{"689850":{"#nid":"689850","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Doing the Dirty Work of Sustainability ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s not glamorous. It\u2019s not trendy. In fact, it\u2019s downright grubby. But the work that a Georgia Tech researcher and his students are doing is improving campus sustainability, one pound of food waste at a time.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/2820\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EDavid Hu\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, gave his senior-level biology class this semester a unique assignment: Feed food waste to black soldier fly larvae, collect the organic byproduct (called \u201cfrass\u201d), and analyze the results. What they\u2019ve found so far is a composting method with the potential to dramatically reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions while producing a nutrient-dense fertilizer.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere\u2019s something special about these grubs,\u201d said Hu, who is also a faculty member within the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bioresearch.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cThey smell, and they\u2019re kind of ugly, but they process food extremely efficiently. When we feed them, they eat twice their body weight, finish that in five hours, and you can do it again the next day. Traditional composting could never be that fast.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsing a unique closed-loop system pioneered by private-industry partner and early-stage startup \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biotechnicausa.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBiotechnica\u003C\/a\u003E, the larvae eat their way through more than 300 pounds of food in one semester, creating valuable frass that students harvest. When the larvae mature into adults, they fly into a shared chamber to reproduce, make more grubs, and start the process over again.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cYou can get a turnaround from food waste to frass in a day or two, and then from the raw frass to our ground-up frass that we use for our plants,\u201d said Mikkelle Peters, a fourth-year biology major in Hu\u2019s class. \u201cIt\u2019s just a much quicker process to get rid of the food waste.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFeeding and studying an army of larvae that can eat more than 10 gallons of food a day keeps Hu\u2019s students busy. The solution? Divide and conquer.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe first group in the process gathers and grinds food scraps to feed the grubs, then collects the frass they produce. The next group mixes the frass with soil and analyzes its chemical makeup, comparing its nutrient density to commercial fertilizers. A third group uses the fertilized soil to grow vegetables like arugula and radishes that are measured against plants grown using synthetic fertilizer. The final two groups observe the environmental conditions that affect productivity and analyze the grubs\u2019 digestion to uncover the secrets to their success.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore testing will need to be done on outdoor farms to provide rigorous results. Data over the past few semesters were, at times, inconsistent. But the students\u2019 projects reveal a lot of promise for future experiments. Despite limitations to the study, including a small sample size and minor instrument malfunction, the students have been able to find helpful nutrients in their product and grow certain crops more successfully with frass than with commercial fertilizer. Unlike chemically based products or some traditional composts that need to be specially treated, black soldier fly frass is organic and easily processed.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cA lot of fertilizers can cause harmful runoff, and they can change soil balances over time,\u201d Peters said. \u201cFrass is a natural product, has more fibrous material, and has a lot more organic compounds.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to the science that the students are exposed to, Hu said it is also eye-opening for them to see the work of sustainability. The project is an excellent case study for how a small group can make a big impact.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe students have learned a lot,\u201d Hu said. \u201cFor one of the activities, we had them bring in their own food waste from home to feed the composter. They realized that a person makes pounds of waste per day.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EOffice of Sustainability\u003C\/a\u003E, the campus produces about 400 tons of food waste per year. Although Georgia Tech boasts \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/11\/07\/new-composter-enhance-campus-waste-reduction\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eone of the largest commercial composters\u003C\/a\u003E on an urban campus in the Southeast, the machine can only process 175 tons per year. That leaves a gap that Hu said his research might one day be able to fill.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cRight now, it\u2019s working,\u201d he said. \u201cWe want to expand and see if it can work some more. The big issue is visibility, getting people to know that what we\u2019re doing is good. Because in some ways, saving the planet takes energy.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the main energy sources for the experimental composter is something Hu hopes to reduce: manpower. With a campus the size of Georgia Tech\u2019s, it\u2019s a very labor-intensive process for students to collect food waste from campus partners. Hu hopes that more community members will volunteer, not only to collect food, but also to improve the system.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe need people power \u2014 people willing to volunteer to move, because right now, campus produces a lot of waste in different places,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd we also need biologists and engineers and computer scientists. We need people to make this system more well-engineered.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough the current black soldier fly composter still has some flaws, Hu said his goal is to create an affordable, climate-friendly food waste recycling system that can scale up to support U.S. agriculture. By solving problems at the local level, his research is potentially removing economic and operational barriers to sustainability. But, according to Hu, the final step to long-term success is community involvement.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn the end, we need people who care,\u201d Hu said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t take that much effort to do a little bit, and a little bit can go a long way.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA Georgia Tech researcher and his students are using experimental composting to reduce campus food waste and support agriculture. Using a unique closed-loop system, black soldier fly larvae eat their way through more than 300 pounds of food in one semester, creating valuable frass that students harvest. What they\u2019ve found so far is a composting method with the potential to dramatically reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions while producing a nutrient-dense fertilizer. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech researcher and his students are using experimental composting to reduce campus food waste and support agriculture. "}],"uid":"36479","created_gmt":"2026-04-17 19:22:36","changed_gmt":"2026-04-17 19:33:25","author":"abowman41","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679996":{"id":"679996","type":"image","title":"BSF-Compost-Hu.jpg","body":null,"created":"1776454082","gmt_created":"2026-04-17 19:28:02","changed":"1776454082","gmt_changed":"2026-04-17 19:28:02","alt":"Researcher standing in a greenhouse-like structure adjusts a blue barrel\u2013based composting system equipped with insulated tubing, used for black soldier fly larvae composting.","file":{"fid":"264227","name":"BSF-Compost-Hu.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/17\/BSF-Compost-Hu.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/17\/BSF-Compost-Hu.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5241811,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/17\/BSF-Compost-Hu.jpg?itok=dATV7NeP"}}},"media_ids":["679996"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"188776","name":"go-research"},{"id":"166882","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"14545","name":"George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering"},{"id":"168693","name":"campus sustainability"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAshlie Bowman | Communications Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689587":{"#nid":"689587","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Researchers Use Statistics and Math to Understand How The Brain Works","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENothing rivals the human brain\u2019s complexity. Its 86 billion neurons and 85 billion other cells make an estimated 100 trillion connections. If the brain were a computer, it would perform an exaflop (a billion-billion) mathematical calculations every second and use the equivalent of only 20 watts of power. As impressive as the brain is, neurologists can\u2019t fully explain how neurons work together.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo help find answers, researchers at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EInstitute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society\u003C\/a\u003E (INNS) are using math, data, and AI to unlock the secrets of thought. Together they are helping turn the brain\u2019s raw electrical \u201cnoise\u201d into real insights about how people think, move, and perceive the world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFair warning: Prepare your neurons for the complexity of this brain research ahead.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EBuilding AI Like a Brain\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat if artificial neurons in AI programs were arranged as they are in the brain?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI programs would then help us understand why the brain is organized the way it is. This neuro-AI synthesis would also work faster, use less energy, and be easier to interpret. Creating such systems is the goal of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/psychology.gatech.edu\/people\/apurva-ratan-murty\u0022\u003EApurva Ratan Murty\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/psychology.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EPsychology\u003C\/a\u003E who is creating topographic AI models like the one above of three domains \u2014 vision, audition, and language inspired by the brain. In the near future, he predicts doctors might be able to use these patterns to predict the effects of brain lesions and other disorders. \u201cWe\u2019re not there yet,\u201d he says. \u201cBut our work brings us significantly closer to that future than ever before.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EComputing Thought and Movement\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHow cats walk keeps \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/5354\u0022\u003EChethan Pandarinath\u003C\/a\u003E on his toes. This biomedical engineer uses sensors to analyze how two sets of feline leg muscles \u2014 flexors and extensors \u2014 are controlled by the spinal cord. Understanding how that happens could help patients partially paralyzed from spinal cord injuries, strokes, or progressive neuro-degenerative diseases get back on their feet again. \u201cMy lab is using AI tools that allow us to turn complex spinal cord activity data into something we can interpret. It tells us there\u2019s a simple underlying structure behind the complex activity patterns,\u201d says the associate professor.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003ERevealing the Brain\u2019s Spike Patterns\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe brain is like a symphony conductor,\u201d says \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/3736\u0022\u003ESimon Sponberg\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cIndividual instruments have some independent control, but most of the music comes from the brain\u2019s precise coordination of notes among the different players in the body.\u201d This \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Ephysics\u003C\/a\u003E professor studies the fantastically fast-beating wings of the hummingbird-sized hawk moth (Manduca sexta). Its agile flight movement comes as a result of spikes in electrical activity in 10 muscles. Sponberg found something that surprised him \u2014 the brain focuses less on creating the number of spikes than in orchestrating their precise patterns over time. To Sponberg, every millisecond matters. \u201cWe are just beginning to understand how the nervous system first acquires precisely timed spiking patterns during development,\u201d he says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EPredicting Decisions Through Statistics\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPut a mouse in a maze with food far away, and it will learn to find it. But life for mice \u2014 and people \u2014 isn\u2019t so simple. Sometimes they want to explore, only want water, or just want to go home. What\u2019s more, animals make decisions based on their history, not just on how they feel at the moment. To dig deeper into the decision-making process, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/18557\u0022\u003EAnqi Wu\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Computational Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, is giving mice more options. By using a new computational framework called SWIRL (Switching Inverse Reinforcement Learning), her findings have outperformed models that fail to take historical behavior into account. \u201cWe\u2019re seeking to understand not only animal behavior but also human behavior to gain insight into the human decision-making process over a long period of time,\u201d she says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EModeling the Mind\u2019s Wiring With Math\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConnectivity shapes cognition in the cerebral cortex, a layered structure in the brain. The visual cortex, in particular, processes visual data from the retina relayed through the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (LGN) in the thalamus, and directs it to the correct cognitive domain in the brain. How it does this is the mystery that computational neuroscientist \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/13005\u0022\u003EHannah Choi\u003C\/a\u003E wants to solve. \u201cThe big question I\u2019m interested in is how network connectivity patterns in the architecture of the LGN are related to computations,\u201d says this assistant \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/math.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Emath\u003C\/a\u003E professor. To find answers, she shows mice repeated image patterns such as flower-cat-dog-house and then disrupts the pattern. The goal? To grasp how the thalamus\u2019s nonlinear dynamical system works. If scientists and doctors better understand how brain regions are wired together, such knowledge could lead to better disease treatment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis story was originally published through the Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine. Read the original publication \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gtalumni.org\/news\/2026\/georgia-tech-researchers-use-statistics-and-math-to-understand-how-the-brain-works.html\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ehere\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearchers at Georgia Tech are using math, science, and artificial intelligence to better understand how people think, move, and perceive the world.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers at Georgia Tech are using math, science, and artificial intelligence to better understand how people think, move, and perceive the world."}],"uid":"35575","created_gmt":"2026-04-09 14:51:00","changed_gmt":"2026-04-17 16:22:48","author":"adavidson38","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679908":{"id":"679908","type":"image","title":"AdobeStock_506880018.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers at Georgia Tech are using math, science, and artificial intelligence to better understand how people think, move, and perceive the world.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775747910","gmt_created":"2026-04-09 15:18:30","changed":"1775747910","gmt_changed":"2026-04-09 15:18:30","alt":"Digital illustration of a human brain split down the middle: the left side is filled with white mathematical equations, diagrams, and formulas, while the right side is surrounded by colorful, flowing lines and abstract wave patterns against a dark blue background.","file":{"fid":"264129","name":"AdobeStock_506880018.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/AdobeStock_506880018.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/AdobeStock_506880018.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":11158535,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/09\/AdobeStock_506880018.jpeg?itok=smMzQtFc"}},"679903":{"id":"679903","type":"image","title":"Brain-Data-New-480x3301.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECaption:\u0026nbsp;This image shows a topographic vision model trained to have a brain-like organization.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775746394","gmt_created":"2026-04-09 14:53:14","changed":"1775746394","gmt_changed":"2026-04-09 14:53:14","alt":"Three layered, abstract heat\u2011map style grids in shades of blue, red, and beige, stacked to resemble data layers or visualization panels.","file":{"fid":"264124","name":"Brain-Data-New-480x3301.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/Brain-Data-New-480x3301.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/Brain-Data-New-480x3301.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":53268,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/09\/Brain-Data-New-480x3301.jpg?itok=vNYzcaPf"}},"679904":{"id":"679904","type":"image","title":"Chethan-480x330.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECaption:\u0026nbsp;This shows how spinal cord activity guides transitions in muscle output for extensor muscles.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775746465","gmt_created":"2026-04-09 14:54:25","changed":"1775746465","gmt_changed":"2026-04-09 14:54:25","alt":"Two side\u2011by\u2011side scientific diagrams labeled Cat 1 and Cat 2 showing clusters of colored data points and curved gray lines representing muscle\u2011activity patterns during movement. Each diagram includes blue, green, and yellow point clusters and marked \u2018extensor onset\u2019 and \u2018extensor offset\u2019 angles.","file":{"fid":"264125","name":"Chethan-480x330.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/Chethan-480x330.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/Chethan-480x330.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":67950,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/09\/Chethan-480x330.jpg?itok=RaB1s5Rq"}},"679906":{"id":"679906","type":"image","title":"new_figure-480x330.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECaption: This shows how mice behave differently when they are pursuing different goals.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775746563","gmt_created":"2026-04-09 14:56:03","changed":"1775746563","gmt_changed":"2026-04-09 14:56:03","alt":"Three maze-like diagrams labeled \u2018water,\u2019 \u2018home,\u2019 and \u2018explore,\u2019 each showing colored paths representing an animal\u2019s movement through the maze. The paths shift from dark purple at the start to bright yellow at the end, indicating progression over time according to the color scale on the right","file":{"fid":"264127","name":"new_figure-480x330.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/new_figure-480x330.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/new_figure-480x330.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":103865,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/09\/new_figure-480x330.jpg?itok=wezz9ZzE"}},"679905":{"id":"679905","type":"image","title":"Brain-Data-Sponberg-480x330.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECaption:\u0026nbsp;This shows the spike patterns of a hawk moth. Motor systems use spike codes to control motor output.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775746508","gmt_created":"2026-04-09 14:55:08","changed":"1775746508","gmt_changed":"2026-04-09 14:55:08","alt":"Diagram showing a hawk moth in the center surrounded by twelve circular charts. Each chart displays proportional black and blue segments representing spike count and spike timing data for left and right muscle groups. A legend explains the colors, and text below notes that the values show mutual information estimates for 10 muscles across seven moths","file":{"fid":"264126","name":"Brain-Data-Sponberg-480x330.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/Brain-Data-Sponberg-480x330.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/Brain-Data-Sponberg-480x330.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":81244,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/09\/Brain-Data-Sponberg-480x330.jpg?itok=l_G56joM"}},"679907":{"id":"679907","type":"image","title":"GaTech_Brain-Data_Hannanh-Choi_480x330.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECaption:\u0026nbsp;This shows how visual data from the retina is directed to the correct cognitive domain in the brain through a region of the visual cortex.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775746605","gmt_created":"2026-04-09 14:56:45","changed":"1775746605","gmt_changed":"2026-04-09 14:56:45","alt":"Diagram showing neural connectivity between cortical layers in regions labeled V1 and LM. Arrows connect circular nodes representing layers L2\/3, L4, and L5, with green and orange arrows indicating directional pathways. A magnified inset on the right illustrates a simplified microcircuit with shapes labeled Pyr, Sst, and Vip connected by colored arrows.","file":{"fid":"264128","name":"GaTech_Brain-Data_Hannanh-Choi_480x330.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/GaTech_Brain-Data_Hannanh-Choi_480x330.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/09\/GaTech_Brain-Data_Hannanh-Choi_480x330.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":51645,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/09\/GaTech_Brain-Data_Hannanh-Choi_480x330.jpg?itok=MfeiKQbd"}}},"media_ids":["679908","679903","679904","679906","679905","679907"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-uses-computing-and-engineering-methods-shift-neuroscience-paradigms","title":"Georgia Tech Uses Computing and Engineering Methods to Shift Neuroscience Paradigms"},{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/head-toe-georgia-tech-researchers-treat-entire-human-body-through-neuroscience-research","title":"Head to Toe: Georgia Tech Researchers Treat the Entire Human Body Through Neuroscience Research"},{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/better-brain-machine-interfaces-could-allow-paralyzed-communicate-again","title":"Better Brain-Machine Interfaces Could Allow the Paralyzed to Communicate Again"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1279","name":"School of Mathematics"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"},{"id":"443951","name":"School of Psychology"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter:\u003C\/strong\u003E George Spencer\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENews and Media Contact:\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAudra Davidson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689352":{"#nid":"689352","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Researchers Develop First Genetic Passcode Lock to Protect Valuable DNA","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn recent years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Homeland Security, and other authorities have flagged a record number of unauthorized shipments of biological materials. At the same time, global intelligence communities have identified numerous attempts to smuggle sensitive biological samples in efforts of industrial theft or espionage.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cA small vial of genetically engineered cells can contain multiple millions of dollars\u2019 worth of intellectual property and require several years of work to develop,\u201d said Corey Wilson, a professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chbe.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EChBE\u003C\/a\u003E). \u201cAccordingly, the protection of high-value engineered cell lines has become critically important to the biotechnology industry.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/wilson.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EWilson\u003C\/a\u003E and his research team have published their findings in \u003Cem\u003EScience Advances\u003C\/em\u003E demonstrating the effectiveness of their new biological security technology, known as GeneLock\u2122, in protecting high-value engineered cell lines.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeneLock is a cybersecurity-inspired technology that protects valuable genetic material directly at the DNA level. To demonstrate its strength, Wilson\u2019s team conducted what they describe as a first-of-its-kind biohackathon, detailed in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/sciadv.aeb8556\u0022\u003Enew paper\u003C\/a\u003E, to simulate unauthorized access.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeneLock greatly improves our ability to protect high-value engineered cell lines by expanding security from the lab environment to the genetic level,\u201d Wilson said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEconomic Impact\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat are the stakes? Estimates place the global market for high-value genetic materials at more than $1.5 trillion, projected to reach $8 trillion by 2035. The use of these materials ranges from advanced medicines and proprietary research enzymes to specialty chemicals and sustainable materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECurrently, the protection of high-value cell lines depends on physical safeguards such as restricted lab access and secure facilities, Wilson explained.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe key weakness of physical security measures is once circumvented, there are typically no measures in place to protect valuable cells from theft, abuse, or unauthorized use,\u201d Wilson said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOnce a sample leaves the building, the DNA it carries typically remains fully functional. This is like placing an unlocked cellphone in a desk drawer. Anyone who gains access to the drawer can view sensitive content on the phone\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad\u2014or in this case will have full access to the valuable cell line.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGenetic Passcode Protection\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe GeneLock biological security technology developed by Wilson and his team places a passcode on engineered cells, akin to those used on ATM machines and protected cellphones.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstead of leaving a valuable gene in readable form, the team scrambles the DNA sequence of interest. The scrambled genetic asset remains in a nonfunctional state unless the living cell where it resides receives the correct sequence of chemical inputs. Those inputs act as a molecular passcode.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOnly the right combination, delivered in the right order, rearranges the DNA into a working form,\u201d Wilson said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBiohackathon Security Test\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo evaluate the technology, the researchers organized a blue team and a red team in what they describe as an ethical biohackathon. The blue team designed the encrypted DNA sequence, while the red team was challenged to discover the correct chemical passcode through experimentation in a gray box exercise, meaning the red team had partial knowledge of the system but did not have access to the internal designs.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis approach for testing security strength is commonly used in cybersecurity,\u201d Wilson explained.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe blue team engineered the system inside \u003Cem\u003EEscherichia coli\u003C\/em\u003E, or \u003Cem\u003EE. coli\u003C\/em\u003E, a bacterium widely used in biotechnology. The protected asset was a fluorescent protein gene selected as a measurable stand-in for commercially valuable targets. When the correct chemical sequence was applied, the fluorescence turned on. Without the correct passcode, the gene remained scrambled and the cells could not fluoresce green.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn practice, most DNA sequences produce valuable proteins or chemicals that are essentially invisible to the human eye, requiring specialized devices or experiments to observe,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cIf the biohackathon were conducted with a standard commercially valuable target, the penetration testing would have taken more than 10 times longer to complete, years instead of months.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe biohackathon results showed a dramatic reduction in risk. GeneLock reduced the probability of unlocking the genetic asset by random search to about 1 in 85,000 (a 0.001% chance), assuming the unauthorized user had access to the required chemical inputs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWithout access to those inputs, \u201cthe likelihood of success by chance becomes effectively negligible,\u201d said Dowan Kim (Georgia Tech PhD 2024), co-lead author of the study.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECommercial Uses and What\u2019s Next\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough the researchers used a non-commercial fluorescent protein as a test case, the implications extend much further. Many biotechnology companies rely on proprietary engineered strains. New England Biolabs, for example, produces more than 265 non-disclosed enzymes in E. coli, each representing a high-value cell line.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProtein-based drugs are also manufactured in living cells, and proprietary metabolic pathways are used to produce specialty chemicals, bioplastics, and high-value ingredients.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn each case, the genetic blueprint inside the cell represents intellectual property that can be protected by our technology,\u201d said Ishita Kumar, a PhD candidate in ChBE and co-lead author of the study.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile the team\u2019s current focus is on protecting intellectual property in the form of high-value cells, future iterations aim to strengthen biological security more broadly.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are currently developing protection measures to mitigate unauthorized use or release of sensitive cell lines that can be potentially hazardous to human health or the environment,\u201d Wilson said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAs it stands, GeneLock represents an important shift in biological security, enabling, for the first time, protection of valuable cells at the genetic level, even after physical security measures have been bypassed,\u201d he added.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe work is already moving toward commercialization. The team filed a provisional patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in February 2026 and is forming a company to deploy the technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDowan Kim, Ishita Kumar, Mohamed Hassan, Luisa F. Barraza-Vergara, Christopher A. Voigt, and Corey J. Wilson, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/sciadv.aeb8556\u0022\u003EProtecting cells at the genetic level and simulating unauthorized access via a biohackathon\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d Science Advances, 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"New System Strengthens Security for the Biotech Industry"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeneLock is a cybersecurity-inspired technology that protects valuable genetic material directly at the DNA level. To demonstrate its strength, the rearches conducted what they describe as a first-of-its-kind biohackathon to simulate unauthorized access.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Research published in Science Advances demonstrated the effectiveness of this technology in protecting high-value engineered cell lines."}],"uid":"27271","created_gmt":"2026-04-01 17:57:53","changed_gmt":"2026-04-14 16:55:03","author":"Brad Dixon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679818":{"id":"679818","type":"image","title":"Wilsonresearchteam.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EResearch team members Ishita Kumar,\u0026nbsp;Corey Wilson,\u0026nbsp;and Luisa F. Barraza-Vergara\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775066280","gmt_created":"2026-04-01 17:58:00","changed":"1775066280","gmt_changed":"2026-04-01 17:58:00","alt":"Research team members Ishita Kumar, Corey Wilson, and Luisa F. Barraza-Vergara","file":{"fid":"264022","name":"Wilsonresearchteam.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/01\/Wilsonresearchteam.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/01\/Wilsonresearchteam.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2729628,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/01\/Wilsonresearchteam.jpg?itok=uDoLEes8"}},"679819":{"id":"679819","type":"image","title":"biohackathon.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ETo evaluate the GeneLock technology, the researchers organized a blue team and a red team into a biohackathon.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1775066327","gmt_created":"2026-04-01 17:58:47","changed":"1775066327","gmt_changed":"2026-04-01 17:58:47","alt":"To evaluate the GeneLock technology, the researchers organized a blue team and a red team into a biohackathon.","file":{"fid":"264023","name":"biohackathon.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/01\/biohackathon.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/01\/biohackathon.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":91942,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/01\/biohackathon.jpg?itok=PdOgnWMg"}}},"media_ids":["679818","679819"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"175579","name":"biotech industry"},{"id":"3031","name":"genetic"},{"id":"1041","name":"dna"},{"id":"175113","name":"biosecurity"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBrad Dixon, \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:braddixon@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebraddixon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["braddixon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689639":{"#nid":"689639","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Welcomes a Neuroethics Pioneer","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EArtificial intelligence has been touted as the most transformative technology of our time. With only a few years of mainstream use, it\u2019s changed how we work and communicate, generated billions of dollars in investments, and sparked global debate. But according to leading neuroethics expert \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/dana.org\/article\/karen-rommelfanger-a-neuroscience-society-champion-of-ethics-and-inclusion\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EKaren Rommelfanger\u003C\/a\u003E, the race isn\u2019t over yet.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cCan you think of a more transformative technology than one that intervenes with the fundamental organ that drives your experience in the world?\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat fundamental organ is the brain.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETechnologies interfacing directly with the brain have been reserved for treating severe injury or disease for decades. Now, neurotechnology is expanding into brain-responsive wearables meant to enhance, augment, and monitor everyday life. As these technologies accelerate and AI is incorporated, the question is no longer \u003Cem\u003Eif \u003C\/em\u003Eneurotechnology will transform society, but \u003Cem\u003Ehow \u003C\/em\u003E\u2014 and who will shape the boundaries.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese are some of the questions on which Karen Rommelfanger has built her career. Trained as a biomedical researcher and neuroscientist, Rommelfanger went on to found the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/instituteofneuroethics.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EInstitute for Neuroethics\u003C\/a\u003E, the world\u2019s first think and do tank devoted entirely to neuroethics, public engagement, and policy implementation.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe brain is special; it\u2019s central to who we are,\u201d says Rommelfanger, who was also an inaugural recipient of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/dana.org\/article\/dana-foundation-recognizes-two-neuroscience-society-champions-with-inaugural-awards\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EDana Foundation Neuroscience and Society Award\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cAnd that means when you intervene with the brain, there are unique responsibilities. The field of neuroethics addresses things like: How do you ensure mental privacy? How do you protect free will? How do you ensure that people have the power to be narrators of their own lives and their cognitive experience?\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, Rommelfanger is joining Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EInstitute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society\u003C\/a\u003E (INNS) as a professor of the practice, where she will work to further embed neuroethics into Georgia Tech\u2019s research and technology development ecosystem.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech is producing the next generation of neurotechnologists, and Karen\u2019s expertise will help ensure we\u2019re preparing them to think about societal impact as deeply as they think about the technical and scientific aspects of their work,\u201d says \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/christopher-john-rozell\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EChristopher Rozell\u003C\/a\u003E, executive director of INNS. \u201cHer leadership strengthens the Institute in exactly the way this moment in neurotechnology demands.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech has many, many ways that it leads in the technology ecosystem. But one of the powerful, unique ways it can lead is through neurotechnology,\u201d says Rommelfanger. \u201cI hope that the INNS, given its unique mandate for neuroscience, neurotechnology, and society, can be a lighthouse for these types of conversations.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENeuroethics by Design\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom institutional review boards to mandatory responsible research conduct training, ethics are a foundational part of scientific research. But designing neurotechnologies raises ethical challenges beyond the scope of typical training. What happens when discoveries leave the lab and enter people\u2019s lives?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat question sits at the core of Rommelfanger\u2019s work. She argues it\u2019s a neurotechnologist\u2019s responsibility to recognize and proactively address the need for unique safeguards for privacy, autonomy, and long-term responsibility. Her solution is to move neuroethics upstream, embedding it directly into the research, design, and deployment of neurotechnology through an approach she calls \u201cneuroethics by design.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNeuroethics by design considers ethics as a core criterion where principles can drive innovation with more of a lens toward societal outcomes,\u201d she says \u2014 an approach informed by years of advising national-level brain research initiatives and her experience at the intersection of clinical practice and ethics scholarship.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERather than treating ethics as a compliance checklist or a post hoc review, neuroethics by design integrates ethical thinking throughout the entire innovation lifecycle, from early ideation and research questions to product requirements, governance strategies, and long-term sustainability. She has used the approach for years as an embedded partner for neurotechnology startups in her neuroethics consultancy, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ningenstrategy.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENingen Co-Lab\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter decades as a traditional academic professor and then years advising companies and policymakers with this philosophy, Rommelfanger says Georgia Tech is the right place to scale this work. With its strength in neurotechnology and INNS\u2019s rare focus on neuroscience\u003Cem\u003E and\u003C\/em\u003E society, \u201cI could not think of a better place to launch and pilot this neuroethics by design scaling effort.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe will work with INNS to help equip researchers, students, and industry partners with practical tools for ethical decision-making. Her vision is not to create neuroethicists as a standalone profession, but to cultivate ethically engaged neurotechnologists and engineers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECentral to her plans at INNS are hands-on training programs that bring ethics out of the abstract and into practice. \u201cI wanted to be a professor of the practice because, while the field does need more scholars, what it really needs most at this point are practitioners.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERommelfanger is exploring modular content that can be embedded into existing courses across disciplines, as well as immersive training \u2014 such as neuroethics boot camps and problem-solving hackathons \u2014 that bring together students, faculty, and professionals to tackle real-world challenges collaboratively.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNo one discipline can solve all the ethical challenges ahead,\u201d says Rommelfanger. She is particularly interested in creating spaces where experts from across science and engineering, policy and law, design and the arts, and philosophy can work side by side with people with lived experience of neurological conditions. \u201cThe onus is not on scientists alone, but is a shared responsibility that benefits immensely from dialogue, accountability, and action across diverse communities.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy situating neuroethics within Georgia Tech\u2019s broader research ecosystem, Rommelfanger hopes INNS can help shift how the field evolves globally.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u0027s really difficult to get your arms around something once it\u0027s out of the gate,\u201d she says, citing the rapid adoption of AI without proper ethical or policy guidelines. \u201cWith neurotechnology, we still have a little bit of time, but not that much time. We are at that moment where we could change the course of global history.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs brain interfacing tools move out of the lab and into everyday life, Karen Rommelfanger is bringing her global neuroethics expertise to Georgia Tech to prepare the next generation of ethical innovators.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"As brain interfacing tools move out of the lab and into everyday life, Karen Rommelfanger is bringing her global neuroethics expertise to Georgia Tech to prepare the next generation of ethical innovators."}],"uid":"35575","created_gmt":"2026-04-13 15:20:52","changed_gmt":"2026-04-13 17:46:36","author":"adavidson38","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-13T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-13T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679924":{"id":"679924","type":"image","title":"Karen-Rommelfanger.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EKaren Rommelfanger recently joined Georgia Tech as a professor of the practice, where she will work with the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society to embed neuroethics into Georgia Tech\u2019s research and technology development ecosystem. Photo via the Dana Foundation.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776101751","gmt_created":"2026-04-13 17:35:51","changed":"1776102415","gmt_changed":"2026-04-13 17:46:55","alt":"Karen Rommelfanger smiling in a warmly lit room. A window and brick wall are visible behind her.","file":{"fid":"264146","name":"Karen-Rommelfanger.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/Karen-Rommelfanger.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/Karen-Rommelfanger.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":101822,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/13\/Karen-Rommelfanger.jpg?itok=uivAseBV"}},"679926":{"id":"679926","type":"image","title":"BrainMind.JPG","body":"\u003Cp\u003EKaren Rommelfanger (left) is a leading voice in neuroethics, with years of experience bridging neuroscience, technology development, ethics, and public policy to address the societal impacts of emerging brain technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776101944","gmt_created":"2026-04-13 17:39:04","changed":"1776101944","gmt_changed":"2026-04-13 17:39:04","alt":"Seated on the left, Karen Rommelfanger speaks on a panel at the 2026 Asilomar for the Brain and Mind conference. Panelists sit on stage in front of a large screen displaying the conference name, dates, and a brain-themed graphic, with an audience visible in the foreground.","file":{"fid":"264148","name":"BrainMind.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/BrainMind.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/13\/BrainMind.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":167461,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/13\/BrainMind.JPG?itok=HALewFCU"}}},"media_ids":["679924","679926"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/lab-life-inside-institute-neuroscience-neurotechnology-and-society","title":"From Lab to Life: Inside the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS)"},{"url":"https:\/\/dana.org\/article\/karen-rommelfanger-a-neuroscience-society-champion-of-ethics-and-inclusion\/","title":"Karen Rommelfanger: A Neuroscience \u0026 Society Champion of Ethics and Inclusion"},{"url":"https:\/\/dana.org\/article\/why-neuroethics-matters-in-the-age-of-brain-technology\/","title":"Why Neuroethics Matters in the Age of Brain Technology: A Conversation with Karen Rommelfanger"}],"groups":[{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"194610","name":"National Interests\/National Security"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAudra Davidson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EResearch Communications Program Manager\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS)\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689605":{"#nid":"689605","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Researchers Use Light to Make Their Microscopic \u2018Muscle\u2019 Contract on Command","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEngineers interested in creating artificial cells to deliver drugs to unhealthy parts of the body face a key challenge: for a cell-like system to move, change shape, or divide, it needs a way to generate force on command.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBiological cells rely on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to move muscles, transport substances across membranes, and perform other functions.\u0026nbsp;Many cellular machines couple ATP hydrolysis (a process where chemical energy stored in ATP is released) directly to motion.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut some single-celled organisms called ciliates use a different strategy. A pulse of calcium triggers an ultrafast contraction, and ATP is used afterward to pump calcium back into storage and reset the system.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-026-69651-2\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E study\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E led by Georgia Tech, researchers learned how to use a similar mechanism to control the movements of artificial protein networks without relying on ATP-powered motor proteins. Instead, they used calcium as a trigger to make the networks contract or relax.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf engineers want synthetic cells that can do cell-like things, they need a way to generate force on command,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/saad-bhamla\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESaad Bhamla\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a co-author and an associate professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cCells have to move, change shape, and divide. We\u2019re trying to build a controllable engine from simple parts.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the National Science Foundation-funded study, the team produced and purified \u003Cem\u003ETetrahymena thermophila\u003C\/em\u003E calcium-binding protein 2 (Tcb2), which is found in ciliates. The protein forms a fibrous network and contracts when exposed to calcium. The researchers reconstituted Tcb2 protein networks in the lab and then used a light-sensitive calcium chelator (a \u201ccage\u201d molecule that holds the calcium until illuminated) to control when and where calcium was released.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey projected light patterns of stars and circles to prompt the network to assemble and contract in matching shapes. Then, to continuously \u201crecharge\u201d the system, the multi-university team pulsed the light on the protein networks, repeatedly releasing calcium and driving cycles of assembly and contraction.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/04\/researchers-use-light-make-their-microscopic-muscle-contract-command?utm_source=twitter\u0026amp;utm_medium=social\u0026amp;utm_campaign=news\u0022\u003ERead the full story.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-026-69651-2\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E study\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E led by Georgia Tech, researchers learned how to use a similar mechanism to control the movements of artificial protein networks without relying on ATP-powered motor proteins. Instead, they used calcium as a trigger to make the networks contract or relax.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Engineers interested in creating artificial cells to deliver drugs to unhealthy parts of the body face a key challenge: for a cell-like system to move, change shape, or divide, it needs a way to generate force on command."}],"uid":"36479","created_gmt":"2026-04-10 12:47:50","changed_gmt":"2026-04-10 12:49:38","author":"abowman41","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-10T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-10T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679909":{"id":"679909","type":"image","title":"artificial-cells.jpg","body":null,"created":"1775825279","gmt_created":"2026-04-10 12:47:59","changed":"1775825279","gmt_changed":"2026-04-10 12:47:59","alt":"A yellow star shape is shown next to a microscope image of an artificial cell colony that has been directed to form the shape of a star.","file":{"fid":"264130","name":"artificial-cells.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/10\/artificial-cells.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/10\/artificial-cells.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":17653,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/10\/artificial-cells.jpg?itok=XEcClJeF"}}},"media_ids":["679909"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/04\/researchers-use-light-make-their-microscopic-muscle-contract-command?utm_source=twitter\u0026utm_medium=social\u0026utm_campaign=news","title":"Full Story"}],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"188776","name":"go-research"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJason Maderer\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Communications | College of Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689562":{"#nid":"689562","#data":{"type":"news","title":"2026 Suddath Symposium Showcases Biomedical Applications of Synthetic Biology","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe 34th\u0026nbsp;annual\u0026nbsp;Suddath Symposium, hosted by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/bio\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(IBB)\u0026nbsp;on March 18-19,\u0026nbsp;brought together researchers, trainees, and invited speakers from across disciplines to discuss\u0026nbsp;cutting-edge\u0026nbsp;efforts to translate synthetic biology advances into human health-relevant technologies, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and clinical tools\u003Cstrong\u003E.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe topic of the Suddath Symposium changes every year, which allows the Georgia Tech research community to annually learn about recent advances on a specific topic from across the immense fields of\u0026nbsp;bioengineering and\u0026nbsp;bioscience,\u201d\u0026nbsp;said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/3718\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENicholas Hud\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;Regents\u2019 Professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;Associate Director of IBB.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe symposium also included presentation of the\u0026nbsp;2026 Suddath Award, which recognizes outstanding graduate research. This year\u2019s award was presented to\u0026nbsp;Myeongsoo\u0026nbsp;Kim, a Ph.D. candidate in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bioengineering.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBioengineering Graduate Program\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;for his work at the intersection of cell engineering,\u0026nbsp;cancer treatment, and biomedical imaging.\u0026nbsp;The award is presented each year by members of the Suddath family, including Vincent Suddath,\u0026nbsp;grandson of Bud and\u0026nbsp;a current\u0026nbsp;freshman\u0026nbsp;at Georgia Tech majoring in mathematics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe symposium and award\u0026nbsp;honor the legacy of\u0026nbsp;F. L. \u201cBud\u201d Suddath\u0026nbsp;and his lasting contributions to the Institute and the wider Georgia Tech research community.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBud was influential in promoting the growth of bioscience research at Georgia Tech, efforts that helped establish\u0026nbsp;IBB\u0026nbsp;in the 1990s,\u201d Hud said. \u201cBud\u2019s\u0026nbsp;research interests were at the forefront of structural biology, a field that laid the foundation for much of what we know today about biology at the molecular level.\u0026nbsp;It\u2019s\u0026nbsp;fitting that we honor Bud\u2019s\u0026nbsp;contributions by annually providing the Georgia Tech community with the opportunity to learn about\u0026nbsp;research on a timely topic within the biological sciences.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESymposium co-chairs\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bio\/tara-l-deans\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETara Deans\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/2915\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMark Styczynski\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;said that in addition to upholding the legacy of Bud Suddath, the event also\u0026nbsp;provides a unique setting and opportunity for both established researchers and trainees to interact over the course of the two day event.\u0026nbsp;The intimate format of the symposium, which is limited to approximately 100 attendees, and the annual selection of a different interdisciplinary topic\u0026nbsp;sets\u0026nbsp;it apart\u0026nbsp;from other\u0026nbsp;symposia.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe Suddath Symposium is an amazing opportunity to bring multiple world-class researchers right to our trainees\u2019 front door, to hear about their work and connect with them in a small setting that you can\u2019t really find at most conferences,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;Styczynski,\u0026nbsp;who is a professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cWe are really grateful to IBB and the Suddath family for supporting this unique event.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDeans, who is an associate professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;highlighted how this year\u2019s theme reflects a broader shift in the field.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis year\u2019s focus on biomedical applications of synthetic biology highlights a major inflection point in the field: the transition from proof-of-concept systems to human health-relevant technologies,\u201d she said.\u0026nbsp;\u201cThe theme also reflects increasing convergence across disciplines; synthetic biology is no longer\u0026nbsp;operating\u0026nbsp;in isolation,\u0026nbsp;but it is deeply intertwined with immunology, machine learning, diagnostics, and clinical translation. Addressing real-world biomedical problems requires this kind of integration, and the symposium captured that shift very clearly.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Suddath Symposium annually serves as a cornerstone event for Georgia Tech\u2019s bioengineering and bioscience community\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;connecting researchers, honoring scientific legacy, and spotlighting the next generation of scientific innovation.