intensive process and is inherently coupled with increased energy consumption. Thus, energy efficiency plays an ever more important and critical role in limiting energy demand growth. My research primarily focuses on two fundamental aspects of science and engineering which manifests into a wide variety of applications: 1) thermal management and energy conversion, and 2) water desalination. My research group at Syracuse University is highly multidisciplinary which conducts experiments, nano/micro scale fabrication, and performs molecular and continuum numerical simulations, in the areas of thermal management, heat transfer, energy conversion, transport phenomena, desalination, and optics.

Honors:

  • 2015 NSF CAREER Award

Selected Publications:

  • Sajag Poudel, An Zou & Shalabh C. Maroo, Thermal Management of Photovoltaics using Porous Nanochannels, ACS Energy & Fuels, 36, 8, 4549–4556, 2022
  • An Zou, Manish Gupta, and Shalabh C. Maroo, Passive nano-heat pipes for cooling and thermal management of electronics and power conversion devices, US Patent 10,881,034
  • Sajag Poudel, An Zou & Shalabh C. Maroo, Disjoining Pressure Driven Transpiration in a Simulated Tree, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 616, 895-902, 2022
  • Durgesh Ranjan, An Zou & Shalabh C. Maroo, Vapor Generation via Porous Nanochannel Wicks, accepted for publication in Cell Reports Physical Science, 3, 2, 100738, 2022
  • An Zou, Sajag Poudel, Manish Gupta & Shalabh C. Maroo, Disjoining Pressure of Water in Nanochannels, Nano Letters, 21, 18, 7769–7774, 2021
  • Sajag Poudel, An Zou & Shalabh C. Maroo, Droplet Evaporation on Porous Nanochannels for High Heat Flux Dissipation, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 13, 1, 1853–1860, 2021
  • An Zou, Manisha Gupta & Shalabh C. Maroo, Transpiration Mechanism in Confined Nanopores, Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 11, 9, 3637-3641, 2020
  • An Zou, Manish Gupta & Shalabh C. Maroo, Origin, Evolution, and Movement of Microlayer in Pool Boiling, Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 9 (14), 3863-3869, 2018
  • An Zou, Ashish Chanana, Amit Agrawal, Peter C.Wayner, Jr. & Shalabh C. Maroo, Steady State Vapor Bubble in Pool Boiling, Scientific Reports, 6, 20240 2016
  • Sumith YD & Shalabh C. Maroo, Surface-Heating Algorithm for Water at Nanoscale, Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 6, p. 3765-3769, 2015
  • Joel L. Plawsky, Andrei G. Fedorov, Suresh V. Garimella, Hongbin B. Ma, Shalabh C. Maroo, Chen Li & Youngsuk Nam, Nano- and Microstructures for Thin-Film Evaporation – A Review, Nanoscale and Microscale Thermophysical Engineering, 18 (3), p. 251-269, 2014
  • Matthew McCarthy, Konstantinos Gerasopoulos, Shalabh C. Maroo & A. John Hart, Materials, Fabrication, and Manufacturing of Micro/Nanostructured Surfaces for Phase-Change Heat Transfer Enhancement, Nanoscale and Microscale Thermophysical Engineering, 18 (3), p. 288-310, 2014
  • An Zou & Shalabh C. Maroo, Critical Height of Micro/Nano Structures for Pool Boiling Heat Transfer Enhancement, Applied Physics Letters, 103, 221602, 2013
  • Rishi Raj, Shalabh C. Maroo & Evelyn N. Wang, Wettability of Graphene, Nano Letters, 13 (4), pp 1509–1515, 2013
  • Shalabh C. Maroo & D. Yogi Goswami, Theoretical Analysis of a Single-stage and Two-stage Solar Driven Flash Desalination System based on Passive Vacuum Generation, Desalination, 249 (2), 635-646, 2009
  • Shalabh C. Maroo & Jacob N. Chung, Molecular Dynamic Simulation of Platinum Heater and Associated Nano-scale Liquid Argon Film Evaporation and Colloidal Adsorption Characteristics, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 328 (1), 134, 2008

Xiyuan Liu

Degrees

  • Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University
  • M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University, USA
  • B.S. Electrical Engineering and Automation, Hefei University of Technology, China

Areas of Expertise:

  • Microfluidics
  • Point of care diagnosis
  • Wearable biosensor

Xiyuan specializes in microfluidics, point-of-care diagnosis and flexible wearable biosensor development. Specifically, her work focuses on developing biosensing, lab-on-a-chip systems for the emerging applications in clinical diagnosis, wearable sensing and mobile heath (mHeath) technology.

