College of Engineering and Computer Science

2025 One University Awards Ceremony to Honor Members of the College of Engineering and Computer Science

Exterior image of the Hall of Languages, the oldest building on the Syracuse University campus.

Members of the College of Engineering and Computer Science will be honored at the annual One University Awards Ceremony for their excellence in academics, work and dedicated service. The ceremony will be held Friday, April 11, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel. The following awards will be presented:

Outstanding Contributions to the Student Experience and University Initiatives

Farzana Rahman, Associate Teaching Professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

This award acknowledges faculty and staff who, through their work, enhance the undergraduate experience for students or make invaluable contributions to supporting and advancing the University’s mission and goals.

The Faculty Excellence and Scholarly Distinction Award

Shikha Nangia, Professor and Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Department Chair

This award is intended for faculty members who are collaborators in work of intellectual richness that has the potential for future impact. The work of these nominees offers possibilities for collaboration within the University and outside in partnership with others.

Student-Athlete Award

Emma Klein, Chemical Engineering Student and Women’s Soccer

This award recognizes the top female and top male student athletes and are presented to the senior student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade point average over the course of their academic and athletic careers.

The 2022-2025 Meredith Professors

Julie Hasenwinkel, Associate Provost for Academic Programs

Alexander Deyhim (Early Performance), Kenneth and Mary Ann Shaw Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurial Leadership

The Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professorships for Teaching Excellence were created in 1995 to recognize and reward outstanding teaching among faculty.  In 2001, the Meredith Professorship Program was expanded to recognize teaching excellence by non-tenured faculty and adjunct and part-time instructors.

Visit Syracuse University News for more information.

Study Tips from ECS Peer Leaders

Photo of Syracuse University Campus in the Fall. The photo is from a rooftop or from the ground showing campus building and grounds in peak Central New York fall colors. this is a photo from the roof of Crouse Hinds Hall looking south east towards Crouse College Maxwell Hall and Hall of Languages at dusk.

As the end of the spring semester and final exams approach, we’ve gathered some tips from ECS peer leaders on how they study for exams. Here’s what they had to say:

Isabella Perkins | Chemical Engineering | 2025 

  • Create your own study guides for classes: making the study guide is a form of studying in itself. 
  • Make sure you’re going to the professor’s office hours to clear up any questions you had on any past coursework. 
  • Try to work through practice questions or rework homework questions without referencing your notes. 
  • Take frequent breaks when studying for long periods of time and make sure you’re eating and drinking enough. 
  • Switch between subjects every once and a while when studying to prevent burnout. 

Michael Wehrle | Mechanical Engineering | 2025

  • As a senior, I’ve gained a lot of experience in tackling challenging coursework. During my freshman year, I primarily studied alone in my room and managed to achieve decent grades. However, in my sophomore year, I began to bond with other mechanical and aerospace engineering students, and we formed a small study group. 
  • Collaborating with classmates made a significant difference; we would post problems on whiteboards and work through them together. Discussing concepts and explaining problems to one another enhanced our understanding and benefited the entire group. 
  • From my experience at Syracuse, I’ve found that bringing a pack of Expo markers to a study room or classroom is one of the most effective ways to prepare for tough exams.
  • I will always be grateful for stepping out of my comfort zone to study with other students. We’re all in the same boat, tackling challenging classes, and having support makes a world of difference compared to struggling alone. I’m really glad I reached out and built friendships; we still stay close and not only study together but also enjoy time together socially.

 Kana Wong | Civil Engineering | 2025 

  • I study by retaking notes, putting together a good cheat sheet, and redoing homework problems or practice exams.
  • To combat stress, I try to get things done early when I know that exams are coming up.
  • I find time to do work around my clubs and social life because I’ve found that without those scheduled breaks, studying becomes much harder and less productive. 

Distinguished Professor in Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Radhakrishna (Suresh) Sureshkumar Featured in American Chemical Society (ACS) Publication

Radhakrishna (Suresh) Sureshkumar

Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering Radhakrishna (Suresh) Sureshkumar and his former doctorate student Senyuan Liu G’24, in collaboration with the BioInspired Institute, authored a paper that was featured on the front cover of the leading scientific journal Langmuir. The journal is published by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Their research was supported by the ACS Petroleum Research Fund.

In 2010, Sureshkumar and his colleagues published a paper in Nature Materials where they found that surfactants, or soapy solutions, change into a gel-like material when exposed to a strong flow. This change happens because the flow rearranges the molecular assemblies in the solution into larger structures instead of breaking them apart—a behavior that is rather counter-intuitive.

Liu and Sureshkumar presented the mechanisms underlying the formation of such flow-induced structures in their recent paper. Specifically, they used molecular dynamics simulations to study how the shape and internal makeup of molecular assemblies change when exposed to flow cycles. Flow-induced structures are useful for targeted drug delivery, medical diagnostics and creating functional nanomaterials.

“This is an important milestone in my academic journey,” says Sureshkumar. “It’s indeed gratifying that Senyuan and I are able to provide a deeper understanding of flow-mediated molecular reorganization based on the principles of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.”

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Professor Reza Zafarani Receives Test of Time Award from the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

reza zafarani

Reza Zafarani, associate professor in electrical engineering and computer science, has received the Test of Time Award from the Web Search and Data Mining (WSDM) Conference organized by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). The award was presented at this year’s conference in Hanover, Germany.

WSDM publishes original, high-quality papers related to search and data mining on the web and the social web. It also hosts a highly selective conference that includes invited talks and peer-reviewed papers. The Test of Time Award recognizes published papers that have had a significant impact on the field of computing over an extended period of time.

Zafarani was awarded for the paper titled “Sarcasm Detection on Twitter: A Behavioral Modeling Approach” which discussed “detecting sarcasm automatically using textual data that users generate.” The key contribution of the paper is in integrating social science theories with machine learning techniques where the machine learning model incorporates social science findings across different disciplines such as linguistics, communication, philosophy and psychology.

The WSDM conference has provided the following statement in recognition of the contributions provided by this paper: “This landmark paper studies a fundamental and difficult problem in understanding web contents, with a general approach grounded in psychology. It is one of the most important works on sarcasm detection, a problem that is of great relevance in coping with today’s polarizing social media. In full generality and with evolving sophistication of user texts, the problem is still unsolved even with large language models. This WSDM 2015 paper will have lasting value, by guiding modern AI in understanding sarcasm.”

Robotics and Rehabilitation

Evan Tulsky

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pioneering Research in Wound Treatment 

Natalie Petryk

While tourniquets and gauze have long been the standard for treating traumatic wounds, they have major limitations. Tourniquets restrict blood flow, damage skin tissue, and aren’t suitable for use on injuries to the neck or torso. When removed from wounds, gauze may also cause more bleeding. These challenges have driven the research conducted in the Monroe Biomaterials Lab, where biomedical engineering graduate student Natalie Petryk ’21, G’22, G’25 has been involved in pivotal research on degradable foams for treating traumatic wounds. 

“There’s a huge need for it,” says Petryk. “The big picture goal is to create effective, affordable hemostatic foams that can be used in every first aid kit and replace current options.” 

The foams Petryk has been researching are made from a polymer material called polyurethane, which is commonly used in insulations, bedding, and furniture. Polyurethane foams are porous and absorbent, like a sponge, and compatible with cells and blood, making them effective at controlling bleeding in a wound.  

Petryk’s main goal has been to make degradable foam that can break down in the presence of water and oxygen found in blood and skin tissue. This would eliminate the need for foam removal and reduce the risk of wound re-bleeding typically associated with tourniquets and gauze. 

“What I enjoy most about the lab space is the ability to do everything from synthesizing the foams to characterizing their material properties, like mechanical and thermal behavior, and exploring biological responses, like how cells and blood interact with the material,” says Petryk. “You acquire a wide breadth of knowledge working in the lab.” 

Throughout Petryk’s undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. studies, she has explored different aspects of these foams to improve their healing capability. Her recent work focused on altering the foam’s chemistry to improve how quickly it degrades and studying how this change in molecular structure impacts the foam’s properties and bleeding control. She has also explored ways these polymer foams could help the healing process with collagen and gelatin, the main building blocks of the body’s skin, muscles, and connective tissues.  

“We’ve been thinking about ways to incorporate bioactive components into the foams, something our native tissue is familiar with to promote and encourage cell growth and healing,” Petryk says. “Polyurethane foams are ideal for blood clotting, and we can control their degradation rates, but they are a synthetic material, so cells can’t directly attach. Proteins like gelatin and collagen can drive cell attachment on the foams to facilitate tissue regeneration.”  

