Shivam Kumar, a first-year Ph.D. student in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Assistant Professor research group, recently��identified��a��security vulnerability in the Linux kernel,��a key��component��of countless computing systems and the largest open-source project in existence.

For many people, the Linux kernel operates invisibly in the background. But its reach is enormous: servers, supercomputers, Android devices, embedded systems and cloud infrastructure all run some variant of it. “From the servers to the cloud, Linux is the silent engine powering virtually the whole internet,” says Hoque.

Working to Reduce Security Vulnerabilities

Kumar is a member of the (SecuritY��of Networked��systEms), led by Hoque. The SYNE Lab works to reduce security vulnerabilities in computer software, developing tools that can automatically detect and repair potential vulnerabilities.

Kumar’s research focuses on a specific component of the Linux kernel: Non-Volatile Memory Express over TCP (NVMe/TCP), a communication protocol that enables data transfer between computing servers and remote storage systems over standard Ethernet networks. Widely adopted in modern data centers, the technology helps boost application performance, particularly in artificial intelligence training workloads and shared storage environments.

“In a desktop or laptop, the disk where data is stored is physically inside the machine,” Kumar says. “In contrast, computing servers often rely on storage located elsewhere—for example, in a remote storage server that houses a large pool of high-performance NVMe solid-state drives. NVMe/TCP is one of the protocols that allows computing servers to access these remote storage pools over a network while delivering performance that is close to having the drives locally attached.”

The SYNE Lab team is working on building an��automated tool that will systematically find vulnerabilities in operating systems. In their preliminary testing, Kumar found a vulnerability that��bad actors could easily exploit.��By sending malicious input from a client machine, an attacker could��crash��a remote storage server, posing��a serious threat to data centers and the infrastructure they support.��Kumar discovered a��missing input validation: the kernel code was not properly checking��incoming data before processing it.

After discovering the vulnerability, Kumar and Hoque contacted the Linux developer team and spent several weeks working back and forth to reproduce the issue and create a fix. The SYNE Lab developed both a proof-of-concept to demonstrate the vulnerability and the patch itself.

Kumar originally came to ������ as a master’s student, but after taking one of Hoque’s courses, his interest in operating systems grew. In 2025, he was accepted into the computer science Ph.D. program and is now a teaching assistant for CSE 486: Design of Operating Systems—the same topic that sparked his interest in pursuing his Ph.D.

“A student from ECS contributing to the security of the Linux kernel is a landmark achievement for the department,”��says Hoque. Kumar’s��patch has now been merged into the main Linux kernel��codebase,��where it will be pushed to all developers building on the platform going forward.

Three ������ students—one researching proteins, one mapping geothermal heat beneath Greenland’s ice sheet and one engineering bacteria-fighting surfaces for medical implants—are recipients of the 2026 Goldwater Scholarship.

They are the following:

• Mallory Brown ’27, a neuroscience and statistics major in the (A&S) and a member of the ;
• Kenna Cummings ’27, a geology major in A&S; and
• Khuong Pham ’27, a biomedical engineering major in the (ECS) and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program.

�ճ������was established by Congress in 1986 to honor U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, the five-term senator from Arizona. The program provides a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians and engineers by awarding scholarships to students who intend to pursue research careers in these fields. The Goldwater Foundation received 1,485 nominations this year from around the country and 454 students were selected for the scholarship.

Each ������ Goldwater Scholarship nominee worked with the (CFSA) to prepare their application. A faculty committee, headed by, professor of chemistry in A&S, selected Syracuse’s nominees for the national competition.

“We are so proud of Kenna, Khuong and Mallory. They each stand to make significant contributions to their respective fields, and society, throughout their scientific careers, and it is exciting to see them honored with this award,” says Melissa Welshans, assistant director of CFSA. “The selection of three Syracuse students this year is a testament to the robust support for undergraduate research and excellent faculty mentorship students receive here.”

Mallory Brown

Pursuing a statistics major turned out to be the decision that defined Brown’s research career. That mathematical foundation gave her an edge in the lab, and she has put it to use across two distinct research environments.

In the lab of , associate professor of biology and chemistry in A&S, Brown works with intrinsically disordered proteins, working to understand their ��behavior in live cells and under heat stress. She worked to experimentally quantify the chemical structure of RTL8, a protein known to interact with the UBQLN2 protein.