Honors

  • Council of Graduate Student (COGS) Conference Reward, 2017
  • MSUFCU Award of Research Translation in Engineering Graduate Research Symposium, 2016
  • Recognition for Outstanding Research in Engineering Graduate Research Symposium, 2016
  • Annals of Biomedical Engineering Award – Most Downloaded Article, 2015

Selected Publications:

  • A. Kowalczewski, C.M. Sakolish, P. Hoang, X. Liu, S. Jacquir, I. Rusyn, Z, Ma. Integration of nonlinear analysis and machine learning for human iPSC-based drug cardiotoxicity testing. (2022) Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 16(8): 732-743.
  • X. Liu. Introducing Data Analytics into Mechanical Engineering Curriculum. Proceedings of American Society for Engineering Education 2022 Annual Conference and Exposition, Minneapolis, MN, 2022.
  • X. Liu. Implementation of interactive technology tools to improve students’ active learning and engagement in MATLAB programming. Extended Abstract of ASEE conference St. Lawrence section Annual Conference, Syracuse, NY, 2022
  • X. Liu and P.B. Lillehoj. Embroidered electrochemical sensors on gauze for rapid quantification of wound biomarkers. (2017) Biosensor and Bioelectronics, 98: 189-194.
  • X. Liu and P.B. Lillehoj. Embroidered electrochemical sensor for biomolecular detection. (2016) Lab on a Chip, 16:2093-98

Zhen Ma

Education:

  • Postdoc, University of California, Berkeley
  • Ph.D. Clemson University
  • M.S. Tianjin University
  • B.S. Tianjin University

Areas of Expertise::

  • Stem Cell Engineering Developmental
  • Cardiac tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
  • 3D Organoid Technology

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) allows the recapitulation of human disease models in vitro, which can be used to both study disease mechanisms and ultimately design and screen personalized therapeutics prior to large animal or clinical trials. My research focuses on developing multi-scale cardiac models through the combination of stem cell biology, micro/nanotechnology and cardiovascular research. These in vitro models help us not only understand a variety of fundamental questions on cardiac physiology and development, but also improve the diagnosis and treatment for human heart diseases.

Honors and Awards:

  • Rising Stars Award of BMES Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering
  • National Science Foundation CAREER Award
  • Lush Prize Young Researcher at Americas, Lush Cosmetics

Selected Publications:

  • Kowalczewski A., Sakolish C.M., Hoang P., Liu X., Jacquir S., Rusyn I., Ma Z. (2022) “Integrating nonlinear analysis and machine learning for human induced pluripotent stem cell-based drug cardiotoxicity testing” Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 16(8): 732-743.
  • Shi H., Wu X., Sun S., Wang C., Ash-Shakoor A., Mather P.T., Henderson J.H., Ma Z. (2022) “Profiling the responsiveness of focal adhesions of human cardiomyocytes to extracellular dynamic nano-topography” Bioactive Materials 10: 367-77.
  • Hoang P., Kowalczewski A., Sun S., Winston T.S., Archilla A., Lemus S., Ercan-Sencicek A.G., Gupta A.R., Liu W., Kontaridis M.I., Amack J., Ma Z. (2021) “Engineering spatial-organized cardiac organoids for developmental toxicity testing” Stem Cell Reports 16(5): 1228-1244.
  • Ma Z., Huebsch H., Koo S., Mandegar M.A., Siemons B., Conklin B.R., Grigoropoulos C.P., Healy K.E. (2018) “Contractile deficits in engineered cardiac microtissues as a result of MYBPC3 deficiency and mechanical overload” Nature Biomedical Engineering 2(12): 955–67.

Makan Fardad

Degree(s):

  • BSc in Electrical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Iran, 1998.
  • MSc in Control Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, 2000
  • PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2006

Areas of Expertise:

  • Convex optimization
  • Complex networks
  • Dynamical systems
  • Control theory

Makan Fardad has expertise in convex optimization and its applications in the areas of distributed control, signal processing, and social networks.