Working in the Monroe Biomaterials Lab, led by Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Professor Mary Beth Monroe, Petryk is continually inspired by her research and work ethic. “Dr. Monroe has been the best mentor,” Petryk says. “Having a female role model to look up to in the STEM field is truly empowering. Dr. Monroe is extremely supportive and allows us to explore research interests that align with our future goals.”  

Petryk presented her research on degradable foams at the American Chemical Society, where she connected with other chemists and gained valuable insights. She also presented her research at the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s annual Research Day, where she won second place for her oral presentation. Additionally, Petryk shared her work at the Society for Biomaterials Northeast Regional Symposia. “Communicating research with a broader audience is really important,” says Petryk. “It makes people care about your work, which can help its societal and clinical impact.” 

In Memory of Renowned Chemical Engineering Alum Andreas Acrivos ’50 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Advancing Women Engineers Hosts Professional Networking Event

Students and alumni interacting at a networking event

In celebration of National Engineers Week, Advancing Women Engineers (AWE) held a professional networking event where students could connect with alumnae from the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS). Students engaged in meaningful conversations with former ECS graduates on topics ranging from soft skills and imposter syndrome to work-life balance and career growth.

“This event is more than just career prep—it’s about building a strong community where students in engineering can support, inspire and empower one another,” says Heather Carroll, assistant director of alumni and donor engagement.  

Alumnae who attended the networking event included Gay Kasegrande ’93, senior group leader at Mondelēz International, Inc., who earned a bachelor’s in chemical engineering in 1993 and Dawn Penniman ’90, G’97, certified senior project engineer II at ARCADIS, who earned a bachelor’s in civil engineering in 1990 and master’s in environmental engineering in 1997.   

“It was a great experience! I loved talking to alumni and gaining insights about networking and career pathways, ” says computer science student Adya Parida ’25.  

“It was great speaking with alumnae,” says Liv Ochtabec ’28. “They provided us with support and advice that will benefit me in my career growth.   

“The alumnae provided students with useful advice for networking and career development. For me, it emphasized the breadth and diversity of the SU alumni community and how we can use it to our benefit” says aerospace engineering student Aliza Willsey.  

AWE plans to continue hosting events to engage both alumnae and students through networking opportunities, immersive programming and virtual conferences to empower the next generations of students for success.

Aerospace Engineering Student Tatiyyanah Nelums ’25 Joins Patti Grace Smith Fellowship 

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

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

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

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

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Professor Moamer Hasanovic Awarded National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant for Quantum Workforce Development 

Mo Hasanovic

As quantum science advances, there is a growing demand for skilled professionals who can apply quantum technology and develop commercial products. To address this need, Moamer Hasanovic, assistant teaching professor in electrical engineering and computer science, has received a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to provide training, education, and career development for quantum technicians. This initiative supports Syracuse University’s mission to remain a leading research institution while expanding its quantum educational programs. 

Hasanovic previously developed a quantum curriculum, known as the EdQuantum Project, which provides quantum technicians—specialists who assist researchers in the lab—with the necessary skills required for the workforce. The curriculum consists of three courses in quantum technologies that combine theory and hands-on activities to raise awareness and build essential knowledge in quantum information science at a technician level.  

As part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness of quantum programs, Hasanovic has visited numerous community colleges to lead workshops and strengthen relationships with academic institutions such as Onondaga Community College, State University of New York Broome Community College, and Jefferson Community College, among other colleges regionally and nationally.  

While attending quantum conferences across the country, Hasanovic has gathered information from the industry to enhance his curriculum and has been working on establishing a laboratory at Syracuse University that will support local community colleges as well as the University’s undergraduate program. The NSF grant award will play a crucial role in advancing these initiatives. 

“We are very much ahead of the curve. There’s no one in the nation doing quantum at the community college level and we can lead these efforts. We’re expanding the program’s outreach, establishing collaborations to bring funding to the University and creating a quantum center,” says Hasanovic.  

Some partners that Professor Hasanovic is collaborating with include the Quantum Economic Development Consortium, Chicago Quantum Exchange, Duke Quantum Center, University of Chicago, Georgetown University, Colgate University, and the University of Queensland in Australia. He will also introduce quantum science into K-12 and undergraduate programs to provide a firm foundation for the emerging workforce.  

“We have to collaborate more. We don’t have to build labs across the nation that are costly. Nothing is impossible if we share the resources we have,” says Hasanovic. “I’m grateful for the NSF award and how it will impact the future of the quantum workforce.” 

New Campos Student Center Opens in the College of Engineering and Computer Science

The College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) is excited to announce the opening of the Campos Student Center, a new community space designed for ECS students. The center celebrated its opening last week with a waffle bar, games and giveaways for attendees. Located on the second floor of the Center of Science and Technology, the Campos Student Center is a welcoming home-away-from-home where students can receive academic support, connect to campus resources and find a sense of community and belonging. 

“Our overarching mission is to promote a sense of belonging for the breadth of undergraduates who comprise our college,” says Abby Fite G’18, director of inclusive excellence.  

“There isn’t a space like this in the Life Sciences Building so it gives students an opportunity and place where they can come and study,” says computer science student Brianna Anthony ’26.  

Established by Marco Campos and his sister Deanna Campos Miller to make STEM accessible to all students, the student center offers a variety of weekly programs that foster community-building and collaboration. These weekly programs include study sessions for programming on Mondays, open study tables on Tuesdays, math study tables on Wednesdays, Thriving Thursdays, and a weekly wind down on Fridays. 

“I’m really excited for this space,” says computer science student Jenna Ballback ’26. “On Mondays, I’m running the computer programming study table. There’s a different thing going on every day.” 

In celebration of National Engineers Week, the Campos Student Center will offer free headshots taken by a professional photographer on February 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. All students have the option to participate in the #ILookLikeAnEngineer campaign, which highlights the breadth of people in engineering.    

“It feels very homely, I like the couches,” says civil engineering student Kevin Guerrero ’28. “I also really like the campaign slogan, #ILookLikeAnEngineer. A lot of people think of a specific picture when thinking about an engineer so it’s nice having a campaign that celebrates all of us.” 

“I think the center meets the needs of what Abby was going for, which is comfortability,” says civil engineering Candance Tabb ’26. “It’s very cozy and close-knit and it’s a space for students to be themselves.” 

“Belonging is a reliable predictor of retention and graduation, so we see this as integral to our academic mission,” Fite says. “It’s also a predictor for a range of wellness outcomes, so we also see this as integral to our ethical mission to care for our students.”

Exploring the Toughness of Bamboo Skin Through Artificial Intelligence

Bamboo is a fast-growing and renewable plant that has important environmental benefits.  It grows in many different climates, captures carbon and its root system improves soil health while preventing soil erosion. Bamboo’s natural strength and flexibility have also made it a great alternative to timber and metals for buildings, scaffolding, and many other manufacturing uses. 

Studies have shown that bamboo’s outer layer is actually stronger than its inner layers. Known as the epidermis, bamboo’s outer layer is smooth and dense, containing cellulose fiber and silica particles, which contribute to the plant’s functionality and durability. Silica particles in particular may strengthen and help plants like bamboo withstand environmental stresses.  

For decades, researchers have been attempting to understand how the low amount of silica particles helps strengthen the outer layer of bamboo and prevent the inner fibers from splitting. To explore this concept, Zhao Qin, assistant professor in civil and environmental engineering, combined theoretical analysis, experimental imaging, generative artificial intelligence (AI) and 3D printing to study how the arrangement of silica particles affects bamboo. 

“There are individual particles embedded in the matrix material of bamboo skin,” says Qin. “We realized in the microscopic images of bamboo skin, we see when there are cracks. These cracks will be captured by the silica particles because they are harder and stiffer than the matrix. So, the crack will not propagate straight through the bamboo, but instead, it gives you the zig-zag pathway to dissipate more energy.” 

When studying the structure of bamboo skin, Qin found that it’s a composite material, meaning bamboo skin is made from two or more materials with different properties. This material includes soft cellulose fibers and rigid silica particles that are arranged differently in various directions. This arrangement makes the bamboo skin tougher and more durable.   

“The silica particles are very ordered in the direction that is perpendicular to the bamboo fiber bundles, with dense areas located where the bundles meet,” says Qin. “Since fiber splitting is the main way bamboo fails under different stresses, such as buckling, bending, and twisting, the silica particles at the fiber junctions help increase the material’s toughness and prevent cracks from spreading. However, their distribution along the fiber is highly disordered.” 

To understand how this arrangement affects the toughness of bamboo skin, Qin input his findings into generative AI and created a model based on the structure of bamboo skin. The AI model not only looks similar to actual bamboo skin but also breaks and withstands force in the same way. This research helps us understand the mechanics of bamboo skin better, discover ways to create materials similar to bamboo, or improve the strength of bamboo materials for sustainable development. 