Brown also performed research with Amanda Cremone-Caira at the BRAiN Lab at Merrimack College, where she applied her statistical skills to a child development study, uncovering meaningful patterns of disagreement between caregiver and teacher assessments of preschool behavior, patterns previously unreported in literature.

Brown is drawn to large, complex data sets and the hidden stories within them. But she is equally motivated by the knowledge that her findings could reshape how researchers understand ALS and early childhood development. In the future, she hopes to conduct research and teach at a university, paying forward the mentorship that shaped her own path.

Kenna Cummings

Cummings came to geophysics with a goal already in mind: a career in geothermal energy. That clarity of purpose led her to the Geophysics Computing Lab of, assistant professor of Earth and environmental sciences in A&S, where she found her research question.��Scanning the seismology literature on geothermal gradients beneath Greenland, she noticed that paper after paper overlooked the ice sheet itself, despite its potential as a surficial indicator of ground temperature.

Now, guided by Russell and graduate student Isaac Rotimi, Cummings uses the horizontal to vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) method to constrain shallow layers like the ice sheet and investigate how elevated geothermal temperatures affect basal conditions that drive melting, icequakes and sliding. The work matters beyond Greenland since accurately distinguishing geothermal from climate-driven ice loss is essential for building better climate models.

For Cummings, the research is inseparable from its real-world stakes. She envisions leading a lab at a geothermal energy company, working at the intersection of science, industry and policy to make geothermal systems more efficient and more widespread. She is equally focused on the risks, such as induced seismicity, heat pollution and impacts on water resources. Earth systems, she says, are complex and interconnected, and responsible innovation demands that researchers understand them fully before intervening.

Khuong Pham

Pham’s research sits at the intersection of chemistry, biology and engineering. Working to design antimicrobial peptoids—synthetic molecules that mimic the infection-fighting proteins our bodies naturally produce–he is helping develop “self-defensive” surfaces for implanted medical devices like joint replacements. His challenge is to engineer peptoids that cluster just enough to withstand the body’s environment yet remain ready to deploy against invading bacteria on contact.

This work builds on a strong computational foundation developed through his research with , Milton and Ann Stevenson Endowed Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and chair of biomedical and chemical engineering in ECS, where he has honed skills in molecular simulation, Python scripting and high-performance computing, tools that have proven transferable across every research environment he has entered. He has also conducted research at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Germany, in Alena Khmelinskaia’s Protein Design and Self-Assembly Group through the support of a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates.

Pham hopes to one day lead his own research lab as a professor, applying computational tools to design responsive proteins and biomaterial systems that address problems in medicine and biotechnology.

CFSA seeks applicants for the Goldwater Scholarship each fall; the campus deadline is mid-November each year. Interested students should contact CFSA at��cfsa@syr.edu.

The (NSF) has awarded $45 million over three years for phase two of the��,��a regional initiative in which ������ is a core partner.

Launched in 2024, the initiative aims to make upstate New York a national hub for battery technology by bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs and workforce trainers to develop the next generation of batteries—the kind that will power electric vehicles, store renewable energy on the grid and strengthen national security. It’s led by and includes partners (RIT), , , and .

“������ is proud to be a core partner in advancing battery technology research, building workforce pathways and strengthening the upstate New York economy,” says , vice president for research. “The success of the Engine’s Energy Storage Workforce Development Network in the first phase has contributed to a regional innovation ecosystem that connects innovation to talent development and economic growth across upstate New York. We look forward to working with our Engine partners to build on this success in the years ahead.”

In phase two, the Engine will focus on developing safer, more cost-efficient next-generation battery systems; integrating artificial intelligence into materials discovery and manufacturing; and deepening partnerships with regional corporations and the defense sector. A new advanced battery safety testing facility, the first of its kind in the Northeast, is set to open at RIT this summer.

Phase two will also see the expansion of workforce development programs, with a particular emphasis on preparing the next generation of engineers and scientists to meet growing industry demand. The Engine may receive up to $160 million in total NSF funding over 10 years, with an additional $16 million in matching funds from .

Since its launch, the Engine has supported 15 industry-academia research teams, served more than 300 learners through its workforce development network and funded more than 15 high-tech battery startups. Those startups have attracted more than $20 million in follow-on funding in the past year alone.

and the hosted students, researchers, industry leaders and government officials this week for the , putting Central New York’s rapidly expanding semiconductor and quantum technology ecosystem on display.

