CSM News
CSM News
2023 Headlines
Jeff Greeson, clinical health psychologist: Better health through mindfulness
August 23, 2023
Learn about Dr. Jeff Greeson's research regarding mindfulness, stress and health in this article by @RowanResearch and by exploring his lab website.
Gustavo Moura-Letts' NIH grant supports search to simplify the production of benzodiazepines
August 22, 2023
Gustavo Moura-Letts, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Science & Mathematics, has received a grant for $449,777 from the National Institutes for Health (NIH) for a study on new methods for the preparation of benzodiazepines. The work is supported by six years of preliminary data and research conducted at Rowan.
Benzodiazepines are widely used in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, as well as for mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Read more.
Mathematicians helping blueberry farmers using drones and artificial intelligence
August 9, 2023
Mathematics professors Hieu Nguyen, Ph.D., Thanh Nguyen, Ph.D., Ik Jae Lee, Ph.D., and their team of students have been working to support local blueberry farmers by using drones and artificial intelligence to better estimate crop yields and to help with the early detection of plant disease. Read more!
This project was also featured on NJ Business & Industry Association's website.
Jason Heindl, bacteriologist: Learning from the 'original genetic engineer'
July 26, 2023
Learn about Dr. Jason Heindl's research regarding Agrobacterium in this article by @RowanResearch and by exploring his faculty webpage.
Nicholas Whiting: Improving the traditional MRI
June 29, 2023
Learn about Dr. Nick Whiting's research regarding biomedical imaging in this article by @RowanResearch and by exploring his faculty webpage.
Rob Chimenti's publication in Applied Physics Letters selected as Editor's Pick
June 26, 2023
Rob Chimenti, Visiting Assitant Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy, had an article published in Applied Physics Letters, which was selected as the Editor's Pick due to the noteworthy significance of the subject. Chimenti's publication, entitled Toward a practical method for measuring glass transition in polymers with low-frequency Raman spectroscopy, can be read here.
Yong Chen, bioinformatician: Identifying the neurons that store our memories
June 14, 2023
Learn about Dr. Yong Chen's research about memory storage in this article by @RowanResearch and by exploring his faculty webpage.
CSM Dean, Voki Pophristic, talks women in STEM on NJBIZ panel
"All Mic'd Up": Alexa Rosenberg, 2023 Commencement
May 18, 2023
Check out unfiltered thoughts and musing of Rowan University 2023 graduate, Alexa Rosenberg. See commencement through the eyes of a Prof on the ground from her ceremony on May 9.
"All Mic'd Up": Julia Bowes, 2023 Commencement
May 15, 2023
Check out unfiltered thoughts and musing of Rowan University 2023 graduate, Julia Bowes. See commencement through the eyes of a Prof on the ground from her ceremony on May 8.
CSM to co-lead multistate collaboration called Advancing Photonics Technologies
May 11, 2023
CSM has partnered with Princeton University to co-lead a multistate collaboration called Advancing Photonics Technologies that "aims to advance research, transition discoveries into the economy, and build the region’s technological workforce." "The Advancing Photonics Technologies collaboration is one of 44 teams across the nation selected to receive one of the first-ever NSF Engines Development Awards, which provide up to two years of funding toward the planning of a multistate initiative to create economic, societal and technological opportunities for their regions. The awards enable the teams to prepare strong proposals for becoming future NSF Engines, which will each have the opportunity to receive up to $160 million to implement their plans." Read more!
CSM graduates first doctoral students in new Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry program
May 9, 2023
Shadi Houshyar Azar, Alison Yu, and Tarah Trebino received their Ph.D. degrees in pharmaceutical chemistry, making the first cohort of students graduating from the program! Read more.
Alumni Success: Pre-College Institute (PCI) Played Vital Role For Dr. Mihir Patel '10
April 26, 2023
"PCI played a vital role in helping me network with faculty, develop time management and get comfortable with the school environment," says Amir Patel, '10, biology major. "It prepared me for what my next four years were going to look like." Learn More http://bit.ly/40EAG5l
New Venture Competition awards psychology major $30K for women's safety app
Student Highlight: Jaden Johnson heads to Cooper Medical School
NSF CAREER Award to Nicholas Whiting; Magnetic resonance adds new twist on the study of carbon dots
NSF CAREER Award to Jason Heindl: Exploration of how the ‘original genetic engineer’ infects plants

NSF CAREER Award to Yong Chen: Improving methods used for studying individual cells
April 10, 2023
With $698,684 in funding over the next five years from the National Science Foundation’s Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) Award,Yong Chen, Ph.D., and an interdisciplinary team of students will use cutting-edge experiments to capture 3D chromatin interactions within individual cells and develop advanced statistical methods for analyzing the resulting data. Read more!