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe 34th annual Suddath Symposium brought together researchers, trainees, and invited speakers from across disciplines to discuss cutting-edge efforts to translate synthetic biology advances into human health-relevant technologies. In addition to upholding the legacy of Bud Suddath, the event also\u0026nbsp;provides a unique setting and opportunity for both established researchers and trainees to interact\u0026nbsp;in a closer setting.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The 34th annual Suddath Symposium brought together researchers, trainees, and invited speakers from across disciplines to discuss cutting-edge efforts to translate synthetic biology advances into human health-relevant technologies."}],"uid":"36479","created_gmt":"2026-04-08 14:27:05","changed_gmt":"2026-04-08 14:30:37","author":"abowman41","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-08T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-08T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679893":{"id":"679893","type":"image","title":"2026-Suddath-Symposium.jpg","body":null,"created":"1775658434","gmt_created":"2026-04-08 14:27:14","changed":"1775658434","gmt_changed":"2026-04-08 14:27:14","alt":"A presenter stands at the front of a lecture room speaking to a seated audience while a projected slide titled \u201cSynthetic Biology: Engineered Gene Circuits\u201d illustrates the design\u2013build\u2013test cycle with diagrams and icons explaining gene circuit construction and testing.","file":{"fid":"264114","name":"2026-Suddath-Symposium.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/08\/2026-Suddath-Symposium.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/08\/2026-Suddath-Symposium.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1840500,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/08\/2026-Suddath-Symposium.jpg?itok=1yDWHq1D"}}},"media_ids":["679893"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAshlie Bowman | Communications Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687195":{"#nid":"687195","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Illness Is More Than Just Biological \u2013 Medical Sociology Shows How Social Factors Get Under the Skin and Cause\u00a0Disease","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHealth and medicine is more than just biological \u2013 societal forces can \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1146\/annurev.publhealth.29.020907.090852\u0022\u003Eget under your skin and cause illness\u003C\/a\u003E. Medical sociologists \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=HQtYrggAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003Elike me study these forces\u003C\/a\u003E by treating society itself as our laboratory. Health and illness are our experiments in uncovering meaning, power and inequality, and how it affects all parts of a person\u2019s life.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, why do low-income communities \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nationalacademies.org\/read\/19015\u0022\u003Econtinue to have higher death rates\u003C\/a\u003E, despite improved social and environmental conditions across society? Foundational research in medical sociology reveals that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2307\/2626958\u0022\u003Eaccess to resources\u003C\/a\u003E like money, knowledge, power and social networks strongly affects a person\u2019s health. Medical sociologists have shown that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022146510383498\u0022\u003Esocial class is linked to numerous diseases and mortality\u003C\/a\u003E, including risk factors that influence health and longevity. These include \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/secondhand-smoke-may-be-a-substantial-contributor-to-lead-levels-found-in-children-and-adolescents-new-study-finds-212256\u0022\u003Esmoking\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/fixing-the-global-childhood-obesity-epidemic-begins-with-making-healthy-choices-the-easier-choices-and-that-requires-new-laws-and-policies-207975\u0022\u003Eoverweight\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/hispanics-live-longer-than-most-americans-but-will-the-us-obesity-epidemic-change-things-146006\u0022\u003Eobesity\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/black-mothers-trapped-in-unsafe-neighborhoods-signal-the-stressful-health-toll-of-gun-violence-in-the-u-s-203307\u0022\u003Estress\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/loneliness-is-making-us-physically-sick-but-social-prescribing-can-treat-it-podcast-199939\u0022\u003Esocial isolation\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/health-insurance-premiums-rose-nearly-3x-the-rate-of-worker-earnings-over-the-past-25-years-271450\u0022\u003Eaccess to health care\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/kids-neighborhoods-can-affect-their-developing-brains-a-new-study-finds-184035\u0022\u003Eliving in disadvantaged neighborhoods\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMoreover, social class alone cannot explain such health inequalities. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/singh.hsoc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EMy own research\u003C\/a\u003E examines how inequalities related to social class, race and gender affect \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ssmqr.2023.100234\u0022\u003Eaccess to autism services\u003C\/a\u003E, particularly among single Black mothers who rely on public insurance. This work helps explain \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1542\/peds.2019-3629\u0022\u003Edelays in autism diagnosis\u003C\/a\u003E among Black children, who often wait three years after initial parent concerns before they are formally diagnosed. White children with private insurance typically \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.18553\/jmcp.2023.29.4.378\u0022\u003Ewait from 9 to 22 months\u003C\/a\u003E depending on age of diagnosis. This is just one of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s40615-024-02280-x\u0022\u003Enumerous examples of inequalities\u003C\/a\u003E that are entrenched in and deepened by medical and educational systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMedical sociologists like me investigate how all of these \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.who.int\/publications\/i\/item\/WHO-IER-CSDH-08.1\u0022\u003Efactors interact to affect a person\u2019s health\u003C\/a\u003E. This \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4324\/9781003569824\u0022\u003Esocial model of illness\u003C\/a\u003E sees sickness as shaped by social, cultural, political and economic factors. We examine both \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022146510383496\u0022\u003Eindividual experiences and societal influences\u003C\/a\u003E to help address the health issues affecting vulnerable populations through large-scale reforms.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy studying the way \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022146510383496\u0022\u003Esocial forces shape health inequalities\u003C\/a\u003E, medical sociology helps address how health and illness extend beyond the body and into every aspect of people\u2019s lives.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710832\/original\/file-20260105-62-evcc0s.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Protesters standing in front of a federal building, holding signs in the shape of graves reading \u0026apos;16 MILLION LIVES\u0026apos; and \u0026apos;R.I.P. DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS,\u0026apos; wearing shirts that read \u0026apos;MEDICAID SAVES LIVES\u0026apos;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710832\/original\/file-20260105-62-evcc0s.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710832\/original\/file-20260105-62-evcc0s.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710832\/original\/file-20260105-62-evcc0s.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710832\/original\/file-20260105-62-evcc0s.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710832\/original\/file-20260105-62-evcc0s.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710832\/original\/file-20260105-62-evcc0s.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710832\/original\/file-20260105-62-evcc0s.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EAccess to health insurance is a political issue that directly affects patients. Here, care workers gathered in June 2025 to protest Medicaid cuts.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/care-workers-with-the-service-employees-international-union-news-photo\/2221731651\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003ETasos Katopodis\/Getty Images for SEIU\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EOrigins of Medical Sociology in the US\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMedical sociology \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/9781444314786.ch1\u0022\u003Eformally began in the U.S after World War II\u003C\/a\u003E, when the National Institutes of Health started investing in joint medical and sociological research projects. Hospitals began hiring sociologists to address questions like how to improve patient compliance, doctor-patient interactions and medical treatments.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, the focus of this early work was on issues specific to medicine, such as quality improvement or barriers to medication adherence. The goal was to study problems that could be directly applied in medical settings rather than challenging medical authority or existing inequalities. During that period, sociologists viewed illness mostly as a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/archive.org\/details\/socialsystem00pars\/page\/n3\/mode\/2up\u0022\u003Edeviation from normal functioning\u003C\/a\u003E leading to impairments that require treatment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, the concept of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/archive.org\/details\/socialsystem00pars\/page\/n3\/mode\/2up\u0022\u003Esick role\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 developed by medical sociologist Talcott Parsons in the 1950s \u2013 saw illness as a form of deviance from social roles and expectations. Under this idea, patients were solely responsible for seeking out medical care in order to return to normal functioning in society.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the 1960s, sociologists began \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/archive.org\/details\/stigmanotesonman0000goff\/page\/n5\/mode\/2up\u0022\u003Ecritiquing medical diagnoses and institutions\u003C\/a\u003E. Researchers criticized the idea of the sick role because it assumed illnesses were temporary and did not account for chronic conditions or disability, which can last for long periods of time and do not necessarily allow people to deviate from their life obligations. The sick role assumed that all people have access to medical care, and it did not take into account how social characteristics like race, class, gender and age can \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1467-9566.1991.tb00522.x\u0022\u003Einfluence a person\u2019s experience of illness\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710831\/original\/file-20260105-62-pk5w60.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Patient wearing surgical mask sitting in chair of exam room, talking to a doctor\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710831\/original\/file-20260105-62-pk5w60.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710831\/original\/file-20260105-62-pk5w60.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=338\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710831\/original\/file-20260105-62-pk5w60.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=338\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710831\/original\/file-20260105-62-pk5w60.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=338\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710831\/original\/file-20260105-62-pk5w60.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=424\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710831\/original\/file-20260105-62-pk5w60.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=424\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710831\/original\/file-20260105-62-pk5w60.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=424\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EEarly models of illness in medical sociology discounted the experience of the patient.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/man-talks-with-dr-stela-kostova-at-families-together-of-news-photo\/1470350026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EPaul Bersebach\/MediaNews Group\/Orange County Register via Getty Images\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParsons\u2019 sick role concept also emphasized the expertise of the physician rather than the patient\u2019s experience of illness. For example, sociologist Erving Goffman showed that the way \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4324\/9781351327763\u0022\u003Ecare is structured in asylums shaped how patients are treated\u003C\/a\u003E. He also examined how the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/archive.org\/details\/stigmanotesonman0000goff\/page\/n5\/mode\/2up\u0022\u003Eexperience of stigma\u003C\/a\u003E is an interactive process that develops in response to social norms. This work influenced how researchers understood chronic illness and disability and laid the groundwork for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1467-9566.2009.01161.x\u0022\u003Elater debates on what counts as pathological or normal\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the 1970s, some researchers began to question the model of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1467-954X.1972.tb00220.x\u0022\u003Emedicine as an institution of social control\u003C\/a\u003E. They critiqued how medicine\u2019s jurisdiction expanded over many societal problems \u2013 such as old age and death \u2013 which were defined and treated as medical problems. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1146\/annurev.so.18.080192.001233\u0022\u003EResearchers were critical of the tendency to medicalize\u003C\/a\u003E and apply labels like \u201chealthy\u201d and \u201cill\u201d to increasing parts of human existence. This shift emphasized how a medical diagnosis can carry political weight and how medical authority can affect social inclusion or exclusion.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe critical perspective aligns with critiques from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/09687599.2013.818773\u0022\u003Edisability studies\u003C\/a\u003E. Unlike medical sociology, which emerged through the medical model of disease, disability studies emerged from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.bloomsbury.com\/us\/new-politics-of-disablement-9780333945674\/\u0022\u003Edisability rights activism and scholarship\u003C\/a\u003E. Rather than viewing disability as pathological, this field sees disability as a variation of the human condition rooted in social barriers and exclusionary environments. Instead of seeking cures, researchers focus on increasing accessibility, human rights and autonomy for disabled people.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA contemporary figure in this field was \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/disabilityvisibilityproject.com\/about\/\u0022\u003EAlice Wong\u003C\/a\u003E, a disability rights activist and medical sociologist who \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/obituaries\/2025\/11\/15\/disability-activist-alice-wong\/\u0022\u003Edied in November 2025\u003C\/a\u003E. Her work amplified disabled voices and helped shaped how the public understood disability justice and access to technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EStructural Forces Shape Health and Illness\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy focusing on social and structural influences on health, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022146510383496\u0022\u003Emedical sociology has contributed significantly\u003C\/a\u003E to programs addressing issues like segregation, discrimination, poverty, unemployment and underfunded schools.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, sociological research on racial health disparities invite \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022146510383838\u0022\u003Eneighborhood interventions\u003C\/a\u003E that can help improve overall quality of life by increasing the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/free-school-meals-for-all-may-reduce-childhood-obesity-while-easing-financial-and-logistical-burdens-for-families-and-schools-223270\u0022\u003Eavailability of affordable nutritious foods\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/what-is-food-insecurity-152746\u0022\u003Ein underserved neighborhoods\u003C\/a\u003E or initiatives that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/socioeconomic-status-explains-most-of-the-racial-and-ethnic-achievement-gaps-in-elementary-school-237931\u0022\u003Eprioritize equal access to education\u003C\/a\u003E. At the societal level, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022146510383496\u0022\u003Elarge-scale social policies\u003C\/a\u003E such as guaranteed minimum incomes or universal health care can dramatically reduce health inequalities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710822\/original\/file-20260105-70-3hpn4u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022People carrying boxes of food under a tent\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710822\/original\/file-20260105-70-3hpn4u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710822\/original\/file-20260105-70-3hpn4u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=360\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710822\/original\/file-20260105-70-3hpn4u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=360\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710822\/original\/file-20260105-70-3hpn4u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=360\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710822\/original\/file-20260105-70-3hpn4u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=452\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710822\/original\/file-20260105-70-3hpn4u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=452\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/710822\/original\/file-20260105-70-3hpn4u.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=452\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EAccess to nutritious food is critical to health.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/escondido-ca-juliana-ramos-of-interfaith-community-services-news-photo\/2243706444\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EK.C. Alfred \/ The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMedical sociology has also expanded the understanding of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022146510383496\u0022\u003Ehow health care policies affect health\u003C\/a\u003E, helping ensure that policy changes take into account the broader social context. For example, a key area of medical sociological research is the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022146510383504\u0022\u003Erising cost of and limited access to health care\u003C\/a\u003E. This body of work focuses on the complex social and organizational factors of delivering health services. It highlights the need for more state and federal regulatory control as well as investment in groups and communities that need care the most.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EModern medical sociology ultimately considers all societal issues to be health issues. Improving people\u2019s health and well-being requires improving education, employment, housing, transportation and other social, economic and political policies.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/270258\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/illness-is-more-than-just-biological-medical-sociology-shows-how-social-factors-get-under-the-skin-and-cause-disease-270258\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBy studying the way social forces shape health inequalities, medical sociology helps address how health and illness extend beyond the body and into every aspect of people\u2019s lives.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"By studying the way social forces shape health inequalities, medical sociology helps address how health and illness extend beyond the body and into every aspect of people\u2019s lives."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2026-01-08 15:37:58","changed_gmt":"2026-04-06 18:16:40","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-08T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-08T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678961":{"id":"678961","type":"image","title":"Lack of access to safe and affordable housing is harmful to health. Robert Gauthier\/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images","body":"\u003Cp\u003ELack of access to safe and affordable housing is harmful to health. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/news-photo\/los-angeles-ca-tuesday-may-31-2022-dana-vanderford-news-photo\/1242004141\u0022\u003ERobert Gauthier\/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1768232345","gmt_created":"2026-01-12 15:39:05","changed":"1768232345","gmt_changed":"2026-01-12 15:39:05","alt":"Lack of access to safe and affordable housing is harmful to health. Robert Gauthier\/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images","file":{"fid":"263064","name":"file-20260105-70-1qzwti.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/12\/file-20260105-70-1qzwti.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/12\/file-20260105-70-1qzwti.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":239539,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/12\/file-20260105-70-1qzwti.jpg?itok=J-V7i4lM"}}},"media_ids":["678961"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/illness-is-more-than-just-biological-medical-sociology-shows-how-social-factors-get-under-the-skin-and-cause-disease-270258","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"194974","name":"go-theconversation"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/jennifer-singh-2531279\u0022\u003EJennifer Singh\u003C\/a\u003E, Associate Professor of Sociology, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689424":{"#nid":"689424","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech-led Research Team to Develop SHIELD Against Deadly Biological Threats","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe United States continues to face deadly infectious disease outbreaks, from emerging viruses to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, underscoring the nation\u2019s need for rapid, effective response systems. These threats extend beyond public health, disrupting daily life, straining health care systems, and impacting military readiness.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA team of researchers led by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/singh\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnkur Singh\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, the Carl Ring Family Professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and professor in\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ethe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech and Emory\u0026nbsp;University, has been awarded up to $6 million from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) of the U.S. Department of Defense to accelerate the development of medical countermeasures (MCMs) against deadly biological threats that endanger public health, national security, and warfighters.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDTRA\u2019s mission is to provide solutions that enable the Department of Defense, the U.S. government, and international partners to deter strategic threats. A key priority is advancing new or improved MCMs that can be deployed before or after exposure to biological or chemical agents.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESingh\u2019s multi-year project, Systematic Human Immune Engineering for Lethal Disease (SHIELD) Countermeasures, aims to create a threat-agnostic platform that transforms how respiratory pathogens and toxins are studied. The platform is designed to speed up the discovery, development, and production of immune-based countermeasures.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESingh leads a collaborative team that includes Cornell University\u2019s Matthew DeLisa and Stanford University\u2019s Michael Jewett. Together, they will integrate immune-engineering technologies with advanced cell-free protein synthesis platforms to discover and manufacture protein-based MCMs. Cell-free protein synthesis is a laboratory technique that efficiently produces proteins without relying on living cells, which can be unpredictable and technically demanding when it comes to expressing complex or toxic proteins and scaling production quickly. The team expects the SHIELD Countermeasures platform to reduce the time and cost of MCM development by more than tenfold.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe foundational science and cutting-edge tools we develop will ignite future discoveries, ensuring a robust pipeline of advanced protein-based MCMs for chemical and biological defense,\u201d said Singh, who also directs the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/immunoengineering.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECenter for Immunoengineering at Georgia Tech\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cThis will significantly enhance national security and equip our warfighters with next-generation biodefense capabilities.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETraditional animal models often fail to accurately replicate human immune responses, and standard tissue cultures lack the complexity required to study how immune cells interact with pathogens. In contrast, human immune organoids and immune-competent devices \u2014 built from human cells \u2014 are emerging as groundbreaking research tools. These systems recreate key immune features, such as lymph nodes and mucosal environments, within three-dimensional or microengineered platforms.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMany organoid and engineering devices, often called organ-on-chip platforms, lack immune integration,\u201d Singh said. \u201cBecause immunity sits at the center of human health, these limitations have broad consequences. Immune-competent organ-on-chip platforms extend this concept by combining human cells with microfluidic engineering that simulates blood flow, tissue barriers, and chemical gradients.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESingh has previously published studies on a synthetic \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41563-024-02037-1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ehuman immune chip\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41551-025-01491-9\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eimmunocompetent lung on a chip\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, and has also teamed up with DeLisa previously to use synthetic immune organoids for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/10.1021\/acscentsci.2c01473\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eimmuno-profiling antibacterial MCMs\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s about being able to test far larger numbers of candidate protein-based MCMs in a single experiment\u2014and to do it much faster,\u201d DeLisa said. \u201cCell-free systems allow us to produce MCMs at unprecedented speed and scale, but traditional evaluation methods can\u2019t keep up with those numbers. By combining cell-free MCM production with immune organoid technology, we can assess the potency of dozens or even hundreds of candidates at a time and characterize the resulting immune responses within just a few days.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy integrating immune cells with tissues such as lung, gut, skin, or vascular systems, these devices allow scientists to observe immune responses in real time, including cell migration, inflammation, and interactions with pathogens or therapeutics. As biological threats evolve, the development and deployment of immune-competent platforms will be critical for rapid, effective countermeasures.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDTRA\u2019s investment in Singh\u2019s work highlights the urgent national priority of strengthening U.S. biodefense capabilities. The SHIELD Countermeasures platform and its cutting-edge technologies promise to transform the nation\u2019s response to biological threats and help safeguard communities from biological and chemical attacks.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003ELed by Ankur Singh, the multi-institutional SHIELD (Systematic Human Immune Engineering for Lethal Disease) project aims to transform how scientists study and respond to dangerous respiratory pathogens and toxins. The effort brings together researchers from Georgia Tech, Cornell, and Stanford to enable faster and more cost-effective development of protein-based medical countermeasures. The team expects the platform to reduce the time and cost of developing these defenses by more than tenfold, strengthening the nation\u2019s preparedness against biological threats.\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech-led research team has received up to $6 million to develop SHIELD, a new platform designed to rapidly create immune-based countermeasures against a wide range of deadly biological threats."}],"uid":"36479","created_gmt":"2026-04-02 19:06:48","changed_gmt":"2026-04-02 19:17:40","author":"abowman41","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-02T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-02T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679841":{"id":"679841","type":"image","title":"DTRA-2.jpg","body":null,"created":"1775156814","gmt_created":"2026-04-02 19:06:54","changed":"1775156814","gmt_changed":"2026-04-02 19:06:54","alt":"Ankur Singh, a man in a gray suit jacket with a dark pink button-up shirt stands in front of a work bench in a lab.","file":{"fid":"264047","name":"DTRA-2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/02\/DTRA-2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/02\/DTRA-2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1541575,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/02\/DTRA-2.jpg?itok=UsJZzTJB"}}},"media_ids":["679841"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188776","name":"go-research"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"190256","name":"G.W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETracie Troha | Communications Officer, Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689408":{"#nid":"689408","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Singh Family Gift Funds High-Risk Research at Center for Immunoengineering","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA philanthropic gift from the family of J.P. Singh is helping researchers at Georgia Tech push the boundaries of biomedical innovation.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Singh Family Research Awards were established as part of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/immunoengineering.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECenter for Immunoengineering\u003C\/a\u003E, creating a seed funding program supporting both faculty and students that is designed to accelerate early-stage ideas with the potential to transform medicine. The awards support interdisciplinary projects pursuing high-risk, high-reward research that could lead to new therapies for cancer, infectious diseases, and chronic illnesses.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe gift honors the legacy of J.P. Singh and reflects his family\u2019s commitment to advancing research that could lead to safer and more effective treatments for patients.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe gift is giving scientists the freedom to pursue bold ideas that might otherwise be too early or too unconventional for traditional funding,\u201d said Ankur Singh, Director of the Center for Immunoengineering and Professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/schools\/biomedical-engineering\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech and Emory (BME). \u201cIt allows Georgia Tech scientists to explore new frontiers in immunoengineering, from cancer to autoimmunity, and to build the scientific foundations that could ultimately lead to the next generation of transformative therapies.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe inaugural awards support four innovative projects that span multiple areas of biomedical research, including two Faculty Research Awards and two Student Fellowship Awards.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUsing AI to Guide the Immune System\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne Singh Family Faculty Research Award, given to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/17370\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAndrew McShan\u003C\/a\u003E in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E, will help develop AI\u2011guided tools to design synthetic immune\u2011like molecules that can detect lipids on cell surfaces. Most current immunotherapies are designed to recognize protein fragments presented on cells, leaving a largely untapped class of disease-associated targets \u2014 lipids \u2014 beyond the reach of modern immune engineering. By enabling programmable molecules that can detect lipids on cell surfaces, the work aims to expand immune targeting beyond traditional protein targets and open new diagnostic and treatment strategies for diseases such as leukemia, tuberculosis, and inflammatory skin disorders.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn AI-guided design framework for lipid-sensing immune receptors would create an entirely new class of programmable immune molecules capable of identifying disease signals that were previously inaccessible. Such tools could enable earlier disease detection, new immune-based therapeutics, and a broader ability to engineer immune systems to recognize complex biological threats, fundamentally expanding the scope of targets addressable by modern immunotherapy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDeveloping the Next Generation of Cancer Treatments\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe second faculty award project, led by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/3702\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EJohn Blazeck\u003C\/a\u003E in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, focuses on engineering next-generation cancer immunotherapies using CAR-T cells, which are a patient\u2019s own immune cells that have been re\u2011engineered to recognize and attack specific cancer cells. The team is developing new receptors for CAR-T cells designed to improve safety while enabling immune cells to recognize multiple tumor targets simultaneously.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis approach addresses two major barriers that have limited the success of CAR-T therapies in solid tumors: the risk of attacking healthy tissues and the ability of tumors to evade treatment by changing or losing a single target antigen. If successful, the work could significantly expand the reach of CAR-T cell therapy, which has already transformed the treatment of certain blood cancers but has struggled to treat solid tumors such as breast, lung, and pancreatic cancer.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy enabling immune cells to distinguish tumors more precisely and attack cancers that display multiple markers, the new receptor designs could make CAR-T therapies both safer and more effective. The technology could represent a major step toward translating cellular immunotherapies to the far larger population of patients with solid tumors, potentially opening the door to powerful new treatments for some of the most resistant cancers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EImaging Heart Risk Early with Ultrasound\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe gift also established two Singh Family Fellow Awards, supporting graduate students pursuing innovative research in immunoengineering.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne fellowship was awarded to Yann Ferry, a graduate student advised by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/arvanitis\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECostas Arvanitis\u003C\/a\u003E in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ME) and BME. Ferry\u2019s project aims to advance ultrasound imaging technologies designed to visualize immune activity inside Atherosclerosis plaques, the fatty deposits that accumulate in arteries and can trigger heart attacks or strokes when they rupture.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy tracking immune cells that drive plaque inflammation and instability (called macrophages), the team aims to develop a noninvasive imaging approach that can measure the immune state of plaques in real time. If successful, the technology could transform how cardiovascular disease is diagnosed and monitored.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToday, physicians can detect plaque buildup but cannot easily determine whether a plaque is actively inflamed and likely to rupture. Imaging immune activity could allow doctors to identify high-risk plaques earlier, monitor how patients respond to therapy, and intervene before a heart attack or stroke occurs. Given that cardiovascular disease remains the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/nchs\/fastats\/leading-causes-of-death.htm\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eleading cause of death\u003C\/a\u003E in the United States, such a tool could significantly improve prevention and treatment strategies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWorking Toward a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe second fellowship supports Alexander Kedzierski, a Ph.D. student in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/3691\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAndr\u00e9s Garc\u00eda\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s\u0026nbsp; lab within ME. Kedzierski\u2019s research focuses on improving stem-cell-based treatments for Type 1 Diabetes. The project aims to design degradable biomaterials that present that help control the immune response, protecting transplanted insulin\u2011producing cells from being attacked by the body.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECurrent experimental therapies using insulin-producing cells that are derived from stem cells have shown promise but are limited by the need for lifelong medications that suppress the immune system to prevent rejection. By engineering biomaterials that locally regulate immune responses around transplanted cells, the researchers hope to enable long-term graft survival without suppressing the entire immune system.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf successful, the approach could bring regenerative therapies for Type 1 diabetes closer to a practical cure, allowing patients to restore natural insulin production while avoiding the risks associated with chronic immunosuppressive treatment.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELooking Ahead\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETogether, the projects illustrate the core mission of the Center for Immunoengineering and the Singh Family gift. By investing in bold, interdisciplinary research, the Singh family\u2019s gift is helping the Center for Immunoengineering accelerate innovations at the intersection of engineering, biology, and medicine.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the years ahead, the program is expected to expand a pipeline of high-impact research, from next-generation immunotherapies to immune-guided diagnostics and regenerative medicine. For the scientists involved, the goal is not only to advance discovery but to translate new insights about the immune system into real-world solutions for patients.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003EThe Center for Immunoengineering at Georgia Tech has named the inaugural recipients of the Singh Family Research Awards, recognizing four interdisciplinary projects led by Andrew McShan, John Blazeck, Yann Ferry, and Alexander Kedzierski. Together, the awardees exemplify high\u2011risk, high\u2011reward research aimed at translating fundamental immune engineering advances into safer, more effective treatments for patients.\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Center for Immunoengineering at Georgia Tech has awarded the inaugural Singh Family Research Awards to two faculty members and two students advancing innovative immunoengineering projects."}],"uid":"36479","created_gmt":"2026-04-02 18:09:35","changed_gmt":"2026-04-02 19:16:10","author":"abowman41","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-02T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-02T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679836":{"id":"679836","type":"image","title":"Singh-Award-Winners-2026.jpg","body":null,"created":"1775153384","gmt_created":"2026-04-02 18:09:44","changed":"1775153384","gmt_changed":"2026-04-02 18:09:44","alt":"Four headshots of Singh Family Award winners: Andrew McShan, John Blazeck, Yann Ferry, and Alexander Kedzierski","file":{"fid":"264042","name":"Singh-Award-Winners-2026.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/02\/Singh-Award-Winners-2026.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/02\/Singh-Award-Winners-2026.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":160700,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/02\/Singh-Award-Winners-2026.jpg?itok=6yTaA74y"}}},"media_ids":["679836"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188776","name":"go-research"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"101691","name":"College of Engineering; School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineerin"},{"id":"166928","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"},{"id":"94321","name":"College of Engineering; Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering"},{"id":"569","name":"bioengineering"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by: Ankur Singh, Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEdited by: Ashlie Bowman, Communications Manager, Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689025":{"#nid":"689025","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Why Mosquitoes Swarm Your Head: They\u2019re Following Signals, Not Each Other","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAfter watching hundreds of mosquitoes buzzing around one of their colleagues and collecting 20 million data points, Georgia Tech and Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers have created a mathematical model that predicts how and where female mosquitoes will fly to feast on humans.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new study is the first to visualize mosquito flight patterns and provides hard data for improving capture and control strategies. In addition to being a nuisance, mosquitoes transmit diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and Zika, which cause more than 700,000 deaths every year.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s like a crowded bar,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/hu\u0022\u003EDavid Hu\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, with an adjunct appointment in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cCustomers aren\u2019t there because they followed each other into the bar. They\u2019re attracted by the same cues: drinks, music, and the atmosphere. The same is true of mosquitoes. Rather than following the leader, the insect follows the signals and happens to arrive at the same spot as the others. They\u2019re good copies of each other.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead more and watch:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/03\/why-mosquitoes-swarm-your-head-theyre-following-signals-not-each-other\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech College of Engineering newsroom\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E and \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/hundreds-of-hungry-mosquitoes-a-student-volunteer-and-a-mesh-suit-helped-us-figure-out-how-these-deadly-insects-reach-their-targets-278486\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Researchers have visualized mosquito flight behavior for the first time \u2014\u00a0which could improve mosquito-control strategies. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers have visualized mosquito flight behavior for the first time \u2014\u0026nbsp;which could improve mosquito-control strategies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers have visualized mosquito flight behavior for the first time \u2014\u00a0which could improve mosquito-control strategies. "}],"uid":"34528","created_gmt":"2026-03-18 20:43:56","changed_gmt":"2026-04-01 19:58:53","author":"jhunt7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679682":{"id":"679682","type":"image","title":"A female mosquito lands on a human.","body":null,"created":"1773866953","gmt_created":"2026-03-18 20:49:13","changed":"1773866953","gmt_changed":"2026-03-18 20:49:13","alt":"A female mosquito lands on a human.","file":{"fid":"263872","name":"mosquito2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/mosquito2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/mosquito2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1110207,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/18\/mosquito2.jpg?itok=hj3xhNm7"}}},"media_ids":["679682"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJason Maderer (maderer@gatech.edu)\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["maderer@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688969":{"#nid":"688969","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Turning Carbon Into Chemistry","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe building blocks of proteins, amino acids are essential for all living things. Twenty different amino acids build the thousands of proteins that carry out biological tasks. While some are made naturally in our bodies, others are absorbed through the food we eat.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAmino acids also play a critical role commercially where they are manufactured and added to pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, cosmetics, animal feeds, and industrial chemicals \u2014 an energy-intensive process leading to greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, and pollution.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EA landmark new system developed at Georgia Tech could lead to an alternative: a commercially scalable, environmentally sustainable method for amino acid production that is carbon negative, using more carbon than it emits.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe breakthrough builds on\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/new-carbon-negative-method-produce-essential-amino-acids\u0022\u003Ea method that the team pioneered\u003C\/a\u003E in 2024 and solves a key issue \u2013 increasing efficiency to an unprecedented 97% and reducing the bioprocess cost by over 40%.\u0026nbsp;It\u2019s\u0026nbsp;the highest reported conversion of CO2 equivalents into amino acids using any synthetic biology system to date.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPublished in the journal\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EACS Synthetic Biology,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Ethe study, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/10.1021\/acssynbio.5c00352\u0022\u003ECell-Free-Based Thermophilic Biocatalyst for the Synthesis of Amino Acids From One-Carbon Feedstocks\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d was led by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/catalog.gatech.edu\/programs\/bioengineering-phd\/\u0022\u003EBioengineering\u003C\/a\u003E Ph.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ERay Westenberg\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eand\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/peralta-yahya.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProfessor Pamela Peralta-Yahya\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, who holds joint appointments in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. The team also included\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EShaafique Chowdhury\u003C\/strong\u003E (Ph.D. ChBE 25) and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EKimberly Wennerholm\u003C\/strong\u003E (ChBE 23)\u003Cstrong\u003E;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ealongside\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.washington.edu\/\u0022\u003EUniversity of Washington\u003C\/a\u003E collaborators\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chainreaction.anl.gov\/ryan-cardiff\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERyan Cardiff\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, then a Ph.D. student and now a Chain Reaction Innovations Fellow at Argonne National Laboratory, and Charles W. H. Matthaei Endowed Professor in Chemical Engineering\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cheme.washington.edu\/facultyfinder\/james-carothers\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJames M. Carothers\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E; in addition to\u0026nbsp;Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Synthetic Biology Team Leader\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pnnl.gov\/people\/alex-beliaev\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlexander S. Beliaev\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0022This work shifts the narrative from simply reducing carbon emissions to actually consuming them to create value,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;Peralta-Yahya.\u0026nbsp;\u201cWe are taking low-cost carbon sources and building essential ingredients in a truly carbon-negative process that is efficient, effective, and scalable.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHeat-Loving Organisms\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe work builds on the cell-free technology the team used in their earlier study. \u201cPreviously, we discovered that a system that uses the machinery of cells, without using actual living cells, could be used to create amino acids from carbon dioxide,\u201d Peralta-Yahya explains. \u201cBut to create a commercially viable system, we needed to increase the system\u2019s efficiency and reduce the cost.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe team discovered that bits of leftover cells were consuming starting materials, and \u2014 like a machine with unnecessary gears or parts \u2014 this limited the system\u2019s efficiency. To optimize their \u201cmachine,\u201d the team would need to remove the extra background machinery.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0022Leftover cell parts were using key resources without helping produce the amino acids we were looking for,\u201d says Peralta-Yahya. \u201cWe knew that heating the system could be one way to purify it because heat can denature these components.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe challenge was in how to protect the essential system components from the high temperatures, she adds. \u201cWe wondered if introducing enzymes produced by a heat-loving bacterium,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EMoorella thermoacetica,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Emight protect our system, while still allowing us to denature and remove that inefficient background machinery.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe results were astounding: after introducing the enzymes, heating and \u201ccleaning\u201d the system, and letting it cool to room temperature, synthesis of the amino acids serine and glycine leaped to 97% yield \u2014 nearly three times that of the team\u2019s previous system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EScaling for Sustainability\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ETo make the system viable for large-scale use, the team also needed to reduce costs. \u201cOne of the most costly components in this system is the cofactor tetrahydrofolate (THF),\u201d Peralta-Yahya shares. \u201cReducing the amount of THF needed to start the process was one way to make the system more inexpensive and ultimately more commercially viable.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBy linking reaction steps so waste from one step fueled the next, the team devised a method to recycle THF within the system that reduces the amount of THF needed by five-fold \u2014 lowering bioprocessing costs by 42%.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThis decrease in cost and increase in yield is a critical step forward in creating a method with real potential for use in industry and manufacturing,\u201d Peralta-Yahya says. \u201cThis system could pave the way for moving this carbon-negative technology out of the lab and onto the continuous, industrial scale.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFunding: The Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E); U.S. Department of Energy; and the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research Program.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EDOI: \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acssynbio.5c00352\u0022 title=\u0022DOI URL\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acssynbio.5c00352\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have developed a breakthrough system to manufacture valuable amino acids. It\u2019s the most efficient system of its kind \u2014 and removes more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers have developed a breakthrough system to manufacture valuable amino acids. It\u2019s the most efficient system of its kind \u2014 and removes more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2026-03-17 16:04:13","changed_gmt":"2026-03-25 14:16:42","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679657":{"id":"679657","type":"image","title":"Amino Acids","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAn illustration of a chain of amino acids forming a protein (Credit: Adobe Stock)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773763467","gmt_created":"2026-03-17 16:04:27","changed":"1773763467","gmt_changed":"2026-03-17 16:04:27","alt":"Blue and orange spirals against a light blue background.","file":{"fid":"263840","name":"AdobeStock_421110334_Preview.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/17\/AdobeStock_421110334_Preview.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/17\/AdobeStock_421110334_Preview.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":483310,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/17\/AdobeStock_421110334_Preview.jpeg?itok=nVtDwueb"}}},"media_ids":["679657"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"},{"id":"660370","name":"Space"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"194685","name":"Manufacturing"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"192259","name":"cos-students"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689114":{"#nid":"689114","#data":{"type":"news","title":"ATDC Startups Secure Rare  FDA \u2018Breakthrough Device\u2019 Status ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s\u0026nbsp;uncommon\u0026nbsp;for any startup to receive the Food and\u0026nbsp;Drug\u0026nbsp;Administration\u2019s\u202f(FDA) Breakthrough Devices\u202fdesignation.\u0026nbsp;For the\u0026nbsp;roughly 40%\u0026nbsp;of applicants who receive the designation, it\u0026nbsp;shows that\u0026nbsp;the technology has real potential to improve patient outcomes and should get priority attention from the agency.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atdc.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAdvanced Technology Development Center\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(ATDC)\u0026nbsp;in Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/commercialization.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EOffice of Commercialization\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003Eannounced two of its\u0026nbsp;health technology\u0026nbsp;(HealthTech) portfolio\u0026nbsp;companies,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nephrodite.com\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENephrodite\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.orthopreserve.com\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EOrthoPreserve\u003C\/a\u003E, earned\u0026nbsp;the designation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAchieving this rare milestone\u0026nbsp;underscores\u0026nbsp;the caliber of founders, science, and support in ATDC\u2019s\u0026nbsp;30-company\u0026nbsp;HealthTech\u0026nbsp;portfolio, the incubator\u2019s largest focus\u0026nbsp;area.\u0026nbsp;It\u2019s\u0026nbsp;also a\u0026nbsp;win for\u0026nbsp;Georgia\u0026nbsp;because it\u0026nbsp;reflects\u0026nbsp;the strength of the state\u2019s\u0026nbsp;health\u0026nbsp;innovation\u0026nbsp;ecosystem.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis designation is one of the strongest signals the FDA gives that\u0026nbsp;a technology\u0026nbsp;could change the\u0026nbsp;standard of care,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;Greg Jungles, HealthTech catalyst at\u0026nbsp;ATDC.\u0026nbsp;\u201cFor ATDC to\u0026nbsp;have two in the same year is remarkable.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u202fBreakthrough Device\u202fProgram\u0026nbsp;doesn\u2019t\u0026nbsp;waive evidence requirements, but it\u202faccelerates learning\u202fwith the FDA, ATDC\u2019s Jungles said. \u201cThat means shorter response times,\u202fmore frequent meetings, and\u202fprioritized review. Teams avoid dead ends and align earlier on study designs and endpoints.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the founders\u0026nbsp;of both startups,\u0026nbsp;their technologies\u0026nbsp;come one step closer to moving their innovations to market.\u0026nbsp;Nephrodite\u2019s\u0026nbsp;technology\u0026nbsp;improves\u0026nbsp;the lives of dialysis\u0026nbsp;patients.