Held under the theme, “New York State Talent and Technology—Shaping the Future,” the daylong event at Goldstein Auditorium drew participants from NNN partner institutions across the state and from sponsors including , , , , and .

The University has made significant investments to anchor the region’s semiconductor and nanotechnology future. It also leads the for the , a federally designated consortium accelerating semiconductor innovation across Central New York. Together with , the University invested $20 million to build the (CASM) to train the next generation of semiconductor technicians and engineers.

Through the University’s , nearly 500 veterans have enrolled in semiconductor workforce training programs. The University also holds a $1 million NSF ExLENT grant providing adult learners, including mid-career professionals and veterans, with hands-on exposure to semiconductor, quantum and optical technologies. And the University’s now includes 18 faculty across three departments, with the 8,000-square-foot Quantum Technology Center expected to open this summer.

A Major Partner��

“The investments Syracuse has made in facilities and faculty have positioned us to be a major partner to industry,” says University Vice President for Research . “Our faculty and labs allow our students to gain the skills that employers need. Events like the NNN Symposium are where students meet the people who will hire them, where faculty learn what industry needs and where the connections are made that turn research training into careers.”

Keynote addresses came from , chief business officer of GlobalFoundries and a ������ engineering alumnus; , senior vice president and executive director of and , senior director of U.S. expansion programs for Micron. A workforce development panel brought together representatives from , , , and . Student researchers from NNN partner universities across the state presented their work in oral and poster formats, followed by a career fair connecting students directly with hiring companies.

Forefront Future

“The innovation and collaboration on display shows that Central New York is at the forefront of America’s nanotechnology and semiconductor future,” says ��innovation concierge, NY SMART I-Corridor, workforce development pillar lead for the Upstate NY Energy Storage Engine and director of strategic partnerships for ������’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. He and Yoanna Ferrara, director of technology innovation in the Office of Research, organized the symposium. “We will carry this momentum forward by continuing to deepen partnerships between upstate New York universities, industry leaders and government to strengthen New York’s semiconductor ecosystem.”

In the College of Arts and Sciences, students do more than simply learn about the world. They learn how to change it for the better, thanks to a liberal arts education that gives them the versatility to make a difference in whatever direction life leads.

Consider graduates from the (EES). Working alongside faculty whose expertise ranges from solid earth sciences to paleoclimatology to water resources, they gain hands-on experience through field work, geochemical and geophysical methods, quantitative analysis and professional skills development. This comprehensive training as scholar-scientists prepares students to shape environmental policy, advance climate science, innovate sustainable solutions and inspire public engagement with the natural world.

A&S recently caught up with EES alumni whose prominent roles include advising Congress on environmental legislation and designing sustainable footwear. Their diverse career paths reflect how an A&S education equips graduates to solve problems that demand both subject-matter expertise and humanistic insight.

Bringing Sustainability to Footwear

Walk into any major shoe store, and you might spot a product inspired by Earth sciences alum Pete Lankford ’87, ’92. Among iconic designs he helped create is Timberland’s , known for its distinctive golden-tan color. During his career at Timberland, Lankford didn’t just design trend-driven footwear; he also pioneered sustainability in the industry through the Earthkeepers brand, using eco-friendly materials and design principles.

Lankford’s path to becoming a pioneer of sustainable footwear was far from linear, but his time at ������ provided the crucial foundation. After initially enrolling in Syracuse’s architecture program, he discovered the field wasn’t the right fit. Drawing on his family background, where his father was an oceanographer and geology professor, he switched to Earth sciences. There, he developed a passion for studying the Earth that would carry throughout his career.

“The thing I love about geology, and this is why it translates to design, is you have to imagine what was there before,” he says. “You have to imagine the forces that created what you’re seeing. You’re not just looking at what’s there. You’re trying to figure out what was there and what happened.”

A pivotal moment that shaped Lankford’s career trajectory came during his junior and senior years at Syracuse, when he took on a work-study position in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. His responsibilities ranged from preparing thin sections of rock samples for microscopic analysis to photo-documenting paleontology specimens for graduate students and faculty, as well as assisting with the construction of test equipment.

It was during this time that his supervisor, who was a department technician in EES and was also a student in the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ Industrial Design (ID) program, introduced him to the field of ID. “The idea instantly appealed to me,” Lankford recalls, attracted to the opportunity to create diverse products and master the entire design process.