Honors:

  • Dean’s Award for Excellence in Engineering Education, 2015.
  • Recipient of 3 National Science Foundation Awards, 2009, 2013, 2015.

Selected Publications:

Fardad, F. Lin, and M. R. Jovanovic, “Design of Optimal Sparse Interconnection Graphs for Synchronization of Oscillator Networks,” IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, vol. 59, pp. 2457-2462, 2014.

Lin, M. Fardad, and M. R. Jovanovic, “Algorithms for Leader Selection in Stochastically Forced Consensus Networks,” IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, vol. 59, pp. 1789-1802, 2014.

Lin, M. Fardad, and M. R. Jovanovic, “Design of Optimal Sparse Feedback Gains via the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers,” IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, vol. 58, pp. 2426-2431, 2013.

Lin, M. Fardad, and M. R. Jovanovic, “Optimal Control of Vehicular Formations with Nearest Neighbor Interactions,” IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, vol. 57, pp. 2203-2218, 2012.

Fardad and M. R. Jovanovic, “Design of Optimal Controllers for Spatially Invariant Systems with Finite Communication Speed,” Automatica, vol. 47, pp. 880-889, 2011.

Andria Costello Staniec

Andria Costello Staniec was named Associate Provost for Academic Programs for Syracuse University in July of 2012, becoming the senior leader in Academic Affairs charged with ensuring the quality and effectiveness of academic programs and the academic success of SU students, including the collaborative development of policies and programs that promote instructional quality, advising effectiveness and student success.

Costello Staniec joined the faculty at Syracuse University in January, 1999. She received a Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1992. Dr. Costello Staniec earned her Master’s and doctoral degrees in Environmental Engineering Science from the California Institute of Technology in 1995 and 1999, respectively. Her graduate study was performed in the broad area of applied environmental microbiology. As a graduate student, Dr. Costello Staniec was awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship. Dr. Costello Staniec is a member of the American Society for Engineering Education, the American Chemical Society, the American Society for Microbiology, the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, and the Society of Women Engineers.

Costello Staniec teaches courses in the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Her classes are in the areas of environmental microbiology and biotechnological applications in engineering. Costello Staniec conducts multidisciplinary research aimed at elucidating the complex relationships between microbial diversity and function. Her research is focused on the development and application of molecular and microbiological tools to investigate both natural and engineered systems. Costello Staniec’s research interests include issues related to bioremediation, global biogeochemical cycles, and changes in microbial communities in response to anthropogenic disturbance.

Research Interests:

Costello Staniec is currently investigating the diversity of the methane oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs) in soils in the northeastern United States. Methanotrophs are a group of bacteria that grow on methane as their sole source of carbon and energy. They can be isolated from a wide variety of environments and are believed to be ubiquitous in nature. Increased attention has been focused on the ecological implications of methane oxidation and the role of methanotrophs in both the global methane budget and the bioremediation of halogenated solvents. Research in the Costello Staniec lab has led to the development of tools designed to assess the microbial diversity and function of methanotrophs in natural and engineered systems. Costello Staniec is currently investigating the role of methanotrophs in the global carbon cycle at study sites in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

In addition to her work with methanotrophs, Costello Staniec is involved with work relating microbial diversity to function at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF). Her research at the HBEF addresses the factors controlling microbial diversity in a northern hardwood forest and the relationships between microbial diversity, community structure, and microbial function in the ecosystem. Recent work includes the study of the effects of an entire watershed manipulation (liming) on soil microbial populations as well as investigations into the effects of acidic deposition on belowground microorganisms.

Teaching Interests:

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Bioremediation
  • Biotechnology

Katie Cadwell

Education:

  • B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Missouri University of Science & Technology (formerly University of Missouri-Rolla)
  • Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Thesis Advisor: Nicholas L. Abbott, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Post-doctoral Research Associate in STEM Education and Outreach, Interdisciplinary Education Group, Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Chemistry Instructor, General Chemistry Coordinator, and Engineering Transfer Program Director, Madison Area Technical College

Lab/ Center/ Institute affiliation:

BioInspired Institute

Areas of Expertise:

  • Chemical Engineering Education
  • Faculty and Student Professional Development
  • Best Practices in Engineering Education

Honors and Awards:

  • AIChE Student Chapter Advisor Honor Roll, 2015-2021
  • 2015 Teaching Recognition Award from the Syracuse University Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professorship Program
  • 2015 Syracuse University Chancellor’s Awards for Public Engagement and Scholarship: Inspiration Award
  • 2014 Syracuse University College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean’s Award for Excellence in Engineering Education
  • 2014 Technology Alliance of Central New York (TACNY) College Technology Educator of the Year

Selected Publications:

  • Velegol, S.B., Cadwell, K.D., Bayles, T.M., Bullard, L.G., Hillsley, M.V. “Baseline Data on CHE Teaching Focused Faculty in the US.” Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education 2024 Annual Conference and Exposition, 2024.
  • Blum, M.M., Cadwell, K.D., Hasenwinkel, J.M. “A Model for a Faculty Development Course Redesign Summer Working Group.” Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education 2020 Virtual Annual Conference and Exposition, 2020.
  • Stokes-Cawley, C. and Cadwell, K.D. “Project ENGAGE: A Summer Immersion Experience in Engineering for Middle School Girls.” Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education St. Lawrence Section Regional Conference, Syracuse, NY, 2015. Reprinted in Transactions on Techniques in STEM Education, 2016, 1(2): 20-29.
  • Blum, M.M, Cadwell, K.D., Hasenwinkel, J.M. “A mechanics of materials outreach activity: Reconstructing the human body – biomaterials and biomimicry.” Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education 2015 Annual Conference and Exposition, Seattle, WA, 2015.
  • Walz, K.A., Britton, S., Crain, J., Cadwell, K., Hoffman, A., Morschauser, P. “Biodiesel synthesis, viscosity, and quality control for an introductory chemistry lab.” The Chemical Educator, 2014, 19: 342-346.

Michelle M. Blum

Degrees:

  • May 2012 Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
  • Jan. 2011 M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
  • May 2007 B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
  • May 2007 B.S., Physics, University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY

Areas of Expertise:

  • Engineering Education
  • Inquiry Based Learning Methods
  • Mechanical Characterization of Materials
  • Tribology & Lubrication

Dr. Blum is interested in research in improving undergraduate engineering education, including development of inquiry-based activities for first year engineering courses, improvement of student design projects, hands-on activities, professional skills development and inclusion and outreach activities. Her expertise includes developing inquiry-based educational materials that enables students to learn by actively engaging with course content, as well as creating streamlined materials for instructors. Dr. Blum also specializes in high performance materials development and characterization for tribological (friction and wear), structural, and biomedical applications.

Honors and Awards:

  • 2016 Syracuse University Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professorship Teaching Award
  • 2017 TACNY College Educator of the Year
  • 2017 SU Dean’s Award for Excellence in Engineering Education
  • 2018 The Filtertech, Pi Tau Sigma, and Sigma Gamma Tau Award for Excellence in Education in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
  • 2022 Award for Outstanding Assessment, Mechanical Engineering B.S. program, One University Assessment Awards.

Selected Publications:

  • Michelle M. Blum, An Inquiry-Based Introduction to Engineering, Published by Springer, 2022.
  • Dawn R. Johnson, Michelle M. Blum, Katharine E. Lewis, and Sharon W. Alestalo, Chapter Nineteen: Intersectionality as Praxis for Equity in STEM: A WiSE Women of Color Program, in Intersectionality & Higher Education: Theory, Research and Praxis, Second Edition, Published by Peter Lang, 2019.
  • K. Cadwell, M.M. Blum, C. Stokes-Cawley, J.M. Hasenwinkel, A Gateway Course Redesign Working Group Model, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education 2018 Annual Conference and Exposition, Salt Lake City, UT.
  • Blum M.M., Dannenhoffer, J.F., 2017, Integrated Use of Programing in Machine Design Course, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education 2017 Annual Conference and Exposition, Columbus, OH.
  • Blum, M.M, Cadwell, K.D., Hasenwinkel, J.M., 2015. A mechanics of materials outreach activity: Reconstructing the human body – biomaterials and biomimicry. Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education 2015 Annual Conference and Exposition, Seattle, WA.
  • Synthesis and Characterization of Zwitterionic Polymer Brush Functionalized Hydrogels with Ionic Responsive Coefficient of Friction. Allen O. Osaheni, Ariel Ash-Shakoor, Ivan Gitsov, Patrick T. Mather, and Michelle M. Blum, Langmuir 2020 36 (14), 3932-3940
  • Mechanics and Tribology of a Zwitterionic Polymer Blend: Impact of Molecular Weight, A.O. Osaheni, P.T. Mather, M.M. Blum, Materials Science & Engineering C (2020) (In press https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2020.110736
  • The Use of a Hydrogel Implant in the Repair of Osteochondral Defects of the Knee: A Biomechanical Evaluation of Restoration of Native Contact Pressures in Cadaver Knee, R. Sismondo, F. Werner, N. Ordway, A.O. Osaheni, M.M Blum, . Scuderi, Clinical Biomechanics (2018) (in Press: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2019.04.016
  • Osaheni A.O., Finkelstein, E.B., Mather P.T., Blum M.M., Synthesis and Characterization of a Zwitterionic Hydrogel Blend with Low Coefficient of Friction. Acta Biomaterialia Volume 46, December 2016, Pages 245–255.