\u0026nbsp;OrthoPreserve\u2019s\u0026nbsp;device addresses challenges faced by\u0026nbsp;those who suffer from chronic knee pain.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENephrodite: Advancing Continuous Artificial Kidney Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDr. Nikhil\u0026nbsp;Shah\u0026nbsp;and Dr. Hiep Nguyen,\u0026nbsp;cofounders\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;Nephrodite, aim\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;improve\u0026nbsp;care for dialysis patients\u0026nbsp;with end-stage kidney disease\u0026nbsp;who need transplants. These patients\u0026nbsp;often\u0026nbsp;spend\u0026nbsp;three to four hours in a\u0026nbsp;dialysis\u0026nbsp;clinic\u0026nbsp;up to\u0026nbsp;three times a week. Being\u0026nbsp;tethered to stationary machines\u0026nbsp;with needles\u0026nbsp;drawing blood via arm grafts\u0026nbsp;complicates\u0026nbsp;everyday\u0026nbsp;activities\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;from work\u0026nbsp;tasks\u0026nbsp;to the ability to travel.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDialysis addresses chronic kidney disease, which means kidneys no longer work properly. The treatments filter out toxins,\u0026nbsp;waste, and other fluids in the blood. Kidney disease\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/kidney-disease\/ckd-facts\/index.html\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ecosts Medicare\u0026nbsp;$124.5 billion\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And those costs are expected to rise because of increasing rates of kidney failure and chronic kidney disease.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDialysis, while lifesaving\u0026nbsp;when it was pioneered\u0026nbsp;in 1952, is incredibly burdensome,\u201d Shah said.\u0026nbsp;Besides being\u0026nbsp;a long process\u0026nbsp;that keeps the patient in a fixed location,\u0026nbsp;it\u2019s\u0026nbsp;physically tiring.\u0026nbsp;\u201cTaking out your blood\u0026nbsp;continually\u0026nbsp;many, many times over, and over the course of four hours\u0026nbsp;is the equivalent of running\u0026nbsp;the Boston Marathon, hitting the finish line, and then someone saying, \u2018You\u0027re not done;\u0026nbsp;go do\u0026nbsp;it again,\u2019\u0026nbsp;\u201d\u0026nbsp;he said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA surgeon by training,\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;expertise\u0026nbsp;in transplantation and oncology, Shah\u0026nbsp;is also an adjunct associate professor\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;Tech\u2019s School of Interactive Computing. He\u0026nbsp;worked with\u0026nbsp;Nguyen\u0026nbsp;to develop a\u0026nbsp;continuously\u0026nbsp;functioning mechanical artificial kidney, leading to\u0026nbsp;Nephrodite\u2019s\u0026nbsp;formation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;FDA\u2019s\u0026nbsp;breakthrough designation\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;its\u0026nbsp;artificial kidney\u0026nbsp;allows the company\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;pursue approvals to\u0026nbsp;begin tests in\u0026nbsp;human trials.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe company traces its beginnings to a German aerospace facility outside Munich,\u0026nbsp;where\u0026nbsp;Nguyen and\u0026nbsp;Shah\u0026nbsp;watched engineers\u0026nbsp;demonstrate\u0026nbsp;a pediatric artificial heart\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.berlinheart.com\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBerlin Heart\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThat\u2019s\u0026nbsp;how we got started,\u201d Shah said.\u0026nbsp;\u201cSeeing\u0026nbsp;an artificial heart that led us to\u0026nbsp;think about doing this for kidneys\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;because the kidney space has been largely ignored for 70 years.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBacked by a German federal grant,\u0026nbsp;Nephrodite\u0026nbsp;grew, moving from Germany to Boston, Massachusetts, then\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;Austin, Texas, before calling Atlanta home.\u0026nbsp;The\u0026nbsp;company joined\u0026nbsp;ATDC\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;tapped\u0026nbsp;into other Georgia Tech programs.\u0026nbsp;This\u0026nbsp;included\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/medtech.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECenter for MedTech Excellence\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gamep.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;Nephrodite\u0026nbsp;also\u0026nbsp;drew on\u0026nbsp;student talent as\u0026nbsp;the researchers\u0026nbsp;quietly\u0026nbsp;worked\u0026nbsp;on\u0026nbsp;their\u0026nbsp;continuous mechanical artificial kidney.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENephrodite\u0026nbsp;began\u0026nbsp;interviewing\u0026nbsp;patients\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;find out what they wanted\u0026nbsp;the artificial kidney needed to solve.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey learned patients\u0026nbsp;want\u0026nbsp;the ability to be mobile.\u0026nbsp;Patients also\u0026nbsp;desire\u0026nbsp;an alternative\u0026nbsp;therapy to large needles being inserted into arm grafts\u0026nbsp;because the injection sites are prone to\u0026nbsp;infection\u0026nbsp;and the grafts can fail. In addition, the process\u0026nbsp;can\u0026nbsp;be\u0026nbsp;painful and disfiguring. Finally,\u0026nbsp;patients want\u0026nbsp;a quality of life\u0026nbsp;independent of\u0026nbsp;machines.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThose\u0026nbsp;quality-of-life\u0026nbsp;needs, especially being free and mobile,\u0026nbsp;were\u0026nbsp;absolutely universal,\u201d Shah said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENephrodite\u0026nbsp;began developing the technology to\u0026nbsp;build\u0026nbsp;its device\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;a filter surgically implanted in the pelvis area.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe developed an implant designed to run\u0026nbsp;constantly, connected to larger blood vessels\u0026nbsp;in the pelvis\u0026nbsp;to\u202favoid arm graft failures, and paired with an external interface that lets patients sleep at night while the system removes toxins and excess fluid,\u201d Shah\u0026nbsp;explained.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe device also has\u0026nbsp;built-in sensors, with\u0026nbsp;data uploaded to the cloud,\u0026nbsp;enabling\u0026nbsp;medical care teams\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;remotely\u0026nbsp;monitor\u0026nbsp;their patients\u0026nbsp;while freeing\u0026nbsp;patients from frequent\u0026nbsp;in-clinic\u0026nbsp;visits.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShah said\u0026nbsp;Nephrodite\u2019s\u0026nbsp;device\u0026nbsp;could restore everyday\u202findependence,\u0026nbsp;while potentially\u202flowering infection risk.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u0027s like having an actual kidney, but\u0026nbsp;without\u0026nbsp;all the issues\u0026nbsp;of an unhealthy one,\u201d Shah said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOrthoPreserve: Innovating a Minimally Invasive Meniscus Implant\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EOrthoPreserve\u2019s technology aims\u0026nbsp;to address issues\u0026nbsp;from\u0026nbsp;people have with their meniscus,\u0026nbsp;the C\u2011shaped piece of cartilage in a knee joint that acts as a shock absorber between the thigh bone and shin bone.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough\u0026nbsp;patients undergo a now-routine surgery to address it,\u0026nbsp;incomplete recoveries are\u0026nbsp;also\u0026nbsp;common.\u0026nbsp;An estimated\u0026nbsp;quarter\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;patients\u202flater experience\u0026nbsp;recurring knee pain.\u0026nbsp;No FDA-approved implant\u202fcurrently exists for this population.\u0026nbsp;Now,\u0026nbsp;OrthoPreserveis developing a minimally invasive,\u202fartificial meniscus implant\u202fto\u202frestore cushioning,\u0026nbsp;relieve pain, and\u202fdelay\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;or even\u0026nbsp;prevent\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;knee replacement\u202ffor\u0026nbsp;some patients.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere are a million meniscus\u0026nbsp;surgeries every year, and 25% of those patients still live with recurring pain,\u201d said Jonathan Schwartz,\u0026nbsp;OrthoPreserve\u2019s\u0026nbsp;founder and CEO.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPatients\u0026nbsp;can\u0026nbsp;face\u202fdaily pain\u202ffrom\u0026nbsp;ordinary activities, such as\u0026nbsp;prolonged\u0026nbsp;standing\u0026nbsp;or\u0026nbsp;walking\u0026nbsp;a dog. Other activities like\u0026nbsp;jogging and\u0026nbsp;recreational sports\u0026nbsp;can\u0026nbsp;trigger flares\u202fthat\u0026nbsp;can lead to\u0026nbsp;swelling and\u0026nbsp;prolonged\u0026nbsp;discomfort, Schwartz said.\u0026nbsp;\u201cThose patients have\u202fno\u0026nbsp;reliable\u0026nbsp;options today,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re building a minimally invasive implant to\u202frestore cushioning\u202fand help people get back to the activities they love.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrhoPreserve\u2019s\u0026nbsp;durable implant\u0026nbsp;restores cushioning, and it\u0026nbsp;could help people\u202freturn to normal activities\u0026nbsp;and\u202fdelay invasive knee replacement. Along with this comes\u0026nbsp;potential cost and recovery benefits for the healthcare\u0026nbsp;system.\u202f \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESchwartz\u202fcreated the implant as his\u202f\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/tech-alum-launches-meniscus-implant-startup\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech master\u2019s thesis\u003C\/a\u003E\u202fin the lab of\u202f\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/ku\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EDavid Ku\u003C\/a\u003E\u202fin\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;Lawrence P. Huang Endowed Chair for Engineering Entrepreneurship and Regents\u0027 Professor\u0026nbsp;in\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. After industry experience,\u0026nbsp;Schwartz\u0026nbsp;returned to\u0026nbsp;further\u0026nbsp;develop\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;technology,\u0026nbsp;building on Georgia Tech\u2019s translational\u0026nbsp;expertise\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrthoPreserve\u0026nbsp;has completed\u202fmechanical testing and a successful\u202fstudy. The company\u0026nbsp;is raising a\u202f$2 million seed\u202fto complete validations and begin human trials, which Schwartz expects to start in\u0026nbsp;18 months.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe\u0026nbsp;FDA\u0026nbsp;breakthrough designation validates that nothing like this\u0026nbsp;technology\u0026nbsp;exists,\u0026nbsp;and that it has the potential to disrupt the standard of care,\u201d Schwartz\u0026nbsp;said,\u0026nbsp;adding the\u0026nbsp;U.S.\u2019\u0026nbsp;market\u0026nbsp;opportunity\u0026nbsp;is\u0026nbsp;roughly\u0026nbsp;$1.5 billion. \u201cWe finally have a minimally invasive\u0026nbsp;option to bridge the gap between meniscus surgery and knee replacement.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat FDA Breakthrough Designation Means for\u0026nbsp;ATDC\u2019s\u0026nbsp;HealthTech Startups\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHaving a\u0026nbsp;faster\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;clearer path is a\u202fderisking milestone\u202ffor investors\u0026nbsp;who are\u0026nbsp;evaluating\u0026nbsp;capital intensive\u0026nbsp;medical\u0026nbsp;device\u0026nbsp;technologies,\u0026nbsp;Jungles\u0026nbsp;said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis\u0026nbsp;breakthrough device designation is a really big deal for medical\u0026nbsp;device companies,\u201d Jungles said, adding\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;startups often fear navigating the FDA\u0026nbsp;approval\u0026nbsp;process.\u0026nbsp;\u201cBut this designation\u0026nbsp;adds to the legitimacy of their technologies\u0026nbsp;and the problemsthey are solving. The designation will help them get to market faster, assuming their data continues to meet expectations.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EATDC launched its\u202f\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atdc.org\/industry\/healthtech\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EHealthTech vertical\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;in 2018,\u0026nbsp;which is\u0026nbsp;now\u0026nbsp;sponsored by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/catalyst.wellstar.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECatalyst by Wellstar\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;ATDC\u2019s HealthTech\u0026nbsp;portfoilo\u0026nbsp;companies\u0026nbsp;include\u0026nbsp;medical devices, biotech, and digital health, among other segments.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EATDC\u2019s Role in Accelerating HealthTech Innovation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENephrodite\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;OrthoPreserve\u2019s\u0026nbsp;founders\u0026nbsp;noted\u0026nbsp;ATDC\u2019s\u202fcoaching\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;programming\u0026nbsp;as critical in navigating fundraising and regulatory milestones.\u0026nbsp;Another\u0026nbsp;factor, they said,\u0026nbsp;was\u0026nbsp;ATDC\u2019s\u0026nbsp;connection\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;labs and facilities\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;prototyping support and clinical advisors\u0026nbsp;from\u0026nbsp;across\u0026nbsp;metro\u0026nbsp;Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe meet with ATDC coaches every two to four weeks to troubleshoot and plan,\u201d Schwartz said. \u201cHaving that level of seasoned guidance, all\u0026nbsp;without consultant-level costs,\u0026nbsp;has been huge.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJungles added\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;two\u0026nbsp;Breakthrough device\u0026nbsp;designations in the same year\u0026nbsp;reflects\u0026nbsp;ATDC\u2019s selection rigor, noting\u0026nbsp;he\u2019s\u0026nbsp;evaluated hundreds of technologies since the HealthTech vertical launched.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt reflects the caliber\u0026nbsp;of the companies in\u0026nbsp;ATDC, specifically in the medical\u0026nbsp;device space,\u201d Jungles said. \u201cIt\u2019s the strength of their teams, the persistence of the founders, and the collaboration of the ecosystem in Georgia and Atlanta.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFDA Breakthrough Device designation is rare for health technology startups.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Milestone designation signals strong potential to reshape care for dialysis patients and those with chronic knee pain."}],"uid":"28137","created_gmt":"2026-03-20 21:15:57","changed_gmt":"2026-03-24 15:34:46","author":"P\u00e9ralte Paul","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-20T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-20T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679705":{"id":"679705","type":"image","title":"Shah and Nguyen headshots","body":"\u003Cp\u003EDr. Nikhil\u0026nbsp;Shah\u0026nbsp;and Dr. Hiep Nguyen,\u0026nbsp;are cofounders\u0026nbsp;of\u0026nbsp;Nephrodite, an ATDC startup.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774043491","gmt_created":"2026-03-20 21:51:31","changed":"1774043761","gmt_changed":"2026-03-20 21:56:01","alt":"Shah and Nguyen headshots","file":{"fid":"263896","name":"Screenshot-2026-03-20-at-17.49.33.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/20\/Screenshot-2026-03-20-at-17.49.33.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/20\/Screenshot-2026-03-20-at-17.49.33.png","mime":"image\/png","size":289138,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/20\/Screenshot-2026-03-20-at-17.49.33.png?itok=tG6Q9aU1"}},"679703":{"id":"679703","type":"image","title":"Jonathan Schwartz headshot","body":"\u003Cp\u003EJonathan Schwartz,\u0026nbsp;OrthoPreserve\u2019s\u0026nbsp;founder and CEO.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1774042486","gmt_created":"2026-03-20 21:34:46","changed":"1774042827","gmt_changed":"2026-03-20 21:40:27","alt":"Headshot of Jonathan Schwartz.","file":{"fid":"263894","name":"J-schwartz-headshot_W.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/20\/J-schwartz-headshot_W.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/20\/J-schwartz-headshot_W.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":514027,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/20\/J-schwartz-headshot_W.jpg?itok=fyQrz_1r"}}},"media_ids":["679705","679703"],"groups":[{"id":"655285","name":"GT Commercialization"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"}],"keywords":[{"id":"4238","name":"atdc"},{"id":"194965","name":"Greg Jungles"},{"id":"194966","name":"Catalyst by Wellstar"},{"id":"14713","name":"FDA"},{"id":"189701","name":"breakthrough device designation"},{"id":"194967","name":"Nephrodite"},{"id":"194968","name":"OrthoPreserve"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"},{"id":"193654","name":"Enterprise Innovation Institute"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EP\u00e9ralte C. Paul\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:peralte@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eperalte@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E404.316.1210\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["peralte@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688551":{"#nid":"688551","#data":{"type":"news","title":"David Sherrill Named Executive Director of the Institute for Data Engineering and Science","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech has appointed David Sherrill as executive director of the Institute for Data Engineering and Science (IDEaS), effective March 1. Sherrill is a Regents\u0027 Professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry with a joint appointment in the School of Computational Science \u0026amp; Engineering. Sherrill has served as associate director for IDEaS since its founding in 2016 and as interim director since January 1, 2025.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u2019m thrilled to see Professor Sherrill tackle this role for the coming 5 years. He understands the rapidly evolving opportunities to apply AI and data science approaches to the diversity of research conducted by Georgia Tech faculty and students, and has a strong agenda to help our researchers make the most of this explosive change in the research landscape.\u201d Said V.P. of Interdisciplinary Research, Julia Kubanek. \u201cHe also has deep experience with team building and management which will position IDEaS favorably.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs executive director, Sherrill will guide IDEaS\u2019 current initiatives, which include the Microsoft CloudHub program that supports innovative applications in Generative Artificial Intelligence, and provide oversight and support for the joint College of Computing \/ IDEaS Center for Artificial Intelligence in Science and Engineering (ARTISAN), which provides\u0026nbsp; Georgia Tech faculty and research engineers expert support staff, needed cyberinfrastructure, software resources, and advice to assist faculty with projects using large data sets or using AI and machine learning to drive discovery.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESherrill will also the lead the launch of a new strategic vision, emphasizing the Georgia Tech research community\u2019s expertise in the development of AI and ML techniques and their application to problems in science and engineering, high performance computing, and academic software. Sherrill will focus on internal and external partnerships at IDEaS, creating new collaborative efforts in areas such as economics, policy, and the arts and humanities. He will also work to strengthen current connections across Georgia Tech\u2019s Colleges, Interdisciplinary Research Institutes (IRIs), and the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s a great honor to be named the next executive director of IDEaS,\u201d said Sherrill.\u0026nbsp; \u201cGeorgia Tech has world-class faculty and students, and an unparalleled spirit of collaboration.\u0026nbsp; By bringing together faculty from across campus and working together with some of the amazing student groups, we can leverage the power of AI to accelerate our research and maximize our impact.\u0026nbsp; IDEaS will continue to run upskilling workshops to help our campus keep pace with the rapid changes in AI.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESherrill is an active promoter of education in computational quantum chemistry, as well as a strong voice for the benefits of open-source software for research acceleration. He was named Outreach Volunteer of the Year by the Georgia Section of the American Chemical Society in 2017, and he is the lead principal investigator of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/PSI_(computational_chemistry)\u0022\u003EPsi\u003C\/a\u003E open-source quantum chemistry program.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESherrill earned a B.S. in chemistry from MIT in 1992 and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Georgia in 1996. From 1996-1999 Sherril was an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESherrill is Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the American Chemical Society, and the American Physical Society, and he has been Associate Editor of the Journal of Chemical Physics since 2009.\u0026nbsp;Sherrill has received a Camille and Henry Dreyfus New Faculty Award, the International Journal of Quantum Chemistry Young Investigator Award, an NSF CAREER Award, and Georgia Tech\u0027s W. Howard Ector Outstanding Teacher Award. In 2023, he received the Herty Medal from the Georgia Section of the American Chemical Society, and in 2024, he was elected to the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E- Christa M. Ernst\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech has appointed David Sherrill as executive director of the Institute for Data Engineering and Science (IDEaS), effective March 1. Sherrill is a Regents\u0027 Professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry with a joint appointment in the School of Computational Science \u0026amp; Engineering. Sherrill has served as associate director for IDEaS since its founding in 2016 and as interim director since January 1, 2025.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech has appointed David Sherrill as executive director of the Institute for Data Engineering and Science (IDEaS), effective March 1. "}],"uid":"27863","created_gmt":"2026-02-26 17:22:25","changed_gmt":"2026-03-10 20:55:44","author":"Christa Ernst","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-26T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-26T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679455":{"id":"679455","type":"image","title":"David-Sherrill-for-Ex-Dir-Bio-Page.jpg","body":null,"created":"1772126566","gmt_created":"2026-02-26 17:22:46","changed":"1772126566","gmt_changed":"2026-02-26 17:22:46","alt":"Picture of David Sherrill who has been Named Executive Director of the Institute for Data Engineering and Science","file":{"fid":"263619","name":"David-Sherrill-for-Ex-Dir-Bio-Page.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/26\/David-Sherrill-for-Ex-Dir-Bio-Page.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/26\/David-Sherrill-for-Ex-Dir-Bio-Page.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":55311,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/26\/David-Sherrill-for-Ex-Dir-Bio-Page.jpg?itok=9oMmhNCm"}}},"media_ids":["679455"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"}],"categories":[{"id":"130","name":"Alumni"},{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"194609","name":"Industry"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187023","name":"go-data"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187190","name":"-go-gtmi"},{"id":"188084","name":"go-ipat"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"187582","name":"go-ibb"},{"id":"188360","name":"go-bbiss"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChrista M. Ernst - \u003C\/strong\u003EResearch Communications Program Manager\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["christa.ernst@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688513":{"#nid":"688513","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Proving the Hypothesis: Kendreze Holland Becomes First Project ENGAGES Scholar to Earn Doctorate ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbstract\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt was a hypothesis. I was the experiment, and the hypothesis was proven true.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECan an\u0026nbsp;inner-city student who grew up below the poverty line\u0026nbsp;earn a Ph.D. and make a career in research?\u0026nbsp;In theory, yes.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe barriers are many.\u0026nbsp;But\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2451929424001888\u0022\u003Eliterature\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;suggests that early exposure to\u0026nbsp;STEM and research opportunities\u0026nbsp;can increase the odds\u0026nbsp;for students in need.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor\u0026nbsp;Kendreze\u0026nbsp;Holland,\u0026nbsp;the idea of\u0026nbsp;making it to college\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;earning an advanced degree\u0026nbsp;was a hypothesis.\u0026nbsp;Sure, theoretically\u0026nbsp;it could be done\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;but\u0026nbsp;in his\u0026nbsp;own home, not\u0026nbsp;everyone\u0026nbsp;had\u0026nbsp;even\u0026nbsp;made it past high school.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOften,\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;first\u0026nbsp;question\u0026nbsp;on the way to\u0026nbsp;scientific discovery\u0026nbsp;is:\u0026nbsp;What if? What if a student like Holland received the right help at the right time?\u0026nbsp;What if he\u0026nbsp;was guided\u0026nbsp;along the way by\u0026nbsp;mentors\u0026nbsp;who were leaders in their fields? What if\u0026nbsp;he was given the opportunity to develop professional skills\u0026nbsp;and make valuable connections?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHolland asked himself: What if he could be the one to\u0026nbsp;prove the hypothesis true?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIntroduction\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHolland grew up\u0026nbsp;in northwest\u0026nbsp;Atlanta,\u0026nbsp;one of seven children\u0026nbsp;raised by a single mother.\u0026nbsp;Being\u0026nbsp;one of so many children, most would struggle to stand out. But Holland always\u0026nbsp;sought\u0026nbsp;to be different.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMy perpetual intention was to be less of a burden to my mother,\u201d he said. \u201cSince my mother\u2019s education limited her abilities to help with my schoolwork, I went above the call of duty to stand out in academics.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHis mother\u2019s education was cut short in ninth grade so she could raise her first child,\u0026nbsp;Holland\u2019s older sister,\u0026nbsp;and no one in his family had gone to college.\u0026nbsp;In his mind, he had\u0026nbsp;three career paths\u0026nbsp;to choose from: football, hip hop, or retail.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cStanding at a solid 5 foot 8,\u0026nbsp;the first\u0026nbsp;would have been difficult,\u201d he joked. \u201cAnd the latter two were not my calling.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJust like his mother, the course of his life changed in his ninth-grade year. For\u0026nbsp;Holland,\u0026nbsp;it began an academic journey\u0026nbsp;he never expected.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2012, he was attending\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/best.atlantapublicschools.us\/\u0022\u003EB.E.S.T.\u0026nbsp;Academy\u003C\/a\u003E, an all-boys\u0026nbsp;public\u0026nbsp;school for grades six through\u0026nbsp;12\u0026nbsp;focused on\u0026nbsp;business and STEM.\u0026nbsp;Biology\u0026nbsp;class\u0026nbsp;was\u0026nbsp;just another hour\u0026nbsp;waiting to pass\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;15-year-old\u0026nbsp;Holland,\u0026nbsp;until the day\u0026nbsp;two guest speakers from\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech\u0026nbsp;walked into the room with \u201csome weird\u0026nbsp;apparatuses and mechanical chopsticks.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe two guests\u0026nbsp;used the equipment\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;gel electrophoresis systems and pipettes\u0026nbsp;\u2014 to show the boys\u0026nbsp;what research can look like in real life.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis experience sparked within me a drive for science, and it was the first time I realized that I wanted to, and could,\u0026nbsp;attain\u0026nbsp;an advanced scientific degree,\u201d Holland said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe two speakers were\u0026nbsp;Manu Platt, a professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/schools\/biomedical-engineering\u0022\u003EWallace H.\u0026nbsp;Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;at Georgia Tech and Emory University, and Jerald Dumas, a postdoctoral researcher.\u0026nbsp;Platt and Dumas\u0026nbsp;were\u0026nbsp;there\u0026nbsp;to recruit students for a new program\u0026nbsp;called\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/projectengages.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EProject ENGAGES\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;within the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/bio\u0022\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(IBB).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe program was co-founded by Platt and the late Robert M. Nerem, IBB\u2019s founding executive director, to give\u0026nbsp;students\u0026nbsp;like Holland an opportunity\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;participate\u0026nbsp;in real research projects\u0026nbsp;that would hopefully\u0026nbsp;plant a seed\u0026nbsp;in the next generation of scientists.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents\u0026nbsp;come from\u0026nbsp;one of eight partner schools in Atlanta. Once\u0026nbsp;accepted, they\u0026nbsp;are\u0026nbsp;connected\u0026nbsp;to a Georgia Tech graduate\u0026nbsp;student who\u0026nbsp;mentors them and\u0026nbsp;supervises their work, and\u0026nbsp;they\u0026nbsp;get paid to\u0026nbsp;work in\u0026nbsp;their assigned\u0026nbsp;lab\u0026nbsp;for\u0026nbsp;one year.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProject ENGAGES\u0026nbsp;does more than\u0026nbsp;expose students to STEM concepts and ideas. It\u0026nbsp;equips them with the skills and knowledge to carry out their own independent research projects.\u0026nbsp;They also\u0026nbsp;have\u0026nbsp;opportunities to\u0026nbsp;establish\u0026nbsp;connections with university faculty and industry representatives who can provide career guidance and support.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMethods\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough Holland\u0026nbsp;didn\u2019t\u0026nbsp;meet the program\u2019s age requirement\u0026nbsp;in 2012, he applied again\u0026nbsp;the next year and\u0026nbsp;was accepted.\u0026nbsp;During his junior and senior years of high\u0026nbsp;school,\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;worked\u0026nbsp;in Platt\u2019s lab, where he aided with\u0026nbsp;projects\u0026nbsp;involving proteins, cell cultures, and\u0026nbsp;antibodies.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOver the course of those two years, the growth I saw scientifically, professionally, and in maturity, all corroborated my belief that\u0026nbsp;Kendreze\u0026nbsp;was going far, and able to push past whatever goals and obstacles he comes up against,\u201d\u0026nbsp;said Platt,\u0026nbsp;now the\u0026nbsp;director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nibib.nih.gov\/labs-at-nibib\/center-for-biomedical-engineering-technology-acceleration-beta\u0022\u003ECenter for Biomedical Engineering Technology Acceleration\u003C\/a\u003E housed within the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nibib.nih.gov\/\u0022\u003ENational Institute of\u0026nbsp;Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHolland\u0027s experience sparked\u0026nbsp;a love for science\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;a career-long connection with Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;After high school, he\u0026nbsp;graduated summa cum laude\u0026nbsp;with a degree in chemistry\u0026nbsp;from Georgia State University.\u0026nbsp;As an undergraduate, he stayed connected with Tech and with IBB as a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/bio\/petit-undergraduate-research-scholars-program\u0022\u003EPetit Scholar\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;a yearlong mentorship program and research experience for top students around Atlanta.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI really wanted to stay close to home, and I felt like everything was in my backyard,\u201d he said. \u201cThere are many people who come\u0026nbsp;here\u0026nbsp;from other places\u0026nbsp;to Tech because of the great\u0026nbsp;science that is going on.\u0026nbsp;There\u2019s\u0026nbsp;something special about Atlanta, and\u0026nbsp;I\u2019m\u0026nbsp;just getting the best of what I can from it.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe credits his\u0026nbsp;time\u0026nbsp;in Project ENGAGES\u0026nbsp;with\u0026nbsp;giving him the confidence and resilience\u0026nbsp;to continue toward his goals.\u0026nbsp;Like many others in the program, he was a first-generation college student\u0026nbsp;with little to no\u0026nbsp;guidance\u0026nbsp;for his academic career.\u0026nbsp;The\u0026nbsp;holistic approach\u0026nbsp;of Project ENGAGES\u0026nbsp;provided\u0026nbsp;professional development opportunities and standardized test preparation\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;ready\u0026nbsp;him\u0026nbsp;for life in college and beyond.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI knew I\u0026nbsp;wanted to go to grad school, but I didn\u2019t know I was going to do all these things,\u201d he said.\u0026nbsp;\u201cHaving that one goal sprouted a lot of side quests that just grew into something bigger.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter graduating from\u0026nbsp;Georgia State\u0026nbsp;in 2020, Holland was accepted into Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bioengineering.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EBioengineering Graduate Program\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;as a doctoral student.\u0026nbsp;In December\u0026nbsp;2025, he became the first Project ENGAGES\u0026nbsp;alumnus\u0026nbsp;to\u0026nbsp;successfully defend his dissertation,\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;he\u0026nbsp;is expected to graduate\u0026nbsp;this spring.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/lakeita-servance\u0022\u003ELakeita\u0026nbsp;Servance\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;assistant\u0026nbsp;director of Outreach Initiatives at IBB, was\u0026nbsp;the program manager for Project ENGAGES when Holland was accepted\u0026nbsp;and cheered him on\u0026nbsp;more than 10 years later as he\u0026nbsp;presented his\u0026nbsp;doctoral\u0026nbsp;research.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAs I sat in that room while he was defending his dissertation and\u0026nbsp;sharing his research with all of us, I still reflected on that boy\u0026nbsp;I saw at 16 years old,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was\u0026nbsp;this full circle moment to see him make it all the way back here.\u0026nbsp;The investment\u0026nbsp;we made over a decade ago has paid off in such a large way.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResults\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to being the first in his family to go to college and earn an advanced degree, Holland\u0026nbsp;received financial support from the National Science Foundation\u2019s Graduate Research Fellowship Program;\u0026nbsp;was\u0026nbsp;awarded\u0026nbsp;multiple\u0026nbsp;prestigious\u0026nbsp;fellowships, including FORD,\u0026nbsp;GEM, and Herbert P. Haley;\u0026nbsp;landed an internship\u0026nbsp;with 3M Corporate Research Materials Laboratory;\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;served as a\u0026nbsp;mentor\u0026nbsp;in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/nakatani-ries\/\u0022\u003ENakatani Research and International Experience for Students\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;He has\u0026nbsp;published papers, led panel discussions,\u0026nbsp;applied\u0026nbsp;for patents, and\u0026nbsp;presented his research at national conferences.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAll that stemmed from Project ENGAGES,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd more importantly, I applied\u0026nbsp;to be a mentor for the ENGAGES program.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHolland said some of\u0026nbsp;his\u0026nbsp;most\u0026nbsp;meaningful experiences have come from\u0026nbsp;being able to give back.\u0026nbsp;He has served as a mentor, both formally and informally,\u0026nbsp;to more than half a dozen students,\u0026nbsp;some\u0026nbsp;who\u0026nbsp;come\u0026nbsp;from backgrounds\u0026nbsp;much like his own.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u0026nbsp;wanted to\u0026nbsp;give\u0026nbsp;back to the program because it poured so much into me. They were able to get me all the way to the Ph.D. level, so I knew that I could use my grind to help other students.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EConclusion\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHaving proved the hypothesis true, Holland is turning his focus to the future, considering his options in academia and corporate research while he continues to work as a postdoc at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHis research in John\u0026nbsp;Blazeck\u2019s\u0026nbsp;lab\u0026nbsp;focuses on cellular engineering using CRISPR gene editing technology\u0026nbsp;to regulate gene profiles, meaning he and other researchers can turn certain genes up and others down to affect\u0026nbsp;the way cells respond.\u0026nbsp;Though he is currently working with yeast cells, he hopes that his research will translate into mammalian cells that could have more clinical applications.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn terms of diseases and disorders, you can use it to tune genes to help someone experiencing cancer\u0026nbsp;by helping immune cells or stopping cancer cells from dividing rapidly,\u201d he said. \u201cYou can also help other cells to survive longer, and longer cell viability means potentially a patient can survive longer.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat began as a presentation in\u0026nbsp;a\u0026nbsp;high school science class has led Holland\u0026nbsp;to a future he never expected.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/2815\u0022\u003ETequila Harris\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W.\u0026nbsp;Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;co-director of Project ENGAGES, said\u0026nbsp;his story shows others that they can do the same.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI believe his achievements will inspire and motivate generations of students to pursue dreams that they may not have known they had.\u0026nbsp;Kendreze\u0026nbsp;Holland has fundamentally shown others that there are multiple pathways to engage in STEM and that opportunities and access to advanced degrees can\u0026nbsp;be\u0026nbsp;attained\u0026nbsp;by those willing to do the work.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHolland\u0027s story is symbolic of the ultimate goal for Project ENGAGES:\u0026nbsp;to change the lives of talented young people who may never have had the opportunity to succeed.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThat\u2019s why I was so adamant about getting my Ph.D.,\u201d he said,\u0026nbsp;\u201cto show\u0026nbsp;that one could potentially overcome what they were going through to do something extraordinary.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EProject ENGAGES is possible thanks to philanthropic support from our generous community: \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/giving.gatech.edu\/campaigns\/60129\/donations\/new?designation_id=55a493\u0026amp;\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDonate here\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor Kendreze Holland, the idea of making it to college and earning an advanced degree was a hypothesis. Holland asked himself: What if he could be the one to prove the hypothesis true?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat began as a presentation in a high school science class has led Holland to a future he never expected \u2013 planning to graduate from Georgia Tech with a Ph.D. in bioengineering this spring. His story is symbolic of the ultimate goal for the Project ENGAGES program: to change the lives of talented young people who may never have had the opportunity to succeed.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"In December 2025, he became the first Project ENGAGES alumnus to successfully defend his dissertation, and he is expected to graduate this spring. "}],"uid":"36479","created_gmt":"2026-02-25 13:55:09","changed_gmt":"2026-03-09 17:59:22","author":"abowman41","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679431":{"id":"679431","type":"image","title":"Holland-Lab.jpg","body":null,"created":"1772045667","gmt_created":"2026-02-25 18:54:27","changed":"1772045667","gmt_changed":"2026-02-25 18:54:27","alt":"A man in a lab coat wearing safety goggles and gloves puts samples into a machine in a scientific lab","file":{"fid":"263594","name":"Holland-Lab.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/Holland-Lab.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/Holland-Lab.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1197473,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/25\/Holland-Lab.jpg?itok=3WyFADtX"}}},"media_ids":["679431"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"188776","name":"go-research"},{"id":"172056","name":"go-BioE"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAshlie Bowman | Communications Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["ashlie.bowman@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688493":{"#nid":"688493","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Augusta Positioned to Become a Leader in Medical Device Entrepreneurship","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Institute of Technology and Augusta University have launched a collaborative effort to boost the city\u2019s medical device innovation ecosystem.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Augusta region is already a major hub for health and life sciences, boasting five hospitals and the Medical College of Georgia, the nation\u2019s 13th oldest medical school and one of its largest.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditionally, the advocacy nonprofit \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.galifesciences.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Life Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E designated the region a BioReady Gold community. This ratings system recognizes its existing bioscience assets and its commitment to expanding infrastructure and commercialization, marking Augusta as a desired choice for biotech companies looking for suitable sites to expand.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELeading the work at Georgia Tech are the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gamep.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership\u003C\/a\u003E (GaMEP) and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atdc.org\/\u0022\u003EAdvanced Technology Development Center\u003C\/a\u003E (ATDC).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGaMEP is a program of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/innovate.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEnterprise Innovation Institute\u003C\/a\u003E, Tech\u2019s chief economic development arm. It brings a\u0026nbsp;dedicated team with the unique skills required to help innovators clearly understand the requirements needed to bring medical devices to market.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen entrepreneurs gain insight into the regulatory and quality requirements early in development, they can make informed, strategic decisions that can significantly reduce both time and cost,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;Sarah Jo Tucker, industry manager for GaMEP\u2019s medical device group. \u201cWe partner closely with innovators throughout the process and bring deep expertise in the regulatory requirements while they bring expertise in their technology. Together, we can move products efficiently and confidently from concept to commercialization.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EADTC, part of Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/commercialization.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EOffice of Commercialization\u003C\/a\u003E, is the state\u2019s premier technology incubator and the oldest university-based incubator in the country. ATDC provides guidance and resources for entrepreneurs and founders to successfully launch and scale their technology companies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince its founding in 1980, ATDC\u2019s startup graduates have attracted more than $6.2 billion in investment and generated over $14 billion in revenue in Georgia. Through the partnership with Augusta University, ATDC uses its expertise to serve\u0026nbsp;entrepreneurs in the medical device field.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Medical innovation across the state of Georgia is critical for our health tech industries to thrive,\u201d said Chris Dickson, ATDC\u2019s startup catalyst in the Augusta region. \u201cWe identify investment-ready medical technology startups and provide the support needed while they are scaling their businesses.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA major hub for the life sciences, Augusta University is home to a wealth of researchers in the biomedical and related fields. This makes the institution ideally situated to help facilitate medical device commercialization.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGuido Verbeck understands this dynamic firsthand. A\u0026nbsp;professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Augusta University, he is also an entrepreneur and medical device innovator.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAcademia is a fantastic platform for launching ideas, but there must be an understanding of how to bring a device to market,\u201d said Verbeck. \u201cPhysicians and practitioners who are also academics are solving problems in real time, but they often lack the resources and support to get their ideas to production and commercialization.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELynsey\u0026nbsp;Steinberg, director of innovation for Augusta University\u2019s strategic partnerships and economic development team, summed up collaboration\u2019s goal.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen we tap our depth of talent, innovation, and community collaboration, this region has what it takes to become a launchpad for medical device startups \u2014 a place where bold ideas find the purpose they need to succeed to solve real-world problems,\u201d she said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s GaMEP medical device commercialization team\u0026nbsp;and the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC)\u0026nbsp;are now working directly with Augusta researchers, clinicians, and entrepreneurs to help move medical device ideas from concept to commercialization.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A partnership between Georgia Tech and Augusta University supports the effort ."}],"uid":"28137","created_gmt":"2026-02-24 17:16:53","changed_gmt":"2026-02-24 17:25:03","author":"P\u00e9ralte Paul","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Augusta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679409":{"id":"679409","type":"image","title":"Downtown Augusta ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe city of Augusta is a major hub for health and life sciences, boasting five hospitals and the Medical College of Georgia.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1771953448","gmt_created":"2026-02-24 17:17:28","changed":"1771953675","gmt_changed":"2026-02-24 17:21:15","alt":"Aerial view of downtown Augusta","file":{"fid":"263570","name":"AdobeStock_466386413.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/24\/AdobeStock_466386413.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/24\/AdobeStock_466386413.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":10707782,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/24\/AdobeStock_466386413.jpeg?itok=SgNSyEj_"}}},"media_ids":["679409"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"16331","name":"GaMEP"},{"id":"3671","name":"Enterprise Innovation Institute"},{"id":"4238","name":"atdc"},{"id":"2579","name":"commercialization"},{"id":"9535","name":"medical device"},{"id":"172575","name":"Augusta University"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"},{"id":"193654","name":"Enterprise Innovation Institute"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEve Tolpa\u003Cbr\u003Eeve.tolpa@innovate.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687826":{"#nid":"687826","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Yellow Jacket Connection Sparks Glaucoma Research Fund at Tech","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAn estimated 4 million Americans have glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that can lead to irreversible blindness.\u0026nbsp;Now, Georgia Tech is home to a Glaucoma Research Fund that will\u0026nbsp;support cutting-edge work to understand and advance treatments for the disease.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe new initiative was sparked by ongoing research at Georgia Tech \u2014 and a Yellow Jacket connection: when\u0026nbsp;Postdoctoral Research Fellow\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EHannah Youngblood\u003C\/strong\u003E\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.brightfocus.org\/news\/a-key-protein-could-alter-risk-for-pseudoexfoliation-glaucoma\/\u0022\u003Ework on exfoliation glaucoma (XFG)\u003C\/a\u003E was featured by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.brightfocus.org\/\u0022\u003EBrightFocus Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;it caught the attention of\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EJennifer Rucker,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ean Alabama resident who was diagnosed with XFG several years ago.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EExcited that the research could change outcomes for people like her \u2014 and proud that it\u2019s happening at her husband\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EPhilip Rucker\u003C\/strong\u003E\u2019s, EE 72, alma mater \u2014 Jennifer Rucker reached out to Youngblood and her advisor,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E Professor and Kelly Sepcic Pfeil, Ph.D. Chair\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/raquel-lieberman\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERaquel Lieberman\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cAs the wife of a Georgia Tech graduate and an individual with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, I was inspired to support the scientists whose efforts may help me and others,\u201d Jennifer Rucker says.\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EWhat followed was a meaningful dialogue and a shared sense of purpose \u2014 and the creation of the Georgia Tech Glaucoma Research Fund (Wreck Glaucoma! Fund).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cIt meant so much that Jennifer took the initiative to reach out to learn more about our research,\u201d says Lieberman. \u201cMoments like this remind me how deeply meaningful it is to connect with people in the broader community who are navigating glaucoma. Opportunities for such personal connections are rare, but they inspire and further motivate us to achieve our lab\u2019s mission to improve the lives of individuals suffering from blindness diseases.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Personal Connection\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EYoungblood\u2019s interest in glaucoma research also stems from a personal connection: her father\u0026nbsp;was diagnosed with glaucoma as a young adult.\u0026nbsp;Now, Youngblood\u0026nbsp;studies the genetic and molecular factors behind XFG in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lieberman.chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ELieberman research lab\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cXFG is an aggressive form of the disease with no known cure,\u201d Youngblood says.\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EWhile scientists know that XFG is the result of abnormal accumulation of proteins in the eye, current treatments only address symptoms rather than treating the root cause of the disease.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWe know XFG is driven by protein buildup, but we still don\u2019t know\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003Ewhy\u003C\/em\u003E it happens,\u201d she explains. \u201cMy work studying specific genetic variants aims to uncover this.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Genetics of Glaucoma\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn particular, Youngblood is researching the role of LOXL1, a protein that plays a role in soft tissue throughout the body, including the eyes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cResearch has shown that people with variants in the genes responsible for this protein are more likely to have XFG,\u201d she says. \u201cThat made me curious to see if the variants might be impacting the structure of the LOXL1 protein itself and how those variants might lead to disease.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EYoungblood is currently testing her theory in the lab. \u201cMy hope is that new insight into proteins like LOXL1 will bring us closer to treatments that address XFG at its source,\u201d she says. \u201cThe new Georgia Tech Glaucoma Research Fund is a tremendous step forward in making that hope a reality.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESupport the Georgia Tech Glaucoma Research Fund\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPlease visit the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/giving.gatech.edu\/campaigns\/59801\/donations\/new?designation_id=a000015611000\u0026amp;\u0022\u003EGlaucoma Research Fund support page\u003C\/a\u003E to give to this specific program. To discuss additional philanthropic opportunities, please contact the College of Sciences Development Team:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:development@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Edevelopment@cos.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYour investment ensures that these scholars and researchers have world-class resources, facilities, and mentors to excel in this critical work. Thank you for helping us shape the future.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen\u0026nbsp;Postdoctoral Research Fellow\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EHannah Youngblood\u003C\/strong\u003E\u2019s\u0026nbsp;work on exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) was featured by the\u0026nbsp;BrightFocus Foundation,\u0026nbsp;it caught the attention of\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EJennifer Rucker,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ean Alabama resident who was diagnosed with XFG several years ago. What followed was a meaningful dialogue and a shared sense of purpose \u2014 and the creation of the Georgia Tech Glaucoma Research Fund (Wreck Glaucoma! Fund).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"When\u00a0Postdoctoral Research Fellow\u00a0Hannah Youngblood\u2019s\u00a0work on exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) was featured by the\u00a0BrightFocus Foundation,\u00a0it caught the attention of\u00a0Jennifer Rucker,\u00a0an Alabama resident who was diagnosed with XFG several years ago. "}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2026-01-29 17:23:21","changed_gmt":"2026-02-19 15:19:24","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679130":{"id":"679130","type":"image","title":"Hannah Youngblood","body":null,"created":"1769722230","gmt_created":"2026-01-29 21:30:30","changed":"1769722339","gmt_changed":"2026-01-29 21:32:19","alt":"Hannah Youngblood","file":{"fid":"263251","name":"Headshot.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/29\/Headshot.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/29\/Headshot.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":42055,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/29\/Headshot.jpg?itok=1PjOSH2M"}},"679127":{"id":"679127","type":"image","title":"Raquel Lieberman","body":null,"created":"1769707506","gmt_created":"2026-01-29 17:25:06","changed":"1769722356","gmt_changed":"2026-01-29 21:32:36","alt":"Raquel Lieberman","file":{"fid":"263248","name":"083.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/29\/083.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/29\/083.