“Understanding how the bamboo epidermis works at the microscopic level can help us connect the beginning of mechanical cracks in bamboo with larger issues like buckling and splitting when under extreme pressure,” says Qin. “This understanding is essential for making bamboo products more durable. Additionally, insights gained from the bamboo epidermis can guide the design of composites by defining particle distribution in fiber-reinforced composites, which is important for sustainable construction and manufacturing techniques.”  

Syracuse University and ANDRO Computational Solutions Awarded Navy Contract for AI Spectrum Research

Pramod Varshney and Biao Chen
Pramod Varshney and Biao Chen

Syracuse University, in collaboration with ANDRO Computational Solutions, LLC, Marconi-Rosenblatt AI Innovation Lab of Rome, has been awarded a Phase II Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) research contract by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) valued at approximately $2 million. This project focuses on pioneering research to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) deep learning technologies to enhance radio spectrum utilization in challenging conditions.

The project is led by Anu Jagannath, ANDRO Chief Scientist and Chief Research Officer, and Jithin Jagannath, ANDRO Chief Scientist and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The lead project team at ANDRO also includes Senior Scientist Sabarish Krishna Moorthy, with support from Syracuse University professors Biao Chen and Pramod Varshney from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Their expertise contributes valuable insights into advanced signal processing and distributed systems modeling for the project.

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

Staying Ahead of the Game 

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

“One of the hardest parts about being a student-athlete is traveling. In the fall semester, over the course of 9 days, I was in Texas, Virginia and Florida,” says Odden. “But I’ve learned a lot more about time management since being in college.” 

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

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

Odden is enrolled in the 4+1 accelerated program for environmental engineering, a combined degree where students complete both their bachelor’s and master’s at the same time in five years, though she will complete both degrees early. She credits Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Cliff Davidson with helping her discover this accelerated program and though the courseload is rigorous, it’s also been helpful. Online lectures make catching up on work much easier, especially when she’s on the road.  

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

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

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

With the help of professors Elizabeth Carter and John Trimmer, Odden also aims to establish a student chapter of Engineers Without Borders at Syracuse University. The organization develops sustainable engineering solutions for underprivileged communities.  

“One of the biggest things I’ve learned from Dr. Carter and Dr. Trimmer is engineering in low-resource settings. We spent time looking into socioeconomic inequities in Dr. Carter’s class which I’ve really enjoyed and got even more passionate about.”  

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

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

‘Cuse Baja: The Road Ahead 

Ian Storrs ’24 joined ‘Cuse Baja as a wide-eyed freshman eager to build off-road vehicles for rough terrains. But to his surprise, the club once known for participating in rugged vehicle competitions had seemingly lost its drive. The impact of the pandemic, coupled with former members graduating, left the student organization without guidance. The club’s off-road vehicle was also just a frame, and the remaining members didn’t know how to complete it. As the club’s numbers began to dwindle, Storrs knew he had to do something. 

Assuming the position as the club’s leader, Storrs worked hard to rebuild ‘Cuse Baja from the ground up, focusing on recruiting and training the next generation of engineers to take the wheel. Today, ‘Cuse Baja is a thriving student organization that actively competes across the country and the off-road vehicle that was nothing more than a simple frame is now breaking records. 

“The development of our current car has been a long road. With a large amount of reverse-engineering and scrappiness, we managed to cobble together a functional car,” says Storrs.   

Despite challenges in their early competitions, ‘Cuse Baja didn’t let any roadblocks slow them down. And in September 2024, the club would set new records at the Baja Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) competition held in Michigan. After undergoing rigorous inspections, the team competed at different events that tested their vehicle’s acceleration, maneuverability, suspension and traction as well as rock-crawling ability.  

The final event on the last day of the competition was the endurance race, where each team that passed inspections strives to complete as many laps as possible in 4 hours. ‘Cuse Baja was able to complete 15 laps, which was more than double the six laps they completed in a previous competition, making history as the best a Baja team had done at the University in over 20 years. 

“We had gone from having never been to a competition to being legitimately competitive in only one year,” says Storrs. “Prior to us, a Baja team from SU had not raced at a competition in 20 years, so we are enormously proud of our accomplishments.” 

“This year was filled with many great successes allowing our team to meet multiple goals,” says aerospace engineering student Laney Price ’27. “However, when I look back at Michigan, I will not remember our scoring. I’ll remember the excitement our team felt and expressed during that week when we worked through many obstacles to reach that success.”   

Through Cuse Baja, Storrs has connected with other students who share his passion for designing and building off-road vehicles and gained hands-on experience in engineering through machining and welding. As president and chief engineer, he has also developed valuable leadership skills that have strengthened his team-building and project management abilities.  

“Throughout my leadership, I have made it my number one priority to recruit and train the next generation of ‘Cuse Baja members who will be able to grow the team after I have graduated,” says Storrs. “Our current success is due to the large influx of passionate and interested members over the past year, who have shown great initiative in learning and leading the team.” 

“I became a member at the beginning of the 2023 school season and have witnessed ‘Cuse Baja grow so much since I’ve been on the team,” says mechanical engineering student Riehen Walsh ’27. “With a new generation car being designed and an ever-growing connection with the local Syracuse community, I look forward to seeing what the team can become in the upcoming years.”  

Even as Storrs prepares to graduate, he believes the club will continue to thrive. “Baja and the other engineering teams are an invaluable addition to the ECS community, and are, in my opinion, undervalued. We provide practical and hands-on experience to students, which is something that cannot be taught in class. I hope that through our continued success and growth, we can further prove our value to the engineering community.” 

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Alumna Spotlight: Emily Greaney ’21 G’22  

When Emily Greaney ’21 G’22 faced the decision of where to attend college, she pictured a place that embodied the typical college experience – a campus with a beautiful landscape, great academic programs, and a vibrant school spirit with athletics and club sports. So when she came across Syracuse University during her search and saw everything the University had to offer, she knew it was the place to be. 

“The programs were good, the campus had a collegiate feel, and it wasn’t too far from my home in New Jersey.  I started playing ice hockey in high school senior year and SU had a club and D1 team, so it was an ideal school for me,” Greaney says.  

Before graduating high school, Greaney initially planned to become a physical therapist but pivoted to engineering when she attended a summer camp at Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. This experience would be crucial to discovering her passion for mechanical engineering.

“The summer camp touched on each engineering discipline. The mechanical module came up and we were playing soccer with robots” says Greaney. “It was taking all the things I loved, math, science, and physics, and putting it all together. After that, I knew mechanical was the way to go.”  

Enrolling in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) as a mechanical engineering student, Greaney experienced what life at SU was all about. Joining clubs and connecting with others, she also got the chance to play ice hockey and find community among like-minded individuals.  

“I really liked how welcoming the staff at ECS was. It was an environment where I never felt unsafe and felt that I belonged there,” she says. “They fostered that environment and my overall experience at Syracuse was great. There was always something to do, and I appreciated how the campus catered to anyone’s interest.”  

Graduating from ECS with her bachelor’s in 2021 and her master’s in 2022, Greaney now works as a Generator Insulation and Non-Metallic Mechanical Engineer at General Electric (GE) Vernova. GE Vernova primarily focuses on energy generation, decarbonization, building power plants, and wind turbines. In her current position, Greaney works on the insulation that goes on copper bars inside power plant generators.  

“In our power plants, we have generators. Those are what create the electricity that goes to the power grid. I’m working on the insulations that go around the copper bars that sit inside those generators.”  

Greaney also runs a mechanical testing lab where a material’s mechanical properties are examined to see if they’re suitable for use. She’ll often start her day by going to the manufacturing floor of the building to see what’s going on. These workplace walkthroughs, known as “Gemba walks”, help management understand the work being done and engage with employees. Gemba walks derives from the Japanese word “Gemba” which means “the real place.”  

“Gemba is where you actually go to where things are happening. You talk to the people, you understand what issues you’ve been experiencing for the past 24 hours and that kicks off your day on what you need to focus on or prioritize. I go there to understand what issues they’ve been experiencing and if that will be applicable to projects I’m working on.”  

Greaney has also been interfacing with the mechanical manufacturing shop to create some samples for mechanical testing in her lab among other projects. She loves that her job continually keeps things interesting, and it goes hand-in-hand with her passion for sustainability. 

“My advice to students would be to find your passion. I’m into sustainability and use this passion to contribute to making the world a better place. Whatever your passion is, find it since that will make you not dread your job.” 