Improving dialysis care through mindfulness: Jeff Greeson awarded New Jersey Health Foundation grant

With new HHMI grant, Alison Krufka and team work to strengthen partnerships with community colleges

Rising in research: U-RISE Program boosts underrepresented students in STEM
February 24, 2023
For underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering and math fields, the U-RISE program at Rowan University “fosters a sense of community and shared passion for discovery, both of which are vital for the collaborative aspect of science,” said Yesenia R. Flores, part of the first cohort accepted to the program in spring 2021.
Through March 3, students can apply to receive the same comprehensive support to prepare them for a career in Ph.D.-level research as part of the third cohort of the National Institutes of Health-funded program. Five spots in the Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement program are available. U-RISE provides specialized research training in Rowan laboratories, a stipend, a partial scholarship, workshops and access to several mentors. Students get multiple opportunities to learn from and network with internal and external scientists from academia and industry. Perhaps most impactful of all has been the community of peers and mentors the U-RISE program provides. Read more!
Ben Carone, molecular biologist: Understanding the origins of cell programming
February 23, 2023
Learn about Dr. Ben Carone's research regarding cell programming in this article by @RowanResearch and by exploring his faculty webpage.
Kaite Gotham, psychologist: Examining depression and autism
February 8, 2023
Learn about Dr. Kaite Gotham's research regarding depression in autistic adults in this article by @RowanResearch and by exploring her faculty webpage.
2022 Headlines
With new NSF grant, Shen-Shyang Ho will develop machine-learning approaches for predicting defects, fraud and cancer
December 29, 2022
Dr. Shen-Shyang Ho has studied and developed machine-learning technologies for detecting anomalies in various application domains for nearly 20 years. With a new $273,047 grant from NSF, he will spend the next three years focusing on developing new approaches for detecting, explaining and predicting anomalies in dynamic graphs that continuously evolve. Anomaly detection through machine learning offers opportunities to stop credit card fraud, provide early cancer treatments or correct manufacturing defects. Read more!
Chun Wu and team seeks cancer cure with help from a supercomputer
December 16, 2022
Dr. Chun Wu and his team will use the Anton 2 supercomputer to better understand the mechanisms behind a proven immunotherapy treatment used for certain blood cancers. What they discover through these simulations could one day lead to new treatments for more common and hard-to-treat solid tumors ofen found in cancers of the lung, breast, prostate, and other types of cancers. Read more!
James Grinias, chemist: Advancing the science of chemical analysis
December 15, 2022
Learn about Dr. James Grinias' research regarding two-dimensional liquid chromatography in this article by @RowanResearch and by exploring his faculty webpage.
Psychology Offers Multiple Learning Avenues For Students To Find The Right Fit For Their Future
November 17, 2022
"There's opportunities to get involved in social work, teaching, research, clinical work," says senior Katarina Carmona, who is a success coach on campus. "I definitely wanted something that allowed me to explore a multitude of different avenues. I just love those connections and being able to talk to people."
Xiao Hu, materials scientist: Manipulating the properties of natural materials
November 2, 2022
Learn about Dr. Xiao Hu's research regarding natural materials in this article by @RowanResearch and by exploring his faculty webpage.
Alumni Success: Computer Science and Drones Made A Perfect Match For Joe Albanese '21
September 28, 2022
"I take care of everything from programing actual boards within the drone, to managing how the different boards communicate with one another," says Joe Albanese '21, a software engineer at FreeFly Systems. "I would say the thing I like the most about computer science is getting problems and solving them." Learn More https://bit.ly/3AqB0ur
Produced and Edited By Nicholas Ioannou | Senior | Radio/TV/Film Major
Video By John Hunter | Senior | Radio/TV/Film and Sports Communication Dual Major Khrystyyan Pasichnyk | Senior | Management Major Mike Rambo | Senior | Radio/TV/Film and Sports Communication Dual Major
"NASA's Roving with Perseverance" on display at the Edelman Planetarium
September 26, 2022
While NASA’s Perseverance rover is hard at work exploring Mars hundreds of millions of miles from Earth, a 1/10th scale model has found a temporary home at the Edelman Planetarium! Since landing on Mars on February 18, 2021, Perseverance has been hunting for signs of ancient microbial life to collect and store samples of Martian rock and sediment to be retrieved by planned future missions for closer study on Earth.