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":14074756,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/29\/083.jpg?itok=qPG_sbYX"}}},"media_ids":["679130","679127"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/giving.gatech.edu\/campaigns\/59801\/donations\/new?designation_id=a000015611000\u0026","title":"Make a Gift to Support the Georgia Tech Glaucoma Research Fund"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"}],"categories":[{"id":"130","name":"Alumni"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"193234","name":"Campaign Stories"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"194631","name":"cos-georgia"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688211":{"#nid":"688211","#data":{"type":"news","title":"2026 Awardees Announced for Regenerative Engineering and Medicine Center Collaborative Seed Grant ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdvancing the frontiers of regenerative medicine means more than pushing scientific boundaries \u2014 it means improving and extending human life. The Regenerative Engineering and Medicine Center (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.regenerativeengineeringandmedicine.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EREM\u003C\/a\u003E) is a partnership with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.emory.edu\/home\/index.html\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EEmory University\u003C\/a\u003E, and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.uga.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EUniversity of Georgia\u003C\/a\u003E (UGA) that supports this mission through inter-institutional collaborations in research in regenerative medicine.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince 2010, competitive peer-reviewed seed grants have been awarded annually to interdisciplinary teams with representation from at least two of the three institutions, leading to clinical trials, licensed technologies, start-up companies, and external funding for additional research. The Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/bio\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EIBB\u003C\/a\u003E) is excited to announce the 2026 REM Collaborative Seed Grant awardees: Melissa Kemp (Georgia Tech) and Rabindra Tirouvanziam (Emory); Yang Liu (UGA) and Yong Teng (Emory); and Steven Stice (UGA) and Zhexing Wen (Emory).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKemp and Tirouvanziam were awarded funding for their proposal, \u201cPredicting Personalized Extracellular Vesicle (EV) Responses for Directed Myeloid\u2011Targeted Immunotherapy.\u201d Their project combines computer modeling and lab\u2011grown lung tissue to better understand how immune cells communicate during lung infections and inflammation in different people. This research could help scientists design more precise, patient\u2011specific therapies for respiratory diseases, potentially improving treatments for conditions ranging from viral infections to chronic inflammation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022We are grateful for the support from REM that allows us to extend our labs into new, interdisciplinary research,\u201d Kemp said. \u201cThis pilot project will allow us to develop and experimentally validate multicellular models of the lung environment. Our goal is to use our platforms to test potential therapeutics that operate by controlling communication between cell types.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt is wonderful to be supported by REM for this collaboration between Georgia Tech and Emory labs,\u201d Tirouvanziam agreed. \u201cWe hope to turn this pilot into a large extramural project with a focus on novel immunotherapy.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELiu and Teng were awarded funding for their proposal, \u201cAI\u2011Guided Profiling of Migratory Cancer Stem Cell Communication in Head and Neck Cancer.\u201d\u0026nbsp; Their project aims to uncover how the most aggressive cancer stem cells move and \u201ctalk\u201d to nearby immune and tissue cells, using advanced microfluidic tools and artificial intelligence to study how these cells help cancer spread and resist treatment.\u0026nbsp; Understanding these hidden communication pathways could lead to earlier detection of dangerous cancer cell types and inspire new therapies that prevent recurrence and improve survival for patients with head and neck cancer.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe combine microfluidic tools with artificial intelligence to monitor individual cancer cells in action and study how they interact with the immune microenvironment \u2014 capturing behaviors that are missed in bulk experiments and shedding light on how aggressive cancer cells escape therapy,\u201d Liu said of the project.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStice and Wen were awarded funding for their application, \u201cUse of Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Organoids to Assess Mesenchymal Stromal Cell\u2013Derived Extracellular Vesicles Mechanism of Action.\u201d\u0026nbsp; Their project uses lab\u2011grown human brain organoids to study how tiny therapeutic particles called extracellular vesicles that are released by stem cells might reduce brain inflammation and protect neurons affected by Alzheimer\u2019s disease.\u0026nbsp; Revealing how these vesicles work at a molecular level could help advance new treatments that go beyond symptom management and move toward slowing or preventing Alzheimer\u2019s progression.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are used in the body to communicate with cells around an injury and are known to repair brain tissue in Alzheimer\u2019s animal models,\u201d Stice said.\u0026nbsp; \u201cUnderstanding the signaling mechanisms used by EVs in Alzheimer\u2019s brain organoids will directly lead to better EV manufacturing processes and potency for neurodegenerative diseases, and ultimately better therapies.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis year\u2019s funded work illustrates how collaboration across institutions accelerates discoveries. Together, these teams are pushing healing technologies closer to real\u2011world impact, where they can make a tangible difference for patients affected by serious illness.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003EThe 2026 Regenerative Engineering and Medicine (REM) Collaborative Seed Grants have been awarded to three interdisciplinary research teams from Georgia Tech, Emory University, and the University of Georgia, supporting innovative projects in personalized immunotherapy, cancer metastasis, and Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Together, these collaborations advance the frontiers of regenerative medicine and accelerate the development of next\u2011generation therapies with the potential to transform patient care.\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The 2026 awards support three cross\u2011institutional teams advancing innovative research in personalized immunotherapy, cancer stem cell communication, and therapies for Alzheimer\u2019s disease. "}],"uid":"36479","created_gmt":"2026-02-11 21:18:14","changed_gmt":"2026-02-11 21:26:17","author":"abowman41","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-11T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-11T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679264":{"id":"679264","type":"image","title":"cancer-technologies.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1770845087","gmt_created":"2026-02-11 21:24:47","changed":"1770845087","gmt_changed":"2026-02-11 21:24:47","alt":"Illustration of cancer cells, with a highlighted tumor cell in the center targeted by a digital crosshair.","file":{"fid":"263397","name":"cancer-technologies.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/11\/cancer-technologies.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/11\/cancer-technologies.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":8956181,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/11\/cancer-technologies.jpeg?itok=SCsWPN9q"}}},"media_ids":["679264"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAshlie Bowman | Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["ashlie.bowman@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686337":{"#nid":"686337","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Hosts Annual Summit Devoted to Pediatric Health Innovation","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EImagine a world where pediatric gastrointestinal disease could be diagnosed by swallowing a capsule-sized camera, where heart defects could be corrected by biodegradable implants, and where ADHD could be diagnosed through virtual reality. Georgia Tech and its partners are helping bring these world-changing ideas to life.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn Nov. 5 \u2013 6, Georgia Tech hosted the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ispi4kids.org\/phis2025\/\u0022\u003EPediatric Healthcare Innovation Summit 2025\u003C\/a\u003E (PHIS), a one-of-a-kind event that brought champions of children\u2019s health together to share knowledge, facilitate collaborative initiatives, and accelerate medical innovation. The summit was co-presented by the Georgia Tech \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pediatrics.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EPediatric Innovation Network\u003C\/a\u003E (PIN), the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ispi4kids.org\/about\/\u0022\u003EInternational Society for Pediatric Innovation\u003C\/a\u003E (ISPI), and the FDA-funded \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/industry\/medical-products-rare-diseases-and-conditions\/pediatric-device-consortia-grants-program\u0022\u003EPediatric Device Consortia\u003C\/a\u003E (PDC).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe event included a tour of the new \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.choa.org\/locations\/arthur-m-blank-hospital\u0022\u003EArthur M. Blank Hospital\u003C\/a\u003E, technology showcases, workshops, panel discussions, a poster session, and a pitch competition where companies were awarded funding from the Pediatric Device Consortia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech is committed to advancing medicine, but in particular pediatric medicine, which is normally underfunded compared to adult healthcare,\u201d Georgia Tech President \u00c1ngel Cabrera said. \u201cWe are committed to playing our part, and we\u0027re doing that in partnership with the best organizations, combining our engineering skills with clinical partners who understand the most important needs of children.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECabrera was a guest speaker for the event, which took place at two locations across campus: the newly opened \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/realestate.gatech.edu\/science-square\u0022\u003EScience Square\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/studentcenter.gatech.edu\/historic-academy-medicine\u0022\u003EHistoric Academy of Medicine\u003C\/a\u003E. He emphasized that championing causes such as pediatric healthcare innovation not only aligns with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/strategicplan.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s mission\u003C\/a\u003E, but also with the vision surrounding the new infrastructure being built across campus.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u0027re committed to turning our city and our neighborhood into a hub of innovation, and the area of life sciences is one of those areas that we are supporting \u2014 including our new Science Square neighborhood, which is devoted to precisely this,\u201d he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough industry events happen every year, what makes PHIS unique is its goal of uniting not only clinicians and healthcare administrators, but also researchers, investors, and entrepreneurs. \u0026nbsp;Attendees are united around a shared goal of solving systemic problems and, ultimately, saving and improving the lives of children. Julia Kubanek, Georgia Tech\u2019s Vice President for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/interdisciplinary-research\u0022\u003EInterdisciplinary Research\u003C\/a\u003E, said that this collaborative approach provides a unique opportunity to progress ideas and technologies that impact the industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cParticularly in the pediatric space, the market is relatively small. When you have a specialized pediatric technology, it\u0027s sometimes difficult to get the resources to advance that into clinical trials and into products that can go to market,\u201d she said. \u201cThis environment that the summit creates is a supportive one for solving those problems and advancing life-saving research.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile this was the third year that the event featured a pitch competition, it was the first year that winners were awarded monetary prizes. By bringing startups and investors together, the PHIS plays a vital role in getting impactful research from conceptual to consumer ready. This year\u2019s winners included: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/luminoah.com\/\u0022\u003ELuminoah\u003C\/a\u003E in first place, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rhaeos.com\/\u0022\u003ERhaeos\u003C\/a\u003E in second, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.acqumenmedical.com\/\u0022\u003EAcQumen Medical\u003C\/a\u003E in third.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough the event does encourage friendly competition, the ultimate goal remains to improve the lives of children and their families through collaboration, thought leadership, and innovation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur north star is taking care of children,\u201d Anthony Chang, founder of ISPI, said in his opening remarks. \u201cI think we underestimate how much we learn together. I look at our jobs not as jobs but as a special calling \u2014 taking care of children.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to PIN, ISPI, and PDC, the event was sponsored by Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/corporate.gatech.edu\/?utm_source=research\u0026amp;utm_medium=website\u0026amp;utm_id=092023\u0022\u003EOffice of Corporate Engagement\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.shrinerschildrens.org\/en\u0022\u003EShriner\u2019s Children\u2019s Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.choa.org\/\u0022\u003EChildren\u2019s Healthcare of Atlanta\u003C\/a\u003E, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/georgia.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Department of Economic Development\u003C\/a\u003E, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gra.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Research Alliance\u003C\/a\u003E, and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.icanresearch.org\/\u0022\u003EInternational Children\u2019s Advisory Network\u003C\/a\u003E, among others.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EOn Nov. 5 \u2013 6, Georgia Tech hosted the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ispi4kids.org\/phis2025\/\u0022\u003EPediatric Healthcare Innovation Summit 2025\u003C\/a\u003E (PHIS), a one-of-a-kind event that brought champions of children\u2019s health together to share knowledge, facilitate collaborative initiatives, and accelerate medical innovation. The summit was co-presented by the Georgia Tech \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pediatrics.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EPediatric Innovation Network\u003C\/a\u003E (PIN), the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ispi4kids.org\/about\/\u0022\u003EInternational Society for Pediatric Innovation\u003C\/a\u003E (ISPI), and the FDA-funded \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/industry\/medical-products-rare-diseases-and-conditions\/pediatric-device-consortia-grants-program\u0022\u003EPediatric Device Consortia\u003C\/a\u003E (PDC).\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Pediatric Healthcare Innovation Summit 2025 convened experts, entrepreneurs, and clinicians to accelerate breakthrough technologies and collaborative solutions aimed at transforming pediatric care."}],"uid":"36479","created_gmt":"2025-11-10 23:39:49","changed_gmt":"2026-02-11 19:33:13","author":"abowman41","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-11-10T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-11-10T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678590":{"id":"678590","type":"image","title":"20251106_Healthcare-Summit-Event_Social-Media-13.jpg","body":null,"created":"1762818046","gmt_created":"2025-11-10 23:40:46","changed":"1762818046","gmt_changed":"2025-11-10 23:40:46","alt":"President \u00c1ngel Cabrera of Georgia Tech stands at a podium and delivers a speech.","file":{"fid":"262645","name":"20251106_Healthcare-Summit-Event_Social-Media-13.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/10\/20251106_Healthcare-Summit-Event_Social-Media-13.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/10\/20251106_Healthcare-Summit-Event_Social-Media-13.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1306762,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/10\/20251106_Healthcare-Summit-Event_Social-Media-13.jpg?itok=GllnmzPt"}}},"media_ids":["678590"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAshlie Bowman\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearch Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["ashlie.bowman@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686983":{"#nid":"686983","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Gazing Into the Mind\u2019s Eye With Mice \u2013 How Neuroscientists Are Seeing Human Vision More\u00a0Clearly","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022theconversation-article-body\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite the nursery rhyme about three blind mice, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.7554\/eLife.31209\u0022\u003Emouse eyesight is surprisingly sensitive\u003C\/a\u003E. Studying how mice see has helped researchers discover unprecedented details about how individual brain cells communicate and work together to create a mental picture of the visual world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=P5IKL5UAAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003EI am a neuroscientist\u003C\/a\u003E who studies how brain cells drive visual perception and how these processes can fail in conditions \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/cercor\/bhab025\u0022\u003Esuch as autism\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/haider.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EMy lab\u003C\/a\u003E \u201clistens\u201d to the electrical activity of neurons in the outermost part of the brain called the cerebral cortex, a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1523\/JNEUROSCI.17-18-07079.1997\u0022\u003Elarge portion of which\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.7551\/mitpress\/7131.003.0038\u0022\u003Eprocesses visual information\u003C\/a\u003E. Injuries to the visual cortex can lead to blindness and other visual deficits, even when the eyes themselves are unhurt.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnderstanding the activity of individual neurons \u2013 and how they work together while the brain is actively using and processing information \u2013 is a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/mapping-how-the-100-billion-cells-in-the-brain-all-fit-together-is-the-brave-new-world-of-neuroscience-170182\u0022\u003Elong-standing goal of neuroscience\u003C\/a\u003E. Researchers have moved much closer to achieving this goal thanks to new technologies aimed at the mouse visual system. And these findings will help scientists better see how the visual systems of people work.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Mind in the Blink of an Eye\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers long thought that vision in mice appeared \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/s0042-6989(00)00081-x\u0022\u003Esluggish with low clarity\u003C\/a\u003E. But it turns out visual cortex neurons in mice \u2013 just like \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.pneurobio.2024.102656\u0022\u003Ethose in humans, monkeys, cats and ferrets\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 require \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1523\/JNEUROSCI.0623-08.2008\u0022\u003Especific visual features to trigger activity\u003C\/a\u003E and are particularly \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/nature11665\u0022\u003Eselective in alert and awake conditions\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy colleagues and I and others have found that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-021-24311-5\u0022\u003Emice are especially sensitive to\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-021-24311-5\u0022\u003Evisual stimuli directly in front of them\u003C\/a\u003E. This is surprising, because mouse eyes face outward rather than forward. Forward-facing eyes, like those of cats and primates, naturally have a larger area of focus straight ahead compared to outward-facing eyes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/708514\/original\/file-20251212-56-z8h8ny.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2048%2C1787\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Microscopy image of stacks of neurons\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/708514\/original\/file-20251212-56-z8h8ny.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2048%2C1787\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/708514\/original\/file-20251212-56-z8h8ny.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=524\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/708514\/original\/file-20251212-56-z8h8ny.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=524\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/708514\/original\/file-20251212-56-z8h8ny.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=524\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/708514\/original\/file-20251212-56-z8h8ny.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=658\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/708514\/original\/file-20251212-56-z8h8ny.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=658\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/708514\/original\/file-20251212-56-z8h8ny.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=658\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EThis image shows neurons in the mouse retina: cone photoreceptors (red), bipolar neurons (magenta), and a subtype of bipolar neuron (green).\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/nihgov\/35882593476\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003EBrian Liu and Melanie Samuel\/Baylor College of Medicine\/NIH via Flickr\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis finding suggests that the specialization of the visual system to highlight the frontal visual field appears to be \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/361719a0\u0022\u003Eshared between mice and humans\u003C\/a\u003E. For mice, a visual focus on what\u2019s straight ahead may help them be more \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cub.2021.06.094\u0022\u003Eresponsive to shadows or edges\u003C\/a\u003E in front of them, helping them avoid looming predators or better \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.neuron.2021.03.010\u0022\u003Ehunt and capture insects for food\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EImportantly, the center of view is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/jcm14155266\u0022\u003Emost affected in aging and many visual diseases\u003C\/a\u003E in people. Since mice also rely heavily on this part of the visual field, they may be particularly useful models to study and treat visual impairment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EA Thousand Voices Drive Complicated Choices\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdvances in technology have greatly accelerated scientific understanding of vision and the brain. Researchers can now routinely record the activity of thousands of neurons at the same time and pair this data with real-time video of a mouse\u2019s face, pupil and body movements. This method can \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/science.aav7893\u0022\u003Eshow how behavior interacts with brain activity\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s like spending years listening to a grainy recording of a symphony with one featured soloist, but now you have a pristine recording where you can hear every single musician with a note-by-note readout of every single finger movement.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsing these improved methods, researchers like me are studying how specific types of neurons work together during complex visual behaviors. This involves analyzing how factors such as movement, alertness and the environment influence visual activity in the brain.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, my lab and I found that the speed of visual signaling is \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cub.2025.02.009\u0022\u003Ehighly sensitive to what actions are possible\u003C\/a\u003E in the physical environment. If a mouse rests on a disc that permits running, visual signals travel to the cortex faster than if the mouse views the same images while resting in a stationary tube \u2013 even when the mouse is totally still in both conditions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn order to connect electrical activity to visual perception, researchers also have to ask a mouse what it thinks it sees. How have we done this?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe last decade has seen researchers debunking long-standing \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fnsys.2014.00173\u0022\u003Emyths about mouse learning and behavior\u003C\/a\u003E. Like other rodents, mice are also \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/im-a-neuroscientist-who-taught-rats-to-drive-their-joy-suggests-how-anticipating-fun-can-enrich-human-life-239029\u0022\u003Esurprisingly clever\u003C\/a\u003E and can learn how to \u201ctell\u201d researchers about the visual events they perceive through their behavior.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, mice can \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1523\/jneurosci.3560-13.2013\u0022\u003Elearn to release a lever\u003C\/a\u003E to indicate they have detected that a pattern has brightened or tilted. They can \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.celrep.2017.08.047\u0022\u003Erotate a Lego wheel left or right\u003C\/a\u003E to move a visual stimulus to the center of a screen like a video game, and they can \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.7554\/eLife.50340\u0022\u003Estop running on a wheel\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fnbeh.2020.00104\u0022\u003Eand lick a water spout\u003C\/a\u003E when they detect the visual scene has suddenly changed.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\u0022align-center zoomable\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/708526\/original\/file-20251212-56-ccqnav.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=1000\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Mouse drinking from a metal water spout\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/708526\/original\/file-20251212-56-ccqnav.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;fit=clip\u0022 srcset=\u0022https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/708526\/original\/file-20251212-56-ccqnav.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/708526\/original\/file-20251212-56-ccqnav.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/708526\/original\/file-20251212-56-ccqnav.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=600\u0026amp;h=400\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/708526\/original\/file-20251212-56-ccqnav.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=45\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/708526\/original\/file-20251212-56-ccqnav.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=30\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/708526\/original\/file-20251212-56-ccqnav.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0\u0026amp;q=15\u0026amp;auto=format\u0026amp;w=754\u0026amp;h=503\u0026amp;fit=crop\u0026amp;dpr=3 2262w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\u0022\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cfigcaption\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022caption\u0022\u003EMice can be trained to drink water as a way to \u2018tell\u2019 researchers they see something.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Ca class=\u0022source\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/mouse-drinking-from-a-spout-royalty-free-image\/178825439\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022attribution\u0022\u003Efelixmizioznikov\/iStock via Getty Images Plus\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMice can also use visual cues to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cub.2018.01.038\u0022\u003Efocus their visual processing\u003C\/a\u003E to specific parts of the visual field. As a result, they can more quickly and accurately respond to visual stimuli that appear in those regions. For example, my team and I found that a faint visual image in the peripheral visual field is difficult for mice to detect. But once they do notice it \u2013 and tell us by licking a water spout \u2013 their subsequent responses are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-020-14355-4\u0022\u003Efaster and more accurate\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese improvements come at a cost: If the image unexpectedly appears in a different location, the mice are slower and less likely to respond to it. These findings resemble those found in studies on \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/00335558008248231\u0022\u003Espatial attention in people\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy lab has also found that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41593-025-01888-4\u0022\u003Eparticular types of inhibitory neurons\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 brain cells that prevent activity from spreading \u2013 strongly control the strength of visual signals. When we activated certain inhibitory neurons in the visual cortex of mice, we could effectively \u201cerase\u201d their perception of an image.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese kinds of experiments are also revealing that the boundaries between perception and action in the brain are \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41593-025-02114-x\u0022\u003Emuch less separate than once thought\u003C\/a\u003E. This means that visual neurons will respond differently to the same image in ways that depend on behavioral circumstances \u2013 for example, visual responses differ if the image will be \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41586-019-1787-x\u0022\u003Esuccessfully detected\u003C\/a\u003E, if it appears \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.neuron.2025.06.001\u0022\u003Ewhile the mouse is moving\u003C\/a\u003E, or if it appears \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/science.aav3932\u0022\u003Ewhen the mouse is thirsty or hydrated\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnderstanding how different factors shape how cortical neurons rapidly respond to visual images will require advances in computational tools that can separate the contribution of these behavioral signals from the visual ones. Researchers also need technologies that can isolate how specific types of brain cells carry and communicate these signals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EData Clouds Encircling the Globe\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis surge of research on the mouse visual system has led to a significant increase in the amount of data that scientists can not only gather in a single experiment but also publicly share among each other.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMajor national and international research centers focused on \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/brain-map.org\/\u0022\u003Eunraveling the circuitry of the mouse visual system\u003C\/a\u003E have been leading the charge in ushering in new optical, electrical and biological \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.internationalbrainlab.com\/\u0022\u003Etools to measure large numbers of visual neurons\u003C\/a\u003E in action. Moreover, they make \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/brain-map.org\/atlases#mouse\u0022\u003Eall the data publicly available\u003C\/a\u003E, inspiring \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mouse.digital-brain.cn\/projectome\/pfc\u0022\u003Esimilar efforts around the globe\u003C\/a\u003E. This collaboration accelerates the ability of researchers to analyze data, replicate findings and make new discoveries.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETechnological advances in data collection and sharing can make the culture of scientific discovery more efficient and transparent \u2013 a major \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fninf.2023.1276407\u0022\u003Edata informatics goal\u003C\/a\u003E of neuroscience in the years ahead.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf the past 10 years are anything to go by, I believe such discoveries are just the tip of the iceberg, and the mighty and not-so-blind mouse will play a leading role in the continuing quest to understand the mysteries of the human brain.\u003C!-- Below is The Conversation\u0027s page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --\u003E\u003Cimg style=\u0022border-color:!important;border-style:none;box-shadow:none !important;margin:0 !important;max-height:1px !important;max-width:1px !important;min-height:1px !important;min-width:1px !important;opacity:0 !important;outline:none !important;padding:0 !important;\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/268334\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\u0022 alt=\u0022The Conversation\u0022 width=\u00221\u0022 height=\u00221\u0022 referrerpolicy=\u0022no-referrer-when-downgrade\u0022\u003E\u003C!-- End of code. If you don\u0027t see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article is republished from \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E under a Creative Commons license. Read the \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/gazing-into-the-minds-eye-with-mice-how-neuroscientists-are-seeing-human-vision-more-clearly-268334\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EStudying how mice see has helped researchers discover unprecedented details about how individual brain cells communicate and work together to create a mental picture of the visual world.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Studying how mice see has helped researchers discover unprecedented details about how individual brain cells communicate and work together to create a mental picture of the visual world."}],"uid":"27469","created_gmt":"2025-12-16 13:42:12","changed_gmt":"2026-01-21 19:21:40","author":"Kristen Bailey","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-12-16T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-12-16T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678887":{"id":"678887","type":"image","title":" Mice have complex visual systems that can clarify how vision works in people. Westend61\/Getty Images","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMice have complex visual systems that can clarify how vision works in people. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/photo\/germany-research-laboratory-mouse-climbing-out-of-royalty-free-image\/544546223\u0022\u003EWestend61\/Getty Images\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1766065654","gmt_created":"2025-12-18 13:47:34","changed":"1766065654","gmt_changed":"2025-12-18 13:47:34","alt":" Mice have complex visual systems that can clarify how vision works in people. Westend61\/Getty Images","file":{"fid":"262977","name":"file-20251213-56-fdaib6.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/18\/file-20251213-56-fdaib6.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/18\/file-20251213-56-fdaib6.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":80137,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/18\/file-20251213-56-fdaib6.jpg?itok=21uzzcB5"}}},"media_ids":["678887"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/gazing-into-the-minds-eye-with-mice-how-neuroscientists-are-seeing-human-vision-more-clearly-268334","title":"Read This Article on The Conversation"}],"groups":[{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Ch5\u003EAuthor:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/bilal-haider-2512267\u0022\u003EBilal Haider\u003C\/a\u003E, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/georgia-institute-of-technology-1310\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EMedia Contact:\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eshelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687359":{"#nid":"687359","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Science for Public Good: Introducing the Community Engagement Graduate Fellows ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFour graduate students from the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E were recently selected for the new Community Engagement Graduate Fellowship, made possible through a gift from Google. This one-year research opportunity awards up to $5,000 for each fellow to develop a project with local partners that aims to build stronger communities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cIt has been a pleasure for the Center for Programs to Increase Engagement in the Sciences (C-PIES) to collaborate with Google and the College of Sciences Advisory Board to bring this fellowship, which will positively impact our community and highlight how science can align with public good,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ELewis A. Wheaton\u003C\/strong\u003E, professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E and director of C-PIES.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn the year ahead, the fellows will work with\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cpies.cos.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EC-PIES\u003C\/a\u003E and community partners on campus and in the metro Atlanta area to develop projects in one of three priority areas: civic and policy engagement, community-engaged research, and K-12 research outreach.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe fellowship was open to all graduate students in the College of Sciences, and four inaugural fellows \u2014 Aniruddh Bakshi, Katherine Slenker, Miriam Simma, and Nikolai Simonov \u2014 were named based on their exciting, yet feasible applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFellow Aniruddh Bakshi: Strengthening trust in science\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPh.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EAniruddh Bakshi\u003C\/strong\u003E studies the problem of drug delivery at the intersections of organic chemistry, biochemistry, and immunology. As mRNA vaccines are closely related to his area of research, he sees the need for a grassroots outreach movement from young academics to help bolster public confidence in rigorous scientific methodology.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn collaboration with local hospitals and nonprofits, his proposed project is to start a social media content series, titled \u201cA Day in the Life of a Ph.D. Student,\u201d to show the realities of graduate school for those interested in this career path while connecting his research to broader public issues.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cScience has the power to solve urgent problems, but only if people understand and trust it,\u201d says Bakshi. \u201cThrough this fellowship, I will use my research and outreach efforts to help strengthen that trust \u2014 showing how discoveries in drug delivery and vaccine design can make a real difference in people\u2019s lives.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFellow Katherine Slenker: Creating a biodiversity data network\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAtlanta is often referred to as \u201cthe city in a forest,\u201d but according to Ph.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EKatherine Slenker\u003C\/strong\u003E, wildlife has a difficult time navigating across roads and housing developments, often resulting in human-wildlife conflict.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cConservation ecologists have long recommended that the movement of wildlife could be eased through the creation of \u2018ecological corridors,\u2019 which connect greenspaces and wildlife populations,\u201d she explains. \u201cDetermining the movement patterns of wildlife, and where such corridors may be best situated, requires that we first understand what species reside in the metro Atlanta area as well as how they are expected to disperse.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAs a fellow, Slenker plans to build a biodiversity data network by comparing wildlife monitoring at Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve and Stone Mountain Park and increasing the coalition of metro Atlanta researchers. This data can be used in the development of ecological corridors to reduce clashing between humans and wildlife, notably animals struck by vehicles, and improve ecosystem health at these parks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFellow Miriam Simma: Making structural biology research more accessible\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe study of crystallography is vital in academia, industry, and medicine because it enables researchers to decipher the atomic structures of proteins, but it is scarcely taught outside of graduate school. Ph.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMiriam Simma\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ewants to change that.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHer proposed project is to introduce protein crystallography to K-12 students and teachers through hands-on activities in local high school classrooms and to the public during the Atlanta Science Festival at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cMy vision is to make structural biology research accessible, so everyone can engage with cutting-edge scientific research \u2014 fostering curiosity and interest in STEM careers,\u201d says Simma. \u201cLong term, I will synthesize these activities into a chemical education article that introduces K-12 students to protein structure and function.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFellow Nikolai Simonov: Mentoring middle school scientists\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELast year, Ph.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ENikolai Simonov\u003C\/strong\u003E became involved in the GoSTEM Club at Lilburn Middle School \u2014 leading student activities and recruiting other graduate student volunteers. In partnership with Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ceismc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing\u003C\/a\u003E, the club is a weekly afterschool program for students, many of whom come from underserved backgrounds, to grow their scientific curiosity.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI assembled a team of 10 Tech graduate students who could explain complex scientific concepts in approachable ways for middle school students. Through this fellowship, we are excited to enrich the GoSTEM Club with an ongoing mentorship program and materials for more ambitious science fair projects,\u201d shares Simonov.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAs part of the program, club members can meet one-on-one with Georgia Tech mentors to discuss their educational and career goals. \u201cBy sharing their stories and connecting scientific ideas to real-world applications, our mentors aim to show students that STEM is not only accessible but a path toward a fulfilling life,\u201d he adds.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFour graduate students from the College of Sciences were selected for the new Community Engagement Graduate Fellowship, made possible through a gift from Google, to develop projects that positively impact the metro Atlanta area and\u0026nbsp;highlight how science can align with public good.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Four graduate students from the College of Sciences were selected for the new Community Engagement Graduate Fellowship, made possible through a gift from Google, to develop projects that positively impact the metro Atlanta area. "}],"uid":"27465","created_gmt":"2026-01-15 19:17:05","changed_gmt":"2026-01-15 20:30:07","author":"Annette Filliat","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-15T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-15T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679014":{"id":"679014","type":"image","title":"Community Engagement Graduate Fellows","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFour graduate students from the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E were selected for the new Community Engagement Graduate Fellowship, made possible through a gift from Google.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1768507734","gmt_created":"2026-01-15 20:08:54","changed":"1768508071","gmt_changed":"2026-01-15 20:14:31","alt":"Community Engagement Graduate Fellows ","file":{"fid":"263125","name":"C-PIES-Community-Engagement-Graduate-Fellows.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/15\/C-PIES-Community-Engagement-Graduate-Fellows.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/15\/C-PIES-Community-Engagement-Graduate-Fellows.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4108784,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/15\/C-PIES-Community-Engagement-Graduate-Fellows.jpg?itok=EDpa4s4k"}},"679016":{"id":"679016","type":"image","title":"C-PIES and Community Engagement Graduate Fellows","body":"\u003Cp\u003EC-PIES Director Lewis A. Wheaton (far left) and Director of Programs Lea Marzo (far right) stand with the inaugural Community Engagement Graduate Fellows (left to right): Nikolai Simonov, Miriam Simma, Aniruddh Bakshi, and Katherine Slenker.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1768508133","gmt_created":"2026-01-15 20:15:33","changed":"1768508664","gmt_changed":"2026-01-15 20:24:24","alt":"C-PIES and Community Engagement Graduate Fellows","file":{"fid":"263126","name":"C-PIES-Community-Engagement-Graduate-Fellows-2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/15\/C-PIES-Community-Engagement-Graduate-Fellows-2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/15\/C-PIES-Community-Engagement-Graduate-Fellows-2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4321309,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/15\/C-PIES-Community-Engagement-Graduate-Fellows-2.jpg?itok=rj-DkhiR"}}},"media_ids":["679014","679016"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/step-eases-transfer-transition","title":"STEP Eases Transfer Transition"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1182","name":"General"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"},{"id":"193157","name":"Student Honors and Achievements"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"},{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"185591","name":"campus and community"},{"id":"188933","name":"Atlanta community."},{"id":"191866","name":"C-PIES"},{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"192552","name":"College of Sciences Advisory Board"},{"id":"3165","name":"google"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"},{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"},{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jess@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Communications\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences at Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter: Annette Filliat\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["afilliat@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686843":{"#nid":"686843","#data":{"type":"news","title":"NSF Grant Funds Protein Research for Drug Discovery and Personalized Medicine","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EProteins, including antibodies, hemoglobin, and insulin, power nearly every vital aspect of life. Breakthroughs in protein research are producing vaccines, resilient crops, bioenergy sources, and other innovative technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite their importance, most of what scientists know about proteins only comes from a small sample size. This stands in the way of fully understanding how most proteins work and unlocking their full potential.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/faculty.cc.gatech.edu\/~yunan\/\u0022\u003EYunan Luo\u003C\/a\u003E believes artificial intelligence (AI) could fill this knowledge gap. The National Science Foundation agrees. Luo is the recipient of an NSF Faculty Early Career Development (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/funding\/opportunities\/career-faculty-early-career-development-program\u0022\u003ECAREER\u003C\/a\u003E) award.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSo much of biology depends on knowing what proteins do, but decades of research have concentrated on a relatively small set of well-studied proteins. This imbalance in scientific attention leads to a distorted view of the biological landscape that\u0026nbsp;quietly shapes our data and our algorithms,\u201d Luo said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMy group\u2019s goal is to build machine learning (ML) models that actively close this gap by generating trustworthy\u0026nbsp;function predictions for the many proteins that remain understudied.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E[Related: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/faculty-use-ai-protein-design-and-discovery-support-18-million-nih-grant\u0022\u003EYunan Luo to use AI for Protein Design and Discovery with Support of $1.8 Million NIH Grant\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn his \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/awardsearch\/show-award\/?AWD_ID=2442063\u0026amp;HistoricalAwards=false\u0022\u003Eproposal to NSF\u003C\/a\u003E, Luo coined this rich-get-richer effect \u201cannotation inequality.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne problem of annotation inequality is that it slows progress in disease prognosis, drug discovery, and other critical biomedical areas. It is challenging to innovate the few proteins that scientists already know so much about.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA cascading effect of annotation inequality is that it diminishes the effectiveness of studying proteins with\u0026nbsp;AI. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI methods learn from existing experimental data. Datasets skewed toward well-known proteins propagate and become entrenched in models. Over time, this makes it harder for computers to research understudied proteins.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cProtein annotation inequality creates an effect analogous to a vast library where 95% of patrons only read the top 5% popular books, leaving the rest of the collection to gather dust,\u201d Luo said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis has resulted in knowledge disparities across proteins in current literature and databases, biasing our understanding of protein functions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe NSF CAREER award will fund Luo with over $770,000 for the next five years to tackle head-on the problem of protein annotation inequality.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELuo will use the grant to build an accurate, unbiased protein function prediction framework at scale. His project aims to:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReveal how annotation inequality affects protein function prediction systems\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECreate ML techniques suited for biological data, which is often noisy, incomplete, and imbalanced \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIntegrate data and ML models into a scalable framework to accelerate discoveries involving understudied proteins\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore enduring than the ML framework, Luo will leverage the NSF award to support educational and outreach programs. His goal is to groom the next generation of researchers to study other challenges in computational biology, not just the annotation inequality problem.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELuo teaches graduate and undergraduate courses focused on computational biology and ML. Problems and methods developed through the CAREER project can be used as course material in his classes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELuo also championed collaboration with Georgia Tech\u2019s Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ceismc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECEISMC\u003C\/a\u003E) in his proposal.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough this partnership, local high school teachers and students would gain access to his data and models. This promotes deeper learning of biology and data science through hands-on experience with real-world tools. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELuo sees reaching students and the community as a way of paying forward the support he received from Georgia Tech colleagues.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI am incredibly grateful for this recognition from the NSF,\u201d said Luo, an assistant professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Computational Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (CSE).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis would not have been possible without my students and collaborators, whose hard work laid the groundwork for this proposal.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELuo praised CSE faculty members \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/faculty.cc.gatech.edu\/~badityap\/\u0022\u003EB. Aditya Prakash\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/xiuweizhang.wordpress.com\/\u0022\u003EXiuwei Zhang\u003C\/a\u003E, and \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/chaozhang.org\/\u0022\u003EChao Zhang\u003C\/a\u003E for their guidance. All three study \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning\u0022\u003Emachine learning\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/computational-bioscience-and-biomedicine\u0022\u003Ecomputational bioscience\u003C\/a\u003E, two of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/research\u0022\u003ECSE\u2019s five core research areas\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELuo also thanked \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/faculty.cc.gatech.edu\/~hpark\/\u0022\u003EHaesun Park\u003C\/a\u003E for her support and recommendation for the CAREER award. Park is a Regents\u2019 Professor and the chair of the School of CSE.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EProteins, including antibodies, hemoglobin, and insulin, power nearly every vital aspect of life. Breakthroughs in protein research are producing vaccines, resilient crops, bioenergy sources, and other innovative technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite their importance, most of what scientists know about proteins only comes from a small sample size. This stands in the way of fully understanding how most proteins work and unlocking their full potential.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/faculty.cc.gatech.edu\/~yunan\/\u0022\u003EYunan Luo\u003C\/a\u003E believes artificial intelligence (AI) could fill this knowledge gap. The National Science Foundation agrees. Luo is the recipient of an NSF Faculty Early Career Development (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/funding\/opportunities\/career-faculty-early-career-development-program\u0022\u003ECAREER\u003C\/a\u003E) award.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Yunan Luo is the recipient of an NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award to use artificial intelligence to solve the protein annotation inequality problem."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2025-12-10 16:57:22","changed_gmt":"2026-01-09 13:37:31","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-12-10T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-12-10T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678817":{"id":"678817","type":"image","title":"Yunan-Luo-NSF-CAREER_1.jpg","body":null,"created":"1765385865","gmt_created":"2025-12-10 16:57:45","changed":"1765385865","gmt_changed":"2025-12-10 16:57:45","alt":"Yunan Luo NSF CAREER Award","file":{"fid":"262902","name":"Yunan-Luo-NSF-CAREER_1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/10\/Yunan-Luo-NSF-CAREER_1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/10\/Yunan-Luo-NSF-CAREER_1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":108350,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/10\/Yunan-Luo-NSF-CAREER_1.jpg?itok=j83dW4Sn"}},"678818":{"id":"678818","type":"image","title":"Yunan-Luo-NSF-CAREER_2.jpg","body":null,"created":"1765385967","gmt_created":"2025-12-10 16:59:27","changed":"1765385967","gmt_changed":"2025-12-10 16:59:27","alt":"Yunan Luo NSF CAREER Award","file":{"fid":"262903","name":"Yunan-Luo-NSF-CAREER_2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/10\/Yunan-Luo-NSF-CAREER_2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/10\/Yunan-Luo-NSF-CAREER_2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":100260,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/10\/Yunan-Luo-NSF-CAREER_2.jpg?itok=CShGR6nJ"}}},"media_ids":["678817","678818"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/nsf-grant-funds-protein-research-drug-discovery-and-personalized-medicine","title":"NSF Grant Funds Protein Research for Drug Discovery and Personalized Medicine"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"362","name":"National Science Foundation"},{"id":"191934","name":"National Science Foundation (NSF)"},{"id":"170447","name":"Institute for Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"176858","name":"machine learning center"},{"id":"173894","name":"ML@GT"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686871":{"#nid":"686871","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Meet CSE Profile: Ph.D. Graduate Ziqi Zhang","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPh.D. student \u003Cstrong\u003EZiqi Zhang\u003C\/strong\u003E has built a career blending machine learning with single-cell biology. His work helps scientists study cellular mechanisms that advance disease research and drug development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/award-winning-computer-models-propel-research-cellular-differentiation\u0022\u003Edecorated with awards\u003C\/a\u003E and appearances in leading journals, Zhang will achieve his greatest accomplishment tonight at McCamish Pavilion. He will join the Class of 2025 in walking across the stage, receiving diplomas, and graduating from Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore he \u201cgets out\u201d of Georgia Tech, we interviewed Zhang to learn more about his Ph.D. journey and where his degree will take him next.