Jackie Anderson

Degrees:

  • Ph.D., Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Syracuse University
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology

Lab/Center Affiliation:

  • Syracuse University Industrial Training and Assessment Center ITAC (syr.edu)

Teaching interests:

  • Engineering Management
  • Thermo/Fluids

Ben Akih-Kumgeh

Degrees:

  • Ph.D., McGill University

Lab/Center Affiliation:

  • Center of Excellence

Research Interests:

  • Combustion physics and chemistry (chemical kinetics, ignition, flame propagation, extinction, and pollutant formation, turbulent combustion)
  • Applied combustion in gas turbines, internal combustion engines and process burners
  • Fuel technology (formulation, additives and characterization)
  • Thermodynamic analysis of energy systems

Current Research:

Our research interests are in the area of energy conversion, with a special focus on Combustion Physics and Chemistry. Our work is a combination of experiments, combustion theory, and simulations. We determine combustion properties and pollutant formation trends, contribute to detailed and reduced chemical kinetic model development, and use computational fluid dynamics to study turbulence-chemistry interactions in combustion processes.

The ultimate goal is to develop tools for the analysis and design of advanced combustion devices such as gas turbines, internal combustion engines and industrial furnaces. We are also actively involved unravelling the physics of laser-induced initiation of burning processes; an approach that is promising as an alternative reliable ignition source for fuel-flexible engines. Other areas of research include thermodynamic analysis of energy systems and characterization of fuel blends.

Courses Taught:

  • Thermodynamics
  • Advanced thermodynamics
  • Propulsion
  • Combustion phenomena in engineering
  • Selected topics in combustion turbines and internal combustion engines

Honors/Awards:

  • 2014 FilterTech, Pi Tau Sigma, and Sigma Gamma Tau faculty award for Excellence in Engineering Education
  • NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship, Canada, 2012-2014, declined in favor of faculty position at Syracuse University
  • MITACS/CRIAQ/NSERC internships for doctoral & postdoctoral scholars, held at Rolls-Royce Canada, 2010-2011
  • FQRNT doctoral fellowship in energy research (Provincial fellowship, Quebec, Canada), 2009-2010
  • Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid-of research, 2010

Selected Publications:

Propanol isomers: Investigation of ignition and pyrolysis time Scales (authors: S. Jouzdani, A. Zhou, Akih-Kumgeh), Combustion & Flame, 176:229-244 2016, 2017.

An experimental and chemical kinetic modeling study of dimethylcyclohexane oxidation and pyrolysis (authors: M.A. Eldeeb, S. Jouzdani, Z.Wang, M. Sarathy, Akih-Kumgeh), Energy & Fuels, 30:86488657, 2016.

Toward improved understanding of the physical meaning of entropy in classical thermodynamic (author: Akih-Kumgeh), Entropy, 18:270(16 pages), 2016.

Unsteady RANS and Scale Adaptive Simulations of Turbulent Spray Flames in a Swirled-Stabilized Gas Turbine Model Combustor using Tabulated Chemistry (authors: A. Fossi, A. deChamplain, and Akih-Kumgeh), Int. J. Numerical Methods for Heat and Fluid Flow, 25:1064–1088, 2015.

Comparative Analysis of Chemical Kinetic Models Using the Alternate Species Elimination Approach (authors: N.D. Peters, Akih-Kumgeh, J.M. Bergthorson), J. Eng. Gas Turbines & Power, 137:021505-1–021505-9, 2014.