CSM dean, Dr. Voki Pophristic, and other expert panelists discuss representation of women in STEM fields and what can be done to create greater equality.
2023 CSM News
2023 CSM News
College of Science & Mathematics in the News
2023 Headlines
Clinical psychology Ph.D. program achieves full APA accreditation
December 19, 2023
Following a rigorous assessment of its professional and scientific standards, Rowan University’s Ph.D. in clinical psychology program has achieved full accreditation through 2033 by the American Psychological Association (APA), a historic, first-time achievement for the program.
The APA Commission on Accreditation is the primary programmatic accreditor in the United States for professional education and training in psychology. APA accreditation is an indicator of a program’s rigor, quality and ability to produce successful, ethical and skillful clinical psychologists.
Keck and Fischer receive $1.9 mil NIH R01 award to study new approaches to treating pain
November 20, 2023
Opioid pain relievers, such as oxycodone and morphine, bind to specific receptors in our central and peripheral nervous systems and, in simple terms, “turn off pain.” However, they also send signals to slow down or stop breathing. They can be addictive, especially when used to treat chronic pain. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, this deadly combination is responsible for more than 100,000 deaths per year in the United States.
Bradford Fischer, Ph.D., associate professor of biomedical sciences at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU), and fellow researcher Thomas Keck, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry in the College of Science & Mathematics (CSM), are looking for ways to effectively manage pain without the dangerous and sometimes deadly side effects.
Melissa Manners investigates the effects of inflammation and exercise on brain health
November 17, 2023
Melissa Taft Manners, Ph.D., an assistant professor in Rowan University’s College of Science & Mathematics, recently received a $457,983 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to study resilience to chronic stress and the positive effects of physical exercise on the brain.
NSF grant supports research that could lead to new pain medications
November 16, 2023
Rashanique Quarels, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Science & Mathematics, has received a grant for nearly $250,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for research to improve a chemical process that could be used to develop new pain medications. The work is supported by a year and a half of preliminary research at Rowan.
Gustavo Moura-Letts, organic chemist: Searching for pain relief without addiction
November 15, 2023
Learn about Dr. Gustavo Moura-Letts' research regarding pain relief without addiction in this article by @RowanResearch and by exploring his lab website.
Thorlabs Mobile Photonics Lab visits Rowan
October 20, 2023
As part of its national effort to introduce the field of photonics to students, Thorlabs brought its mobile demonstration lab to Rowan University’s Glassboro campus this week, giving visitors hands-on experiences with instruments used to measure, study and harness light.
Sam Lofland selected as an American Physical Society (APS) Fellow
October 19, 2023
Samuel Lofland, Ph.D., a professor of physics and chair of the Department of Physics & Astronomy in the College of Science & Mathematics, has been named an American Physical Society (APS) Fellow in recognition of his contributions to the field.
Lofland was selected for the honor by the organization’s Council of Representatives, following a recommendation by the American Physical Society Forum on Industrial & Applied Physics. The number of recommended nominees in each year may not exceed a half percent of the society’s non-student membership.
Mathematics graduate and current math teacher, Riley Gartland, wins Milken Educator Award
October 13, 2023
"Two Rowan University alumni were recognized this week for their excellence inside and outside the classroom when they received national Milken Educator Awards, which carry a $25,000 unrestricted cash prize.
Riley Gartland ’16, who teaches at Cinnaminson High School, and Taylor Trost ’15, a teacher at Grace Norton Rogers Elementary School in Hightstown, were among just 75 teachers nationwide to receive the awards.
Hailed as the “Oscars of Teaching,” the awards honor educators who make a profound difference for students, colleagues and communities. Gartland and Trost both were presented with the awards at surprise assemblies at their respective schools...
Christina Simmons awarded the 2023 Innovations in Teaching Using Technology Grant
The Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning announced that Christina Simmons, Assistant Professor in Psychology, is the winner of the 2023 Innovations in Teaching Using Technology Grant. Christina's winning proposal, "Using Portable Virtual Reality to Extend Classroom-based Learning of Clinical Skills for Healthcare Professionals".
The Innovations in Teaching Using Technology grant funds the purchase of equipment to support practical approaches to teaching using technology at Rowan University and is principally targeted to initiatives that are innovative, scalable, adaptable, and applicable to teaching.
Nicholas Kurth, physics major, internship at European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
October 12, 2023
During his undergraduate career, physics major Nicholas Kurth has sampled many subsets of the discipline: theoretical physics, materials science physics, gravitational waves, and spectroscopy. Thanks to a prestigious summer internship, Kurth can check particle and high-energy physics off the list.
This summer, the Rowan University senior, who is also enrolled in the Martinson Honors College, took part in the eight-week Summer Undergraduate Research Experience at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), in Geneva, Switzerland.
One of just two dozen American students to be accepted into the program, Kurth worked alongside researchers from all over the world and was under the supervision of a postdoctoral student from Italy. The program was offered through a partnership with the University of Michigan and CERN with funding from the National Science Foundation. Attendees were juniors and seniors majoring in physics, engineering, or computer science at a four-year institution.
ACM, student organization, invited to Cesium headquarters in Philadelphia
October 6, 2023
"This past Wednesday, ACM chapter members were invited to the Cesium headquarters in Philadelphia. Cesium treated the club to snacks, a tour, and several presentations on what it looked like working in the company.