Get a close-up look at Perseverance’s six-wheeled look-alike in our desktop-sized model, take a selfie on Mars with our Perseverance and Ingenuity Selfie Station, and get a feel for the size of Perseverance with a full-scale model of one of its wheels.
The “Roving with Perseverance” collection will be on display from late September through mid-March 2023. The exhibit is free and located in the Science Hall atrium. Come and see it before it drives away.
Research is a must for students in all types of STEM fields
August 31, 2022
"I like the idea of research having an impact on me because it allows me to fully understand the gaps that I missed in classes," says Aryana Marquez, Biological Sciences major. "The research is teaching me huge life lessons."
Video By: Michael Rambo | Senior | Radio/TV/Film Major Khrystyyan Pasichnyk | Senior | Management Major
Bethany Raiff, psychologist: Using incentive-based approaches to improve behaviors
August 24, 2022
Learn about Dr. Bethany Raiff's research regarding healthy behaviors in this article by @RowanResearch and by exploring her faculty webpage.
Danielle Arigo is improving the accuracy of physical activity measurement in research with NIH grant
August 17, 2022
Dr. Danielle (Dani) Arigo is continuing her NIH-funded research to understand barriers to physical activity in women aged 40 to 60, as well as developing effective ways to promote physical activity in this population. Read more!
How Rowan computer science & basketball helped international student reunite with family
July 27, 2022
Originally from Serbia, Marko Pantovic '22 transferred to Rowan in 2018 to be closer to his brother. A computer science major and member of the men's basketball team, Marko relearned the meaning of fun, helping the Profs to its first NJAC title in 20 years. "When I was here, I literally had a feeling I didn’t want to leave. Rowan has become a second home for me, and I’m really thankful for it."
Credit: Rowan Athletics
Claude Krummenacher, virologist: Tackling the vexing herpes simplex virus
July 13, 2022
Learn about Dr. Claude Krummenacher's research regarding herpes simplex virus in this article by @RowanResearch and by exploring his faculty webpage.
Erik Hoy: Designing the next generation of nanoscale electronics with new NSF grant
July 6, 2022
Dr. Erik Hoy is leading a research collaboration between Rowan University and Butler University that seeks to develop computational tools for designing the next generation of nanoscale electronics, funded by a $222,559 NSF grant. Read more
Sam Lofland, condensed matter physicist: Solving technological problems with new materials
June 15, 2022
Learn about Dr. Sam Lofland's research in material science in this article by @RowanResearch and by exploring his faculty webpage.
Molecular & Cellular Biology student uses protein purification to study COVID-19
May 24, 2022
"One of the main aspects that drew me to the major was the ability to do undergraduate research," says senior Lauren Staman. "Having these opportunities provides you with the knowledge that you might need in a job after you graduate." Molecular and Cellular Biology focuses on the study of the processes that govern living organisms. Comprehensive curricula cover theory and laboratory methods, allows students to carry out and understand molecular and biomedical research.
Translating medical research into medical practice
March 24, 2022
"I chose Translational Biomedical Sciences because I knew I wanted to do research and to go into medicine" says junior Abigail Muccilli. "I get to work in a lab where I get to help treat addiction, which is very important to me." Translational Biomedical Sciences prepares you to pursue a medical professional degree (M.D., D.O., P.A.) an advanced biomedical research degree or to seek immediate employment.
Svjetlana Vojvodic Kruse, biologist: Investigating gut microbes in honey bees
January 26, 2022
Learn about Dr. Svjetlana Vojvodic Kruse's research regarding gut bacteria on bee behavior and genetics in this article by @RowanResearch and by exploring her faculty webpage.
Polly Tremoulet, human factors scientist: Engineering better systems for people
January 19, 2022
Learn about Dr. Polly Tremoulet's research on improving tools, processes, and work environments in this article by @RowanResearch and by exploring her faculty webpage.
Alumni Success: Melissa Miller '02 Ensures Penn Dental Medicine Technology Stays Up To Speed
January 5, 2022
Melissa Miller, a computer science alumna, directs and leads all technology operations within the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, including academics, clinics, research and satellite community locations. "One thing I really enjoyed about my experiences in the computer science program at Rowan, was all of the collaborative work and projects we were able to complete that actually had real world connections to them," says Miller '02.