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGraduate:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/peterzzq.github.io\/\u0022\u003EZiqi Zhang\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch Interests:\u003C\/strong\u003E Machine learning, foundational models, cellular mechanisms, single-cell gene sequencing, gene regulatory networks\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEducation:\u003C\/strong\u003E Ph.D. in Computational Science and Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFaculty Advisor\u003C\/strong\u003E: School of CSE J.Z. Liang Early-Career Associate Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/xiuweizhang.wordpress.com\/\u0022\u003EXiuwei Zhang\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat persuaded you to study at Georgia Tech?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI chose Georgia Tech because it is one of the top engineering institutions in the United States, known for its strength in machine learning and data science. The university offers exceptional research resources and the opportunity to work with leading scholars in my field. Georgia Tech also has very good research infrastructure. The \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/coda\u0022\u003ECoda Building\u003C\/a\u003E is one of the most well-designed and productive research environments I have experienced. Having access to such a space has been a genuine privilege.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow has working on your CSE degree helped you so far in your career?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWorking toward my CSE degree has been instrumental in my career development. As an interdisciplinary program, CSE has equipped me with strong computational skills while also deepening my understanding of key application domains. This breadth of training has opened more opportunities during my job and internship searches. In addition, CSE community events, such as\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/hotcse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EHotCSE\u003C\/a\u003E, the weekly coffee hour, and faculty recruiting activities, have helped me strengthen my scientific communication skills, which are essential for my long-term career growth.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat research project from Georgia Tech are you most proud of?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy favorite research project was\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-023-36066-2\u0022\u003EscMoMaT\u003C\/a\u003E, a matrix tri-factorization algorithm for single-cell data integration. I invested a significant amount of time and effort into this work, iterating on the model many times. I\u2019m very proud that it ultimately evolved into a clean, robust, and elegant algorithm.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat advice would you give someone interested in graduate school?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt is important to find an advisor who is supportive and genuinely invested in your career development. A Ph.D. is not an easy journey, and you will inevitably encounter challenges along the way. Having an advisor who can provide thoughtful guidance and dedicated mentorship is one of the most crucial factors in helping you navigate those difficulties.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is your most favorite memory from Georgia Tech?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECSE\u2019s new student campus visit day every year was one of my favorite times of the year. It was always fun to meet new people, have good food, and enjoy the beautiful view from the Coda rooftop.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat are your plans after graduation?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI plan to keep working in academia after graduation. I\u2019m on the job hunt, currently applying for positions and preparing for interviews.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPh.D. student \u003Cstrong\u003EZiqi Zhang\u003C\/strong\u003E has built a career blending machine learning with single-cell biology. His work helps scientists study cellular mechanisms that advance disease research and drug development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/award-winning-computer-models-propel-research-cellular-differentiation\u0022\u003Edecorated with awards\u003C\/a\u003E and appearances in leading journals, Zhang will achieve his greatest accomplishment tonight at McCamish Pavilion. He will join the Class of 2025 in walking across the stage, receiving diplomas, and graduating from Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore he \u201cgets out\u201d of Georgia Tech, we interviewed Zhang to learn more about his Ph.D. journey and where his degree will take him next.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Ph.D. graduate Ziqi Zhang will join the Class of 2025 in walking across the stage, receiving diplomas, and graduating from Georgia Tech."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2025-12-11 15:58:37","changed_gmt":"2026-01-09 13:36:26","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-12-11T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-12-11T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678827":{"id":"678827","type":"image","title":"Meet-CSE_Ziqi-Zhang.jpg","body":null,"created":"1765468731","gmt_created":"2025-12-11 15:58:51","changed":"1765468731","gmt_changed":"2025-12-11 15:58:51","alt":"Meet CSE Ziqi Zhang","file":{"fid":"262915","name":"Meet-CSE_Ziqi-Zhang.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/11\/Meet-CSE_Ziqi-Zhang.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/11\/Meet-CSE_Ziqi-Zhang.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":119733,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/11\/Meet-CSE_Ziqi-Zhang.jpg?itok=LsnALgbn"}}},"media_ids":["678827"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"130","name":"Alumni"},{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"193157","name":"Student Honors and Achievements"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"194880","name":"2025 fall commencement"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686999":{"#nid":"686999","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Joints in Motion: Armita Manafzadeh Receives Carl Gans Young Investigator Award","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/qbios.gatech.edu\/user\/275\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EArmita Manafzadeh\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ehas been awarded the prestigious\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sicb.org\/awards\/the-carl-gans-award\/\u0022\u003ECarl Gans Young Investigator Award\u003C\/a\u003E in recognition of her innovative research into joints and skeletons. She will join Georgia Tech as an assistant professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E in August 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe award\u0026nbsp;\u2014 named in recognition of Carl Gans\u2019 contributions to animal morphology, biomechanics, and functional biology\u0026nbsp;\u2014 is one of the highest honors from the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB), and recognizes Manafzadeh\u2019s \u201cexceptional creativity and originality in comparative biomechanics research as well as her strong mentoring contributions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI\u2019m very fortunate to have done science with incredible mentors, collaborators, and students who\u2019ve helped me develop this body of research,\u201d she says. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to be recognized with the Carl Gans Award, and look forward to continuing to explore new ways to study biomechanics when I start my lab at Georgia Tech.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe new\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.manafzadeh.com\/\u0022\u003EManafzadeh Lab\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech will investigate how joints work and where they come from \u2014 both evolutionarily and developmentally. With powerful new technology, called X-Ray Reconstruction of Moving Morphology (XROMM), Manafzadeh can look inside bodies with 4D \u201cX-ray vision\u201d \u2014 and can create animations of moving skeletons with sub-millimeter precision.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThis research has the potential to transform our understanding of animal motion,\u201d she says, \u201cand that can ultimately open doors to everything from personalized surgical treatments for people to new designs for bio-inspired robots.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAs part of the award, Manafzadeh will deliver a plenary speech on \u201cJoints: Form, Function, and the Future of Comparative Biomechanics\u201d this January at the annual SICB meeting in Portland, Oregon.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EManafzadeh will join Georgia Tech as an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences in August 2026. The new\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.manafzadeh.com\/\u0022\u003EManafzadeh Lab\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech will investigate how joints work and where they come from \u2014 both evolutionarily and developmentally.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Manafzadeh will join Georgia Tech as an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences in August 2026. The new\u00a0Manafzadeh Lab at Georgia Tech will investigate how joints work and where they come from \u2014 both evolutionarily and developmentally.\u00a0"}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2025-12-19 16:29:30","changed_gmt":"2026-01-06 19:40:29","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-06T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-06T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678897":{"id":"678897","type":"image","title":"Armita Manafzadeh","body":"\u003Cp\u003EArmita Manafzadeh\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1766161920","gmt_created":"2025-12-19 16:32:00","changed":"1766161920","gmt_changed":"2025-12-19 16:32:00","alt":"Armita Manafzadeh","file":{"fid":"262987","name":"armita.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/19\/armita.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/19\/armita.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":77736,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/19\/armita.jpg?itok=Zi8kNfrn"}}},"media_ids":["678897"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686905":{"#nid":"686905","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Researchers Make Waves at the World\u2019s Largest Neuroscience Conference","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EImagine stepping into a space the size of multiple football fields \u2014 only instead of turf and goalposts, it\u2019s filled with science. Every inch is alive with posters, equipment demos, and researchers sharing the latest breakthroughs.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWelcome to the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Conference, one of the largest scientific gatherings in the world, drawing more than 30,000 attendees to San Diego in November. According to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/user\/1105\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAnnabelle Singer\u003C\/a\u003E, it is \u003Cem\u003Ethe\u003C\/em\u003E place to be for neuroscientists. \u201cIf you want to know what is going on now in neuroscience, it is being talked about at SfN.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESinger is a McCamish Foundation Early Career Professor in the Wallace H. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECoulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (BME) at Georgia Tech and Emory University. A frequent SfN attendee, she describes the meeting as \u201cDragon Con for neuroscience, with thousands of talks and posters going on simultaneously.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis year, Georgia Tech didn\u2019t just show up \u2014 it made a statement with more than \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/public.tableau.com\/views\/Neuroscience2025\/main?:showVizHome=no\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E60 presentations\u003C\/a\u003E, a major outreach award, and a spotlight press conference.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSeeing Georgia Tech and INNS represented so strongly at SfN is exciting,\u201d says \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/christopher-john-rozell\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EChris Rozell\u003C\/a\u003E, executive director of Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EInstitute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society\u003C\/a\u003E (INNS). \u201cIt reflects the incredible breadth of neuroscience and neurotechnology research happening across our campus and how our work is shaping conversations at the highest level.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInside \u2018Neuroscience Dragon Con\u2019\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany conferences center around structured lectures, but at SfN, posters are the heart. You might find a senior researcher presenting groundbreaking findings right next to a first-time attendee sharing early results. This diversity is what makes the experience so valuable, says Singer. \u201cTrainees get to talk directly with the scientist doing the work to get their questions answered, from wondering about future implications to clarifying technical details.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe scale of SfN can feel overwhelming, but for many, that\u2019s part of the excitement. \u201cThere are so many different posters from so many different fields. It\u2019s a lot to absorb, but it\u2019s all very interesting,\u201d said Benjamin Magondu, a biomedical engineering Ph.D. student presenting for the first time. \u201cI\u2019ve definitely learned at least 47 things by just walking 10 feet.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor students like Magondu, the experience is critical, says \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBiological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E Assistant Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/farzaneh-najafi\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EFarzaneh Najafi\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cSfN has such a big scope, all the way from molecular to cognitive and computational systems. Especially for those deciding which direction of neuroscience they want to go into, it\u2019s invaluable.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat breadth also fosters connections across disciplines. \u201cConferences are usually pretty niche,\u201d noted Tina Franklin, a research scientist in BME. \u201cYou have your own field that you\u2019re really good at, but it\u2019s difficult to venture out and find new people who can help you figure out what comes next. This conference brings people from all different fields together with the common interest of neuroscience and brain research.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeading the Charge\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s impact went beyond the conference floor. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/ming-fai-fong\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMing-fai Fong\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in BME, received the prestigious Next Generation Award, one of SfN\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sfn.org\/publications\/latest-news\/2025\/11\/03\/society-for-neuroscience-2025-education-and-outreach-awards\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eeducation and outreach awards\u003C\/a\u003E. The honor recognizes members who make outstanding contributions to public communication and education about neuroscience.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u2019m certainly very grateful to the Society for Neuroscience for recognizing these types of contributions,\u201d says Fong, who was recognized for her work supporting blind and visually impaired youth in Atlanta. \u201cRewarding outreach efforts reinforces my core belief that scientists and engineers can make an immediate impact on communities we care about through outreach. It\u2019s a great parallel avenue to making a positive impact through research.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBuilding on this recognition, Georgia Tech was in the spotlight during one of SfN\u2019s selective press conferences \u2014 a session on \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.the-scientist.com\/ai-tools-unravel-thoughts-actions-and-neuronal-makeup-73779\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eartificial intelligence in neuroscience\u003C\/a\u003E moderated by Rozell, who is also the Julian T. Hightower Chair in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDuring the SfN press event, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/med.emory.edu\/directory\/profile\/?u=TKESAR\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETrisha Kesar,\u003C\/a\u003E an associate professor in BME and adjunct faculty in the School of Biological Sciences, presented her research using AI to improve gait rehabilitation. Her work was among just 40 abstracts selected from more than 10,000 submissions for this honor, and one of five abstracts selected for the AI in neuroscience press conference. The project is a collaboration with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bio\/hyeokhyen-kwon\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EHyeok Kwon\u003C\/a\u003E, a Georgia Tech computer science alumnus and an assistant professor in BME.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s exciting to see Georgia Tech and Atlanta emerging as hubs for neuroscience innovation,\u201d said Kesar. \u201cBeing part of a press conference on AI in neuroscience shows how much our community is contributing to the future of brain research, and how collaboration across institutions can accelerate progress.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWith more than 60 presentations and recognition for neuroscience outreach and AI research, Georgia Tech demonstrated its growing impact at the 2025 Society for Neuroscience\u2019s annual meeting.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"With more than 60 presentations and recognition for neuroscience outreach and AI research, Georgia Tech demonstrated its growing impact at the 2025 Society for Neuroscience\u2019s annual meeting."}],"uid":"35575","created_gmt":"2025-12-16 16:25:18","changed_gmt":"2025-12-16 20:34:06","author":"adavidson38","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-12-16T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-12-16T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678854":{"id":"678854","type":"image","title":"1763342998142_viaSfN.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAffectionally called \u0022DragonCon for neuroscience,\u0022 the annual Society for Neuroscience meeting is one of the largest academic conferences in the world.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1765903757","gmt_created":"2025-12-16 16:49:17","changed":"1765903757","gmt_changed":"2025-12-16 16:49:17","alt":"Affectionally called \u0022DragonCon for neuroscience,\u0022 the annual Society for Neuroscience meeting is one of the largest academic conferences in the world.","file":{"fid":"262944","name":"1763342998142_viaSfN.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/16\/1763342998142_viaSfN.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/16\/1763342998142_viaSfN.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":161836,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/16\/1763342998142_viaSfN.jpeg?itok=0fC9aJqn"}},"678856":{"id":"678856","type":"image","title":"IMG_6535-2.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBenjamin Magondu, a graduate student in biomedical engineering, presented at SfN for the first time this year.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1765903975","gmt_created":"2025-12-16 16:52:55","changed":"1765903975","gmt_changed":"2025-12-16 16:52:55","alt":"Benjamin Magondu, a graduate student in biomedical engineering, presented at SfN for the first time this year.","file":{"fid":"262946","name":"IMG_6535-2.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/16\/IMG_6535-2.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/16\/IMG_6535-2.png","mime":"image\/png","size":16053615,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/16\/IMG_6535-2.png?itok=RqMzz6kC"}},"678855":{"id":"678855","type":"image","title":"IMG_6838.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWith hundreds of presentations happening simultaneously, the poster floor can be overwhelming at SfN \u2014 but for many, that\u0027s part of the draw.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1765903880","gmt_created":"2025-12-16 16:51:20","changed":"1765903880","gmt_changed":"2025-12-16 16:51:20","alt":"With hundreds of presentations happening simultaneously, the poster floor can be overwhelming at SfN \u2014 but for many, that\u0027s part of the draw.","file":{"fid":"262945","name":"IMG_6838.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/16\/IMG_6838.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/16\/IMG_6838.png","mime":"image\/png","size":10484632,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/16\/IMG_6838.png?itok=5jvPd7_3"}},"678857":{"id":"678857","type":"image","title":"IMG_6748-2.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETrisha Kesar answers a question during the SfN press conference on AI in neuroscience, moderated by Chris Rozell.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1765904071","gmt_created":"2025-12-16 16:54:31","changed":"1765904071","gmt_changed":"2025-12-16 16:54:31","alt":"Trisha Kesar answers a question during the SfN press conference on AI in neuroscience, moderated by Chris Rozell.","file":{"fid":"262947","name":"IMG_6748-2.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/16\/IMG_6748-2.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/16\/IMG_6748-2.png","mime":"image\/png","size":10935175,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/16\/IMG_6748-2.png?itok=dFEAz4Je"}}},"media_ids":["678854","678856","678855","678857"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-uses-computing-and-engineering-methods-shift-neuroscience-paradigms","title":"Georgia Tech Uses Computing and Engineering Methods to Shift Neuroscience Paradigms"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.the-scientist.com\/ai-tools-unravel-thoughts-actions-and-neuronal-makeup-73779","title":"Inside the SfN Press Conference: AI Tools Unravel Thoughts, Actions, and Neuronal Makeup"},{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/head-toe-georgia-tech-researchers-treat-entire-human-body-through-neuroscience-research","title":"Head to Toe: Georgia Tech Researchers Treat the Entire Human Body Through Neuroscience Research"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/202927865@N06\/albums\/72177720330951882\/","title":"Georgia Tech at SfN in Photos"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"443951","name":"School of Psychology"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWriter and media contact:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAudra Davidson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EResearch Communications Manager\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS)\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPresenter Dashboard:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECreated by \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jpreston7@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJoshua Preston\u003C\/a\u003E, Communications Manager, College of Computing\u003Cbr\u003EData collection by Audra Davidson, Hunter Ashcraft\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"685218":{"#nid":"685218","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Breathtaking Breakthrough: Lung-on-a-Chip Defends Itself ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EOn a clear polymer chip, soft and pliable like a gummy bear, a microscopic lung comes alive \u2014 expanding, circulating, and, for the first time, protecting itself like a living organ.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EFor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/ankur-singh\u0022\u003EAnkur Singh,\u003C\/a\u003E director of Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/immunoengineering.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Immunoengineering\u003C\/a\u003E, watching immune cells rush through the chip took his breath away. Singh co-directed the study with longtime collaborator \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/engineering.vanderbilt.edu\/bio\/?pid=krishnendu-roy\u0022\u003EKrishnendu \u201cKrish\u201d Roy\u003C\/a\u003E, former Regents Professor and director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cellmanufacturingusa.org\/\u0022\u003ENSF Center for Cell Manufacturing Technologies\u003C\/a\u003E at Tech and now the Bruce and Bridgitt Evans dean of engineering and University Distinguished Professor at Vanderbilt University. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bioengineering.gatech.edu\/user\/rachel-ringquist\u0022\u003ERachel Ringquist\u003C\/a\u003E, Roy\u2019s graduate student, and now a postdoctoral fellow with Singh, led the work as part of her doctoral dissertation.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cThat was the \u2018wow\u2019 moment,\u201d Singh said. \u201cIt was the first time we felt we had something close to a real human lung.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELung-on-a-chip platforms provide researchers a window into organ behavior. They are about the size of a postage stamp, etched with tiny channels and lined with living human cells. Roy and Singh\u2019s innovation was adding a working immune system \u2014 the missing piece that turns a chip into a true model of how the lung fights disease.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, researchers can watch how lungs respond to threats, how inflammation spreads, and how healing begins.\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Human Stakes\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor millions of people struggling with lung disease, everyday life can feel nearly impossible, whether it\u2019s climbing stairs, carrying groceries, or even laughing too hard. Doctors and scientists have attempted for decades to unlock what really happens inside fragile lungs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022This unique lung-on-a-chip model opens new, preclinical pathways of discovery that will allow researchers to better understand the interplay of immune responses to severe viral infections and evaluate critical antiviral treatments,\u201d said Roy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Singh, the Carl Ring Family Professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E with a joint appointment in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/\u0022\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, this research is deeply personal. He lost an uncle when an infection overwhelmed his cancer-weakened immune system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThat experience stays with you,\u201d Singh reflected. \u201cIt made me want to build systems that could predict and prevent outcomes like that, so fewer families go through what mine did. I think about my uncle all the time. If work like this means fewer families lose someone they love, then it\u2019s worth everything.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat motivation pushed his team to reimagine what a lung-on-a-chip could do, setting the stage for the breakthroughs that followed.\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhen the Lung Fought Back\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe turning point came when Roy\u2019s and Singh\u2019s team peered through a microscope and saw something no one had ever witnessed on a chip: blood and immune cells coursing through tiny vessel-like structures, behaving just as they do in a living lung.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor years, researchers had struggled to add immunity to organ-on-a-chip systems. Immune cells often died quickly or failed to circulate and interact with tissue the way they do in people. the team solved that problem, creating a chip where immune cells could survive and coordinate a defense.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt was an amazing breakthrough moment,\u201d Singh said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe true test came when the team introduced a severe influenza virus infection. The lung mounted an immune response that closely mirrored what doctors see in patients. Immune cells rushed to the site of infection, inflammation spread through tissue, and defenses activated in response.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThat was when we realized this wasn\u2019t just a model,\u201d Singh said. \u201cIt was capturing the real biology of disease.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESingh and Roy\u2019s research is published in the journal \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41551-025-01491-9\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ENature Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA More Human Approach\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor decades, lung research has relied on animal models. But mice don\u2019t get asthma like children. Their bodies don\u2019t mount the same defenses.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFive mice in a cage may respond the same way, but five humans won\u2019t,\u201d Singh explained. \u201cOur chip can reflect that difference. That\u2019s what makes it more accurate, and why it could dramatically reduce the need for animal models.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKrish Roy emphasized its potential.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe Food and Drug Administration\u2019s strategic vision on reducing animal testing and developing predictive non-animal models aligns perfectly with our work. This device goes further than ever before in modeling human severe influenza and providing unprecedented insights into the complex lung immune response,\u201d he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFighting More Than the Flu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat began with influenza now expands to a wider range of diseases. Roy and Singh believes the platform can be used to study asthma, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, and tuberculosis. The researchers are also working to integrate immune organs, showing how the lung coordinates with the body\u2019s defenses.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe long-term vision is personalized medicine: chips built from a patient\u2019s own cells to predict which therapy will work best. Scaling, clinical validation, and regulatory approval will take years, but Singh is undeterred.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cImagine knowing which treatment will help you before you ever take it,\u201d Singh said. \u201cThat\u2019s where we\u2019re headed.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhere we\u2019re headed, the future doesn\u2019t wait for illness. Instead, it anticipates it, intercepts it, and rewrites the outcome.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Tech postdoctoral researcher Rachel Ringquist was the first author leading the study.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis research was supported by Wellcome Leap, with additional funding from the National Institutes of Health, Carl Ring Family Endowment, and the Marcus Foundation.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ERingquist, R., Bhatia, E., Chatterjee, P.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003Eet al.\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;An immune-competent lung-on-a-chip for modelling the human severe influenza infection response.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature Biomedical Engineering,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003ESeptember 2025 Vol.9 No.9\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDOI:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41551-025-01491-9#citeas\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41551-025-01491-9\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech and Vanderbilt researchers have developed the first lung-on-a-chip with a functioning immune system, a breakthrough published in \u003Cem\u003ENature Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/em\u003E. Led by Ankur Singh and Krishnendu \u201cKrish\u201d Roy, the team created a postage stamp-sized device where blood and immune cells circulate, fight infection, and heal, just as they would in a living lung. The advance not only provides unprecedented insight into diseases like influenza, asthma, and cancer but also offers a path toward reducing animal testing. Long-term, the technology could enable personalized medicine, with chips built from patients\u2019 own cells to predict which therapies will work best.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt researchers have built the first lung-on-a-chip with a working immune system, a breakthrough with the potential to reshape how we study disease, move beyond animal testing, and administer lifesaving therapies."}],"uid":"36410","created_gmt":"2025-09-24 15:20:56","changed_gmt":"2025-12-10 16:49:57","author":"mazriel3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-09-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-09-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678118":{"id":"678118","type":"image","title":"Lung-on-a-Chip With Immune System","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAnkur Singh and Rachel Ringquist point to the microscopic lung-on-a-chip that has a built-in immune system.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1758725634","gmt_created":"2025-09-24 14:53:54","changed":"1758726945","gmt_changed":"2025-09-24 15:15:45","alt":"Researchers show off a lung-on-a-chip that has an immune system. Long term, this technology could lead to highly personalized medicine","file":{"fid":"262102","name":"20250911_IBB_ChipLung-01.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/24\/20250911_IBB_ChipLung-01.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/24\/20250911_IBB_ChipLung-01.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":13303952,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/24\/20250911_IBB_ChipLung-01.jpg?itok=oU9qxbUs"}}},"media_ids":["678118"],"groups":[{"id":"660369","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"1613","name":"Biomedical Engieering"},{"id":"98751","name":"College of Engineering; George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMichelle Azriel Sr. Writer-Editor\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["mazriel3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686604":{"#nid":"686604","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Clean, Old-Fashioned Collaboration: Engineering the Future of Healthcare at Georgia Tech and UGA","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u2019ve lived in Georgia long enough, you\u2019ve almost certainly heard the friendly jabs tossed across divided Thanksgiving tables. On one side, a smirk and a mention of the \u201cNorth Avenue Trade School.\u201d On the other, a pointed retort: \u201cTo hell with Georgia.\u201d\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EFew rivalries run deeper than the one known as \u201cClean, Old-Fashioned Hate,\u201d the annual showdown between Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia (UGA). On Friday afternoon, November 28, the two will face off in one of the most anticipated matchups in years. These teams don\u2019t like each other, and for a few hours every year, neither do friends, families, and even significant others.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EOff the field, however, the schools are proving that collaboration, not competition, is the schools\u2019 true strength.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EFor more than a century, Georgia\u2019s flagship universities have united around complementary strengths, tackling the state\u2019s biggest challenges together. That starts with making Georgians healthier.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cWhen Georgia Tech and UGA combine their strengths, together we create solutions that neither institution could achieve alone,\u201d said Tim Lieuwen, executive vice president for Research at Georgia Tech. \u201cThese collaborations accelerate innovation in healthcare, improve lives across our state, and demonstrate that partnership \u2014 not rivalry \u2014 is Georgia\u2019s most powerful tradition.\u0022\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cThe common denominator between these two great institutions is the populations they serve,\u201d said Chris King, interim vice president for Research at UGA. \u201cWe have a duty to find solutions that help improve the quality of life for all Georgians, and that\u2019s what these partnerships are all about.\u201d\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EFrom programs like the Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance (Georgia CTSA) to the National Science Foundation\u2019s Engineering Research Center for Cell Manufacturing Technologies (CMaT), researchers at UGA and Georgia Tech are setting rivalries aside to build lasting partnerships that fuel innovation and expand the workforce to meet the state\u2019s needs.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPushing Cell Therapy Across the Goal Line\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECMaT is an NSF-funded consortium of more than seven universities and 40 member companies. At Georgia Tech and UGA, teams are conducting many early stage translational projects to improve manufacturing of cell-based therapeutics.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EOne joint project between Andr\u00e9s Garc\u00eda, executive director of Georgia Tech\u2019s Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering \u0026amp; Bioscience, and John Peroni, the Dr. Steeve Giguere Memorial Professor in Large Animal Medicine in UGA\u2019s College of Veterinary Medicine, addresses treatment of bacterial infections that can follow bone repair surgeries.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EBone fractures and non-union defects often require surgical implants, but 1-5% are compromised by bacterial infection, costing hospitals more than $1.9 billion annually. Current treatments are limited to sustained, high doses of antibiotics, which are less effective and can generate antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Garc\u00eda and Peroni are engineering synthetic biomaterials that locally deliver antimicrobial agents to eliminate infections and promote bone repair.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ESteven Stice, D.W. Brooks Distinguished Professor and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar at UGA\u2019s Regenerative Bioscience Center, is also working with Georgia Tech\u2019s Andrei Fedorov, professor and Rae S. and Frank H. Neely Chair in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, to improve the quality and control of producing natural, cell-derived healing materials for regenerative medicine.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAdult cells secrete tiny, bubble-like vesicles that help other cells heal and regenerate tissue. Stice developed methods to boost vesicle production, while Fedorov created a probe that accelerates the process.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cCells simply don\u2019t secrete these healing vesicles in the quantities needed for scalable, clinical-grade treatments,\u201d said Stice, UGA lead and co-principal investigator for CMaT. \u201cOur collaborative work changes that, accelerating production in a way that finally makes large-scale regenerative therapies feasible.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech and UGA\u0027s collective commitment to advancing science and technology exceeds the intensity of our athletic rivalry,\u201d Fedorov said. \u201cTogether, we\u2019re advancing cell and therapy biomanufacturing to develop lifesaving treatments for the most devastating diseases.\u201d\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s Francisco Robles and UGA\u2019s Lohitash Karumbaiah are using manufactured T cells to target cancer. Robles, who leads the Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Lab in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, developed quantitative Oblique Back-illumination Microscopy (qOBM) to monitor tumor growth in real time. The method allows scientists to visualize patient-derived glioblastoma cell clusters generated in the Karumbaiah Lab, tracking tumor structure and behavior at various stages.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cAssessing therapeutic potency is often complex, costly, and ineffective for solid tumors,\u201d Karumbaiah said. \u201cqOBM simplifies the process by providing real-time, label-free monitoring of therapeutic efficacy against 3D solid tumors.\u201d \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe work could help doctors personalize cancer treatments by providing early, detailed signs of whether a therapy is working.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cThis technique is more compact and affordable and lets us watch T cells attack cell cultures in real time,\u201d Robles said. \u201cThis breakthrough could transform how we study disease and screen new treatments.\u201d\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Playbook for Local Healthcare\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECreated in 2007 by the National Institutes of Health, Georgia CTSA is one of several NIH-funded national partnerships advancing new health therapeutics and practices. Since 2017, it has comprised UGA, Georgia Tech, Emory, and the Morehouse School of Medicine. The alliance\u2019s reach extends far beyond campus borders, bringing together researchers, clinicians, professional societies, and community and industry partners to identify local health challenges and translate research into practical solutions.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAnd out of this alliance have come many collaborative studies among CTSA\u2019s members.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EOne, the Georgia Health Landscape Dashboard, is a tool to identify local health gaps and connect regional health professionals or policymakers with the researchers who can best address their community\u2019s challenges. UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences Associate Professors Alison Berg and Dee Warmath, along with community health engagement coordinator Courtney Still Brown, are working with Georgia Tech\u2019s Jon Duke, director of the Center for Health Analytics and Informatics at the Georgia Tech Research Institute and a principal research scientist in the School of Interactive Computing.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe dashboard has already helped match researchers with communities by combining epidemiological data with \u201ccommunity voice\u201d insights through surveys of residents and local leaders.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EFor example, when examining diabetes data, the dashboard indicates Randolph County has the state\u2019s highest prevalence, despite declining by about 8% between 2021-24. Meanwhile, Treutlen County\u2019s rate increased 29.2% during the same period. Perhaps Treutlen\u2019s need for diabetic care is a growing concern, while Randolph\u2019s is being addressed. And perhaps Hancock County, which ranks diabetes its top priority in the community voice category, is in search of immediate solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe Landscape Dashboard is a fantastic example of how the unique expertise found at Georgia Tech and UGA can be brought together to create something truly valuable for all Georgia,\u201d Duke said. \u201cBy bringing together a range of data sources and health analytics approaches, this collaboration has created a tool that delivers novel insights into health, community, and policy across the state.\u201d\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ESupported by UGA Cooperative Extension and the Biomedical and Translational Sciences Institute, the project leverages a network of agents in every county across the state. Warmath said the project\u2019s strength lies in its ability to connect research with real-world needs.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cTo build a community-responsive ecosystem for biomedical research, scientists must recognize local needs, share progress with communities to foster trust and acceptance, recruit clinicians and industry partners, and strengthen the relationships between patient and caregiver,\u201d Warmath said.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETeaming Up for Maternal Health\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWarmath and a team of researchers at UGA, Georgia Tech, and Emory are also collaborating on an NIH-funded project uniting experts in maternal health, biostatistics, and consumer science to explore how wearable technologies could improve delivery-room care.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDuring childbirth, clinicians monitor countless maternal and fetal vitals \u2014 contractions, heart rates, oxygen levels, kidney function, and more. What new insights, the researchers asked, could advanced wearable technologies offer in the delivery room, and what barriers might prevent their use?\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EUsing nationwide surveys and focus groups, the team gathered information from a representative sample of pregnant, postpartum, and reproductive-age women, as well as healthcare professionals, to examine acceptance of wearable health technologies during labor and delivery. In their analysis of this rich data source, the team is identifying key variables that reveal gaps in technology acceptance and the unique needs of diverse maternal populations.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EEach partner institution brings unique expertise. At Emory, principal investigator Suchitra Chandrasekaran contributes clinical insights from direct patient care. At UGA, Warmath applies her knowledge in consumer science to analyze end-user motivation, attitudes, and behaviors. At Georgia Tech, experts like Sarah Farmer in the Center for Advanced Communications Policy\u2019s Home Lab facilitate large-scale data collection.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWith data collection now complete, the team is analyzing results to inform future design and deployment of wearable technologies.\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cEach school has a different perspective,\u201d Farmer said. \u201cIt\u2019s not as simple as one school does this but doesn\u2019t do that. Each has their expertise, but they offer different perspectives and different resources that, when pooled, can make our research that much more effective.\u201d\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWhether advancing maternal health, mapping Georgia\u2019s health needs, or engineering next-generation therapies, UGA and Georgia Tech continue to prove that collaboration is Georgia\u2019s strongest tradition. Further, the undergraduate and graduate students who work in these labs and others represent the state\u2019s highly skilled workforce of tomorrow.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cWhen our institutions work together, Georgia wins,\u201d Warmath said.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u2014 \u003Cem\u003EBy David Mitchell\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech and UGA are teaming up to tackle big health challenges, from cancer and bone repair to maternal care and community health. By combining their strengths, these schools are turning research into real-world solutions that make life better for Georgians.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"By uniting expertise and resources, Georgia\u2019s leading institutions are creating practical solutions to improve health outcomes across the state."}],"uid":"28766","created_gmt":"2025-11-24 15:25:22","changed_gmt":"2025-11-24 19:33:14","author":"Shelley Wunder-Smith","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-11-24T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-11-24T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678711":{"id":"678711","type":"image","title":"Tim Lieuwen and Chris King","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETim Lieuwen and Chris King\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1763994958","gmt_created":"2025-11-24 14:35:58","changed":"1763999939","gmt_changed":"2025-11-24 15:58:59","alt":"A tall white man wearing a blue GT-branded polo standing next to a slightly shorter man wearing a UGA-branded red polo. They\u0027re smiling and both holding a football.","file":{"fid":"262778","name":"26-R10410-P61-003.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/24\/26-R10410-P61-003.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/24\/26-R10410-P61-003.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1760052,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/24\/26-R10410-P61-003.jpg?itok=mtg-lhnt"}},"678706":{"id":"678706","type":"image","title":"Andres Garcia","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAndr\u00e9s J. Garc\u00eda\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1763993719","gmt_created":"2025-11-24 14:15:19","changed":"1763999973","gmt_changed":"2025-11-24 15:59:33","alt":"A man in a white lab coat and glasses, with a gold tie","file":{"fid":"262772","name":"andres-garcia.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/24\/andres-garcia_1.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/24\/andres-garcia_1.png","mime":"image\/png","size":56117,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/24\/andres-garcia_1.png?itok=xiBVwOz6"}},"678707":{"id":"678707","type":"image","title":"John Peroni","body":"\u003Cp\u003EJohn Peroni\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1763993920","gmt_created":"2025-11-24 14:18:40","changed":"1763999994","gmt_changed":"2025-11-24 15:59:54","alt":"A man wearing teal surgical cloges and a green scrubs top, next to a light brown horse","file":{"fid":"262773","name":"JohnP24.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/24\/JohnP24.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/24\/JohnP24.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":148787,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/24\/JohnP24.jpg?itok=AO_9L5fk"}},"678709":{"id":"678709","type":"image","title":"The Dynamic Mass Spectrometry Probe developed to monitor the health of living cell cultures (photo credit: Rob Felt)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Dynamic Mass Spectrometry Probe developed to monitor the health of living cell cultures (photo credit: Rob Felt)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1763994556","gmt_created":"2025-11-24 14:29:16","changed":"1764000017","gmt_changed":"2025-11-24 16:00:17","alt":"The Dynamic Mass Spectrometry Probe developed to monitor the health of living cell cultures (photo credit: Rob Felt)","file":{"fid":"262776","name":"cell-quality-control-012.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/24\/cell-quality-control-012_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/24\/cell-quality-control-012_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":287024,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/24\/cell-quality-control-012_0.jpg?itok=eeMa9kOC"}},"678710":{"id":"678710","type":"image","title":"Sarah Farmer","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESarah Farmer\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1763994685","gmt_created":"2025-11-24 14:31:25","changed":"1764000040","gmt_changed":"2025-11-24 16:00:40","alt":"A smiling woman with long brown hair, wearing a black t-shirt and a floral cardigan","file":{"fid":"262777","name":"Sarah-Farmer.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/24\/Sarah-Farmer.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/24\/Sarah-Farmer.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":22508,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/24\/Sarah-Farmer.jpeg?itok=zrlUSoPs"}}},"media_ids":["678711","678706","678707","678709","678710"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"140","name":"Cancer Research"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor media inquiries:\u003Cbr\u003EAngela Bajaras Prendiville\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Media Relations\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:media@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Emedia@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686195":{"#nid":"686195","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Deleon: Bridging Space Technology and Preventive Health","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn the startup world, existing research often helps uncover a problem that needs a solution. For two Georgia Tech graduates, studying metabolomics,\u0026nbsp;the exploration of the body\u2019s chemical processes, and\u0026nbsp;an\u0026nbsp;existing NASA chemical analysis technology\u0026nbsp;inspired\u0026nbsp;a company that hopes to change the face of preventative healthcare.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETech College of Engineering alumni Chad Pozarycki, Ph.D., CHBE, 2022, and Jos\u00e9 Andrade, AE, 2025, are on a mission to make biochemical\u0026nbsp;monitoring more accessible \u2014 with a focus on preventing disease. Today, their startup\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.deleon-omics.com\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022https:\/\/www.deleon-omics.com\/\u0022\u003EDeleon\u003C\/a\u003E, using NASA\u2019s technology (originally designed to search for life on Mars) and metabolomics, provides a system that uses daily urine sampling\u0026nbsp;to track metabolites related to overtraining, stress, and recovery. Future applications will be aimed at early disease detection.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSomething that frustrated me about metabolomics was its lack of focus on preventive care,\u201d said Andrade. \u201cWe created Deleon by combining these ideas and tracking the human metabolome to optimize for healthy lifestyles.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Deleon founders began the company shortly after Pozarycki completed his graduate studies at Georgia Tech, with Andrade moonlighting and Pozarycki working a part-time job at Georgia Tech\u2019s bike shop to keep the project afloat. In the beginning, funding was a major challenge.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI finished my Ph.D., was working on Deleon, and didn\u2019t have any income. CREATE-X gave us $5,000 in funding, which motivated us to keep going on this project,\u201d said Pozarycki.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/create-x.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECREATE-X\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Tech\u2019s campus-wide initiative to instill entrepreneurial confidence and help students launch startups, provided more than funding. Through the program, Deleon received guidance on finding potential customers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe one-on-one advice from expert CREATE-X entrepreneurs and organizers like Rahul [CREATE-X director] and Margaret [LAUNCH associate director] was super valuable and helped us focus on launching our minimum viable product and getting our first customers,\u201d said Andrade.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe program\u2019s culminating event, Demo Day, gave Deleon a platform to present to investors and the public. Among dozens of student-led startups, Deleon\u2019s data-driven approach attracted strong interest. The exposure led to an eventual $850,000 investment, partially funded by Georgia Tech\u0027s early-stage fund, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ventures.commercialization.gatech.edu\/\u0022 id=\u0022menurmoc\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022https:\/\/ventures.commercialization.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGTF Ventures\u003C\/a\u003E. This investment allowed the founders to work full-time on the company, hire a team, and build a lab space.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI would recommend the CREATE-X program to anyone,\u201d Pozarycki said. \u201cEven if you don\u2019t think you want to start a company, there\u2019s a lot you can learn about commercialization in this program that may change your mind and give you more control over your own fate.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDeleon\u2019s path from concept to launch highlights the growing role of Georgia Tech\u2019s entrepreneurial ecosystem in supporting student innovation. Programs like CREATE-X not only help students build companies but also contribute to regional economic growth by keeping talent and investment in the Southeast.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cCREATE-X is the best environment on campus to learn by doing,\u201d Pozarycki said. \u201cYou are encouraged to build something real, not just talk about it. You\u2019ll leave knowing how to talk to customers, how to pitch, and how to think like a founder.