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professor Quinn Qiao Named as Interim Associate Dean for Research  

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professor Quinn Qiao has been named Interim Associate Dean for Research (ADR) in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.  

Qiao joined Syracuse University in 2020. He has published over 200 papers in leading journals with topics ranging from battery storage and photovoltaics to sustainability and precision agriculture, establishing him as a global leader in electrical and materials engineering research. He has more than 16,000 citations on Google Scholar and received funding from a wide range of federal and industrial sources.  

Qiao has experience in building and promoting successful interdisciplinary research teams as the Site Director for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Industry-University Cooperative Research (IUCRC) Center for Solid-State Electric Power Storage (CEPS) at Syracuse University. He is also a campus lead at Syracuse University for the NSF Regional Innovation Engines New Energy New York led by Binghamton University and a recipient of the NSF CAREER Award in 2010.  

“Quinn Qiao possesses exceptional research expertise, and his colleagues throughout the College have truly come to admire his passion and excitement for innovation since he came to Syracuse University,” says Dean J. Cole Smith. “His experience and proven ability to build successful interdisciplinary teams will be crucial for advancing our College’s research initiatives to new heights.” 

“I am honored to step into this ADR role to build on the numerous successes that have been achieved, maintain the great momentum ECS currently has, grow new research areas to broaden the funding opportunities, partner with industry to advance technology and develop the workforce, and support our faculty and students to continue to innovate and succeed in a competitive world,” Qiao says. “We will certainly encounter new challenges, but I am confident that with the determination and persistence of our highly talented faculty and students, we will continue to grow as a leader in engineering fields.” 

Distinguished Professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Pramod K. Varshney Receives Best Paper Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Pramod Varshney

Distinguished Professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Pramod K. Varshney has received the Best Paper Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) International Conference on Signal, Information, and Data Processing. The conference took place in Zhuhai, China on November 22-24, 2024.  

The award-winning paper focused on using copulas for change detection in heterogeneous remote sensing images. Copulas are a powerful tool used for modeling the dependence between multiple random variables. Over the past 15 years, Varshney’s research group has used copulas in various decision-making problems, including national security and defense and medical diagnoses, such as the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.  

Varshney and his colleagues proposed using copulas to improve change detection using heterogeneous remote sensing images. Heterogeneous remote sensing involves analyzing multiple images captured by different sensors or satellites at various times to identify changes in geographic features. This method is commonly used for disaster monitoring and land-use management. Experiments with different types of remote sensing images showed that the copula-guided neural network was effective and helped users better understand changes in geography.  

“I co-authored the paper with two of my former visiting scholars who are professors at the famous Tsinghua University in China and my former doctoral student who is a faculty member at the University of Alabama at Birmingham,” says Varshney. “It is indeed a pleasure to maintain collaboration relationship with former members of my research group. The novel approach that combines copula theory with deep neural networks (DNNs) is quite novel and innovative. I am extremely happy that this work was deemed worthy of a Best Paper Award.”  

Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Spotlight: Anand Wadurkar 

Anand Wadurkar

Anand Wadurkar’s journey in biomedical and chemical engineering is a testament to his resilience, passion, and relentless pursuit of knowledge. His interest in science and engineering began at a young age, when, at just 15, he started exploring various STEM projects. From enhancing soil fertility by utilizing biodegradable waste to excelling in robotics competitions, Anand’s passion for science and engineering grew stronger, eventually gaining him recognition in his graduate school journey. 

Hailing from Mumbai, India, he received his bachelor of technology in biotechnology and began his professional career at the bioprocess company, BiOZEEN. However, the desire to continue pursuing his education bubbled within him, which made him apply to Syracuse University’s Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering. 

“As soon as I started the program, I had a co-op opportunity with the Center for Advanced Science and Engineering (CASE) for about 5-6 months at Triton Bio,” says Wadurkar. 

Computational work was another aspect of biotechnology he found most interesting, and this eventually became his primary pursuit. He discovered this passion during the graduate student orientation at the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) and was captivated as Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Professor Shikha Nangia presented her computational research on the blood-brain barrier.  

He then became a research assistant in Professor Nangia’s lab, where he explored his interests in molecular modeling and simulation. This computational process simulates and analyzes the properties of biological molecules. One project he is working on is enhancing small molecules to destroy bacteria or viruses. This molecule can prevent infections in biomedical devices, such as knee or hip implants, by forming a protective layer using biomaterials like microgel or hydrogel.  

Wadurkar has also co-authored two research papers, one paper which involved predicting the clustering of devised small molecules. The paper was a huge breakthrough in small molecule research, and he even won a Master’s Thesis Prize. “The small molecules I work with are not naturally found in the body, but it can open great pathways to understand what’s in our body like proteins, cell membranes, and other things,” he says. 

He also attended the Foundations of Molecular Modeling and Simulation (FOMMS) 2024 and International Community for the Advancement of Peptoids (ICAP) conferences in Berkeley, California where professionals worldwide gather and discuss their research and the latest developments in the field. 

Under the guidance of Professor Nangia, who also serves as Interim Department Chair, he seeks to continue making breakthroughs in research. “It’s amazing,” he says when asked about collaborating with his advisor. “She empowers us to make our own decisions and, even if we don’t always succeed, she is understanding and supportive, providing us with additional opportunities to grow. Despite serving as the interim department head, she remains committed to ensuring that we stay on track and receive the guidance we need.” 

Study Tips from ECS Peer Leaders

Photo of Syracuse University Campus in the Fall. The photo is from a rooftop or from the ground showing campus building and grounds in peak Central New York fall colors. this is a photo from the roof of Crouse Hinds Hall looking south east towards Crouse College Maxwell Hall and Hall of Languages at dusk.

As the fall semester comes to a close, and final exams approach, we’ve gathered some tips from ECS peer leaders on how they study for exams. Here’s what they had to say:

Hennecys Castro | Environmental Engineering | 2025  

  • One way I mitigate stress and study for exams is by creating a cheat sheet. It allows me to have all the content in one place and I split it into topics, formulas, and examples similar to a mind map
  • I use the Cornell method where I have all the formulas and relationships, I need to solve a problem then I solve the problem. Then on the bottom, there is a summary section to see where I might’ve messed up or any extra notes
  • I prefer not to study with friends for certain classes and then for other classes, I like to collaborate
  • I like doing my work in Goldstein Student Center where there’s a food court so I can make sure I am eating and hydrated. If anyone feels like they blank out during exams I would suggest referring them to the Center of Disability Resources (CDR) for extra exam time

Aaron Shinn | Civil Engineering | 2025 

  • Note-taking in class can be a good form of studying with the right approach. When in lecture, be aware of what the professor says is most important to know, organize your notes in a way that works for you, and spend each day quickly reading over your notes to put what you wrote down to memory
  • Make sure to do your homework on your own or collaboratively without copying others
  • Putting an honest effort and asking questions is a form of practice for future exams. By retaining information from lecture and doing homework with an honest effort, you can save time with additional studying by focusing on the concepts that are more difficult to you
  • Make sure to also prioritize getting enough sleep and taking breaks because overworking yourself will negatively affect your performance on exams

Aicha Gory | Computer Science | 2026 

  • For studying, I will make sure to start practicing two weeks before the exam with practice exams, homework and extra quizzes the teacher provides. If you don’t understand a concept, make sure to go to office hours or approach your Academic Excellence Workshop assistant
  • For math, you can go to the Syracuse library and find some past exams. The format is similar. Make sure to do at least one or two
  • Try approaching the teacher. Studying with your peers also helps since they might explain things easier than the teacher. And don’t wait till the last day to study!

Automotive Engineering Course Focuses on Vehicle Design and Development

Professor Andrea Shen with an automobile engine

Automotive Engineering (MAE 457) is a course designed to equip students for careers in the automotive industry and a variety of other fields. This course will ignite students’ curiosity to explore the design and development of different vehicle engines and will be taught by Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professor Andrea Shen. The course will also cover new topics in automotive engineering, including hybrid and electric vehicles. 

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

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

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

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

Syracuse University, Georgia Tech and MIT Startup Lamarr.AI Raise $1.1 Million in Pre-Seed Funding

Senem Velipasalar and research team

From the collaborative research efforts at Syracuse University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Georgia Institute of Technology comes sustainable building startup Lamarr.AI. The startup recently raised $1.1 million in pre-seed funding to commercialize its automated technology which will use drones, thermal imaging and machine learning techniques to inspect and analyze buildings. The startup aims to reduce building carbon emissions and lower maintenance and ownership costs.