Lankford stayed at Syracuse to pursue a second undergraduate degree in Industrial Design. This unique combination of Earth science and design became his signature advantage during his 18 years at Timberland, where CEO Jeffrey Swartz tapped him to lead sustainability initiatives. Lankford’s geological knowledge proved extremely important to this work.

“If you’re going to think about sustainability, you have to understand the carbon cycle,” says Lankford. “My degree in a field of science also taught me the power of a logic-based approach to problem solving—for example, through the scientific method of observation, hypothesis, testing, evaluation and conclusions.” His foundational education in science became invaluable as he pioneered sustainable footwear, creating what he calls his “critical creative mindset” that allows him to shift fluidly back and forth between ‘what if’ and then ‘how.’

After his time at Timberland, Lankford joined Erem, a startup founded by the Swartz family to advance sustainable footwear even further. There, he developed performance desert hikers designed to return safely and completely to the Earth—able to reenter the carbon cycle without causing harm. Erem described this approach as “bio-circular,” highlighting the footwear’s ability to break down naturally and responsibly.

“That was probably the biggest career challenge in my life,” Lankford says, describing months spent sourcing eco-friendly materials like dry, twisted linen thread from obscure manufacturers. The Erem work became what he calls “the best work I’ve ever done,” landing a product that changed the industry conversation from whether sustainable performance footwear was possible to how competitors could catch up. For Lankford, his Syracuse education, bridging Earth Sciences and Industrial Design, was the first step toward his trailblazing career in sustainable footwear.

Informing Environmental Policy on Capitol Hill

Keeping our oceans safe requires a complex set of specific regulations. From managing fishing quotas to protecting marine ecosystems as climate change threatens habitats, the United States Congress can legislate and provide important oversight to safeguard this critical resource. Without congressional intervention, some short-term interests could damage the ocean ecosystems that humanity depends on for its survival and prosperity. But in order to act on policy proposals, members of Congress must first understand them. That’s where Caitlin Keating-Bitonti ’09 comes in.

Keating-Bitonti works as a natural resources policy specialist for the Congressional Research Service, where she applies her scientific training to help members of Congress make informed policy decisions. She uses analytical skills she developed at Syracuse, such as synthesizing complex information, evaluating evidence objectively and communicating findings clearly, as the backbone of her daily work.

“What I like about the job is helping them get the information they need to make their own sound decisions,” she explains. She takes pride in knowing that behind the scenes, “things aren’t very political. Both sides are just trying to do good policy, and we’re trying to help them with the research and analysis to get them there.”

Being able to apply her knowledge to make a difference for the better is something she aspired to as a student at Syracuse, where she worked with EES Professor . During her first semester, she began working in Ivany’s paleontology lab, a position she maintained throughout her undergraduate years.

That early research experience proved transformative. With Ivany’s mentorship, Keating-Bitonti wrote and published a peer-reviewed paper in the journal , a significant milestone at that stage of academic training. The research examined ancient shell fossils from the U.S. Gulf Coast to understand what Earth’s climate was like 52 to 54 million years ago—one of the warmest periods in recent geological history. Her findings revealed that ocean temperatures then were surprisingly similar to today, just a few degrees warmer, offering insights into what our planet might look like as it continues to warm.

The mentorship model she experienced at Syracuse continues to shape her approach to her work. Just as Ivany gave her autonomy while providing guidance, Keating-Bitonti now helps policymakers navigate complex issues by presenting options without bias.

“The Earth sciences department just went above and beyond for me,” she says when reflecting on her time at Syracuse. Her education—particularly Ivany’s encouragement to tackle challenging research, embrace intellectual rigor and persevere through setbacks—built the foundation for a career serving the public good through analysis that shapes national policy.

Six Central New York businesses that are working to advance semiconductor manufacturing capabilities have received funding of more than $350,000 through the new .

“������ is an economic engine in Central New York due to our strategic focus on strengthening partnerships, meeting the emerging needs of regional employers and preparing our students for the future,” says��, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation. “The NY THRIVE awards administered by the Collaboration and Commercialization Center are a prime example of how the University is stepping up to build the innovation economy of tomorrow in our community.”

The program provides companies with access to academic research capabilities, specialized equipment and faculty expertise to accelerate the development and commercialization of semiconductor technologies. It’s administered by the ������-led NY SMART I-Corridor’s , and includes partners Cornell University, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Rochester and University at Buffalo.