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOpportunities for Entrepreneurs\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents, faculty, researchers, and alumni interested in developing their own startups are encouraged to apply to CREATE-X\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/create-x.gatech.edu\/launch\/startup-launch\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStartup Launch\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. The early admission deadline to\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/airtable.com\/appaTqlTL2zQkXBBR\/pagdkIvjQbvDbSD2F\/form\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eapply for Startup Launch\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003Eis Nov. 17. Spots are limited.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/airtable.com\/appaTqlTL2zQkXBBR\/pagdkIvjQbvDbSD2F\/form\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EApply now\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003Efor a higher chance of acceptance and early feedback.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDeleon, founded by Georgia Tech graduates Chad Pozarycki and Jos\u00e9 Andrade, repurposes NASA\u2019s data transmission technology to create a biochemical monitoring system that tracks stress, recovery, and early signs of disease through daily urine samples. The startup began with limited resources but gained traction through Georgia Tech\u2019s CREATE-X Startup Launch program, which provided seed funding, mentorship, and industry connections. Deleon\u2019s Demo Day pitch led to an eventual investment from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/gtfv1\/\u0022\u003EGTF Ventures\u003C\/a\u003E, enabling further development and team expansion. Their journey showcases how CREATE-X empowers student entrepreneurs and strengthens the Southeast\u2019s innovation economy.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Inspired by NASA technology, Georgia Tech alumni launched Deleon\u2014a startup using biochemical data to advance preventive health, backed by CREATE-X."}],"uid":"36436","created_gmt":"2025-11-04 22:03:50","changed_gmt":"2025-11-18 21:44:27","author":"bdurham31","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-11-04T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-11-04T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678544":{"id":"678544","type":"image","title":"Deleon cofounders from left to right, Chad Pozarycki and Jos\u00e9 Andrade.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EDeleon cofounders from left to right, Chad Pozarycki and Jos\u00e9 Andrade.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1762293202","gmt_created":"2025-11-04 21:53:22","changed":"1762293334","gmt_changed":"2025-11-04 21:55:34","alt":"Deleon cofounders from left to right, Chad Pozarycki and Jos\u00e9 Andrade.","file":{"fid":"262595","name":"Deleon--Web-Article--1200-x-630-px-.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/04\/Deleon--Web-Article--1200-x-630-px-.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/04\/Deleon--Web-Article--1200-x-630-px-.png","mime":"image\/png","size":601643,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/04\/Deleon--Web-Article--1200-x-630-px-.png?itok=vQYcpWJQ"}}},"media_ids":["678544"],"groups":[{"id":"583966","name":"CREATE-X"},{"id":"655285","name":"GT Commercialization"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192255","name":"go-commercializationnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by Amanda Dudley\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInternal Contact:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBreanna Durham\u003Cbr\u003EMarketing Strategist\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["breanna.durham@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"686192":{"#nid":"686192","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Built in I2P: The Student Inventions You\u2019ll Want to See to Believe","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECricket powder-based protein brownies. A visualization system for fencing blades. A personalized AI application for analyzing blood work. All I2P Showcase prototypes. See what Georgia Tech students have been developing this semester at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/i2p-showcase-fall-2025-tickets-1748117429289?aff=article\u0022\u003EFall 2025 Idea to Prototype (I2P) Showcase\u003C\/a\u003E on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 5 p.m. in the Marcus Nanotechnology Building. This year, attendees will have even more\u0026nbsp;original inventions to view, with over 60 teams\u0026nbsp;displaying prototypes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe event marks the culmination of the semester-long I2P course, where undergraduate students develop functional prototypes aimed at solving real-world problems. Prototypes this semester include a smart military drone, a gentler device for cervical cancer screening, a rotating espresso station, tools to keep AI safe, compact data centers, systems that simulate cyberattacks to help companies strengthen their defenses, and many more.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe showcase is free and open to students, faculty, staff, and members of the local community.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWinning teams will receive prizes and a \u201cgolden ticket\u201d into CREATE-X\u2019s Startup Launch, a summer accelerator that provides optional seed funding, accounting and legal service credits, mentorship, and more to help students turn their prototypes into viable startups.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is a free event, and refreshments will be provided.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/i2p-showcase-fall-2025-tickets-1748117429289?aff=article\u0022\u003ERegister for the Fall 2025 I2P Showcase\u003C\/a\u003E today!\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMore than 60 undergraduate teams will present functional prototypes at the Fall 2025 Idea to Prototype (I2P) Showcase at Georgia Tech, Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. in the Marcus Nanotechnology Building. See innovative student creations developed over the semester and designed to solve real-world problems. Winning teams earn prizes and a \u201cgolden ticket\u201d into CREATE-X\u2019s Startup Launch accelerator, which offers funding, in-kind services, mentorship, and more. This is a free event for the campus and local community.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech\u2019s Fall 2025 I2P Showcase will feature over 60 student prototypes tackling real-world challenges."}],"uid":"36436","created_gmt":"2025-11-04 20:30:14","changed_gmt":"2025-11-04 20:45:46","author":"bdurham31","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-11-04T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-11-04T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678542":{"id":"678542","type":"image","title":"Founders of Allez Go Adam Kulikowski and Jason Mo","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFounders of Allez Go: Adam Kulikowski and Jason Mo\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1762288717","gmt_created":"2025-11-04 20:38:37","changed":"1762288817","gmt_changed":"2025-11-04 20:40:17","alt":"Founders of Allez Go: Adam Kulikowski and Jason Mo","file":{"fid":"262593","name":"54186413447_045f318b99_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/04\/54186413447_045f318b99_o.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/11\/04\/54186413447_045f318b99_o.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":13446225,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/11\/04\/54186413447_045f318b99_o.jpg?itok=AFgCbVoS"}}},"media_ids":["678542"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/i2p-showcase-fall-2025-tickets-1748117429289?aff=article","title":"Register for the 2025 Fall I2P Showcase"}],"groups":[{"id":"583966","name":"CREATE-X"},{"id":"655285","name":"GT Commercialization"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"42921","name":"Exhibitions"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"194685","name":"Manufacturing"},{"id":"147","name":"Military Technology"},{"id":"148","name":"Music and Music Technology"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192255","name":"go-commercializationnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBreanna Durham\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMarketing Strategist\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["breanna.durham@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"684909":{"#nid":"684909","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Saad Bhamla Named 2025 Schmidt Polymath","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESaad Bhamla of Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) is a member of a global cohort of eight scientists and engineers who were named Schmidt Polymaths. They will each receive up to $2.5 million over five years to pursue research in new disciplines or using new methodologies, Schmidt Sciences announced today.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.schmidtsciences.org\/schmidt-science-polymaths\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchmidt Polymaths\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, the researchers pursue new approaches compared to previous work. The new cohort of polymaths will answer questions like how to expand access to healthcare with low-cost technologies, what happens to our chromosomes when we age and how to create more accurate computer simulations of climate.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=bhamla+lab\u0026amp;sca_esv=73afc9bb409a06fd\u0026amp;sxsrf=AE3TifOfqNlLCdHq4wvr_64y9NXiH73Tcw%3A1758035101256\u0026amp;source=hp\u0026amp;ei=nXzJaLXUDIHJp84Pvf7z8AM\u0026amp;iflsig=AOw8s4IAAAAAaMmKrb7w4pqFvU896hGOX8S7oZ5a32xU\u0026amp;ved=0ahUKEwj1lteNx92PAxWB5MkDHT3_HD4Q4dUDCBo\u0026amp;uact=5\u0026amp;oq=bhamla+lab\u0026amp;gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IgpiaGFtbGEgbGFiMgoQIxiABBgnGIoFMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBhAAGBYYHjIGEAAYFhgeMgYQABgWGB4yCBAAGKIEGIkFMggQABiABBiiBDIIEAAYogQYiQUyCBAAGIAEGKIESIkHUABYsQZwAHgAkAEAmAFPoAHDBaoBAjEwuAEDyAEA-AEBmAIKoALgBcICBBAjGCfCAgoQIxjwBRgnGMkCwgIOEC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYigXCAhEQLhiABBixAxjRAxiDARjHAcICDhAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGMcBwgIFEC4YgATCAggQLhiABBixA8ICCxAuGIAEGLEDGIMBwgIOEAAYgAQYsQMYgwEYigXCAgsQABiABBixAxiDAcICDhAuGIAEGMcBGI4FGK8BwgILEC4YgAQYsQMY5QTCAggQABiABBixA8ICBxAuGIAEGArCAgsQLhiABBjHARivAcICBRAAGO8FmAMAkgcCMTCgB898sgcCMTC4B-AFwgcFMC45LjHIBxg\u0026amp;sclient=gws-wiz\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBhamla\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in ChBE@GT, is the first Schmidt Polymath from Georgia Tech. He will develop low-cost technologies to tackle planetary-scale challenges, including AI-enabled point-of-care diagnostics in low-resource environments, and he will also engineer autonomous morphing machines that adapt, evolve and learn like living systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe eight selected scientists represent the fifth cohort of the highly selective Schmidt Polymaths program. Awardees must have been tenured\u2014or achieved similar status\u2014within the previous three years. Previous cohorts have used the award to design new sensor devices, perform experiments at atomic resolutions, analyze trees of life with faster and more efficient algorithms, discover new mathematical formulas assisted by AI, and more.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDrawn from universities worldwide and selected through a competitive application process, Schmidt Polymaths are required to demonstrate past ability and future potential to pursue early-stage, novel research that would otherwise be challenging to fund\u2014even without the current dramatic declines in U.S. funding for science.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur world is one deeply interconnected system---but to study it more deeply, we\u2019ve divided it into increasingly narrow categories,\u201d said Wendy Schmidt, who co-founded Schmidt Sciences with her husband Eric. \u201cSchmidt Polymaths see the bigger picture, pursue answers beyond boundaries and expand the edges of what\u2019s possible.\u0026nbsp; Their work can help steer\u0026nbsp; us all toward a healthier\u0026nbsp; future, for people and the planet.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout Schmidt Sciences\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.schmidtsciences.org\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchmidt Sciences\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt that works to accelerate scientific knowledge and breakthroughs with the most promising, advanced tools to support a thriving planet. The organization prioritizes research in areas poised for impact including AI and advanced computing, astrophysics, biosciences, climate, and space\u2014as well as supporting researchers in a variety of disciplines through its science systems program.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERELATED: Forbes featured Bhamla in the article: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/johndrake\/2025\/09\/16\/saad-bhamla-is-a-polymath\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESaad Bhamla Is A Polymath\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":" Schmidt Polymaths each receive up to $2.5 million over five years to pursue research in new disciplines or using new methodologies"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESaad \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=bhamla+lab\u0026amp;sca_esv=73afc9bb409a06fd\u0026amp;sxsrf=AE3TifOfqNlLCdHq4wvr_64y9NXiH73Tcw%3A1758035101256\u0026amp;source=hp\u0026amp;ei=nXzJaLXUDIHJp84Pvf7z8AM\u0026amp;iflsig=AOw8s4IAAAAAaMmKrb7w4pqFvU896hGOX8S7oZ5a32xU\u0026amp;ved=0ahUKEwj1lteNx92PAxWB5MkDHT3_HD4Q4dUDCBo\u0026amp;uact=5\u0026amp;oq=bhamla+lab\u0026amp;gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IgpiaGFtbGEgbGFiMgoQIxiABBgnGIoFMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBhAAGBYYHjIGEAAYFhgeMgYQABgWGB4yCBAAGKIEGIkFMggQABiABBiiBDIIEAAYogQYiQUyCBAAGIAEGKIESIkHUABYsQZwAHgAkAEAmAFPoAHDBaoBAjEwuAEDyAEA-AEBmAIKoALgBcICBBAjGCfCAgoQIxjwBRgnGMkCwgIOEC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYigXCAhEQLhiABBixAxjRAxiDARjHAcICDhAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGMcBwgIFEC4YgATCAggQLhiABBixA8ICCxAuGIAEGLEDGIMBwgIOEAAYgAQYsQMYgwEYigXCAgsQABiABBixAxiDAcICDhAuGIAEGMcBGI4FGK8BwgILEC4YgAQYsQMY5QTCAggQABiABBixA8ICBxAuGIAEGArCAgsQLhiABBjHARivAcICBRAAGO8FmAMAkgcCMTCgB898sgcCMTC4B-AFwgcFMC45LjHIBxg\u0026amp;sclient=gws-wiz\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBhamla\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in ChBE@GT, will develop low-cost technologies to tackle planetary-scale challenges, including AI-enabled point-of-care diagnostics in low-resource environments. He will also engineer autonomous morphing machines that adapt, evolve and learn like living systems.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Schmidt Sciences announces next cohort of early-to mid- career scientists to each receive up to $2.5 million to pursue novel research "}],"uid":"27271","created_gmt":"2025-09-16 15:22:23","changed_gmt":"2025-10-24 19:13:27","author":"Brad Dixon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-09-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-09-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678015":{"id":"678015","type":"image","title":"bhamla2019.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESaad Bhamla, associate professor in Georgia Tech\u0027s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1758036152","gmt_created":"2025-09-16 15:22:32","changed":"1758036152","gmt_changed":"2025-09-16 15:22:32","alt":"Saad Bhamla","file":{"fid":"261987","name":"bhamla2019.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/16\/bhamla2019.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/16\/bhamla2019.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":102841,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/16\/bhamla2019.jpeg?itok=T0rn3U53"}}},"media_ids":["678015"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"194768","name":"Schmidt Polymaths"},{"id":"184331","name":"access to healthcare"},{"id":"194391","name":"AI in Healthcare"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBrad Dixon, braddixon@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["braddixon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"685578":{"#nid":"685578","#data":{"type":"news","title":"ChBE Professor Leads Team Awarded $9.2M NSF Grant to Build \u201cPlug-and-Play\u201d Biotechnology","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EImagine if building new medicines or sustainable materials were as straightforward as snapping together LEGO\u00ae bricks. That\u2019s the goal of a new project led by the Georgia Institute of Technology that could help transform the future of biomanufacturing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe project, headed by Professor Mark Styczynski in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE@GT), recently received a $9.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP) to accelerate the adoption of cell-free systems in biomanufacturing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPromising Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBiotechnology has largely relied on living cells for production of products such as medicines, fragrances, or renewable fuels. But working with living cells can be complex and expensive.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECell-free systems, by contrast, strip biology down to its essential parts, the enzymes and molecules that carry out life\u2019s chemical reactions. This can simplify and speed up biomanufacturing, making it easier to scale.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe challenge, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/styczynski\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStyczynski\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E explained, is that most cell-free projects still require custom-built setups. \u201cRight now, engineering biology is like reinventing the wheel for every application,\u201d he said. \u201cYou have to figure out how all the parts fit together each time. We want to change that by making ready-to-use modules that work right out of the box.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStyczynski\u2019s project, called Meta-PURE (PUrified Recombinant Elements), will create eight standardized modules, each designed for a key function in cell-free systems, such as generating energy, producing proteins, or assembling complex molecules.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cLike interchangeable puzzle pieces, these modules can be mixed and matched to support different applications,\u201d Styczynski said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDemonstrating Uses\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHis team will demonstrate the system\u2019s versatility by producing santalene (a plant-derived fragrance used widely in consumer products), GamS protein (a tool that can improve cell-free processes), and a bacteriophage (a virus that can be safely used in research and the development of new therapeutic treatments).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese examples highlight the technology\u2019s potential across industries ranging from pharmaceuticals and agriculture to chemicals and sustainable materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe want to make these tools so that someone in industry can create their molecule or product more quickly and efficiently, and get it out the door,\u201d Styczynski said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cRight now, cell-free systems are mostly limited to high-value products because the cost is too high. The goal is to drive costs down and productivity up, so we can move closer to commodity chemicals like biofuels or monomers for polymers, not just niche applications. One of our partners recently developed a butanol process that shows where this can go,\u201d he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENSF Initiative\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStyczynski\u2019s team is one of four recently awarded an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/tip\/updates\/nsf-invests-more-32m-biotechnology-accelerating-adoption?utm_medium=email\u0026amp;utm_source=govdelivery\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Einaugural investment of $32.4 million\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E to help grow the U.S. bioeconomy. The initiative is called the NSF Advancing Cell-Free Systems Toward Increased Range of Use-Inspired Applications (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/funding\/opportunities\/cfire-ideas-lab-advancing-cell-free-systems-toward-increased-range\/506275\/nsf24-552\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENSF CFIRE\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNSF is resolute in our commitment to advancing breakthroughs in biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and other key technologies of significance to the U.S. economy,\u201d said Erwin Gianchandani, assistant director for NSF TIP. \u201cThe novel approaches from these four CFIRE teams will speed up and expand the adoption of cell-free systems across a variety of industries and ensure America\u2019s competitive position in the global bioeconomy.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECollaborative Effort\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile ChBE@GT is the lead, Meta-PURE is a broad collaboration with partners across academia, industry, and government. Co-principal investigators include Paul Opgenorth, co-founder and vice president of development at the biotech firm eXoZymes; Nicholas R. Sandoval, associate professor of Tulane University\u2019s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; and Anton Jackson-Smith, founder of the biotech startup b.next.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeta-PURE will also train graduate students and postdocs in partnership with industry, government, and other universities, helping prepare trainees to be the future of a highly interdisciplinary U.S. bioeconomy. The team will also engage the scientific community on the implementation of metrics and standards in cell-free biotechnology to better facilitate broad adoption and interoperability of not just the results of the Meta-PURE project, but of cell-free efforts more broadly.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EImagine if building new medicines or sustainable materials were as straightforward as snapping together LEGO\u00ae bricks. That\u2019s the goal of a new project led by the Georgia Institute of Technology that could help transform the future of biomanufacturing. The project, headed by Professor Mark Styczynski in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE@GT), recently received a $9.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP) to accelerate the adoption of cell-free systems in biomanufacturing.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers received a $9.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to accelerate the adoption of cell-free systems in biomanufacturing."}],"uid":"27271","created_gmt":"2025-10-07 18:46:50","changed_gmt":"2025-10-22 15:06:17","author":"Brad Dixon","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-10-07T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-10-07T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678296":{"id":"678296","type":"image","title":"Mark-Styczynski-Alexandra-Patterson-Protein-Biosensor-0279-h.jpg","body":null,"created":"1759862848","gmt_created":"2025-10-07 18:47:28","changed":"1759862848","gmt_changed":"2025-10-07 18:47:28","alt":"Mark Styczynski in lab","file":{"fid":"262305","name":"Mark-Styczynski-Alexandra-Patterson-Protein-Biosensor-0279-h.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/07\/Mark-Styczynski-Alexandra-Patterson-Protein-Biosensor-0279-h.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/07\/Mark-Styczynski-Alexandra-Patterson-Protein-Biosensor-0279-h.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":612548,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/07\/Mark-Styczynski-Alexandra-Patterson-Protein-Biosensor-0279-h.jpg?itok=-U_D2zfs"}}},"media_ids":["678296"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"194685","name":"Manufacturing"}],"keywords":[{"id":"14854","name":"biomanufacturing"},{"id":"194811","name":"cell-free systems"},{"id":"1503","name":"Biotechnology"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBrad Dixon, \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:braddixon@gatech.edu. \u0022\u003Ebraddixon@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["braddixon@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"685734":{"#nid":"685734","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Cancer Atlas Offers a Roadmap to Detecting Tumors Earlier Than Ever","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/09\/50m-cancer-moonshot-grant-will-build-atlas-earlier-cancer-detection\u0022\u003EWhen a Georgia Tech-led project received a contract award\u003C\/a\u003E from the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arpa-h.gov\/\u0022\u003EAdvanced Research Projects Agency for Health\u003C\/a\u003E (ARPA-H), it was for a bold idea with aggressive metrics. And it wasn\u2019t guaranteed money. The team, led by biomedical engineer \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/faculty\/Gabe-A.-Kwong\u0022\u003EGabe Kwong\u003C\/a\u003E, had to deliver on its vision. Doing so could transform cancer screening and care, leading to one-size-fits-all tests that detect multiple cancers before they\u2019re visible on CT or PET scans.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s a big goal, but that\u2019s the point of ARPA-H. The agency funds staggeringly difficult healthcare innovation ideas that require major investment to succeed.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETwo years into the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arpa-h.gov\/explore-funding\/awardees#:~:text=Cancer%20and%20Organ-,Degradome,-Atlas%20to%20Unlock\u0022\u003E$49.5 million project\u003C\/a\u003E, Kwong and the team from Georgia Tech, Columbia University, and Mount Sinai Health System has crossed a critical threshold.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey\u2019ve built the first tool able to measure enzyme activity around cancer tumors and healthy cells. And they\u2019ve deployed it to understand the unique signatures for tumors from 14 different kinds of cancer.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat data is powering the first version of a cancer \u201catlas.\u201d Like a geographical atlas, it will offer directions to each kind of tumor, allowing scientists to design sensors that follow the map and detect cancer tumors when they\u2019re still small.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf I want to deliver a sensor to a particular region inside the body, right now, there\u0027s no way of directing it. We give it systemically, and it basically infuses all tissues all the time,\u201d said Kwong, Robert A. Milton Professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering. \u201cWhat\u0027s powerful is that we\u2019re now defining tissue sites with a specific molecular \u2018barcode.\u2019 Then if a sensor is given systemically, it should only turn on when the barcode matches the local tissue.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/10\/cancer-atlas-offers-roadmap-detecting-tumors-earlier-ever\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead more about the project on the College of Engineering website.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETwo years into a $49.5 million cancer-mapping project, researchers are opening the door to new kinds of tests that could alert doctors to multiple kinds of cancer when they\u2019re most treatable.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Two years into a $49.5 million cancer-mapping project, researchers are opening the door to new kinds of tests that could alert doctors to multiple kinds of cancer when they\u2019re most treatable."}],"uid":"27446","created_gmt":"2025-10-16 13:48:30","changed_gmt":"2025-10-16 17:52:17","author":"Joshua Stewart","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-10-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-10-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678362":{"id":"678362","type":"image","title":"Kwong-ARPA-H-roadmap-illustration-t.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E(Illustration: Sarah Collins)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1760622526","gmt_created":"2025-10-16 13:48:46","changed":"1760622526","gmt_changed":"2025-10-16 13:48:46","alt":"Illustration of cancer cells along a road with location markers next to each cell to represent the cancer \u0022atlas\u0022 Gabe Kwong and his collaborators are building.","file":{"fid":"262380","name":"Kwong-ARPA-H-roadmap-illustration-t.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/16\/Kwong-ARPA-H-roadmap-illustration-t.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/16\/Kwong-ARPA-H-roadmap-illustration-t.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":453049,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/16\/Kwong-ARPA-H-roadmap-illustration-t.jpg?itok=lNQ0pgUe"}}},"media_ids":["678362"],"groups":[{"id":"660369","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"140","name":"Cancer Research"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"108041","name":"Gabe Kwong"},{"id":"193109","name":"arpa-h"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jstewart@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJoshua Stewart\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jstewart@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"685293":{"#nid":"685293","#data":{"type":"news","title":"From Lab to Life: Inside the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe brain is the most intricate system known to science \u2014 billions of cells forming dynamic networks that allow us to think, feel, move, and adapt. Yet despite decades of research, much about how the brain works remains a mystery. At the same time, neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions are on the rise, affecting more than one-third of the global population and costing trillions in healthcare and lost productivity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnderstanding the brain is key to unlocking human health and flourishing. The need has never been more urgent, but this challenge is too vast for any single discipline to solve alone.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat\u2019s why Georgia Tech \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-launches-two-new-interdisciplinary-research-institutes\u0022\u003Erecently launched\u003C\/a\u003E the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EInstitute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society\u003C\/a\u003E (INNS). A step toward a more connected, collaborative future, INNS brings together experts from across Georgia Tech\u2019s seven colleges and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gtri.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (GTRI) to study the brain in ways that connect scientific discovery with technological innovation and real-world societal needs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EINNS supports research that crosses traditional academic boundaries. As an\u0026nbsp;Interdisciplinary Research Institute (IRI), it builds community, fosters collaboration, and fills critical gaps in education, professional development, and research infrastructure.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech has a long-standing culture of interdisciplinary collaboration \u2014 it\u2019s in our DNA,\u201d says INNS Executive Director \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/user\/1109\u0022\u003EChris Rozell\u003C\/a\u003E. Rozell also serves as Julian T. Hightower Chaired Professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cINNS builds on that strength to create a space where breakthroughs in neuroscience and neurotechnology can move from lab to life, impacting real people in real ways.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Community Built to Collaborate\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EINNS is home to a growing network of faculty, students, and research centers spanning the full spectrum of Georgia Tech\u2019s research expertise.\u0026nbsp;This diversity is not just a feature, it\u2019s the foundation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat foundation was laid over decades of growth, vision, and grassroots momentum. Georgia Tech welcomed its first neuroscience-focused faculty member in\u0026nbsp;1990, sparking a steady expansion of brain-related research across campus. As more faculty joined and new focus areas emerged, a vibrant, cross-disciplinary community began to take shape.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn\u0026nbsp;2014, that community organized under the name GT Neuro, a grassroots initiative that united researchers who shared a passion for understanding the brain. This collective energy led to new educational programs, including the launch of Georgia Tech\u2019s undergraduate neuroscience major in the College of Sciences.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur undergraduate students absolutely love teaching others about Neuroscience,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/christina-ragan\u0022\u003EChristina Ragan\u003C\/a\u003E, director of Outreach for the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuroscience.cos.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EUndergraduate Neuroscience Program\u003C\/a\u003E and senior academic professional in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cI\u0027m really excited to explore ways for INNS to connect our neuroscience community at Tech with the public.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy 2023, the Neuro Next Initiative launched to bring together leaders from across campus and chart a strategic path forward \u2014 the result of nearly two years of community-driven planning to formalize and expand Georgia Tech\u2019s neuroscience ecosystem.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe launch of INNS has built on the momentum of the Neuro Next Initiative, which ignited crucial conversations and fostered new collaborations between researchers at GTRI and Georgia Tech faculty,\u201d says \u003Cstrong\u003ETabitha Rosenbalm\u003C\/strong\u003E, GTRI senior research engineer. \u201cThe remarkable demonstration at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/interfaceneuro-highlights-atlantas-growing-role-neurotech-revolution\u0022\u003EInterface Neuro\u003C\/a\u003E \u2014 witnessing a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/unveiling-human-stories-behind-brain-implants\u0022\u003Equadriplegic man walk and communicate\u003C\/a\u003E thanks to innovative research \u2014 underscores the transformative breakthroughs possible when academic and applied researchers unite. INNS is uniquely positioned to serve as a catalyst, propelling Atlanta, Georgia Tech, and GTRI as national leaders in neurotechnology, driving advancements in both human health and engineering innovation.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EINNS is also helping shape the future of education. A new\u0026nbsp;interdisciplinary \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/training-page\/graduate-academic-programs\/phd\u0022\u003EPh.D. program\u0026nbsp;in neuroscience and neurotechnology\u003C\/a\u003E welcomed its first cohort this fall, and INNS is poised to support it with professional development, research opportunities, and community engagement.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBreaking Boundaries to Advance Brain Science\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhether it\u2019s developing neurotechnologies, designing therapeutic environments, or exploring the ethical implications of brain research, INNS is here to support work that spans fields and impacts lives.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTo responsibly address the societal and human impacts of advances in neuroscience and neurotechnology, we first need to understand them,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/margaret-e-kosal\u0022\u003EMargaret Kosal\u003C\/a\u003E, professor and director of Graduate Students in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EIvan Allen College of Liberal Arts\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cThat requires real and substantive collaboration beyond traditional engineering or biology labs.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne example of INNS in action is the\u0026nbsp;Smart Transitional Home Lab, a project funded by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-shepherd-center-award-inaugural-seed-grants\u0022\u003Einaugural INNS\/Shepherd Center Seed Grant\u003C\/a\u003E. This initiative brings together experts in architecture, inclusive design, neuroengineering, and rehabilitation to prototype environments that actively support stroke recovery, blending rigorous research with human-centered design.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe establishment of INNS creates a powerful platform where diverse minds, from neuroscience to architecture to rehabilitation, can converge around a shared mission to advance human health,\u201d says \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arch.gatech.edu\/people\/hui-cai\u0022\u003EHui Cai\u003C\/a\u003E, professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arch.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Architecture\u003C\/a\u003E, executive director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/simtigrate.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESimTigrate Design Center\u003C\/a\u003E, and co-leader of the project. \u201cIt enables interdisciplinary work with the potential to transform lives and redefine how we design for healing and recovery.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFrom whole brain recordings, to mapping the connectome, to the incredible advances in artificial intelligence, it\u0027s never been a more exciting time to study the mind and brain,\u201d says \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/psychology.gatech.edu\/people\/robert-wilson\u0022\u003EBob Wilson\u003C\/a\u003E, director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coco.psych.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter of Excellence for Computation and Cognition\u003C\/a\u003E and associate professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/psychology.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Psychology\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cI\u0027m extremely excited for INNS to act as a central hub, building the neuroscience community at Georgia Tech and beyond.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoin Us\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EINNS is more than an institute, it\u2019s a growing, vibrant community of researchers, educators, students, and partners. Together, we\u2019re working to understand the brain, develop technologies that improve lives, and ensure those innovations serve society responsibly.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhether you\u0027re a student, researcher, policymaker, or simply curious about the brain,\u0026nbsp;INNS is your gateway to interdisciplinary neuroscience at Georgia Tech. Get involved at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/email-list-subscriptions\u0022\u003Eneuro.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENeuroscience at Georgia Tech is entering a new era \u2014 one defined by interdisciplinary research, educational innovation, and real-world impact.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Neuroscience at Georgia Tech is entering a new era \u2014 one defined by interdisciplinary research, educational innovation, and real-world impact."}],"uid":"35575","created_gmt":"2025-09-25 19:32:18","changed_gmt":"2025-10-08 17:17:15","author":"adavidson38","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-09-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-09-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678148":{"id":"678148","type":"image","title":"Brain-pop-art3.png","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearchers across Georgia Tech are joining forces to explore the brain \u2014 advancing science, technology, and society through interdisciplinary collaboration.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1758828752","gmt_created":"2025-09-25 19:32:32","changed":"1758828752","gmt_changed":"2025-09-25 19:32:32","alt":"Researchers across Georgia Tech are joining forces to explore the brain \u2014 advancing science, technology, and society through interdisciplinary collaboration.","file":{"fid":"262135","name":"Brain-pop-art3.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/25\/Brain-pop-art3.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/25\/Brain-pop-art3.png","mime":"image\/png","size":6940748,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/25\/Brain-pop-art3.png?itok=Imvl-fen"}},"678149":{"id":"678149","type":"video","title":" Inside the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFrom lab to life, INNS is building a collaborative future for brain science.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1758829774","gmt_created":"2025-09-25 19:49:34","changed":"1758829774","gmt_changed":"2025-09-25 19:49:34","video":{"youtube_id":"rtiZfZzdMLQ","video_url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rtiZfZzdMLQ"}}},"media_ids":["678148","678149"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-shepherd-center-award-inaugural-seed-grants","title":"Georgia Tech, Shepherd Center Award Inaugural Seed Grants"},{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/rozell-named-inaugural-executive-director-new-neuroscience-institute","title":"Rozell Named Inaugural Executive Director of New Neuroscience Institute"},{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-launches-two-new-interdisciplinary-research-institutes","title":"Georgia Tech Launches Two New Interdisciplinary Research Institutes"}],"groups":[{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAudra Davidson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EResearch Communications Program Manager\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"685070":{"#nid":"685070","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Robotic Breakthrough That Could Help Stroke Survivors Reclaim Their Stride","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECrossing a room shouldn\u2019t feel like a marathon. But for many stroke survivors, even the smallest number of steps carries enormous weight. Each movement becomes a reminder of lost coordination, muscle weakness, and physical vulnerability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA team of Georgia Tech researchers wanted to ease that struggle, and robotic exoskeletons offered a promising path. Their findings point to a simple but powerful shift: exoskeletons that adapt to people, rather than forcing people to adapt to the machine. Using artificial intelligence (AI) to learn the rhythm of patients\u2019 strides in real time, the team showed how these devices can reduce strain and increase efficiency. They also demonstrated how the technology can help restore confidence for stroke survivors.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Robot Finds the Rhythm\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA robotic exoskeleton is a wearable device that helps people move with mechanical support. Traditional exoskeletons require endless manual adjustments \u2014 turning knobs, calibrating settings, and tweaking controls.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt can be frustrating, even nearly impossible, to get it right for each person,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/young\u0022\u003EAaron Young\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering.\u003C\/a\u003E \u201cWith AI, the exoskeleton figures out the mapping itself. It learns the timing of someone\u2019s gait through a neural network, without an engineer needing to hand-tune everything.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe software monitors each step, instantly updates, and fine-tunes the support it provides. Over time, the exoskeleton aligns its movements with the unique gait of the person wearing it. In this study, the research team used a hip exoskeleton, which provides torque at the hip joint \u2014 in other words, adding power to help stroke survivors walk or move their legs more easily.\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETaking Smarter Steps\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWalking after a stroke can be tough and unpredictable. A patient\u2019s stride can change from one day to the next, and even from one step to the next. Most exoskeletons aren\u2019t built for that kind of variation. They are designed around the steady, even gait of healthy young adults, which can leave stroke survivors feeling more unsteady than supported.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYoung\u2019s breakthrough, detailed in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ieeexplore.ieee.org\/abstract\/document\/11112638\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EIEEE Transactions on Robotics\u003C\/em\u003E,\u003C\/a\u003E is a neural network \u2014 a type of AI that learns patterns much like the human brain does. Sensors at the hip pick up how someone is moving, and the network translates those signals into just the right boost of power to support each step. It quickly figures out a person\u2019s unique walking pattern. But lead clinician Kinsey Herrin said the AI\u2019s learning doesn\u2019t stop there. It keeps adjusting as the patient walks, so the exoskeleton can stay in sync even during stride shifts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe speed really surprised us,\u201d Young said. \u201cIn just one to two minutes of walking, the system had already learned a person\u2019s gait pattern with high accuracy. That\u2019s a big deal, to adapt that quickly and then keep adapting as they move.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETests showed the system was far more accurate than the standard exoskeleton. It reduced errors in tracking stroke patients\u2019 walking patterns by 70%.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYoung emphasized that this research is about more than metrics. \u201cWhen you see someone able to walk farther without becoming exhausted, that\u2019s when you realize this isn\u2019t just about robotics \u2014 it\u2019s about giving people back a measure of independence,\u201d he said.\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAdapting Anywhere\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEvery exoskeleton comes with its own set of sensors, so the data they collect can look completely different from one device to the next. A neural network trained on one machine often stumbles when it\u2019s moved to another. To get around that, Young\u2019s team designed software that works like a universal adapter plug \u2014 no matter what device it\u2019s connected to, it converts the signals into a form the AI can use. After just 10 strides of calibration, the system cut error rates by more than 75%.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe goal is that someone could strap on a device, and, within a minute, it feels like it was built just for them,\u201d Young said.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Step Toward the Future\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile the study centered on stroke survivors, the implications are far broader. The same adaptive approach could support older adults coping with age-related muscle weakness, people with conditions like Parkinson\u2019s or osteoarthritis, or even children with neurological disabilities.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EYoung and his team are now running clinical trials to measure how well the AI-powered exoskeleton supports people in a wide range of everyday activities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere\u2019s no such thing as an \u2018average\u2019 user,\u201d Young said. \u201cThe real challenge is designing technology that can adapt to the full spectrum of human mobility.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf Georgia Tech\u2019s exoskeleton can rise to that challenge, the promise goes well beyond the lab. It could mean a world where technology doesn\u2019t just help people walk \u2014 it learns to walk with them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInseung Kang, who holds a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from Georgia Tech, is the paper\u2019s lead author and now an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. He explained that the real promise is in what comes next.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cWe\u2019ve developed a system that can adjust to a person\u2019s walking style in just minutes. But the potential is even greater. Imagine an exoskeleton that keeps learning with you over your lifetime, adjusting as your body and mobility change. Think of it as a robot companion that understands how you walk and gives you the right assistance every step of the way.\u201d\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAaron Young is affiliated with Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/robotics\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EInstitute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis research was primarily funded by a grant (DP2HD111709-01)\u0026nbsp;from the National Institutes of Health New Innovator Award Program. \u003C\/em\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have created the first lung-on-a-chip with a functioning immune system, allowing it to respond to infections much like a real human lung. The breakthrough, published in \u003Cem\u003ENature Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/em\u003E, provides a more accurate way to study diseases, test therapies, and reduce reliance on animal models. With potential applications in conditions from influenza to cancer, the technology opens the door to personalized medicine that predicts how individual patients will respond to treatment.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have developed an AI-powered hip exoskeleton that adapts in real time to a stroke survivor\u2019s changing gait, reducing errors by 70% and helping patients walk with greater ease and confidence. Unlike traditional devices that require constant manual tuning, the system learns each person\u2019s unique stride within minutes and continues adjusting as they move. The breakthrough could extend beyond stroke recovery, offering personalized mobility support for people of all ages and conditions.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech\u0027s AI-fueled exoskeleton adapts to every step, helping patients relearn to walk with less effort and more confidence."}],"uid":"36410","created_gmt":"2025-09-18 15:26:54","changed_gmt":"2025-09-24 15:08:59","author":"mazriel3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-09-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-09-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678071":{"id":"678071","type":"video","title":"The Robotic Breakthrough That Could Help Stroke Survivors Reclaim Their Stride","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u0027s AI-fueled exoskeleton adapts to every step, helping patients relearn to walk with less effort and more confidence.\r\n\r\nTraditional robotic exoskeleton models require extensive manual calibration, but Aaron Young, associate professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, and his team developed AI-driven software that automatically adapts to each user\u2019s gait. By using a neural network, the system continuously monitors and adjusts support with each step, gradually syncing with the wearer\u2019s unique movement. In this study, the team used a hip exoskeleton that delivers torque at the hip joint to help stroke survivors walk more easily.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1758208325","gmt_created":"2025-09-18 15:12:05","changed":"1758208325","gmt_changed":"2025-09-18 15:12:05","video":{"youtube_id":"RPHz2mU9sBA","video_url":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/RPHz2mU9sBA"}}},"media_ids":["678071"],"groups":[{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"152","name":"Robotics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194701","name":"go-resarchnews"},{"id":"13169","name":"autonomous robots"},{"id":"98751","name":"College of Engineering; George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39521","name":"Robotics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMichelle Azriel Sr. Writer - Editor\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["mazriel3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"684795":{"#nid":"684795","#data":{"type":"news","title":"A Nexus of Ideas","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA recently awarded $20 million NSF Nexus Supercomputer grant to Georgia Tech and partner institutes promises to bring incredible computing power to the CODA building. But what makes this supercomputer different and how will it impact research in labs on campus, across disciplinary units, and across institutions?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPurpose Built for AI Discovery\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENexus is Georgia Tech\u2019s next-generation supercomputer, replacing the HIVE. Most operational high-performance computing systems utilized for research were designed before the explosion in Machine Learning and AI. This revolution has already shown successes for scientific research and data analysis in many domains, but the compute power, complex connectivity, and data storage needs for these systems have limited their access to the academic research community. The Nexus supercomputer design process retained a robust HPC system as a base while integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning and large-scale data science analysis from the ground up.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExpert Support for Faculty and Researchers\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/data\u0022\u003EInstitute for Data Engineering and Science (IDEaS)\u003C\/a\u003E and the College of Computing house the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Science and Engineering (ARTISAN) group. This team has collective experience in working with national computational, cloud, commercial and institutional resources for computational activities, and decades of experience in scientific tools that aid in assisting both teaching and research faculty. Nexus is the next logical step, bringing together everything they\u2019ve learned to build a national resource optimized for the future of AI-driven science.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrincipal Research Scientist for the ARTISAN team, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/suresh-marru\u0022\u003ESuresh Marru\u003C\/a\u003E, highlighted the need for this new resource, \u201cAI is a core part of the Nexus vision. Today, researchers often spend more time setting up experiments, managing data, or figuring out how to run jobs on remote clusters than doing science. With Nexus, we\u2019re flipping that script. By embedding AI into the platform, we help automate routine tasks, suggest optimal ways to run simulations, and even assist in generating input or analyzing results. This means researchers can move faster from question to insight. Instead of wrestling with infrastructure, they can focus on discovery.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAn Accessible AI Resource for GT \u0026amp; US Scientific Research\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E90% of Nexus capacity will be made available to the national research community through the NSF Advanced Computing Systems \u0026amp; Services (ACSS) program. Researchers from across the country, at universities, labs, and institutions of all sizes, will have access to this next-generation AI-ready supercomputer. For Georgia Tech research faculty and staff, the new system has multiple benefits:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E10% of the time on the machine will be available for use by Georgia Tech researchers\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENexus will allow GT researchers a chance to try out the latest hardware for AI computing\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThanks to cyberinfrastructure tools from the ARTISAN group, Nexus will be easier to access than previous NSF supercomputers\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EInterim Executive Director of IDEaS and Regents\u0027 Professor David Sherrill notes, \u0022Nexus brings Georgia Tech\u0027s leadership in research computing to a whole new level.\u0026nbsp;It will be the first NSF Category I Supercomputer hosted on Georgia Tech\u0027s campus.\u0026nbsp;The Nexus hardware and software will boost research in the foundations of AI, and applications of AI in science and engineering.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"How the NSF Nexus Supercomputer at Georgia Tech will impact campus and national research"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA recently awarded $20 million NSF Nexus Supercomputer grant to Georgia Tech and partner institutes promises to bring incredible computing power to the CODA building. But what makes this supercomputer different and how will it impact research in labs on campus, across disciplinary units, and across institutions?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Nexus is Georgia Tech\u2019s next-generation supercomputer, replacing the HIVE. "}],"uid":"27863","created_gmt":"2025-09-11 20:55:48","changed_gmt":"2025-09-22 20:01:24","author":"Christa Ernst","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-09-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-09-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677982":{"id":"677982","type":"image","title":"Network-cubes-fotoplot.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGraphic Representation of networked system: Adobe Stock\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1757624171","gmt_created":"2025-09-11 20:56:11","changed":"1757624171","gmt_changed":"2025-09-11 20:56:11","alt":"Graphic Representation of networked system: Adobe Stock","file":{"fid":"261951","name":"Network-cubes-fotoplot.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/11\/Network-cubes-fotoplot.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/11\/Network-cubes-fotoplot.