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Professor Senem Velipasalar has been collaborating with former Syracuse University professor Tarek Rakha, who is now at Georgia Tech, as well as Norhan Bayomi and John E. Fernandez from MIT. Velipasalar has been working on autonomous thermal anomaly detection using machine learning on building envelopes, which include windows, doors, walls, and roofs. Thermal anomaly detection involves identifying and classifying temperature variations in different areas.

Led by Rakha, the team received a $1.8 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy in 2019 for their preliminary work on thermal anomaly detection. Lamarr.AI was then founded in 2021 to commercialize this technology, and Velipasalar has played a crucial role as the startup’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Rakha serves as the startup’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Using AI to automate building analysis, Lamarr.AI has collaborated with several building owners and facilities managers, saving over $1 million in engineering and construction costs. Their AI technology identifies issues, such as deteriorated window seals and leaky roofs. It has also helped in effectively planning and scoping large building envelope retrofits, a process that improves a building’s energy efficiency.

The algorithms Lamarr.AI has developed contribute to transforming building energy audits by providing recommendations significantly faster, more affordably and more accurately than traditional manual audits. The startup filed two patents based on this technology, both of which are co-owned by Syracuse University, Georgia Tech and MIT.

“I am very excited and happy that commercialization of this technology will allow us to increase the visibility of Lamarr and Syracuse University both nationally and internationally and draw attention to not only the AI-related research being conducted at Syracuse University but also the commercialization of these developed technologies for the betterment of the society,” says Velipasalar.

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Hosts Annual Power Engineering Workshop  

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) hosted its electrical engineering workshop in collaboration with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Syracuse Section and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Central New York (CNY) Chapter on Friday, October 11th, 2024. The workshop covered various electrical engineering topics and aimed at power engineering professionals.  

The IEEE Syracuse Section has over 770 members and is part of the world’s largest professional engineering society. Its mission is to promote technological advancement in CNY through events, lectures, and business, as well as technological advancement in CNY through events, lectures, business, and educational development. NSPE CNY comprises engineering professionals from all disciplines and seeks to promote the ethical, competent, and lawful practice of engineering while providing career development, networking opportunities, and other benefits to students and professionals.  

The workshop is an annual event that was started 12 years ago. Originally envisioned by Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Professor Prasanta Ghosh, and William Maxwell, ’87 G’03, they have co-chaired the event since the beginning. Its mission is to serve the continuing education needs of New York State’s licensed professional engineers as well as licensed professional engineers in other states with a primary focus on power engineering. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the hybrid format has expanded its reach both locally and across the Northeast and benefits presenters who can’t physically attend the event.  

“Over previous years, there have been Ph.Ds. and senior practicing engineers from Canada, Saudi Arabia, India, and Australia. Although a small workshop, it is thrilling that every year, the best minds from around the U.S. and the world present to the professional engineering students. Typically, the workshop has 35 participants and continues to grow in number and breadth of attendance,” says Professor Ghosh.  

The workshop was presented by faculty from Syracuse University, Binghamton University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University and industry professionals from General Electric (GE). The students, licensed professional engineers, earned six (6) Professional Development Hours (PDHs) toward the continuing education requirements of their engineering license.  

Professor Prasant Ghosh

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Graduate Student Spotlight: Siwei Zhang 

Siwei Zhang

In just one year, computer science Ph.D. student Siwei Zhang has made outstanding achievements in research. Advised by electrical engineering and computer science (EECS) professor Endadul Hoque, Zhang has been involved in multiple projects, presented research at conferences, and published a paper, contributing significantly to the cybersecurity research field. 

Joining the EECS master’s program in the fall of 2023, Zhang worked with Hoque on developing fuzzing methods. In cybersecurity, fuzzing is a security testing technique that uses an automated approach to find vulnerabilities and bugs in computer programs. “I’ve always had an interest in operating systems, and I find research interesting. In my spare time, I use new tools to find bugs in systems. Finding vulnerabilities in programs is the goal of my research.” 

Zhang presented his work on fuzzing methods in operating systems at the 2024 USENIX Conference. This prestigious conference brings together researchers and practitioners in the cybersecurity field, and Zhang’s research caught the attention of several attendees.  “People are interested in this area of research,” Zhang says. “It’s going to be the future.” 

As a Ph.D. student, Zhang has authored and published a paper that focuses on enhancing the security of smart homes. He presented the paper at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Secure Development (SecDev) 2024, a conference where academic and industry researchers present and discuss state-of-the-art techniques for developing secure computer systems.  

“As a first-year Ph.D. student, Siwei has made remarkable progress in academics and research, including leading multiple projects,” Hoque says. “He excels at system-level programming and quickly grasps complex problems. As a master’s student in my group, he developed an open-source gateway for large language models (LLMs)—advanced AI systems trained to understand and generate human language—which streamlines integration with both open and closed-source models. This tool has greatly supported our research. With his skills and enthusiasm, he shows strong potential to become a leading cybersecurity researcher, and I’m pleased to have him in our Ph.D. group.” 

The Catalyst for Renewable Energy Research

Professor Ted Walker with his research team in the lab

Catalytic materials are defined as substances that speed up a chemical reaction without being changed in the process and many products that exist today are only possible because of catalysts. In fact, hundreds of catalytic materials are discovered or created each year, yet only a small number of them are commercialized. This is because many catalytic materials aren’t stable and break down over time, making them difficult to study and use. 

The stability of catalytic materials is what motivates Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Professor Theodore Walker and his research team’s work. In his lab, they’re attempting to create new, stable catalysts for renewable energy products.  

“Catalytic materials need to last for two to three years minimum without being replaced. The timescales we can readily access in the lab are about 24 hours or weeks at most,” says Walker. “That makes probing catalyst deactivation behavior and exploring all the physical processes that govern that deactivation difficult. Our goal is to test the activity and stability of catalytic materials to transform raw materials into products and leverage these insights to invent more robust and stable catalytic processes.”  

One project Walker and his research group are working on is changing the molecular structures of molecules taken from biomass, organic materials made from plants and animals. Using acid catalysts, they can create entirely new substances from these molecules. For example, the molecule hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which is created from fructose, or plant sugar, can be turned into bio-degradable plastics when its molecular structure is changed.  

However, the process of making HMF from fructose isn’t efficient. Once the acid catalyst creates an HMF molecule from fructose, the same acid quickly degrades HMF into other molecules. Walker and his team will conduct research to change the molecular structure of biomass molecules and stabilize these catalysts. “In my lab, we’re decorating catalysts with polymers to protect them from deactivation or steer them to selectivity towards the products we want,” he says. 

Professor Ted Walker with his research team in the lab

Another project Walker and his team are working on involves pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is the process of heating an organic material without oxygen to initiate a chemical change. This process can be used to create eco-friendly biofuels that are similar to gasoline. Though this biofuel has promising potential, it runs into the same problems as HMF: catalyst instability. Biomass contains calcium, potassium, and other metals that cause catalyst instability, so Walker and his team are exploring ways to make more stable catalysts for biomass pyrolysis. 

“The catalyst deactivates in the presence of alkaline metals like calcium and potassium which crude oil has none of, but biomass has plenty of it,” says Walker. “We’re exploring strategies to prevent the alkali metal poisons from entering the pore structure or render them in a form where poison can be easily recovered.” 

The Walker lab’s third project involves electrochemistry, a process where chemical reactions are driven by electricity rather than high temperatures. Walker’s team is working on creating stable electrodes, or electrical conductors, to produce renewable electricity and hydrogen fuel through water splitting, which involves breaking water down into oxygen and hydrogen gas. 

“If you apply a voltage of greater than one volt across two platinum electrodes in an alkali aqueous solution, it will split the water apart into hydrogen and oxygen, which is zero-carbon fuel, and you can harvest electricity from this process as well,” says Walker. “But platinum is expensive. It would be great to use cheaper materials like iron, tin, or cobalt. However, the iron electrode rusts when placed in an alkali solution and oxidation occurs. We want to make electrodes more stable and use the same electrode formulations to oxidize molecules into carboxylic acids, a high-value molecule.” 

By studying catalytic materials, Walker and his team hope that their research will have a massive impact on renewable energy resources. “Catalyst deactivation represents a real bottleneck in our technology-development pipeline. I can name a handful of promising technologies that, if broadly implemented, could be transformative; yet they haven’t because conventional catalysts aren’t stable,” Walker says. “If we could learn something new about what governs the catalyst degradation processes, that could be very impactful.” 

Professor Ted Walker with his research team in the lab

“Managing Mass Timber: From Forest to Future” Exhibition Comes to Syracuse University

When it comes to sustainable construction materials, there’s no contest: mass timber buildings require less heavy equipment, save on labor costs, and take less time to install than concrete and steel. By utilizing mass timber, the construction industry can utilize green building practices without compromising efficiency.