“The NY THRIVE awards exemplify the power of industry-academic partnerships in advancing semiconductor manufacturing innovation,” says , vice president for research and principal investigator of C3. “������ is proud to serve as a catalyst for technological advancement in New York’s growing semiconductor ecosystem. By connecting companies with world-class research facilities and faculty expertise, we’re helping to build the next generation of manufacturing capabilities that will strengthen our regional economy and position New York as a global leader in semiconductor innovation.”

NY THRIVE recipients are:

TTM Technologies Inc. (Syracuse) will collaborate with the research group led by , professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS), to evaluate sintering interface processing for printed circuit board manufacturing, investigating the effects on post-process state to improve interconnect reliability between adjacent layers.

TunaBotics (Syracuse) is leveraging R&D resources (space, equipment and personnel) at ������ through the research group led by , associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in ECS, to test prototypes of compliant robotic grippers for advanced electronics manufacturing applications.

IBEX Materials (Buffalo) will demonstrate the feasibility and effects of repurposing silicon waste from the semiconductor industry as a core feedstock for advanced lithium-ion battery anodes, addressing environmental impact reduction in semiconductor manufacturing.

Menlo Micro (Ithaca) will establish next-generation through-glass via (TGV) solutions for its microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switches, which are already in significant commercial use in RF, high-speed digital, quantum compute and AC/DC power applications, including AI data centers, industrial automation and building infrastructure. This award strengthens Menlo Micro’s market leadership and ongoing scaling efforts to advance glass substrate technologies critical for next-generation MEMS and microelectronic solutions.

OWiC Technologies (Ithaca) will scale up manufacturing of small photoelectronic electrochemical synthesizers (SPECS), breakthrough millimeter-scale wireless semiconductor devices for high-throughput electrosynthesis.

Photonect Interconnect Solutions Inc. (Rochester) will review and fabricate components for their prototype PIX-Attach, a first-of-its-kind, laser splicing system for high-volume photonic integration. The project will directly support prototyping, production-level V1 development and testing to enhance durability, precision and thermal stability.

“This first round of THRIVE Innovation Vouchers marks another important step in translating the NY SMART I-Corridor’s vision into tangible results for businesses across Upstate New York,” says Joseph Stefko, regional innovation officer for NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub. “By giving companies direct access to world-class research facilities, advanced equipment and technical expertise, we’re lowering barriers to commercialization and accelerating the growth of a stronger, more competitive semiconductor ecosystem. These vouchers don’t just support individual firms; they strengthen the entire innovation pipeline that is positioning Upstate New York as a national leader in semiconductor manufacturing, innovation and supply chain.”

About NY SMART I-Corridor

The NY SMART I-Corridor is a federally designated Tech Hub with a coalition of over 100 organizations—spanning businesses, higher education, economic development groups and community-based organizations. Together, they are positioning Upstate New York as a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, innovation and workforce development.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) , authorized by the , provides funding for regional technology development with matching support from the Empire State Development .

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

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

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

Fourteen faculty members, all of whom are affiliated with BioInspired, will serve as Beckman Mentors. They are (chemistry and biology), (chemistry), (physics), (biomedical and chemical engineering), (biology), (biomedical and chemical engineering), (biology), (chemistry), (biomedical and chemical engineering), (biology), Ross (physics), (physics), (chemistry) and (biomedical and chemical engineering).

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

Application Process

The will handle student recruitment and selection, onboarding and ongoing support.

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

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

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

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

Farzana Rahman, associate teaching professor of electrical engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS), has�� received a National Science Foundation (NSF) CSforAll award to expand access to next-generation computing education for high school students across Central New York. Endadul Hoque, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science,�� serves as co-principal investigator on the project.

The NSF CSforAll program supports initiatives that broaden participation in computer science by increasing access to high-quality, inclusive computing education. This award focuses on addressing persistent challenges faced by high school educators in teaching rapidly evolving computing topics— such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, algorithmic bias and accessible software design—by providing experiential, classroom-ready learning resources and sustained teacher support.

Led in collaboration with Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester, the project will adapt and evaluate accessible learning labs (ALL). The project will use browser-based, sandbox-style virtual computing labs for effective integration into grades 9–12 curricula. These labs are designed to be easily adopted and customized to fit diverse classroom contexts, lowering technical and resource barriers for teachers and students alike.

