BioInspired Institute

Syracuse University Selected as a 2026 Beckman Scholars Program Awardee to Support Undergraduate Research in Chemistry and Life Sciences

Professor Shikha Nangia and two students conducting research in a BioInspired Institute lab

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

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

Jennifer Ross, professor of physics  in the College of Arts and Sciences and interim dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, is principal investigator. “The Beckman Scholars Program will provide transformative research experiences for students who demonstrate exceptional promise in science and engineering working with our outstanding faculty from the BioInspired Institute,” she says. “This award recognizes the University’s deep commitment to undergraduate research and our proven track record of offering experiential training in interdisciplinary fields.”

Fourteen faculty members, all of whom are affiliated with BioInspired, will serve as Beckman Mentors. They are Carlos Castañeda (chemistry and biology), Rob Doyle (chemistry), Heidi Hehnly (physics), Jay Henderson (biomedical and chemical engineering), Chih Hung Lo (biology), Zhen Ma (biomedical and chemical engineering), Jessica MacDonald (biology), Dave Mozhdehi (chemistry), Shikha Nangia (biomedical and chemical engineering), Angela Oliverio (biology), Ross (physics), Mirna Skanata (physics), Shahar Sukenik (chemistry) and Jialiu Zeng (biomedical and chemical engineering).

Scholars will participate in BioInspired’s annual symposium, present at national conferences and receive mentoring support from the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising.

Application Process

The Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE) will handle student recruitment and selection, onboarding and ongoing support.

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

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

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

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

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professor Teng Zhang Receives National Science Foundation (NSF) Award to Study Mechanics of Tissue Boundary Formation

Teng Zhang

Teng Zhang, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, was awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to research how biomechanical forces shape developing tissues inside the human body. The project titled “Collaborative Research: Studying Mechanics of Tissue Boundary Formation with Experiments and Theory” will be led by Zhang and Professor Jianping Fu of the University of Michigan.

Zhang and Fu will combine biomechanical experimental research with computational modeling to study somite boundary formation. Somites are a type of precursor cell that become the building blocks of vertebrae and ribs. Disruptions to this cell growth process can lead to congenital vertebral defects.

“We will develop a modeling framework that is rigorously tested and refined through direct experimental validation,” explains Zhang. “This constant dialogue between model and experiment is essential to uncover the mechanical principles governing somitogenesis and transform observation into mechanistic understanding.”

The project will also provide hands-on STEM education for K-12 students, offering summer internship opportunities at the University of Michigan, as well as programming through STEM Exploration Day at the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS).

“I’m thrilled to see this important work funded by NSF,” says ECS Interim Associate Dean for Research Quinn Qiao. “By integrating computational modeling with biological validation, Drs. Zhang and Fu are poised to turn observations into meaningful insights that could advance our understanding and prevention of congenital vertebral defects.”

“Dr. Zhang’s work exemplifies the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to biomedical problems and the power of combining theoretical modeling and experimental investigations. I am so happy that this cutting-edge research is recognized and funded by NSF,” says Professor Jianshun “Jensen” Zhang, MAE Interim Department Chair and Executive Director of Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems (SyracuseCoE).

A past recipient of an NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award, Zhang is an expert in the complex interactions between mechanics and biological structures. He is affiliated with the BioInspired Institute, and his research group focuses on using mechanics as an enabling tool to design smart materials and structures that improve human health.