That was the message of “Managing Mass Timber: From Forest to Future,” a lecture delivered by Dr. Anthony Mirando and Dr. Lameck Onsarigo of Kent State University. Presented on September 30 at the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the lecture was part of a national tour showcasing Dr. Mirando and Dr. Onsarigo’s research at Kent State University’s College of Architecture & Environmental Design.

Mass timber refers to a class of engineered wood products (EWPs) that are often used for wall, roof and floor construction. Because commercial-scale mass timber construction projects are on the rise across the United States, Professors Mirando and Onsarigo highlighted the importance of educating the next generation of professionals about these green building materials.

The lecture featured data from one of the tallest mass timber buildings in the United States: INTRO in Cleveland, Ohio. A mixed-use structure with 300 apartment units and ground-floor commercial space, the project was uniquely efficient because of the use of mass timber materials such as Glued-Laminated Timber (GLT) beams and columns, as well as Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) slabs. The real estate developer reported that construction time was about 25 percent faster than typical concrete or steel construction.

“Managing Mass Timber: From Forest to Future” also included a weeklong exhibit in Link Hall where students could examine real-life examples of mass timber building materials, including dowel laminated timber, nail laminated timber, and connections and assemblies used in mid- and high-rise construction projects. The “Managing Mass Timber: From Forest to Future” national exhibit tour is funded by the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Andria Costello Staniec, Department Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Mr. Reed Kelterborn, Director of Education for SLB, delivered welcoming and opening remarks.

The visit from Kent State University faculty was organized by Yilei Shi, Associate Teaching Professor and Undergraduate Civil Engineering Program Director, and Cliff I. Davidson, Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Emeritus. “We were thrilled to host Drs. Mirando and Onsarigo’s national touring exhibition on the construction management aspects of the mass timber building industry, and to highlight the benefits of mass timber as a sustainable construction material to the Engineering, Architecture, and Construction (EAC) community here in Central New York,” says Professor Shi. “Interest in mass timber buildings is rising rapidly throughout the country. Skilled labor and seasoned professionals are in great demand. This state-of-the-art exhibition and lecture can help bring our students up to speed and get them ready for the next generation’s EAC industry.”

“In addition, we are training students to design and build more sustainable and resilient infrastructure to approach the immense challenges of climate change and natural disasters,” Professor Davidson adds. “Mass timber can be one of the most effective construction materials to meet these challenges.”

Students in engineering, architecture and other disciplines who are interested in the topic of sustainable building materials may also want to register for the 2025 New York State Green Building Conference, which will be held in Syracuse this coming March.

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Graduate Students, Faculty, and Staff Celebrate Diversity in Computing and Technology at the Tapia Conference

Two electrical engineering and computer science (EECS) graduate students, Nathalie Uwamahoro (electrical engineering) and Polina Kozyreva (computer science) attended the prestigious 2024 CMD-IT/ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference in San Diego, California. Known for its emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and collaboration in computing, the conference provided invaluable educational, professional, and networking opportunities for students and professionals alike.

The three-day event featured technical workshops, expert panels, and a robust career fair with major companies like Google, Microsoft, and IBM. For Uwamahoro and Kozyreva, the Tapia conference opened doors to new professional connections and deepened their understanding of key topics such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, next-generation computing, and robotics.

“Being at the booth and engaging with people interested in graduate school or research was a fantastic opportunity to learn about the diverse projects my peers are working on. This conference reaffirmed my passion for academia, and I’m eager to contribute to this vibrant community in the future,” says Kozyreva.

“Attending the Tapia conference for the first time was an unforgettable experience. It strengthened my commitment to inspiring students of African descent to pursue careers in technology,” Uwamahoro adds.

The conference also saw participation from the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Academic Initiatives, Jae C. Oh and Recruitment Specialist, Michaela Karcher. They were involved in initiatives such as the LEAP Alliance, aimed at increasing diversity in EECS doctoral programs and strengthening the future faculty pipeline. ECS is a Cohort 3 member of the LEAP Alliance and Jae Oh and EECS professor Jason Pollack are LEAP Advocate Faculty. At the conference, LEAP Alliance Fellows and Faculty Advocates got together to share ideas about Broadening Participation in Computer Science Ph.D. programs.

EECS Professor Farzana Rahman is a long-time TPC member of the Tapia conference. Rahman spearheaded the EECS representation at the conference alongside Assistant Dean for Student Recruitment, Kathleen M. Joyce and her team, highlighting the department’s commitment to inclusive education, research, and faculty hiring.

Karcher also developed a list of potential graduate applicants interested in learning more about EECS programs. “This was my first computer science-focused conference, and it was eye-opening to see the many opportunities available,” she says.

The Tapia conference has strengthened Syracuse University’s presence in the computing world, with students returning to campus energized and committed to shaping the future of technology through inclusivity and innovation.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science Hosts Fall 2024 Career and Internship Fair 

 The College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) hosted its annual Career and Internship Fair as part of Syracuse University’s Fall 2024 Career Week. Coordinated by the ECS Office of Student Success and Career Services, the fair allowed students to network with employers from approximately 100 companies. Students also had the opportunity to connect with ECS alumni, faculty, and staff. Employer Partners Novelis, Clean Harbors, Micron, and SRC, Inc. were represented at the fair.  

“I graduated from Syracuse in 2014 and now I’m here as a recruiter for Davis-Standard,” says mechanical engineering alum Daniel Broe ‘14. “Syracuse has always welcomed me back to events like this. It feels like home, it’s always good to be back. Students are also excited for opportunities so it’s a great opportunity for both parties.” 

“Coming to career fairs is a great way to get exposure, talk to other people, and find out what you want to get out of your life,” says computer science student Joseph Onwe ‘25.  

“It was a really great turnout. Everyone was engaged, and it was great to interact with a bunch of students you normally don’t have contact with” says environmental engineering student Claire Kuiken ‘26.  

“This is my third or fourth year coming back here now as a recruiter for Barton & Loguidice. Having graduated six years ago, it’s really exciting to come back every single year,” says civil engineering alumna Emily Mahana ‘18. “This fair is particularly exciting because it’s exclusive to engineering students so I’m looking forward to having one-on-one time with engineering alumni and focusing on recruiting more students in civil engineering.” 

“I’m very hopeful since in the last career fair, I got a full-time internship with Stantec over the summer so I’m looking forward to companies and recruiters the fair has this year,” says mechanical engineering student Fernando Poli ‘25.   

“As a freshman, Career Services has a lot of great resources for students, and I was impressed with all the companies that came in today for students too,” says computer science student Mariama Barry ‘28.  

“It was an eye-opening experience where I had the chance to engage with several companies and recruiters…Each conversation offered a glimpse into opportunities that align with my computer science major, from full-time positions to internships,” says computer science student Aicha Gory ‘26. “The event was a valuable learning experience, particularly in understanding the dynamics of networking.”  

Flood Forecasting

Professor Liz Carter working with students

After Hurricane Katrina ravaged the southern coastline of the United States in 2005, Elizabeth Carter found herself on the Gulf Coast following the tropical storm’s aftermath. Witnessing the devastating impact of the hurricane on infrastructure and communities, she decided to place her undergraduate education on hold and join the efforts to rebuild – an experience that would be the catalyst for her future research. 

“It was pivotal a time in U.S. history. It exposed a lot of the ways that structurally our publicly funded infrastructure is shunting risk down socioeconomic gradients,” Carter says. “As a young person figuring out what I wanted to do in the world, I didn’t think I could walk away from something like that and retain my humanity.” 

Ignited with a passion for the environment, Carter returned to school and received her bachelor’s degree in soil science, a master’s in environmental information science and a Ph.D. in environmental engineering with a concentration in water resources. Now working as an assistant professor in civil and environmental engineering with a joint appointment as an assistant professor in earth and environmental sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences, Carter is a computational hydrologist who studies the movement of water from space. Using data from satellites, these observations of water movement allow her to develop ways to respond to natural disasters and manage water resources.  

She and her research team at Syracuse University have received a water resource grant from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to develop a sensor network that measures flooding. This sensor network will help predict different types of flooding caused by natural disasters, particularly flooding in areas where people live, which is referred to as urban flooding. This project is known as the Urban Flood Observing Network. 

“We’re hoping to build a sensor network for better urban flood response and labels for satellite images so they can map urban flooding everywhere,” says Carter.  