At ECS, Rahman and Hoque are leading community-focused efforts that emphasize close collaboration with local schools and districts, including Jamesville-DeWitt, Fayetteville-Manlius, Lafayette, Christian Brothers Academy and the Syracuse City School District, as well as regional Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) partners. Together, these partners will engage in iterative co-design, classroom implementation and continuous evaluation to ensure the labs align with real instructional needs.

“As computing technologies continue to shape every aspect of society, it is critical that high school students have early, meaningful exposure to these topics,” says Rahman. “This project allows us to work directly with local educators to co-create accessible, hands-on learning experiences, while also strengthening ������’s relationships with the school districts in our community. By strengthening partnerships with local school districts, this work also helps create a sustainable pipeline for students to pursue undergraduate programs in ECS.”

A key component of the project is teacher professional development. The team will host summer professional development workshops in summer 2026 and summer 2027, providing high school teachers with training, curricular support and implementation strategies to integrate these experiential labs into their classrooms. Ongoing co-curricular engagement will further support sustained adoption beyond the workshops.

“This award enables us to build long-term research–practice partnerships with local schools,” says Hoque. “By supporting teachers and engaging students early, we are helping to create a strong computing ecosystem, one that not only benefits K–12 education, but also builds pathways into higher education and careers in computer science.”

In addition to advancing high school computing education, the project contributes to research on experiential learning in computer science (CS), assessing its impact on student engagement, confidence and instructor readiness. All developed materials will be made open-access, supporting broader adoption nationwide and advancing the goals of the national CS for All movement.

Two faculty members in the (���䳧)—, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, and , associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science—recently reached a remarkable milestone: their respective works have been cited 10,000 times. This achievement underscores the widespread impact and scholarly importance of their research across the global scientific community.

“Ten thousand of anything is a lot, but for Professor Qin and Professor Zafarani to hit 10,000 citations in the scientific literature is absolutely outstanding! It demonstrates the outsized impact of their research to the community at large,” says ECS Interim Dean . “Further, these researchers incorporate students into their programs holistically, giving our students access to the most cutting-edge technological research in the world.”

Zhao Qin: Multiscale Modeling and Bio-Inspired Materials

Qin develops multi-scale, high-throughput computational modeling methods that allow for the investigation of materials across different scales, particularly the nano- and bio-scales. He applies these tools to reveal new mechanisms hidden in complex biological structures, with findings contributing to a fundamental understanding of diseases and ways to combat them.

His work on understanding biomaterials also includes the creation of better, stronger composite materials using smart choices and careful planning, so they work well but don’t cost as much energy or harm the planet. A core part of his work involves “learning from nature” to discover bio-inspired ideas for creating and designing living materials with innovative and advanced mechanical functions. This includes studying the structure and mechanics of natural materials—like mussel glue and insect wings—to inform the prototyping and optimization of new synthetic composite materials for efficient usage in engineering.

Reza Zafarani: Data Science, Social Media Mining and Networks

Zafarani is an expert at the intersection of data mining, machine learning and AI, focusing on applications and theory. His research centers on collecting and analyzing large-scale data to discover actionable patterns, often employing theories from the social sciences alongside advanced mathematical and machine learning techniques.

His primary interests include big data analytics, social media mining and network/graph mining. His research has helped shed light on human behavior online, including the early detection of “fake news” and the design of techniques to detect it using content or link information. His work also focuses on realistic modeling of human behavior using digital traces, which has implications for information verification and security.

The first Micron Day, held at ������ Feb. 25, showcased the innovation and growing momentum of the technology company’s transformative investment in the community and the deep connections being made with the University and Central New York.

“Today is more than just the event. It’s about building a future, a future where innovation thrives, where opportunities abound and where our community prospers,” said Jeff Rubin, senior vice president for digital transformation and chief digital officer, during his welcoming remarks. “And at the heart of the future is the powerful synergy between ������ and Micron.”

As part of Micron’s $100 billion plan to transform the Central New York��(CNY) community into the nation’s leading producer of semiconductor fabrications, the University is a key collaborator in building and training the workforce for Micron’s leading-edge memory megafab in Clay, New York.

Micron Day brought together hundreds of University faculty, staff and students; community members; local high school students and Micron employees to explore the collaboration between the University and Micron Technology and learn about the opportunities Micron is bringing to Central New York.