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":8203776,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/11\/Network-cubes-fotoplot.jpeg?itok=lxZczU8j"}}},"media_ids":["677982"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"},{"id":"443951","name":"School of Psychology"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"140","name":"Cancer Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"187023","name":"go-data"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683155":{"#nid":"683155","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Improved Cancer Detection, Better MRI Imaging Among 2025-2026 Biolocity Awardees","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFive teams of researchers from Georgia Tech and Emory University were selected to accelerate their journey from lab to market. Projects include improved cancer detection and therapies, a precise surgical tool and better MRI imaging. Teams will receive funding and commercialization support during the year. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/news\/improved-cancer-detection-better-mri-imaging-among-2025-2026-biolocity-awardees\u0022\u003ERead more about each project here\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECommercialization program in Coulter BME announces project teams who will receive support to get their research to market.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Commercialization program in Coulter BME announces project teams who will receive support to get their research to market."}],"uid":"35963","created_gmt":"2025-07-16 15:50:54","changed_gmt":"2025-09-11 17:21:40","author":"kpetty30","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677435":{"id":"677435","type":"image","title":"Biolocity 2025 Social and Full Pitch Day ","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommercialization program in Coulter BME announces project teams who will receive support to get their research to market.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","created":"1752679867","gmt_created":"2025-07-16 15:31:07","changed":"1752680057","gmt_changed":"2025-07-16 15:34:17","alt":"A photo shot from the back of a conference room with people sitting at conference tables while a person at the front of the room shows a presentation on a flat TV screen","file":{"fid":"261331","name":"biolocity-pitch-day-2025.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/16\/biolocity-pitch-day-2025.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/16\/biolocity-pitch-day-2025.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":12505488,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/16\/biolocity-pitch-day-2025.jpg?itok=OCwrhaMN"}}},"media_ids":["677435"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"182840","name":"Biolocity"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192255","name":"go-commercializationnews"},{"id":"192256","name":"go-commercializationreserach"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:kelly.petty@bme.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EKelly Petty\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ECommunications\u003Cbr\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"684036":{"#nid":"684036","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech, Shepherd Center Award Inaugural Seed Grants","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech and Shepherd Center recently awarded four seed grants totaling nearly $200,000 to researchers focusing on projects that will advance discoveries in neurorehabilitation, including acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, and other neurological conditions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech-Shepherd Center Seed Grant Program is part of an ongoing partnership between the two institutions that \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.shepherd.org\/georgia-tech-partners-with-shepherd-center-to-advance-rehabilitative-patient-care-and-research\/\u0022\u003Estarted in 2023\u003C\/a\u003E with the goal of advancing rehabilitative patient care and research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe seed grant program is intended to stimulate new interdisciplinary research collaborations by providing seed funding to obtain preliminary data or prototypes necessary for the submission of an external grant or industry opportunities,\u201d says \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/shepherd.org\/staff-directory\/deborah-backus\/\u0022\u003EDeborah Backus\u003C\/a\u003E, vice president of Research and Innovation\u0026nbsp;at Shepherd Center. \u201cAs two leading research institutions, we know the potential for advancing rehabilitation therapies is even greater when we work together. We look forward to the solutions, treatments, and therapies that emerge from these initial seed grants.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExperts from both institutions evaluated and scored seed grant applications based on the research\u2019s innovation, approach, and potential for training opportunities, as well as its anticipated impact, prospects for commercial translation, and strategy for securing continued funding.\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EThis year, each awardee team received close to $50,000.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are very excited to launch this new seed grant program, which will spur ideas and propel research forward,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/michelle-laplaca\u0022\u003EMichelle LaPlaca\u003C\/a\u003E, professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/\u0022\u003ECoulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the Georgia Tech lead of the Collaborative. \u201cThe complementary expertise of Georgia Tech and Shepherd Center researchers, combined with the motivation to find solutions for individuals with neurological injury and disability, is a winning formula for innovation.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Offering new hope for neurorehabilitation patients requires bringing together interdisciplinary researchers to explore new and creative ideas,\u201d adds \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/3728\u0022\u003EChris Rozell\u003C\/a\u003E, Julian T. Hightower Chaired professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the inaugural executive director of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EInstitute of Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society\u003C\/a\u003E (INNS) at Georgia Tech. \u201cI\u0027m excited to see the talent at these world class institutions coming together to develop new solutions for these complex problems.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis year\u2019s seed grants were awarded to the following projects:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProof of Concept Development of the Recovery Cushion\u003C\/strong\u003E \u2013 Stephen Sprigle,\u0026nbsp;professor, School of Industrial Design and School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech; Jennifer Cowhig, research physical therapist, Shepherd Center.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPaving a Smooth Path from Hospital to Home: A Feasibility Study of an Integrated Smart Transitional Home Lab to Support Stroke Rehabilitation Patients\u2019 Transition to Home\u003C\/strong\u003E \u2013 John Morris, senior clinical research scientist, Shepherd Center; Hui Cai, professor in the School of Architecture, executive director of the SimTigrate Design Center, Georgia Tech.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Comparative Analysis of Lower-Limb Exoskeleton Technology for Non-Ambulatory Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury \u003C\/strong\u003E\u2013\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EMaegan Tucker, assistant professor, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech; Nicholas Evans (AP 2023), clinical research scientist, Shepherd Center.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EImproving Accessibility and Precision in Neurorehabilitation at the Point of Care with AI-Driven Remote Therapeutic Monitoring Solutions \u003C\/strong\u003E\u2013\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EBrad Willingham, clinical research scientist, director of Multiple Sclerosis Research, Shepherd Center; May Dongmei Wang, professor,\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGrants include projects on improving seating surfaces for wheelchair users, easing the transition home after stroke rehabilitation, evaluating lower limb exoskeletons, and using AI in remote rehabilitation.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Grants include projects on improving seating surfaces for wheelchair users, easing the transition home after stroke rehabilitation, evaluating lower limb exoskeletons, and using AI in remote rehabilitation."}],"uid":"35575","created_gmt":"2025-08-21 13:14:54","changed_gmt":"2025-08-26 20:14:39","author":"adavidson38","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-08-21T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-08-21T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677761":{"id":"677761","type":"image","title":"Shepherd-Center-Beyond-Therapy-Main-Image-jpg.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe seed grants will fund projects focused on enhancing wheelchair seating surfaces, supporting stroke patients as they transition home from rehabilitation, assessing lower limb exoskeleton technologies, and exploring the use of AI in remote rehab settings. \u003Cem\u003EPhoto: Shepherd Center.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1755784271","gmt_created":"2025-08-21 13:51:11","changed":"1755784271","gmt_changed":"2025-08-21 13:51:11","alt":"The seed grants will fund projects focused on enhancing wheelchair seating surfaces, supporting stroke patients as they transition home from rehabilitation, assessing lower limb exoskeleton technologies, and exploring the use of AI in remote rehab settings. Photo: Shepherd Center.","file":{"fid":"261696","name":"Shepherd-Center-Beyond-Therapy-Main-Image-jpg.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/21\/Shepherd-Center-Beyond-Therapy-Main-Image-jpg.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/21\/Shepherd-Center-Beyond-Therapy-Main-Image-jpg.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":378411,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/08\/21\/Shepherd-Center-Beyond-Therapy-Main-Image-jpg.jpeg?itok=NxoGoFal"}}},"media_ids":["677761"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/news.shepherd.org\/georgia-tech-partners-with-shepherd-center-to-advance-rehabilitative-patient-care-and-research\/","title":"Georgia Tech Partners with Shepherd Center to Advance Rehabilitative Patient Care and Research"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"179356","name":"Industrial Design"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"188084","name":"go-ipat"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:kerry.ludlam@shepherd.org\u0022\u003EKerry Ludlam\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Communications\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EShepherd Center\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAudra Davidson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EResearch Communications Program Manager\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["kerry.ludlam@shepherd.org"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683589":{"#nid":"683589","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Advances 500+ Technologies Toward Market for Real-World Impact ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech has posted its strongest year ever in research commercialization, breaking multiple records for invention disclosures, issued patents, and licensed technologies \u2014 clear indicators of the Institute\u2019s expanding role in delivering research-driven innovation to the marketplace.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cInvention is only the beginning. What sets Georgia Tech apart is our ability to\u202fmove our ideas out of the lab and into the marketplace, where they can make a tangible impact on human life and contribute to our economy,\u201d said \u00c1ngel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech. \u201cThis year\u2019s record results show that our researchers aren\u2019t just pushing the boundaries of knowledge \u2014 they\u2019re\u202fcreating marketable solutions with the power to improve\u202feveryday lives.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor fiscal year 2025, Georgia Tech reported:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore than 460 new invention disclosures \u2014 a 30% increase\u003C\/strong\u003E over the previous year and the highest ever recorded by the Institute.\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E70 invention disclosures \u003C\/strong\u003Efor the Georgia Tech Research Institute, marking a \u003Cstrong\u003E70% increase\u003C\/strong\u003E year over year.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA \u003Cstrong\u003E210% increase in technologies licensed\u003C\/strong\u003E, and \u003Cstrong\u003E140% in total licenses executed\u003C\/strong\u003E, reflecting unprecedented industry interest, with \u003Cstrong\u003E65 licenses\u003C\/strong\u003E in total. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E124 U.S. patents were issued\u003C\/strong\u003E, representing a \u003Cstrong\u003E20% increase\u003C\/strong\u003E compared to the prior year.\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAccording to the most recent rankings from the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/academyofinventors.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2024-Top-100-US-Universities.pdf\u0022\u003ENational Academy of Inventors\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Tech is in the \u003Cstrong\u003Etop 15 public universities\u003C\/strong\u003E for U.S. utility patents filed.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis momentum strengthens Atlanta\u2019s position as one of the nation\u2019s fastest-growing innovation economies. Georgia Tech plays a leading role in advancing the region\u2019s ambition to become a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/features\/2024\/02\/making-atlanta-top-5-tech-hub\u0022\u003Etop 5 tech hub\u003C\/a\u003E by connecting world-class research with industry, supporting a thriving startup ecosystem, and fueling talent pipelines that serve emerging sectors like AI, cybersecurity, and clean energy. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOmer Inan, a Georgia Tech researcher and faculty member, has launched multiple companies with the support of the Institute\u2019s commercialization resources. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cardiosense.com\/\u0022\u003ECardiosense\u003C\/a\u003E is a medical AI company that leverages sensors to provide better management of cardiovascular disease. Having just achieved FDA 501(k) clearance, its latest device \u2014 CardioTag \u2014 is the first multimodal, wearable sensor that simultaneously captures three cardio signals to provide noninvasive solutions for heart health. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022The med tech research I conduct at Georgia Tech delivers new technologies to keep patients with heart failure out of the hospital and enables them to monitor their health status at home,\u201d said Inan. \u201cNow, we are commercializing the technology our lab helped develop, so that this dream of improving the quality of care and life for millions of Americans with heart failure can one day become reality.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAs we look to solidify Georgia Tech\u2019s status as a national innovation hub, we are moving research into the marketplace so it can truly make a difference in people\u2019s lives,\u201d said Raghupathy \u201cSiva\u201d Sivakumar, vice president of Commercialization and chief commercialization officer at Georgia Tech. \u201cWe are at a pivotal moment to put Atlanta on the map as a leader in research commercialization and have an opportunity to capitalize on our $1.4 billion in research expenditures that drive meaningful inventions, IP, and industry partnerships.\u201d \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo learn more about the licensing and commercialization process at Georgia Tech, visit \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/licensing.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Elicensing.research.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAvailable for Media Interviews\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/create-x.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/raghupathy-sivakumar-phd\u0022\u003ERaghupathy \u0022Siva\u0022 Sivakumar\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EVice President of Commercialization and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EChief Commercialization Officer\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/omer-t-inan\u0022\u003EOmer Inan\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EProfessor and Regents\u2019 Entrepreneur \u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMedia Contact:\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ELauren Schiffman\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EPressFriendly \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:lauren@pressfriendly.com\u0022\u003Elauren@pressfriendly.com\u003C\/a\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAngela Barajas Prendiville \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Media Relations \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:aprendiville@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eaprendiville@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ERecord-breaking numbers from the Office of Commercialization drive meaningful inventions, IP, and industry partnerships.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Record-breaking numbers from the Office of Commercialization drive meaningful inventions, IP, and industry partnerships."}],"uid":"28766","created_gmt":"2025-08-06 16:55:57","changed_gmt":"2025-08-12 18:27:37","author":"Shelley Wunder-Smith","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-08-06T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-08-06T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677597":{"id":"677597","type":"image","title":"Omer-Inan-lab.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECardioTag,\u0026nbsp;a device\u0026nbsp;developed in Omer Inan\u2019s lab, is now FDA-cleared and on the path to market through Cardiosense.\u0026nbsp;Georgia Tech\u0026nbsp;supported the technology\u2019s transition from research to real-world application.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1754499369","gmt_created":"2025-08-06 16:56:09","changed":"1754499369","gmt_changed":"2025-08-06 16:56:09","alt":"A man with tan skin and dark hair, wearing a mint-green shirt, is seated at a table and looking at the CardioTag device.","file":{"fid":"261510","name":"Omer-Inan-lab.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/06\/Omer-Inan-lab.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/06\/Omer-Inan-lab.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":7222477,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/08\/06\/Omer-Inan-lab.jpeg?itok=9avC1vJH"}}},"media_ids":["677597"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192255","name":"go-commercializationnews"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683686":{"#nid":"683686","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Research Combining Humans, Robots, and Unicycles Receives NSF Award","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearch into tailored assistive and rehabilitative devices has seen recent advancements but the goal remains out of reach due to the sparsity of data on how humans learn complex balance tasks. To address this gap, a collaborating team of interdisciplinary faculty from Florida State University and Georgia Tech have been awarded ~$798,000 by the NSF to launch a study to better understand human motor learning as well as gain greater understanding into human robot interaction dynamics during the learning process.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;Led by PI:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rthmlab.wixsite.com\/taylorgambon\u0022\u003ETaylor Higgins\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor, FAMU-FSU Department of Mechanical Engineering, partnering with Co-PIs\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.shreyaskousik.com\/\u0022\u003EShreyas Kousik\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor, Georgia Tech, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/annescollege.fsu.edu\/faculty-staff\/dr-brady-decouto\u0022\u003EBrady DeCouto,\u003C\/a\u003E Assistant Professor, FSU\u0026nbsp;Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, the research will use the acquisition of unicycle riding skill by participants to gain a better grasp on human motor learning in tasks requiring balance and complex movement in space. Although it might sound a bit odd, the fact that most people don\u2019t know how to ride a unicycle, and the fact that it requires balance, mean that the data will cover the learning process from novice to skilled across the participant pool.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsing data acquired from human participants, the team will develop a \u201crobotics assistive unicycle\u201d that will be used in the training of the next pool of novice unicycle riders. \u0026nbsp;This is to gauge if, and how rapidly, human motor learning outcomes improve with the assistive unicycle. The participants that engage with the robotic unicycle will also give valuable insight into developing effective human-robot collaboration strategies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe fact that deciding to get on a unicycle requires a bit of bravery might not be great for the participants, but it\u2019s great for the research team. The project will also allow exploration into the interconnection between anxiety and human motor learning to discover possible alleviation strategies, thus increasing the likelihood of positive outcomes for future patients and consumers of these devices.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAuthor\u003Cbr\u003E-Christa M. Ernst\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis Article Refers to NSF Award # 2449160\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Trio from Florida State University and Georgia Tech aim to develop better assistive and rehabilitative technologies and strategies using novel approach."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA collaborating team of interdisciplinary faculty from Florida State University and Georgia Tech have been awarded ~$798,000 by the NSF to launch a study to better understand human motor learning as well as gain greater understanding into human robot interaction dynamics during the learning process.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Novel research to improve tailored assistive and rehabilitative devices wins NSF Grant"}],"uid":"27863","created_gmt":"2025-08-08 19:35:55","changed_gmt":"2025-08-12 14:15:37","author":"Christa Ernst","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-08-08T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-08-08T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677632":{"id":"677632","type":"image","title":"Kousik-NSF-Award-News-Graphic.png","body":null,"created":"1754681767","gmt_created":"2025-08-08 19:36:07","changed":"1754681767","gmt_changed":"2025-08-08 19:36:07","alt":"Graphic of person using an assistive device thinking about how a robot could hep learn riding a unicycle","file":{"fid":"261548","name":"Kousik-NSF-Award-News-Graphic.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/08\/Kousik-NSF-Award-News-Graphic.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/08\/Kousik-NSF-Award-News-Graphic.png","mime":"image\/png","size":267611,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/08\/08\/Kousik-NSF-Award-News-Graphic.png?itok=mwCCwIQv"}}},"media_ids":["677632"],"groups":[{"id":"545781","name":"Institute for Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"142761","name":"IRIM"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"152","name":"Robotics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"78841","name":"human-robot interaction"},{"id":"5525","name":"assistive technologies"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187582","name":"go-ibb"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"},{"id":"39521","name":"Robotics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChrista M. Ernst\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EResearch Communications Program Manager\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EKlaus Advance Computing Building 1120E | 266 Ferst Drive | Atlanta GA | 30332\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETopic Expertise: Robotics | Data Sciences | Semiconductor Design \u0026amp; Fab\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Echrista.ernst@research.gatech.edu\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["christa.ernst@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683527":{"#nid":"683527","#data":{"type":"news","title":" Stepping Into the Future: A Paralyzed Veteran Returns to Georgia Tech for His Ph.D.","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIgnacio Montoya was on a flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta in 2024 with a serendipitous seatmate. The biomedical engineer was seated next to Georgia Tech President \u00c0ngel Cabrera, and the two had a conversation about Montoya\u2019s personal story and career aspirations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECabrera introduced Montoya to a professor who could take his work to the next level \u2014 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/faculty\/Cassie-S.-Mitchell\u0022\u003ECassie Mitchell\u003C\/a\u003E, an associate professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/\u0022\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (BME). Montoya\u2019s research uses AI to study how robotic exoskeletons and spinal cord stimulation can reawaken dormant neural circuits and help people with paralysis regain sensation, mobility, autonomy, and vital physiological functions once thought permanently lost. Drawing on his experience in leading-edge clinical research, he aims to turn scientific discoveries into real-world solutions that improve independence, quality of life, and health for those with spinal cord injuries.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s not only a curiosity for him, though. In 2012, Montoya was about to graduate from Georgia Tech and become a fighter pilot in the Air Force. Then, one night, he got into a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEver since, he has worked to better understand his injury and his options. After earning a master\u2019s in biomedical engineering from Georgia Tech in 2018, Montoya moved to Los Angeles and joined a prestigious neurophysiology and neurorehabilitation lab at UCLA known for pioneering spinal stimulation and activity-based training to restore movement after paralysis. Now he\u2019s taking everything he\u2019s learned back to Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMitchell, also a faculty member in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Ethe Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society\u003C\/a\u003E, applies AI to data science to parse and predict complex medical research. She is also quadriplegic and personally understands the value of spinal cord research. At first, Mitchell mentored Montoya through the BME Ph.D. application process. Now she is his advisor. Montoya starts the program this fall \u2014 and he hopes to bring his personal injury recovery insights to the entire spinal cord injury survivor community.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u201cMy experience as a research participant gives me a unique perspective as I transition into a doctoral researcher,\u201d he said. \u201cIt helps me bridge the gap between understanding the science and translating it into real-world clinical practice.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrom Complete Paralysis to Possibility\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMontoya nearly died in the accident. It left him with a complete spinal cord injury and severe peripheral nerve damage in his right arm.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe doctor told me my spinal cord was like a banana \u2014 and mine had been crushed in the middle,\u201d he recalled. \u201cHe said I had a 1% chance of regaining any mobility, function, or sensation.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut Montoya\u2019s life has always been about beating the odds. At 6, he and his father immigrated to the U.S. from Cuba. Years later, he earned a rated pilot slot in the Air Force \u2014 a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of cadets. Then came the motorcycle crash. He flatlined for 15 minutes \u2014 a medical event with less than a 1% chance of survival, and even lower odds of returning with full brain function. If anyone was going to defy that prognosis, it was Montoya. He set out not just to walk again, but to rebuild his life and transform his recovery into a blueprint for others to follow.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExoskeleton Endeavors\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter finishing his master\u2019s at Tech, Montoya went to work with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ranchoresearch.org\/team\/reggie-edgerton\u0022\u003EReggie Egerton\u003C\/a\u003E, a pioneering neurobiologist at UCLA. With Egerton\u2019s guidance, Montoya experimented with neuromodulation \u2014 using electrodes to stimulate the spinal cord. The stimulus helps to excite the neurons below the injury that no longer communicate with the brain.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile wearing electrodes, Montoya trained in a robotic exoskeleton that progressively reduced its robotic assistance. This encouraged him to contribute increasing effort through each step. Over time, the device provided less support during the swing and stance phases of walking, requiring more active participation. Beyond stepping, Montoya performed standing and weight-shifting exercises, all demanding maximum effort to retrain his nervous system through repetitive, weight-bearing sensory input.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNeuromodulation creates a bridge of signals that helps the remaining intact nerve fibers below the injury communicate with each other, enhancing neuroplasticity within the system,\u201d he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf the neuromodulation works as intended, it can effectively remodel the nervous system. Through this process and two nerve transfers, Montoya has regained some function in his paralyzed right arm. He has also reversed many common medical complications from paralysis: temperature regulation, body awareness, sexual function, bone density, muscle mass, and digestive health.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMy injury is no longer considered complete, and I believe I\u2019m the first person to achieve that through a combination of spinal stimulation, intensive training, and daily weight-bearing rehabilitation,\u201d Montoya said. \u201cI\u2019m constantly out of my wheelchair \u2014 standing, moving, and training. That consistency has been the key. Every day, I walk in an exoskeleton.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EReturning to Georgia Tech\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat was supposed to be a 12-month clinical research study turned into the next five years of Montoya\u2019s life. He also wanted to better understand human physiology and how locomotor training worked, so he did a master\u2019s in kinesiology from California State University, Los Angeles. Despite the progress Montoya had made with advancing the field of spinal cord injury and his own mobility, he wanted to bring all his expertise together. That\u2019s when he happened to board a flight to Atlanta in the spring of 2024 with Cabrera.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInitially, Montoya and Mitchell connected so she could help guide him through the Ph.D. application process, but they quickly realized their research was complementary. Montoya is an expert in clinical trials, and Mitchell is an expert in taking clinical trial data and using AI to gather insights.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIgnacio wants to diversify his skill set and take his research career further, and data science is what he needs to do that,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cWe will look at his exoskeleton data and try to optimize the exoskeleton to the patient using AI.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the start of his Ph.D., Montoya will remain in Los Angeles to continue his exoskeleton experiments in Edgerton\u2019s lab, which has been collecting terabytes of data he\u2019s never been able to analyze in full. Mitchell\u2019s lab will analyze all that data and pull predictive insights that can feed back to Egerton\u2019s lab and improve the patient experience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAI can identify patterns the human eye wouldn\u0027t be able to detect,\u201d Mitchell noted. \u201cAI can help us better understand how and why an exoskeleton paired with spinal stimulation could help with spinal cord injury and function or quality of life.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMontoya will travel between both coasts to conduct each element of the research before returning to Atlanta full-time. In the process, he\u2019ll build a better knowledge base and exoskeleton training protocol.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis may not have been the path Montoya expected to take when he left Georgia Tech that night in 2012, but it\u2019s a full circle.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u2019m back where my journey paused \u2014 this time to push the boundaries of what we believe the human body and spirit can achieve,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m not just walking again. I\u2019m building a future where no one is beyond recovery.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;When Ignacio Montoya left Georgia Tech, he became paralyzed in a motorcycle accident. Now he\u2019s pursuing a Ph.D. to improve life for all spinal cord injury survivors.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":" When Ignacio Montoya left Georgia Tech, he became paralyzed in a motorcycle accident. Now he\u2019s pursuing a Ph.D. to improve life for all spinal cord injury survivors."}],"uid":"34541","created_gmt":"2025-08-05 14:58:15","changed_gmt":"2025-08-05 15:00:33","author":"Tess Malone","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-08-05T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-08-05T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677567":{"id":"677567","type":"image","title":"ignacio.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1754405991","gmt_created":"2025-08-05 14:59:51","changed":"1754405991","gmt_changed":"2025-08-05 14:59:51","alt":"Ignacio Montoya stands in LA","file":{"fid":"261480","name":"ignacio.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/05\/ignacio.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/05\/ignacio.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":170465,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/08\/05\/ignacio.jpeg?itok=nDyMfNFe"}}},"media_ids":["677567"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187582","name":"go-ibb"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETess Malone, Senior Research Writer\/Editor\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Etess.malone@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682767":{"#nid":"682767","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Acclimation and Hydration Are Keys to Beating Summer Heat","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs temperatures and humidity levels rise in the summer months, hydration and heat acclimatization become increasingly vital in maintaining physical and mental health and maximizing performance.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearch from the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/exercisephysiology\/\u0022\u003EExercise Physiology Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E, led by Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/mindy-millard-stafford\u0022\u003EMindy Millard-Stafford\u003C\/a\u003E, director, and Adjunct Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/michael-sawka\u0022\u003EMike Sawka \u003C\/a\u003Ein the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, aims to help athletes and occupational workers better understand and prevent sweat loss and dehydration through the development of predictive tools.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHeat Acclimation Takes Time\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to Millard-Stafford, it can take between five and seven days of active exposure in hot conditions to properly acclimate the body to extreme temperatures. During this period, taking frequent breaks, along with proper hydration, is necessary while the body attempts to thermoregulate through the evaporation of perspiration. She also advises easing into a full workload or exercise routine, if possible, and seeking shade with intermittent breaks when working outdoors for long periods.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESawka, retired senior scientist for environmental medicine, stressed that even those familiar with summer conditions can be susceptible to the symptoms of overheating following months of cooler temperatures or indoor activity. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.canberra.edu.au\/research\/centres\/uc-rise\/research\/environmental-physiology\/exercise-heat-acclimation-predictor\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EA predictive tool\u003C\/a\u003E developed by collaborating with the University of Canberra, Australia, and recently published in the \u003Cem\u003EJournal of Comprehensive Physiology\u003C\/em\u003E illustrates the benefits of heat acclimation based on environmental factors like temperature, humidity, duration of exposure, and other factors to inform their training and recovery plans.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Just like you train for your activity, whether it\u0027s running or tennis or basketball, it\u0027s the same with adapting to environmental extremes. It\u0027s specific, and the tool allows you to input the unique conditions you will attempt to acclimate to,\u0022 he said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStaggering start times can also effectively mitigate injury and heat-related incidents until an individual is properly acclimated to the climate. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStaying Sharp\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudies from the Exercise Physiology Laboratory have revealed a drop in performance and cognitive function when subjects lose 2% of their body mass during exposure to heat. Without proper planning and fluid replacement, thermoregulation can be hindered, cardiovascular strain increases, and an individual\u0027s energy levels and performance can diminish. As more body water is lost, more significant symptoms can occur.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe amount of sweat lost during heat exposure is another key indicator of how much fluid an individual needs to avoid these symptoms. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sweatratecalculator.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EA sweat loss prediction calculator\u003C\/a\u003E, recently published in the \u003Cem\u003EJournal of Applied Physiology\u003C\/em\u003E and funded by Coca-Cola in collaboration with the University of Sydney and Canberra University, uses predicted output and other factors to help individuals plan hydration management strategies for exercise in hot conditions. Relying solely on thirst as a guide frequently leads to underhydration by nearly 50%; therefore, fluids should be consumed before, during, and after exposure to heat.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnderstanding sweat loss can also help individuals avoid the dangers of overhydration. \u0022This is not a \u0027more-is-always-better\u0027 kind of approach. You can run into problems by drinking too much over extended periods while exercising,\u0022 Millard-Stafford said. \u0022Hyponatremia, or water intoxication, can be lethal. You want to follow the Goldilocks theory of \u2018not too much and not too little\u2019 to maintain fluid balance with the sweat loss calculator.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EElderly adults are at an increased risk of heat-related incidents, even if they aren\u0027t outside as much, due to differences in their body\u0027s ability to regulate temperature and potential adverse effects of medication such as diuretics. Older adults also have a diminished thirst sensation when dehydrated, so they tend to underdrink.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore Than One Way to Hydrate\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEighty percent of human hydration comes from consuming liquids, while the remaining 20% comes from food. Millard-Stafford recommends adding more fresh fruits and vegetables as a part of your diet over the summer.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDrinking fluids remains the primary combatant against dehydration, but she and Sawka also recommend pre-planning meals that include sodium to better retain fluids and nutrients. Humans generally rehydrate at mealtime, with food stimulating thirst and fluid consumption,\u0026nbsp; helping cells maintain balance. Electrolytes in sports drinks can also help hydrate during and after sustained heat exposure.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor many, simply choosing not to go outdoors in the heat is not an option. So, Millard-Stafford and Sawka continue to share best practices and strategies to avoid heat-related illness and dehydration while optimizing performance.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"As temperatures rise, proper hydration and heat acclimatization can help maintain physical and mental health. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs temperatures rise, proper hydration and heat acclimatization can help maintain physical and mental health.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"As temperatures rise, proper hydration and heat acclimatization can help maintain physical and mental health. "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2025-06-11 16:41:05","changed_gmt":"2025-07-28 14:25:16","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-06-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-06-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677221":{"id":"677221","type":"image","title":"Summer Hydration","body":null,"created":"1749660141","gmt_created":"2025-06-11 16:42:21","changed":"1749660141","gmt_changed":"2025-06-11 16:42:21","alt":"Woman drinks water under summer sun.","file":{"fid":"261094","name":"GettyImages-686734091.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/11\/GettyImages-686734091.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/11\/GettyImages-686734091.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5037594,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/11\/GettyImages-686734091.jpg?itok=fTgHmybH"}}},"media_ids":["677221"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"185238","name":"summer heat"},{"id":"178553","name":"hydration"},{"id":"191863","name":"Exercise Physiology Lab"},{"id":"10064","name":"Atlanta climate"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano \u003C\/a\u003E\u2013 Institute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["steven.gagliano@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683114":{"#nid":"683114","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Rozell Named Inaugural Executive Director of New Neuroscience Institute","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/3728\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EChristopher Rozell\u003C\/a\u003E, Julian T. Hightower Chaired Professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, will serve as the inaugural executive director of Georgia Tech\u2019s new \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EInstitute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society\u003C\/a\u003E (INNS).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EINNS is one of two new Interdisciplinary Research Institutes (IRIs) \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-launches-two-new-interdisciplinary-research-institutes\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Elaunched at Georgia Tech\u003C\/a\u003E on July 1. Dedicated to advancing neuroscience and neurotechnology, the institute aims to drive societal progress through discovery, innovation, and public engagement. By bridging disciplines across the sciences, engineering, computing, ethics, policy, and the humanities, INNS will serve as a collaborative hub for exploring the brain in all its complexity \u2014 from molecular mechanisms to behavior and cognition, and from foundational research to clinical and technological applications.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur neuro-related research community has built such a strong transdisciplinary vision for an IRI that I remain fully committed to its growth, even as we face a period of extreme uncertainty about federal research funding,\u201d said Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/3763\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EJulia Kubanek\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cIn fact, under Chris\u2019s leadership I expect INNS to make our faculty more competitive and successful, bringing Georgia Tech closer to patient communities living with neurological conditions so that our research increasingly impacts people\u2019s lives. INNS will also connect artists, social scientists, neuroscientists and engineers with entrepreneurial opportunities and non-traditional funding pipelines.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe launch of INNS builds on more than a decade of groundwork laid by Georgia Tech\u2019s neuroscience community. Rozell has played a key role in shaping the vision for INNS as a member of the Neuro Next Initiative\u2019s executive committee, and before that, as a steering committee member as the initiative was developed. The executive committee included \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/3736\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESimon Sponberg,\u003C\/a\u003E Dunn Family Associate Professor in the School of Physics and the School of Biological Sciences; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/11576\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EJennifer Singh\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in the School of History and Sociology; and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/sarah-peterson\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESarah Peterson\u003C\/a\u003E, Neuro Next Initiative program manager.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u0027m excited to serve the INNS community in this next phase to build on the momentum generated across campus over many years,\u201d said Rozell. \u201cThe brain is one of the great remaining frontiers, where discovery and innovation can unlock the future of human health and flourishing. INNS is uniquely positioned to lead in the modern interdisciplinary research necessary to address this grand challenge.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERozell brings a unique blend of technical expertise, interdisciplinary leadership, and public engagement to his role as the inaugural executive director of INNS. His work spans neuroscience, data and computer science, neuroengineering, and cognitive science, with a particular focus on developing \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/09\/researchers-identify-crucial-biomarker-tracks-recovery-treatment-resistant-depression\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Escalable brain stimulation therapies\u003C\/a\u003E for treatment-resistant depression. Rozell also serves on advisory boards for organizations at the forefront of neuroethics and scientific rigor, reflecting his commitment to responsible innovation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInterdisciplinary from the outset, Rozell\u2019s training in neuroscience has been shaped by a unique educational path that bridges engineering, the arts, machine learning, neuroscience and translational research. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music alongside his engineering degrees and has developed multiple initiatives that incorporate the arts into neuroscience research and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/ai-and-neuroscience-become-dance-partners-georgia-tech-arts-event\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Epublic engagement\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERozell\u2019s research has been widely recognized, with over 130 peer-reviewed publications, multiple patents, and invitations to speak at high-profile venues, including a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/neurotech-moonshot-georgia-tech-researcher-shares-impact-brain-initiative-congressional-briefing\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EU.S. Congressional briefing\u003C\/a\u003E celebrating the NIH BRAIN Initiative. A first-generation scholar, Rozell co-founded \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuromatch.io\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENeuromatch\u003C\/a\u003E, a nonprofit dedicated to building an inclusive global neuroscience community. His contributions have earned him numerous honors, including the James S. McDonnell Foundation \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/12\/rozell-chosen-mcdonnell-foundation-award\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E21st Century Science Initiative Scholar Award\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/rozell-inducted-american-institute-medical-and-biological-engineering-college-fellows\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eelected Fellow\u003C\/a\u003E of American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and Georgia Tech\u2019s top teaching accolades, underscoring his impact both in and beyond the lab.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EChristopher Rozell to lead Georgia Tech\u2019s new Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society, uniting disciplines to tackle the brain\u2019s greatest challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Christopher Rozell to lead Georgia Tech\u2019s new Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society, uniting disciplines to tackle the brain\u2019s greatest challenges."}],"uid":"35575","created_gmt":"2025-07-14 14:26:51","changed_gmt":"2025-07-14 14:29:03","author":"adavidson38","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-14T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-14T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677404":{"id":"677404","type":"image","title":"Rozell_2023.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChristopher Rozell, a first-generation scholar and interdisciplinary researcher, serves as the inaugural executive director of Georgia Tech\u2019s Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS).\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1752503219","gmt_created":"2025-07-14 14:26:59","changed":"1752503219","gmt_changed":"2025-07-14 14:26:59","alt":"Christopher Rozell, a first-generation scholar and interdisciplinary researcher, serves as the inaugural executive director of Georgia Tech\u2019s Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS).","file":{"fid":"261299","name":"Rozell_2023.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/14\/Rozell_2023.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/14\/Rozell_2023.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":41148,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/14\/Rozell_2023.jpg?itok=1eNKaz8m"}}},"media_ids":["677404"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-launches-two-new-interdisciplinary-research-institutes","title":"Georgia Tech Launches Two New Interdisciplinary Research Institutes"}],"groups":[{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAudra Davidson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EResearch Communications Program Manager\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683097":{"#nid":"683097","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Pancaked Water Droplets Help Launch Europe\u2019s Fastest Supercomputer","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJUPITER became the world\u2019s fourth fastest supercomputer when it debuted last month. Though housed in Germany at the J\u00fclich Supercomputing Centre (JSC), Georgia Tech played a supporting role in helping the system land on the latest\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/top500.org\/lists\/top500\/2025\/06\/\u0022\u003ETOP500 list\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn November 2024, JSC granted Assistant Professor Spencer Bryngelson exclusive access to the system through the JUPITER Research and Early Access Program (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fz-juelich.de\/en\/ias\/jsc\/jupiter\/jureap\u0022\u003EJUREAP\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy preparing\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fz-juelich.de\/en\/news\/archive\/press-release\/2025\/jupiter-supercomputer-propels-european-computing-power\u0022\u003EEurope\u2019s fastest supercomputer\u003C\/a\u003E for launch, the joint project yielded valuable simulation data on the effects of shock waves in medicine and transportation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe shock-droplet problem has been a hallmark test problem in fluid dynamics for some decades now. It is sufficiently challenging to study that it keeps me scientifically interested, though the results are manifestly important,\u201d Bryngelson said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cUnderstanding the droplet behavior in some extreme regimes remains an open scientific problem of high engineering value.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough JUREAP, JSC engineers tested Bryngelson\u2019s Multi-Component Flow Code (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mflowcode.github.io\/\u0022\u003EMFC\u003C\/a\u003E) on their computers. The project simulated how liquid droplets behave when struck by a large, high-velocity shock wave moving much faster than the speed of sound.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETests produced visualizations of droplets deforming into pancake shapes before ejecting vortex rings as they broke apart from the shock wave. The experiments measured the swirls of air flow formed behind the droplets, known as vorticity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EVorticity is one variable aerospace engineers consider when building aircraft designed to fly at supersonic and hypersonic speeds. Small droplets and vortices pose significant hazards for high-Mach vessels.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese computer models reduce the risk and cost associated with physical test runs. By simulating extreme scenarios, the JUREAP project demonstrated a safer and more efficient way to evaluate aerospace systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe human body is another fluid space where fast, high-energy flows can occur.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESimulations help medical researchers create less invasive shock wave treatments. This technology can be further applied for uses ranging from breaking up kidney stones to treating inflammation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMFC\u2019s versatility for large- and small-scale applications made it suitable for testing JUPITER in its early stages. The project\u2019s success even earned it a JUREAP certificate for scaling efficiency and node performance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe use of application codes to test supercomputers is common. We\u2019ve participated in similar programs for OLCF Frontier and LLNL El Capitan,\u201d said Bryngelson, a faculty member with Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Computational Science and Engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEngineers at supercomputer sites usually find and sort most problems on their own. But deploying workloads characteristic of what the JUPITER will run in practice stresses it in new ways. In these instances, we usually end up identifying some failure modes.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe JSC and Georgia Tech researchers named their joint project Exascale Multiphysics Flows (ExaMFlow).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExaMFlow helps keep JUPITER on pace to become Europe\u2019s first exascale supercomputer. This designation refers to any machine capable of computing one exaflop, or one quintillion (\u201c1\u201d followed by 18 zeros) calculations per second.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAll three systems that rank ahead of JUPITER are exascale supercomputers. They are\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/asc.llnl.gov\/exascale\/el-capitan\u0022\u003EEl Capitan\u003C\/a\u003E at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.olcf.ornl.gov\/frontier\/\u0022\u003EFrontier\u003C\/a\u003E at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.anl.gov\/aurora\u0022\u003EAurora\u003C\/a\u003E at Argonne National Laboratory.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJUPITER calculates more than 60 billion operations per watt. This makes the supercomputer the most energy-efficient system among the top five.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExaMFlow ran Bryngelson\u2019s software on JSC\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fz-juelich.de\/en\/ias\/jsc\/systems\/supercomputers\/juwels\u0022\u003EJUWELS Booster\u003C\/a\u003E and JUPITER Exascale Transition Instrument (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fz-juelich.de\/en\/news\/archive\/press-release\/2024\/new-jupiter-module-strengthens-leading-position-of-europe2019s-upcoming-exascale-supercomputer\u0022\u003EJETI\u003C\/a\u003E). The two modules form the backbone of JUPITER\u2019s full design.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExaMFlow\u2019s report showed that MFC performed with near-ideal scaling behavior on JUWELS and JETI compared to similar systems based on NVIDIA A100 GPUs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccess to NVIDIA hardware at Georgia Tech played a key role in ExaMFlow\u2019s success.