Fatemeh Rezaei G‘25 (environmental engineering), Huantao Ren G’21, Ph.D. ‘27 (computer science), Manu Shergill ‘24 (computer science) Nhy’ere Scanes, Ike Unobhaga, Kaitlyn Gilmore and Sharif Jafari are students from Syracuse University and Onondaga Community College (OCC) who have helped with the development of the Urban Flood Observing Network. Collaborators on the project include electrical engineering and computer science professor Senem Velipasalar and associate professor at the School of Information Studies, Carlos Caicedo.  

“It’s been a great way to engage a lot of different students from different backgrounds and stages in their careers in hardware design, 3d printing, algorithm design, and photogrammetry,” says Carter. 

Shergill is the primary developer leading the project and has been working on the sensor network since 2021. During a summer internship in his freshman year at OCC, he assembled the initial version of the water sensor camera. He’s also been working on adding higher-quality sensors, wireless communications, machine vision, and other features to the water sensor camera, hoping to install it on the roof of Syracuse’s Center of Excellence for testing.  

“The next thing I’m tackling is a remote start function, so we can trigger continuous data collection when a storm is moving into the area the sensor is monitoring,” says Shergill.  

Carter has hopes the USGS will install these sensor networks in different locations where quick responses to flood events are needed which can help manage future flood events.  

“It’s been great to collaborate with different students on this project and make an impact on tackling natural disasters that are a result of climate change,” Carter says. 

The College of Engineering and Computer Science Hosts Annual Student Leadership Conference

The College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) kicked off the 2024 fall semester with the Student Leadership Conference. The conference allowed students to connect with peers, learn tools and resources for professional development, and grow as student leaders.

Coordinated by the ECS Office of Student Success and Career Services, students representing student organizations, Academic Excellence Workshops (AEW), and those looking to hone their leadership skills and feel better prepared for their career development participated in the three-day conference.  Sessions were facilitated by representatives from Micron and SRC Inc., in addition to the success and career services team.  Alumni from SRC Inc. and Barton & Loguidice also participated.   

“We had different speakers from Micron narrating about their professional experiences, what leadership meant to them, and how their perception of leadership changed over the course of their career,” says aerospace engineering student Fatimata Gory ‘26.  

“I believe the conference was a great way to reinforce what resources are available to students here at ECS, while also giving us clear great examples of how to behave professionally in different environments,” says civil engineering student Esau Merino ‘25.  

“The leadership conference was an amazing opportunity to practice professional development with the employers in attendance and it was great getting to workshop some new skills with my peers,” says chemical engineering student Isabella Perkins ‘25. 

The conference also had mentorship training for student leaders and opportunities for students to socialize.  

“A great leader leads by example but also ensures that whoever they lead can step into the darkness with them and shine just as bright or even brighter alongside them. Thanks to the student leadership conference, I know what type of leader I am, and how I want to help those who I lead to shine even brighter than me,” says electrical engineering student Luis Santin ‘24 G’25.  

“As a student who went in without connections to AEW or a school organization, I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was delightfully surprised with so many opportunities. Networking with peers whose faces I recognized but didn’t know by name, as well as connecting with various companies, was particularly rewarding,” says environmental engineering student Rylee Smith ‘26.  

“I went to the conference as a leader for the Information Security Club and CuseHacks. There were a lot of knowledge gaps that I needed to learn leading a club and encouraging student engagement. The conference helped me feel confident and more comfortable to lead my clubs this year,” says computer science student Daniella Lat ‘27. 

The Student Leadership Conference was made possible in part through the generous support of the ECS Employer Partners, Micron, Novelis, and SRC Inc.   

Preparing the Next Generation of Biomedical and Chemical Engineers

Students in the 2024-2025 ESTEEMED Leaders Program

The ESTEEMED LEADERS program at Syracuse University recruits and trains the next generation of biomedical engineers. Made possible by the National Institute of Health, the program supports undergraduate students from historically underserved backgrounds.   

The program began during the summer of 2023 with immersive research experiences in the labs of biomedical and chemical engineering faculty. It includes a six-week summer bridge to help students transition from high school to college, scholarships, research, mentorship, and professional development resources. Beginning in their third academic year, students will also be enrolled in the Renee Crown University Honors Program. 

“In the ESTEEMED LEADERS program, we are focusing on developing our research skills and being exposed to lab environments to join a lab by our second semester. We’re also focused on developing skills such as calculus,” says biomedical engineering student Joshua Garcia ’28.

This year’s cohort worked with several biomedical and chemical engineering (BMCE) faculty, including Mary Beth Monroe, Shikha Nangia, Zhen Ma, Era Jain, and Yauying Wu. In Professor Monroe’s lab, students examined smart biomaterials for improved wound healing. In Professor Nangia’s lab, students received hands-on experience using computational tools to understand the physical structure and function of proteins, lipids, DNA, and RNA. In Professor Ma’s lab, students learned the significance and applications of induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) in research with hands-on and computational training. 

“I want to prioritize research in my future endeavors, and I believe this program is a great opportunity to do so,” says biomedical engineering student Aubrey Williams ’28. 

While collaborating with faculty and other students in the program, ESTEEMED LEADERS will receive training, mentorship, and support to enhance their confidence in their academic abilities. They will also receive focused mentoring skill development and preparation for careers in biomedical engineering research.  

“I’ve enjoyed interacting with other ESTEEMED LEADERS. We’ve been in different types of labs and spent a lot of time together working on projects and homework. Since I’m from New York City, it’s a new environment for me, but I’m glad I’ve grown a family here,” says biomedical engineering student Emily Gao ’28.  

“We currently have 10 outstanding students in our program who are doing research in biomedical engineering, and we look forward to welcoming new cohorts of students in 2025 and 2026,” says Shikha Nangia, the Principal Investigator of the ESTEEMED LEADERS program and professor and interim chair of the BMCE department. 

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Alum Ademola Adejokun Joins Engineering Honor Society Tau Beta Pi

Ademola Adejokun

Electrical engineering and computer science alum, Ademola Adejokun G’20, has joined Tau Beta Pi, the oldest engineering honor society, for his outstanding contributions to systems software development and research efforts in open standards for mission-critical embedded systems.  

Founded in 1885, Tau Beta Pi represents engineers from all disciplines and honors those who have demonstrated a history of academic and professional achievement. Adejokun has over 20 years of experience in the aerospace domain with competency in systems, software, computer, and cyber security engineering. He is currently a Cyber Security System Engineer at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas. He is an International Council on System Engineering (INCOSE) Expert Systems Engineering Professional, a Six Sigma Black Belt, and a Project Management Professional.  

Adejokun received his master’s in cybersecurity at the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) and felt the program equipped him well for his professional pursuits. “The master’s program was fast-paced, challenging, and rewarding. It’s also well-respected, and propelled me to where I am now,” says Adejokun. “Everyone knows the value of a Syracuse University degree. Although other schools offer cybersecurity courses, they’re mostly theory-based. At Syracuse, many professors are IEEE fellows and well-known professors who have a hands-on approach.” 

Adejokun is also a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), a member of the Project Management Institute, International Council on Systems Engineering, National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), Texas Society of Professional Engineers, and the InfraGard National Infrastructure Protection Program.  

Among his engagement in engineering societies’ boards and committees at regional and national levels, Adejokun serves on the College of Engineering Board of Advisory at the University of Texas at Arlington. Additionally, he is a board member and the current vice chair of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.)  

Adejokun has also been recognized with numerous awards including the IEEE Region 5 Outstanding Individual Award, IEEE USA Professional Achievements Award (For contributions to IEEE Professional activities and for consistent efforts to professionalize software engineering), United States President’s Lifetime Achievement Award (For lifelong commitment in building a stronger nation through volunteer service) and the Black Engineer of the Year Award-Outstanding Achievement-Science Spectrum Trailblazer.  

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Graduate Student Pardha Sourya Nayani Receives IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society (AP-S) Fellowship Award

Pardha Sourya Nayani G’28, a Ph.D. student in electrical engineering and computer science (EECS), has received the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Antennas and Propagation Society (AP-S) Fellowship Award for his research on “Unleashing Bandwidth: Passive Highly Dispersive Matching Network Enabling Broadband Absorbers with Record-High Bandwidth-to-Thickness Ratio”.

The AP-S Fellowship Program aims to support graduate students and postdoctoral fellows worldwide interested in antenna analysis, design, development, and other research areas related to AP-S. Nayani joined EECS professor Younes Radi’s research group at the Radiation Laboratory of Syracuse University in the summer of 2023. “I am deeply honored to receive this award and look forward to making significant contributions in the field of electromagnetics and microwave engineering,” Nayani says.

“As a faculty member at Syracuse University and the prior institutions I have been involved with, I have had the opportunity to see and work with many talented students and researchers,” says Radi. “Rarely have I had the opportunity to work with a student as passionate, talented, and hardworking as Pardha. I am happy and proud that IEEE awarded him this prestigious Fellowship.”