The day included a number of panel presentations and exhibitions featuring University programs and degrees and community organizations. One of the day’s highlights was the announcement by Micron and the University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) that 90 transitioning servicemembers, veterans and military spouses have achieved a certificate of completion in semiconductors through IVMF’s Onward to Opportunity program.

Alumni Contribute to Micron’s Mission

An alumni panel, moderated by Sarah Newton-Klitz, Micron’s director of strategic workforce programs, was composed of three University alumni: Kim Burnett ’91 (Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics), Micron’s lead for K-12 STEM education outreach; Joe Nehme ’11 (Whitman School of Management), senior manager of external affairs; and Savion Pollard ’25 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), equipment engineer. Pollard, a U.S. Navy veteran, was Micron’s first Central New York hire.

Burnett’s education includes child development, industrial and labor relations, business and science education, including a long career as a teacher. Nehme works with stakeholders to advocate for the company as federal, state and local governments begin to take a more active role in reshoring semiconductor manufacturing. Pollard is a current senior in ECS, majoring in electrical engineering with a minor in computer science. That, combined with his experience in the U.S. Navy, has helped him build skills that prepared him well for the semiconductor industry.

“You can see here that this is just a sampling of the different job opportunities that Micron has available,” said Newton-Klitz. “And when I think about even the experience at Micron, it really is a little city that has a variety of jobs that we need.”

Burnett has experienced the power of a good job has on the experience of a family. “I want to be sure that folks, particularly children, have an opportunity for a good paying job,” she says.

Nehme is an Upstate New York native and has seen the manufacturing that has been lost in the region over the years. “To work for a company that is committed to reshoring semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States, in my hometown, I saw no better opportunity,” he said.

All of the panelists said their time at Syracuse prepared them well for their roles at Micron. “So much of my time in Whitman was built around working in teams, collaborating with others; to troubleshoot and solve problems,” Nehme said. “And those are all things that I deal with and that we look at every day in my role here at Micron.”

Their advice for students? Focus on your passion and the things that you like out of the activities that you do. Continue to invest in yourself, be open, curious and coachable.

Fireside Chat on What’s Ahead

To close out the day, J. Michael Haynie, the University’s vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive dean of the Whitman School of Management, moderated a discussion with April Arnzen, Micron’s executive vice president and chief people officer and president of the Micron Foundation, and Scott Gatzemeier, Micron’s corporate vice president for front-end U.S. expansion, to talk about what’s ahead.

The future for the semiconductor industry, Gatzemeier said, is in artificial intelligence. “That’s what’s driving huge amounts of demand for our product and also customization and collaboration with a number of partners in our space that we’re very, very excited about watching this growth continue,” he said.

That growth requires a workforce of epic proportions throughout the industry. “We started partnering early,” said Arnzen. “We know it is going to be a challenge, and so scaling up existing pathways—engineering, science and math programs—is going to be very important. Creating new pathways and opportunities for people to access these careers is part of our strategy as well.”

The University is one of four nationwide university networks that Micron works with to modernize the curriculum and create hands-on learning opportunities to build a talent pipeline.

Arnzen said one of the differentiating factors for Central New York region and the University was the commitment to veterans and those transitioning from military service. “We knew that this ecosystem existed and the know-how existed as well,” she said.

Haynie talked about the role of community, alluding to a previous reference as the Micron project as Central New York’s “Erie Canal moment.”

“We know that a healthy and thriving community is important for a healthy and thriving business,” Arnzen said. “This is definitely an Erie Canal moment, both for this community and frankly, for Micron too. We have the opportunity to do this well, to do it right and make sure that this lasts for decades to come.”

Over the past 18 months, , a medicinal chemist and the Jack and Laura H. Milton Professor of in the at ������, introduced two at conferences of the and . He and his collaborators reported that the compounds notably reduce body weight and normalize blood glucose levels without the typical negative side effects experienced by many patients who take currently available GLP-1-based anti-obesity drugs.

Doyle and his fellow researchers have since worked on refining the compounds, GEP44 and KCEM1, and have undertaken lab-animal testing, filed patents, spoken with investors and explored market placement. They believe these drugs, ultimately intended for use in humans, will offer significant advances in how obesity and diabetes are treated in the U.S. and around the world. The researchers have also discovered another highly promising weight-loss compound and new outgrowths that have potential to treat opioid addiction through similar neuroendocrine pathways.

Doyle is also a professor of pharmacology and medicine at . He is working with two primary collaborators on the compounds: , Albert J. Stunkard Professor in Psychiatry at the , and , an endocrinologist at .