Cesium is a software company based in Philadelphia. They’ve designed an open source uniform file type– the 3D Tile– to make 3D models that can be used across a large variety of software. 3D data in nearly any file type can be converted to their file type, where it then can be used in game engines, virtual reality, and other types of simulations. Corporations around the world use Cesium’s technology, with frequent collaborations with the likes of Google Earth and Unity. More specifically, Cesium works with Japanese construction company EARTHBRAIN, with a recent showcase at Asia’s largest construction expo, CSPI..."
CSM hosts NY Times Bestselling Author for Centennial Event
October 6, 2023
A seemingly constant beat of headlines warns of ecological doom.
From a warming planet – a result of human-caused greenhouse gas production – to a loss of plants and animals, especially birds, scientists have been clear that, unless there’s drastic change, and fast, the future of life on earth may be imperiled.
On Oct. 4, Rowan University’s Centennial Lecture Series launched with a different message. Speaking to hundreds of attendees in the Eynon Ballroom of the Chamberlain Student Center, New York Times bestselling author Dr. Doug Tallamy presented a more optimistic side of the ecological conversation.
Tallamy, the T. A. Baker Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology & Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, said by simply choosing the right plants for gardens and yards, individuals can help offset the ongoing biodiversity crisis and promote a healthier climate.
Dani Arigo named an NIH New Innovator, first at Rowan
October 3, 2023
Psychologist Dani Arigo, Ph.D., an associate professor in the College of Science & Mathematics, has received the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director’s New Innovator Award, the first researcher at Rowan to do so. The award is part of the agency’s High-Risk, High-Reward Research program, which supports highly innovative scientists who propose visionary and broadly impactful behavioral and biomedical research projects.
Dr. Arigo will use the five-year, $1.5 million grant to pursue the next frontier in understanding the many ways people are influenced by social comparisons.
Tenelle Porter advises readers to confront knowledge gaps in Nature feature story about Intellectual Humility
October 3, 2023
In a Nature feature story about intellectual humility, Rowan University psychologist Tenelle Porter, Ph.D., advises readers to confront knowledge gaps.
“Intellectual humility can really help us listen to those who don’t have the same ways of knowing as we do,” or those with a different expertise, she says.
It helps to remember that it is impossible to know everything, Porter told the journal.
“You have to be willing to wade into the unknown to make new discoveries.”
Natalie Page, Ph.D. candidate, featured in Society of Vacuum Coaters Bulletin
September 25, 2023
Natalie Page, a fourth year Ph.D. candidate in Materials Science Engineering, had her presentation 'Investigating Combinatorial Thin Films Using Scanning Electrochemical Techniques' featured in the Society of Vacuum Coaters Bulletin.
The Society of Vacuum Coaters is an international, professional organization for individuals who are involved in depositing films and coatings and surface engineering.
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
May 19, 2023
"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
April 25, 2023
"Siena Rampulla believes that women should feel safe anywhere – from a walk to their car after classes, to a mall parking lot, to the comfort of their own home – so she’s building an app for that." Learn more!
Student Highlight: Jaden Johnson heads to Cooper Medical School
April 25, 2023
She wants to make things better. Biological Sciences major, Jaden Johnson, heads to Cooper Medical School. Read more about this amazing student!
NSF CAREER Award to Nicholas Whiting; Magnetic resonance adds new twist on the study of carbon dots
April 10, 2023
With a five-year, $432,717 CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation, Rowan University assistant professor Nicholas Whiting will study carbon-based quantum dots in brand-new ways, using hyperpolarized magnetic resonance. Read more!
NSF CAREER Award to Jason Heindl: Exploration of how the ‘original genetic engineer’ infects plants
April 10, 2023
Jason Heindl, Ph.D., recently secured a $520,000 five-year National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award to study bacteria that cause diseases in plants. He plans to explore how one type of plant-infecting bacteria, Agrobacterium, grows and develops—and how humans can manipulate this process and its outcome. Read more!
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
April 7, 2023
Recent New Jersey Health Foundation grant awards validate Rowan’s mission to integrate, collaborate across the University. Dr. Jeffrey Greeson and co-PI Lawrence Weisberg, MD, received a $25,000 grant for a one-year clinical trial to consider the potential value of mindfulness meditation for patients undergoing dialysis. Greeson is a health psychologist and associate professor of psychology at Rowan University. Weisberg is a nephrologist at Cooper University Health Care and associate dean for professional development at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, where he also serves as associate director of the Center for Humanism. Greeson explains their collaboration as an effort “to bridge psychology and medicine by integrating mindfulness into patient care. We feel this is one way to bring a bit more humanism into everyday medical practice.” Read more about this project!
With new HHMI grant, Alison Krufka and team work to strengthen partnerships with community colleges
February 28, 2023
Many students benefit from going to community college first, but transferring from a two-year to a four-year college can be fraught with problems. With a six-year, $470,666 grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Inclusive Excellence 3 initiative, Rowan University is part of a larger collaboration investigating ways to build genuine partnerships between two-year and four-year institutions. Read more about the work Dr. Alison Krufka and are team are embarking on!
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.
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