Interdisciplinary Engineering Group Designs Smart Water Box for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s P3 Program  

Civil and environmental engineering professor Svetoslava Todorova, retired electrical engineering and computer science professor William Tetley, 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.”  

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Student Sameeraa Soltanian-Zadeh Joins Innovation in Buildings (IBUILD) Graduate Research Fellowship

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. I also want to thank my advisor, Professor Jianshun ‘Jensen’ Zhang, for his continuous support and guidance.”

“Sameeraa 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.

Self-Following Smart Carts

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

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Student Andrea Hoe Joins NASA Graduate Research Fellowship

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.” 

Electrical and Computer Engineering Students Develop Plastic Sorting Robot for Waste Management  

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.  

Mechanical and Aerospace Graduate Student Melissa Yeung Joins National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship  

Spring Trees in front of Carnegie Library
Spring Trees in front of Carnegie Library

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. 

Professor Emeritus Mark Glauser Receives 2024 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Fluid Dynamics Award 

Mark Glauser

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.  

Civil and Environmental Engineering Research Group Wins 2024 Best Case Study Award from Environmental and Water Resources Institute

Syracuse University Campus

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.

Electrical and Computer Engineering Students Develop Smart Cane for Vision Accessibility

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.  

Get to Know New Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Professor Michael Blatchley 

Michael Blatchley

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.  

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Senior Capstone Teams Present Designs to Industry Partners 

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.

Civil and Environmental Engineering Students Participate in Sustainable Solutions and Steel Bridge Competition

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.  

Steel Bridge Competition

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.

Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Students Present Senior Capstone Design Projects

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

Members: Jade Carter, Shane Corridore, Cait Mehl, Lukas Cook

Client: Dr. Rajin Shahriar, Pediatric Orthopedics, SUNY Upstate Medical University

Epic Airways: Parallel Path – An Alternative Method for Intubation

Develops a hybrid intubation device combining endotracheal tube and laryngeal mask to reduce procedure risks and costs

Members: Jonathan Hernandez, Adam Spadafora, Haven Wittmann, Julian Zorn

Clients: Keith McKenna and Eric Moses at Epic Airways Systems, Inc.

Temperacare: A Digital Cooling & Heating Pack

Creates a versatile therapeutic device providing both cooling and heating to aid

Members: Oumou Azika, Paige Bencivenga, Jillian Durand

Client: BZDesign, Inc.

Prognosis of Prostate Cancer Metastasis Risk Through qPCR

Focuses on improving the detection of a specific prostate cancer biomarker using optimized qPCR

Members: Anthony Watt, Emily Labour, Ethan Masters

Client: Dr. Leszek Kotula, Urology, SUNY Upstate Medical University

P.I.B.I. Check: A Portable Impedance Breast Imaging Device

Designs an accessible, low-cost device for early breast cancer detection based on tissue impedance

Members: Carly Ward, Elizabeth Su, Isabelle Lewis, Mia-Marie Fields, Anthony Acierto

Clients: Dr. Neb Duric and Dr. Jennifer Harvey, Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester

Bioprocess Plant Design for 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Synthesis from Chlorella Vulgaris

Team Stokes: Trinity Coates, Arsh Shaikh, Sean O’Toole, Tomas Posada

Biodiesel Production via Heterogeneously Catalyzed Transesterification of Scenedesmus sp. Microalgal Oil

Breaking Bonds, LLC: Olivia Conlin, Emily Fittante, Cole Fluker

Purifying Contaminated Freshwater: Degradation of Per- and Polyfluoryl Alkyl Substances (PFAS) with Chemical Oxidation

Team No Crumbs: Karley Chambers, Samantha Esparza, Fabiana Perez

Engineering and Computer Science Views – Spring 2024

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.

Lifelong Learning: Paul Ossenbruggen ‘63 

Paul Ossenbruggen

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.”  

Get to Know Our New Graduate and Global Career Advisor Britton Inglehart

Britton Inglehart

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.  

AIAA at Syracuse University is Reaching New Heights

“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!  

Reach out to aiaa@syr.edu or tdtodoro@syr.edu for more information about AIAA review sessions and events

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Professor Younes Radi Appointed as Senior Member and Associate Editor of IEEE

Younes Radi in his lab

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.” 

Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Professor Mary Beth Monroe Receives Young Investigator Award from the Society for Biomaterials

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.” 

Mary Beth Monroe and Students in the Laboratory

New-Fashioned Sustainability

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.” 

Jae Oh and Michelle Blum Named as Associate Deans for the College of Engineering and Computer Science

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.

Nature-Inspired Research

Anupam Pandey

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.” 

National Society of Black Engineers at Syracuse University: Building a Better Future

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.” 

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Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Professor Qinru Qiu Recognized as IEEE Fellow

Qinru Qiu

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.” 

Celebrating Karen Davis’s Impact and Legacy  

Karen Davis

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.” 

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Professor Yuzhe Tang Receives Grant to Protect Ethereum Security

Yuzhe Tang

Yuzhe Tang, associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and his research team have been awarded a grant by the Ethereum Foundation for research to advance the Ethereum blockchain ecosystem. This grant will support Tang and his Ph.D. students in designing, developing, and evaluating the security hardening code to protect the Ethereum network stack.

Ethereum is a network made up of several communities and toolsets that allow users to communicate or make transactions with digital money. Since the network is decentralized, users are in complete control of their data and what’s being shared, so they don’t need to give up any personal information – all users need to access Ethereum is an internet connection.

Denial of service security is critically important to the Ethereum blockchain ecosystem, and the research will explore ways to protect the Ethereum network from cyberattacks, involving systematic vulnerability discovery using applied formal methods. As cyber criminals attack networks like Ethereum and security concerns grow, Tang believes this research could have a lasting impact on the current landscape of cybersecurity and blockchain platforms.

“With this grant, we can help solve some of the most critical problems in the real world. We expect to continue developing code merged into Ethereum codebase,” Tang says. “I am most excited about making real-world impacts out of the research works from my group.”

Career Focused: Engineering and Computer Science Class of 2022 Reporting High Placement Rate

A crowd of engineering and computer science graduates sitting in chairs

The starting salaries for graduates receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) has grown steadily for the last six years.

The average starting salary for the class of 2022 was $76,679. A total increase of $17,000 since 2016.

The placement rate for the class of 2022 was 93%. More than half of all graduates have started their careers and 33% are pursuing an advanced degree.

The ECS Career Services team provides students with support to reach their professional goals. They help students build their network with connections to industry leaders and alumni through information sessions, company tabling, career fairs, on-campus interviewing and more. Additional support through workshops, seminars, and drop-in advising ensures students have access to development opportunities that give them an edge in today’s job market.

Class of 2022 Top 25 Employers

  • Applied Materials
  • Boston Scientific
  • Brainlab
  • Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Burns & McDonnell
  • Carrier
  • Deloitte
  • General Dynamics, Electric Boat
  • IBM
  • Kimley-Horn
  • L3Harris Technologies
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Meta
  • Morningstar, Inc.
  • National Grid Pfizer, Inc.
  • Pratt & Whitney, a Raytheon Technologies Company (RTX)
  • Qualcomm
  • SRC, Inc
  • The Boeing Company
  • The Walt Disney Company
  • Turner Construction Company
  • Weston & Sampson
  • Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
  • WSP

Class of 2022 Graduate Schools

  • Boston University
  • Brown University
  • Clarkson University
  • Columbia University
  • Cornell University
  • Duke University
  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
  • Northwestern University
  • Princeton University
  • SUNY Binghamton
  • SUNY Stony Brook
  • Syracuse University
  • University North Carolina, Wilmington
  • University of Maryland, College Park
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of Southern California

Data reflects information on 281 of 312 undergraduate degree recipients in 2022, representing a 90% knowledge rate.

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Professor Kevin Du Receives “Test of Time” Award from the Computer Security Applications Conference

Electrical engineering and computer science Professor Kevin Du was awarded the Test of Time award at the 2021 Annual Computer Security Applications Conference (ACSAC) for his paper “Privacy-Preserving Cooperative Statistical Analysis” that was originally published in 2001.

“This paper provided a new way to conduct joint computation while protecting data privacy. There were a lot of follow-ups on this approach,” said Du. “Many young researchers told me that they ‘grew up’ reading my papers in this field.”

This is the second time Du has won a Test of Time award. He previously won one in 2013 at the ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security for a paper titled “A Pairwise Pre-Distribution Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks” he published with Professor Jing Deng, Professor Yunghsiang S. Han and Distinguished Professor Pramod Varshney in 2003.