Multiple Receptors

GEP44 consists of 44 amino acids that target receptors in the brain, pancreas and liver simultaneously, uncoupling the connection between food intake and nausea and vomiting. “It’s sort of a reboot of the body’s computer. It’s the sum of those receptors communicating with each other that is facilitating changes to metabolic behavior like what you’d see in a lean person or someone post bariatric surgery,” Doyle says.

GEP44 works very well and is a significant improvement over GLP1-based drugs; however, it requires daily injections—a regimen Doyle acknowledges would be challenging for many patients. That’s why the researchers are working to reformulate the compound as a long-acting version.

“Now, we’re looking at how proteins are changing, what neurons are firing and which genes are changing in response to our drug that aren’t changing in response to the current therapies,” Doyle explains. “We can definitely do a once-a-week injectable, control weight loss, control tolerability as measured by pica (a craving to eat things having no nutritional value). However, we want to create a formulation that has the best tolerability and the highest efficacy before we move into licensing. After all, it is not a trivial thing to take something you’ve optimized to work beautifully well, then go ahead and make it long acting.”

The second compound, KCEM1, was formulated to treat hypothalamic obesity in children, a genetic (as opposed to calorie intake-related) condition. Roth is testing the drug in lab animals and the team is working with the German researchers who discovered the causative gene.

Doyle and Hayes recently produced another “extraordinary compound” that Doyle says is “very exciting and really, really positive for the future.” DG260 targets different mechanisms in the body. In addition to producing weight loss with high drug tolerability and no adverse side effects, it has added health benefits: higher caloric burn and the ability to flush glucose from the blood without needing to increase insulin secretion.

An unexpected outgrowth of this effort has been the team’s discovery that GEP44 reduces cravings in opioid-addicted lab animals, extending the intervals between periods of drug-seeking behavior. This “pleasant surprise” may lead to new therapies to help reduce human cravings for drugs such as fentanyl, Doyle believes. , a neuropharmacologist and associate professor of psychiatry at��the , is collaborating with Doyle on this work.

On-Site Lab

All compounds are produced in a campus lab at ������’s Center for Science and Technology equipped as a sort of mini pharmaceutical design and manufacturing center. It houses three state-of-the-art, microwave-assisted peptide synthesizers and a fourth robotic system, which allows high throughput peptide synthesis of up to 1,200 peptides in the span of three to four days.

“We can get data back, turn it around in days and turn that into a genuine lead in the space of a few weeks. Our setup also lets us manufacture and purify at large scales. That lets us pivot quickly, screen quickly and get back into an in vivo (testing on whole living organisms) setup again quickly. We’re able to operate at a real cutting-edge, rapid-pivoting capability,” Doyle says.

The sophisticated machinery was acquired in part through a $3 million grant awarded in 2019 by the (DoD) . The team’s work holds particular promise for military personnel and veterans, for whom obesity and weight-related diabetes rates have steadily increased, according to a from the . Those conditions cost the government $135 billion annually and have negative implications for U.S. military readiness, the report states.

“We couldn’t have gotten anywhere near where we are now without that initial DoD grant,” Doyle says. “It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to take this all the way through to patentability, have active engagement with investors, get licensed to an existing company and work this as far forward as we have with hopes of seeing its use in people.”

More recently, the researchers’ work has been awarded four additional National Institutes of Health grants totaling more than $6 million. The projects also provide important experiential laboratory learning for undergraduate and graduate students and cutting-edge research opportunities for postdoctoral associates.

Looking Ahead

When their work began eight years ago, the researchers aimed to make safety and tolerability a front-and-center focus, Doyle says. “We were adamant that nausea, vomiting and indigestion were more of an issue than had previously been put forward. Now, everyone knows that these side effects are a problem and that the existing drugs need to be replaced with ones that are better tolerated. So, the race is on to find new pathways to achieve what we’ve all gotten a taste for—these miraculous weight-loss drugs—and make them effective in the long term.”

Accordingly, Doyle sees a coming explosion in the development of “super safe, super effective weight-loss medicines.”

“The market’s only going to double and triple over the next 20 years. In the next five to 10 years, we may see six, seven, eight new drugs that are well tolerated without the current side effects and that are super long acting. Now, everyone’s racing toward that. We’re trying to drive that forward from ������ and Central New York, and we’ve had a good start.”