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Institute hosts the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pace.gatech.edu\/phoenix-cluster\/\u0022\u003EPhoenix Research Computing Cluster\u003C\/a\u003E, which includes A100 GPUs among its arsenal of components. Bryngelson\u2019s lab owns NVIDIA A100 GPUs and four\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/researchers-blazing-new-trails-superchip-named-after-computing-pioneer\u0022\u003EGH200 Grace Hopper Superchips\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince JUPITER is equipped with around 24,000 Grace Hopper Superchips, Bryngelson\u2019s work with the hardware proved especially insightful for the ExaMFlow project.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe Grace Hopper chip is interesting. It\u2019s not challenging to use like a regular GPU device when one is familiar with running NVIDIA hardware. The more fun part is using its tightly coupled CPU to GPU interconnect to make use of the CPU as well,\u201d Bryngelson said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s not immediately obvious how to best do this, though we used a few tricks to tune its use to our application. They appear to work nicely.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJSC researchers \u003Cstrong\u003ELuis Cifuentes\u003C\/strong\u003E, \u003Cstrong\u003ERakesh Sarma\u003C\/strong\u003E, \u003Cstrong\u003ESeong Koh\u003C\/strong\u003E, and \u003Cstrong\u003ESohel Herff\u003C\/strong\u003E played important roles in running Bryngelson\u2019s MFC software on early JUPITER modules.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe ExaMFlow team included NVIDIA scientists \u003Cstrong\u003ENikolaos Tselepidis\u003C\/strong\u003E and \u003Cstrong\u003EBenedikt Dorschner\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe pair observed their company\u2019s hardware used in the field. They return to NVIDIA with notes that help the corporation build the next devices tailored to the need of scientific computing researchers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe try to be prepared for the latest, biggest computers. Being able to take immediate advantage of the largest systems is a valuable capability,\u201d Bryngelson said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen the early access systems arrive, it\u2019s a great opportunity for the teams involved to test the machines, demonstrate and tune scientific software, and meet very capable new collaborators.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJUPITER became the world\u2019s fourth fastest supercomputer when it debuted last month. Though housed in Germany at the J\u00fclich Supercomputing Centre (JSC), Georgia Tech played a supporting role in helping the system land on the latest\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/top500.org\/lists\/top500\/2025\/06\/\u0022\u003ETOP500 list\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn November 2024, JSC granted Assistant Professor Spencer Bryngelson exclusive access to the system through the JUPITER Research and Early Access Program (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fz-juelich.de\/en\/ias\/jsc\/jupiter\/jureap\u0022\u003EJUREAP\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy preparing\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fz-juelich.de\/en\/news\/archive\/press-release\/2025\/jupiter-supercomputer-propels-european-computing-power\u0022\u003EEurope\u2019s fastest supercomputer\u003C\/a\u003E for launch, the joint project yielded valuable simulation data on the effects of shock waves in medicine and transportation.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Assistant Professor Spencer Bryngelson participated in the JUPITER Research and Early Access Program, which innovated his fluid dynamics software while stress testing Europe\u0027s fastest supercomputer in preparation for launch."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2025-07-11 13:05:43","changed_gmt":"2025-07-11 13:14:02","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677392":{"id":"677392","type":"image","title":"SHB-Pancaked-Droplet.png","body":null,"created":"1752239195","gmt_created":"2025-07-11 13:06:35","changed":"1752239195","gmt_changed":"2025-07-11 13:06:35","alt":"ExaMFlow Droplet","file":{"fid":"261287","name":"SHB-Pancaked-Droplet.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/11\/SHB-Pancaked-Droplet.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/11\/SHB-Pancaked-Droplet.png","mime":"image\/png","size":254160,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/11\/SHB-Pancaked-Droplet.png?itok=cN-20Szr"}},"677393":{"id":"677393","type":"image","title":"JUPITER-Booster.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1752239237","gmt_created":"2025-07-11 13:07:17","changed":"1752239237","gmt_changed":"2025-07-11 13:07:17","alt":"JSC JUPITER Booster","file":{"fid":"261288","name":"JUPITER-Booster.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/11\/JUPITER-Booster.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/11\/JUPITER-Booster.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":61966,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/11\/JUPITER-Booster.jpeg?itok=yY-RRh5o"}},"677394":{"id":"677394","type":"image","title":"SHB.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1752239292","gmt_created":"2025-07-11 13:08:12","changed":"1752239292","gmt_changed":"2025-07-11 13:08:12","alt":"Spencer Bryngelson","file":{"fid":"261289","name":"SHB.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/11\/SHB.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/11\/SHB.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":97248,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/11\/SHB.jpeg?itok=FCxuiSy2"}}},"media_ids":["677392","677393","677394"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/pancaked-water-droplets-help-launch-europes-fastest-supercomputer","title":"Pancaked Water Droplets Help Launch Europe\u2019s Fastest Supercomputer"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"136","name":"Aerospace"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"15030","name":"high-performance computing"},{"id":"168929","name":"supercomputers"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682959":{"#nid":"682959","#data":{"type":"news","title":"These \u2018Exploding\u2019 Capsules Could Deliver Insulin Without a Needle","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech engineers have created a pill that could effectively deliver insulin and other injectable drugs, making medicines for chronic illnesses easier for patients to take, less invasive, and potentially less expensive.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with insulin, it also could be used for semaglutide \u2014 the popular GLP-1 medication sold as Ozempic and Wegovy \u2014 and a host of other top-selling protein-based medications like antibodies and growth hormone that are part of a $400 billion market.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese drugs usually have to be injected because they can\u2019t overcome the protective barriers of the gastrointestinal tract. Georgia Tech\u2019s new capsule uses a small pressurized \u201cexplosion\u201d to shoot medicine past those barriers in the small intestine and into the bloodstream. Unlike other designs, it has no complicated moving parts and requires no battery or stored energy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jconrel.2025.113963\u0022\u003EThis study\u003C\/a\u003E introduces a new way of drug delivery that is as easy as swallowing a pill and replaces the need for painful injections,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chbe.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/mark-prausnitz\u0022\u003EMark Prausnitz\u003C\/a\u003E, who created the pill in his lab with former Ph.D. student Joshua Palacios and other student researchers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn animal lab tests, they showed their capsule lowered blood sugar levels just like traditional insulin injections. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jconrel.2025.113963\u0022\u003EThe researchers reported their pill design and study results DATE in the \u003Cem\u003EJournal of Controlled Release\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2025\/07\/these-exploding-capsules-can-deliver-insulin-without-needle\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead about the technology on the College of Engineering website.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EEngineers use sodium bicarb to \u201cself-pressurize\u201d a pill able to deliver drugs that usually require injection directly to the small intestine.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Engineers use sodium bicarb to \u201cself-pressurize\u201d a pill able to deliver drugs that usually require injection directly to the small intestine."}],"uid":"27446","created_gmt":"2025-06-30 21:28:19","changed_gmt":"2025-07-08 15:32:58","author":"Joshua Stewart","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-08T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-08T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677313":{"id":"677313","type":"image","title":"Mark-Prausnitz-needle-capsule-closeup_5169.jpg","body":null,"created":"1751318916","gmt_created":"2025-06-30 21:28:36","changed":"1751318916","gmt_changed":"2025-06-30 21:28:36","alt":"Prototype of an \u0022exploding\u0022 capsule next to a syringe. The capsule can deliver medications that are typically only effective if injected.","file":{"fid":"261199","name":"Mark-Prausnitz-needle-capsule-closeup_5169.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/30\/Mark-Prausnitz-needle-capsule-closeup_5169.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/30\/Mark-Prausnitz-needle-capsule-closeup_5169.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":600837,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/30\/Mark-Prausnitz-needle-capsule-closeup_5169.jpg?itok=8W1f8FQY"}}},"media_ids":["677313"],"groups":[{"id":"660369","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"495","name":"Mark Prausnitz"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jstewart@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJoshua Stewart\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jstewart@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"683001":{"#nid":"683001","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Next-Gen Brain Implants Offer New Hope for Depression","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAI-powered brain monitoring is helping psychiatry shift from reactive care to proactive intervention.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAs featured in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spectrum.ieee.org\/deep-brain-stimulation-depression\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIEEE Spectrum\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/christopher-john-rozell\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChristopher Rozell\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0027s AI model identifies signs of depression relapse five weeks before symptoms appear. The system has uncovered a neural biomarker linked to both relapse and sleep quality, giving clinicians a valuable early warning signal.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThis is one of many exciting developments in deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression that are helping turn research into real-world tools for mental health care.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spectrum.ieee.org\/deep-brain-stimulation-depression\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EREAD THE ARTICLE\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EProfessor Chris Rozell\u2019s AI model, featured in IEEE Spectrum, predicts depression relapse weeks in advance and signals a broader shift as deep brain stimulation tools move from lab to clinic.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Professor Chris Rozell\u2019s AI model, featured in IEEE Spectrum, predicts depression relapse weeks in advance and signals a broader shift as deep brain stimulation tools move from lab to clinic."}],"uid":"36172","created_gmt":"2025-07-03 13:14:47","changed_gmt":"2025-07-07 14:07:01","author":"dwatson71","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-03T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-03T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDan Watson\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["dwatson@ece.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682798":{"#nid":"682798","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Researcher Receives $2.9M Grant to Develop Ingestible Probes for Breath-Based Cancer Detection","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs the second-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., colorectal cancer is rising in the number of cases in younger adults. To combat this and offer a less-invasive alternative to a colonoscopy, Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering Assistant Professor Leslie Chan and her lab has been awarded a grant to develop an innovative diagnostic to detect colorectal cancer through a simple breath test. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/news\/georgia-tech-researcher-receives-29m-grant-develop-ingestible-probes-breath-based-cancer?utm_source=newsletter\u0026amp;utm_medium=email\u0026amp;utm_content=Researcher%20to%20Develop%20Breath-Based%20Cancer%20Detection\u0026amp;utm_campaign=Daily%20Digest%20-%20May%2015%2C%202025\u0022\u003ERead more\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe grant will fund the development of cutting-edge technology that could detect colorectal cancer through a simple breath test.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The grant will fund the development of cutting-edge technology that could detect colorectal cancer through a simple breath test."}],"uid":"35963","created_gmt":"2025-06-16 15:06:05","changed_gmt":"2025-06-16 15:13:39","author":"kpetty30","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-06-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-06-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677233":{"id":"677233","type":"image","title":"Leslie Chan and Vishal Manickam, graduate student who works on the design and testing of the ingestible probes. ","body":null,"created":"1750085457","gmt_created":"2025-06-16 14:50:57","changed":"1750085838","gmt_changed":"2025-06-16 14:57:18","alt":"Photo of Leslie Chan and graduate student Vishal Manickam","file":{"fid":"261113","name":"thumbnail_IMG_0819.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/16\/thumbnail_IMG_0819.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/16\/thumbnail_IMG_0819.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":322709,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/16\/thumbnail_IMG_0819.jpg?itok=Au6RCoQi"}}},"media_ids":["677233"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:kelly.petty@bme.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EKelly Petty\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunications Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWallace H. Coulter Depratment of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682769":{"#nid":"682769","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Acclimation and Hydration Are Keys to Beating Summer Heat","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs temperatures and humidity levels rise in the summer months, hydration and heat acclimatization become increasingly vital in maintaining physical and mental health and maximizing performance.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearch from the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/exercisephysiology\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExercise Physiology Laboratory\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, led by Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/mindy-millard-stafford\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMindy Millard-Stafford\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, director, and Adjunct Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/michael-sawka\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMike Sawka \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003Ein the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, aims to help athletes and occupational workers better understand and prevent sweat loss and dehydration through the development of predictive tools.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHeat Acclimation Takes Time\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to Millard-Stafford, it can take between five and seven days of active exposure in hot conditions to properly acclimate the body to extreme temperatures. During this period, taking frequent breaks, along with proper hydration, is necessary while the body attempts to thermoregulate through the evaporation of perspiration. She also advises easing into a full workload or exercise routine, if possible, and seeking shade with intermittent breaks when working outdoors for long periods.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESawka, retired senior scientist for environmental medicine, stressed that even those familiar with summer conditions can be susceptible to the symptoms of overheating following months of cooler temperatures or indoor activity. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.canberra.edu.au\/research\/centres\/uc-rise\/research\/environmental-physiology\/exercise-heat-acclimation-predictor\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA predictive tool\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E developed by collaborating with the University of Canberra, Australia, and recently published in the \u003Cem\u003EJournal of Comprehensive Physiology\u003C\/em\u003E illustrates the benefits of heat acclimation based on environmental factors like temperature, humidity, duration of exposure, and other factors to inform their training and recovery plans.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Just like you train for your activity, whether it\u0027s running or tennis or basketball, it\u0027s the same with adapting to environmental extremes. It\u0027s specific, and the tool allows you to input the unique conditions you will attempt to acclimate to,\u0022 he said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStaggering start times can also effectively mitigate injury and heat-related incidents until an individual is properly acclimated to the climate. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStaying Sharp\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudies from the Exercise Physiology Laboratory have revealed a drop in performance and cognitive function when subjects lose 2% of their body mass during exposure to heat. Without proper planning and fluid replacement, thermoregulation can be hindered, cardiovascular strain increases, and an individual\u0027s energy levels and performance can diminish. As more body water is lost, more significant symptoms can occur.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe amount of sweat lost during heat exposure is another key indicator of how much fluid an individual needs to avoid these symptoms. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sweatratecalculator.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA sweat loss prediction calculator\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, recently published in the \u003Cem\u003EJournal of Applied Physiology\u003C\/em\u003E and funded by Coca-Cola in collaboration with the University of Sydney and Canberra University, uses predicted output and other factors to help individuals plan hydration management strategies for exercise in hot conditions. Relying solely on thirst as a guide frequently leads to underhydration by nearly 50%; therefore, fluids should be consumed before, during, and after exposure to heat.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnderstanding sweat loss can also help individuals avoid the dangers of overhydration. \u0022This is not a \u0027more-is-always-better\u0027 kind of approach. You can run into problems by drinking too much over extended periods while exercising,\u0022 Millard-Stafford said. \u0022Hyponatremia, or water intoxication, can be lethal. You want to follow the Goldilocks theory of \u2018not too much and not too little\u2019 to maintain fluid balance with the sweat loss calculator.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EElderly adults are at an increased risk of heat-related incidents, even if they aren\u0027t outside as much, due to differences in their body\u0027s ability to regulate temperature and potential adverse effects of medication such as diuretics. Older adults also have a diminished thirst sensation when dehydrated, so they tend to underdrink.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMore Than One Way to Hydrate\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEighty percent of human hydration comes from consuming liquids, while the remaining 20% comes from food. Millard-Stafford recommends adding more fresh fruits and vegetables as a part of your diet over the summer.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDrinking fluids remains the primary combatant against dehydration, but she and Sawka also recommend pre-planning meals that include sodium to better retain fluids and nutrients. Humans generally rehydrate at mealtime, with food stimulating thirst and fluid consumption,\u0026nbsp; helping cells maintain balance. Electrolytes in sports drinks can also help hydrate during and after sustained heat exposure.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor many, simply choosing not to go outdoors in the heat is not an option. So, Millard-Stafford and Sawka continue to share best practices and strategies to avoid heat-related illness and dehydration while optimizing performance.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs temperatures rise, proper hydration and heat acclimatization can help maintain physical and mental health. School of Biological Sciences Professor Mindy Millard-Stafford and Adjunct Professor Mike Sawka discuss best practices and strategies to avoid heat-related illness and dehydration while optimizing performance.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"As temperatures rise, proper hydration and heat acclimatization can help maintain physical and mental health. School of Biological Sciences Professor Mindy Millard-Stafford and Adjunct Professor Mike Sawka share best practices and strategies."}],"uid":"36583","created_gmt":"2025-06-11 17:20:29","changed_gmt":"2025-06-11 17:27:13","author":"lvidal7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-06-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-06-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677221":{"id":"677221","type":"image","title":"Summer Hydration","body":null,"created":"1749660141","gmt_created":"2025-06-11 16:42:21","changed":"1749660141","gmt_changed":"2025-06-11 16:42:21","alt":"Woman drinks water under summer sun.","file":{"fid":"261094","name":"GettyImages-686734091.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/11\/GettyImages-686734091.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/06\/11\/GettyImages-686734091.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5037594,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/06\/11\/GettyImages-686734091.jpg?itok=fTgHmybH"}}},"media_ids":["677221"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/exercisephysiology\/","title":"Exercise Physiology Laboratory"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"166882","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"191863","name":"Exercise Physiology Lab"},{"id":"185238","name":"summer heat"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESteven Gagliano\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682472":{"#nid":"682472","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Peptides, Persistence, and Publication","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhen Marielle Frooman joined the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mcshanlab.com\/\u0022\u003EMcShan Lab\u003C\/a\u003E, she brought a strong passion for chemistry, but no lab experience. Today, the fourth-year Georgia Tech biochemistry student is the first co-author of a groundbreaking malaria study published in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-025-92191-6\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EScientific Reports\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature Portfolio\u003C\/em\u003E journal. Through extensive experimentation coupled with computer modeling, Frooman led a team of undergraduate and graduate researchers that uncovered eight peptides that can help the immune system recognize and fight the malaria parasite.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cMalaria kills over 500,000 annually with the mortality rate substantially higher in Africa,\u201d says Frooman. \u201cOur research explores how specific peptides bind to proteins that trigger immune responses.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFrooman originally hoped the research would help her learn how to think like a scientist and gain basic lab knowledge.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EShe gained those skills and more, quickly becoming recognized as an exceptional researcher.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cMarielle is one of the most passionate and talented undergraduate researchers I have ever worked with,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/andrew-mcshan\u0022\u003EAndrew McShan\u003C\/a\u003E, McShan Lab principal investigator and associate professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cShe is also a caring mentor and motivated future leader who wants to change the world. Her malaria research has the potential to provide\u0026nbsp;real therapeutic outcomes, including better designs for vaccines and immunotherapy.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrom curiosity to contribution\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFrooman\u2019s journey into undergraduate research began with persistence. After a year and a half of searching for lab opportunities, she attended a School of Chemistry and Biochemistry research showcase. She approached several graduate students and professors with no success, until she met McShan.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cOur first meeting was so relaxed and friendly that I didn\u2019t even realize Professor McShan was the principal investigator,\u201d admits Frooman. \u201cThat\u2019s how it all started.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOnce she officially joined the lab, Frooman contributed to every stage of the research, including designing experiments, performing computational and wet lab work, analyzing data, and writing and presenting the paper.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELessons in resilience\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe team faced several challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThe research was delayed by failure after failure,\u201d says Frooman. \u201cBut each setback taught us something valuable.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe team\u2019s biggest challenge involved trying to grow crystals of the peptide\/HLA (protein) complexes to determine how they fit together. They spent two years attempting various methods, but nothing worked.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EGuided by McShan, Frooman and the team then came up with the idea of using computational modeling to enable a deeper understanding of how the peptides and proteins interact at both biophysical and structural levels.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cUtilizing the computational modeling enabled us to see the best bindings and turned into a game-changing insight for our research, potentially leading to the design of more effective malaria treatments and vaccines,\u201d explains Frooman.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EShe is quick to credit Georgia Tech and McShan for providing her with such a valuable learning experience.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cAt many universities, undergraduates rarely do meaningful research, but at Tech, it\u2019s a priority,\u201d explains Frooman. \u201cI\u2019m extremely grateful for the opportunity to grow in such a supportive environment, and to learn from mentors like Professor McShan who lead by example and make time for every student.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHer advice to other undergraduates entering research?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cEmbrace your failures. They make the successes even more rewarding,\u201d shares Frooman.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOutside the lab\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOn campus, Frooman is president of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society and Cleanup Crew at GT, a member of Alpha Phi International Fraternity, and a campus tour guide who serves on their executive board.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EShe especially loves being a tour guide as it allows her to share her love of Georgia Tech\u0026nbsp;and its people:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cEveryone is unapologetically themselves and fully invested in their major or interests. As someone who loves chemistry, I enjoy being surrounded by people who are just as dedicated to their passions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFrooman is a recipient of the Chance Family Scholarship, presented to two School of Chemistry and Biochemistry upperclassmen, recognizing their academic excellence, research contributions, and potential for career success in the field.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ERecently, she shifted her research focus to organic synthetic chemistry and now works in the\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gutekunstlab.com\/\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;Gutekunst Lab\u003C\/a\u003E. Her career goals include earning a Ph.D. in Chemistry with an emphasis on natural product synthesis, the lab-based creation of complex chemical compounds found in nature.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI\u2019ve seen what university labs can do,\u201d says Frooman. \u201cI hope to one day lead my own lab, advancing impactful research and mentoring the next generation of scientists.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Marielle Frooman\u2019s Undergraduate Research Path"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor her first undergraduate research experience,\u0026nbsp;Marielle Frooman did more than work in the McShan lab \u2014\u0026nbsp;she helped lead research that could shape the future of malaria treatment.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"For her first undergraduate research experience, Marielle Frooman did more than work in the McShan lab \u2014 she helped lead research that could shape the future of malaria treatment."}],"uid":"36607","created_gmt":"2025-05-20 14:23:34","changed_gmt":"2025-06-10 18:50:11","author":"ls67","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-05-20T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-05-20T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677093":{"id":"677093","type":"image","title":"\u0022I\u0027m passionate about this research because of its potential for worldwide impact,\u0022 says Frooman.","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0022I\u0027m passionate about this research because of its potential for worldwide impact,\u0022 says Frooman.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1747751096","gmt_created":"2025-05-20 14:24:56","changed":"1747759733","gmt_changed":"2025-05-20 16:48:53","alt":"a woman in a lab coat","file":{"fid":"260957","name":"33466402-2DE7-4116-8AFC-F2EB90676614_1_105_c.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/20\/33466402-2DE7-4116-8AFC-F2EB90676614_1_105_c.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/20\/33466402-2DE7-4116-8AFC-F2EB90676614_1_105_c.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":159264,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/05\/20\/33466402-2DE7-4116-8AFC-F2EB90676614_1_105_c.jpeg?itok=Ffgeg5p0"}},"677099":{"id":"677099","type":"image","title":"Frooman\u0027s Georgia Tech honors include the President\u2019s Undergraduate Research Award and the Judith Priddy Award, given to a Panhellenic woman with demonstrated high scholarship and leadership.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFrooman\u0027s Georgia Tech honors include the President\u2019s Undergraduate Research Award and the Judith Priddy Award, given to a Panhellenic woman with demonstrated high scholarship and leadership.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1747760188","gmt_created":"2025-05-20 16:56:28","changed":"1748441123","gmt_changed":"2025-05-28 14:05:23","alt":"Young woman posting with Georgia Tech mascot Buzz.","file":{"fid":"260968","name":"froobuzz264920A4-D6F4-4A68-A1FB-C4363C192C36.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/20\/froobuzz264920A4-D6F4-4A68-A1FB-C4363C192C36.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/20\/froobuzz264920A4-D6F4-4A68-A1FB-C4363C192C36.png","mime":"image\/png","size":14783219,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/05\/20\/froobuzz264920A4-D6F4-4A68-A1FB-C4363C192C36.png?itok=zeqKCU4E"}}},"media_ids":["677093","677099"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/new-frontier-immune-research-andrew-mcshan-awarded-career-grant-protein-lipid-research","title":"A New Frontier of Immune Research: Andrew McShan Awarded CAREER Grant for Protein-Lipid Research"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/undergraduate-anu-iyer-leads-parkinsons-research-study","title":"Undergraduate Anu Iyer Leads Parkinson\u2019s Research Study"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192259","name":"cos-students"},{"id":"48951","name":"featured student research"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"7629","name":"malaria"},{"id":"166928","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWriter: Laura S. Smith\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682491":{"#nid":"682491","#data":{"type":"news","title":"A Photo of a Fingernail Can Now be Used to Detect and Monitor for Anemia, Emory and Georgia Tech Research Finds","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA team of researchers from Emory University and Georgia Tech, led by IBB researcher\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/wilbur-lam\u0022\u003EWilbur Lam\u003C\/a\u003E, have developed a groundbreaking, non-invasive way to screen and monitor anemia using just a smartphone photo of a fingernail. The AI-powered app analyzes the fingernail\u2019s paleness to detect anemia with high accuracy instead of requiring a conventional blood test. The technology can be personalized for users with chronic anemia by incorporating their clinical hemoglobin levels to enhance precision. This approach makes anemia screening more accessible, particularly for underserved communities, and removes barriers to care. The team\u2019s findings were recently published in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/doi\/10.1073\/pnas.2424677122\u0022\u003EPNAS\u003C\/a\u003E, with Lam as the paper\u2019s senior author.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERead the full press release\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.emory.edu\/stories\/2025\/05\/hs-anemia-detection-technology_13-05-2025\/story.html\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECitation:\u003C\/strong\u003E Robert G. Mannino, Julie Sullivan, Jennifer K. Frediani, Wilbur A. Lam. \u201cReal-world Implementation of a Noninvasive, AI-augmented, Anemia-screening Smartphone App and Personalization for Hemoglobin Level Self-monitoring,\u201d \u003Cem\u003EPNAS\u003C\/em\u003E. DOI: 10.1073\/pnas.2424677122\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA team of researchers from Emory University and Georgia Tech, led by IBB researcher\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/wilbur-lam\u0022\u003EWilbur Lam\u003C\/a\u003E, have developed a groundbreaking, non-invasive way to screen and monitor anemia using just a smartphone photo of a fingernail.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A team of researchers from Emory University and Georgia Tech, led by IBB researcher Wilbur Lam, have developed a groundbreaking, non-invasive way to screen and monitor anemia using just a smartphone photo of a fingernail. "}],"uid":"36454","created_gmt":"2025-05-21 15:29:01","changed_gmt":"2025-05-27 21:45:54","author":"swilliamson40","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-05-13T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-05-13T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677107":{"id":"677107","type":"image","title":"lam.jpg","body":null,"created":"1747841349","gmt_created":"2025-05-21 15:29:09","changed":"1747841349","gmt_changed":"2025-05-21 15:29:09","alt":"Lam","file":{"fid":"260975","name":"lam.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/21\/lam.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/05\/21\/lam.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":132393,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/05\/21\/lam.jpg?itok=yxyK9S7E"}}},"media_ids":["677107"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/news.emory.edu\/stories\/2025\/05\/hs-anemia-detection-technology_13-05-2025\/story.html","title":""}],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBy Savannah Williamson\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["swilliamson40@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682026":{"#nid":"682026","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Computing Framework Could Reveal Signs of Neuro Disorders Hidden within Brain Data","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA Georgia Tech doctoral student\u2019s dissertation could help physicians diagnose neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, autism, and Alzheimer\u2019s disease. The new approach leverages data science and algorithms instead of relying on traditional methods like cognitive tests and image scans.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPh.D. candidate\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/a-rahaman.github.io\/\u0022\u003EMd Abdur Rahaman\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s dissertation studies brain data to understand how changes in brain activity shape behavior.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EComputational tools Rahaman developed for his dissertation look for informative patterns between the brain and behavior. Successful tests of his algorithms show promise to help doctors diagnose mental health disorders and design individualized treatment plans for patients.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u0027ve always been fascinated by the human brain and how it defines who we are,\u201d Rahaman said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe fact that so many people silently suffer from neuropsychiatric disorders, while our understanding of the brain remains limited, inspired me to develop tools that bring greater clarity to this complexity and offer hope through more compassionate, data-driven care.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERahaman\u2019s dissertation introduces a framework focusing on granular factoring. This computing technique stratifies brain data into smaller, localized subgroups, making it easier for computers and researchers to study data and find meaningful patterns.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGranular factoring overcomes the challenges of size and heterogeneity in neurological data science. Brain data is obtained from neuroimaging, genomics, behavioral datasets, and other sources. The large size of each source makes it a challenge to study them individually, let alone analyze them simultaneously, to find hidden inferences.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERahaman\u2019s research allows researchers and physicians to move past one-size-fits-all approaches. Instead of manually reviewing tests and scans, algorithms look for patterns and biomarkers in the subgroups that otherwise go undetected, especially ones that indicate neuropsychiatric disorders.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMy dissertation advances the frontiers of computational neuroscience by introducing scalable and interpretable models that navigate brain heterogeneity to reveal how neural dynamics shape behavior,\u201d Rahaman said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBy uncovering subgroup-specific patterns, this work opens new directions for understanding brain function and enables more precise, personalized approaches to mental health care.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERahaman defended his dissertation on April 14, the final step in completing his Ph.D. in computational science and engineering. He will graduate on May 1 at Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/commencement.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EPh.D. Commencement\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter walking across the stage at McCamish Pavilion, Rahaman\u2019s next step in his career is to go to Amazon, where he will work in the generative artificial intelligence (AI) field.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGraduating from Georgia Tech is the summit of an educational trek spanning over a decade. Rahaman hails from Bangladesh where he graduated from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology in 2013. He attained his master\u2019s from the University of New Mexico in 2019 before starting at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMunna is an amazingly creative researcher,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/vince-calhoun\u0022\u003EVince Calhoun\u003C\/a\u003E, Rahman\u2019s advisor. Calhoun is the founding director of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/trendscenter.org\/\u0022\u003ETranslational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science Center (TReNDS)\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETReNDS is a tri-institutional center spanning Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, and Emory University that develops analytic approaches and neuroinformatic tools. The center aims to translate the approaches into biomarkers that address areas of brain health and disease. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHis work is moving the needle in our ability to leverage multiple sources of complex biological data to improve understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders that have a huge impact on an individual\u2019s livelihood,\u201d said Calhoun.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA Georgia Tech doctoral student\u2019s dissertation could help physicians diagnose neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, autism, and Alzheimer\u2019s disease. The new approach leverages data science and algorithms instead of relying on traditional methods like cognitive tests and image scans.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPh.D. candidate\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/a-rahaman.github.io\/\u0022\u003EMd Abdur Rahaman\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s dissertation studies brain data to understand how changes in brain activity shape behavior.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EComputational tools Rahaman developed for his dissertation look for informative patterns between the brain and behavior. Successful tests of his algorithms show promise to help doctors diagnose mental health disorders and design individualized treatment plans for patients.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A Georgia Tech doctoral student\u2019s dissertation could help physicians diagnose neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, autism, and Alzheimer\u2019s disease. "}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2025-04-25 13:48:26","changed_gmt":"2025-05-05 13:58:06","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-04-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-04-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676932":{"id":"676932","type":"image","title":"Computational-Brain.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EInstead of relying on traditional methods like cognitive tests and image scans, this new approach leverages data science and algorithms.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1745519173","gmt_created":"2025-04-24 18:26:13","changed":"1745519173","gmt_changed":"2025-04-24 18:26:13","alt":"Instead of relying on traditional methods like cognitive tests and image scans, this new approach leverages data science and algorithms.","file":{"fid":"260783","name":"Computational-Brain.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/24\/Computational-Brain.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/24\/Computational-Brain.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3553157,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/24\/Computational-Brain.jpeg?itok=TXN2msvN"}},"676941":{"id":"676941","type":"image","title":"Md-Abdur-Rahaman-v2.jpg","body":null,"created":"1745588923","gmt_created":"2025-04-25 13:48:43","changed":"1745588923","gmt_changed":"2025-04-25 13:48:43","alt":"Md Abdur Rahaman","file":{"fid":"260792","name":"Md-Abdur-Rahaman-v2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/25\/Md-Abdur-Rahaman-v2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/25\/Md-Abdur-Rahaman-v2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":112744,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/25\/Md-Abdur-Rahaman-v2.jpg?itok=-nKAgxet"}},"676933":{"id":"676933","type":"image","title":"pic_me.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPh.D. candidate\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/a-rahaman.github.io\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMd Abdur Rahaman\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s dissertation studies brain data to understand how changes in brain activity shape behavior.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1745519217","gmt_created":"2025-04-24 18:26:57","changed":"1745519217","gmt_changed":"2025-04-24 18:26:57","alt":"Ph.D. candidate Md Abdur Rahaman\u2019s dissertation studies brain data to understand how changes in brain activity shape behavior. ","file":{"fid":"260784","name":"pic_me.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/24\/pic_me.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/24\/pic_me.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":352796,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/24\/pic_me.jpg?itok=cN2myp7c"}}},"media_ids":["676932","676941","676933"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/computing-framework-could-reveal-signs-neuro-disorders-hidden-within-brain-data","title":"Computing Framework Could Reveal Signs of Neuro Disorders Hidden within Brain Data"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"682129":{"#nid":"682129","#data":{"type":"news","title":"A New Frontier of Immune Research: Andrew McShan Awarded CAREER Grant for Protein-Lipid Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EImagine unlocking universal immunotherapies and cancer treatments, powerful vaccines, and a deeper understanding of our own immune systems. Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/andrew-mcshan\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAndrew McShan\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is laying the groundwork for these innovations by investigating the previously understudied field of lipids, and how they interact with proteins in the body.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EMcShan, an assistant professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E, has been awarded a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/awardsearch\/showAward?AWD_ID=2442018\u0026amp;HistoricalAwards=false\u0022\u003E$1.4 million CAREER grant from the National Science Foundation\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E(NSF) to support this research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cProtein-lipid assemblies carry out all sorts of biological functions, and harnessing their interactions could lead to powerful tools and treatments\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;but historically, they\u2019ve been difficult to study,\u201d McShan says. \u201cBuilding resources for researchers and making this information accessible are critical steps in developing this field. This CAREER grant will enable me to expand the current knowledge base, while also allowing me to develop a class that will train the next generation of researchers, which is hugely important to me.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe NSF Faculty Early Career Development Program is a five-year grant designed to help promising researchers establish a foundation for a lifetime of leadership in their field. Known as CAREER awards, the grants are NSF\u2019s most prestigious funding for early-career faculty.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExpanding access\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ECrucial for nearly all biological processes, lipid-protein interactions play a key role in everything from immune responses to energy storage \u2014 but\u0026nbsp;what drives their interactions has historically been difficult to map and understand.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EMcShan will use the CAREER grant to expand that knowledge base, experimenting in the lab to characterize protein-lipid interactions, and developing computational tools that can predict those interactions. The work will include an in-depth study of how lipids interact with different families of proteins that are important for immune system function.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cRight now, understanding protein-lipid assemblies is expensive in both time and lab materials,\u201d McShan says. \u201cMy goal is to create computer models that can predict how these biomolecular interactions occur, what they look like, and how they contribute to cellular functions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe new model would allow researchers to quickly and inexpensively \u2018experiment\u2019 with molecules on a computer, vastly expanding the amount of research that could be conducted.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe project builds on McShan\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s42004-024-01384-z\u0022\u003Erecent publication\u003C\/a\u003E in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature\u003C\/em\u003E-family journal\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ECommunications Chemistry\u003C\/em\u003E, which showcased\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/new-database-revolutionizes-protein-lipid-research\u0022\u003EBioDolphin \u2014 a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive, and annotated database\u003C\/a\u003E of protein-lipid interactions that are all integrated into a user-friendly web server and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biodolphin.chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Efreely accessible to all\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s also adjacent to research funded by a Curci Grant from the Shurl and Kay Curci Foundation, which McShan was previously awarded\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/andrew-mcshan-awarded-curci-grant-cutting-edge-cancer-research\u0022\u003Efor research on cutting-edge cancer treatments\u003C\/a\u003E that involved identifying new cancer lipid signatures in tumor cells, and characterizing known cancer lipid antigens.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPioneering the future of research\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAdditionally, the CAREER grant will support McShan\u2019s initiatives to train the next generation of researchers through a new class centered around hands-on laboratory research and peer mentorship. Students will have the opportunity to pick a protein-lipid assembly, study it using computational and experimental biophysical methods, develop testable hypotheses, and\u0026nbsp;\u2014 if successful\u0026nbsp;\u2014 publish their results in peer reviewed journals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe class will also pair undergraduate and graduate students into research teams. \u201cI\u2019m excited to see how a peer mentoring approach will add depth to the class,\u201d McShan shares, explaining that graduate students will gain valuable mentoring experience in a collaborative research environment. \u201cThis is very different from typical mentoring experiences many graduate students have, which tend to be more along the lines of a TA experience rather than collaborating on hands-on research.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis type of class, to my knowledge, hasn\u2019t been offered before, and there\u2019s a lot of research that I\u2019m doing to lay the groundwork for it,\u201d McShan adds. \u201cHopefully, it can not only introduce students to lipid-based research\u0026nbsp;\u2014 something typically lacking in many biochemistry curricula\u0026nbsp;\u2014 but also to the type of collaborative mentorship we want to foster in research.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAndrew McShan has been awarded a\u0026nbsp;$1.4M NSF CAREER grant to research lipids, and how they interact with proteins in the body. Lipid-protein interactions play a key role in everything from immune responses to energy storage \u2014 and could be the key to unlocking universal immunotherapies and cancer treatments, powerful vaccines, and a deeper understanding of our own immune systems.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Andrew McShan has been awarded a\u00a0$1.4M NSF CAREER grant to research lipids, and how they interact with proteins in the body."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2025-04-30 14:11:41","changed_gmt":"2025-04-30 14:23:32","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-04-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-04-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673456":{"id":"673456","type":"image","title":"Andrew McShan","body":null,"created":"1711032511","gmt_created":"2024-03-21 14:48:31","changed":"1711032492","gmt_changed":"2024-03-21 14:48:12","alt":"Andrew McShan","file":{"fid":"256854","name":"McShan_photo.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/03\/21\/McShan_photo.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/03\/21\/McShan_photo.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":96566,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/03\/21\/McShan_photo.jpeg?itok=aCepzxdB"}}},"media_ids":["673456"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"140","name":"Cancer Research"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"192250","name":"cos-microbial"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by Selena Langner\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EContact: \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: jess.hunt@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"681734":{"#nid":"681734","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Faculty Earn Fellowships for Heart Modeling and Data Optimization Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETwo faculty members represented Georgia Tech as new fellows to the world\u2019s leading organization dedicated to applied mathematics, computational science, and data science.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) selected\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/people\/elizabeth-cherry\u0022\u003EElizabeth Cherry\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/katya-scheinberg\u0022\u003EKatya Scheinberg\u003C\/a\u003E as\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.siam.org\/publications\/siam-news\/articles\/siam-announces-2025-class-of-fellows\/\u0022\u003EClass of 2025 fellows\u003C\/a\u003E. The two Georgia Tech faculty join an illustrious class of 23 other researchers from around the globe in this year\u2019s class.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESIAM selected Cherry to recognize her contributions to mathematical and computational modeling and extensive service to the SIAM community. She studies the electrical behavior of cardiac cells and tissue.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECherry\u2019s computer models and simulations improve understanding of cardiac dynamics in normal and diseased states. Using these tools, she designs advanced strategies for preventing and treating arrhythmias.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSIAM has played a huge role in my professional development\u2014the first conference I attended as a graduate student was a SIAM conference, and I\u2019ve attended at least one SIAM conference almost every year since then,\u201d Cherry said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGiven this long history, it means a lot to me for SIAM to acknowledge my contributions in this way.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScheinberg, from Georgia Tech\u2019s College of Engineering, was selected for her foundational contributions to derivative-free optimization and optimization applications in data science and her dedicated service to the optimization community.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E[Related:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/news\/coca-cola-foundation-chair-katya-scheinberg-selected-2025-class-siam-fellows\u0022\u003ECoca-Cola Foundation Chair Katya Scheinberg selected for 2025 Class of SIAM Fellows\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECherry is the fifth faculty member from the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/fellowships-and-awards\u0022\u003ESchool of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) to be selected as a SIAM Fellow\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECherry\u2019s announcement as a SIAM Fellow comes weeks after serving in a leadership role at a SIAM conference. She co-chaired the organizing committee of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/school-present-research-weather-prediction-carbon-storage-nuclear-fusion-and-more-computing\u0022\u003ESIAM Conference on Computational Science and Engineering (CSE25)\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2023,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.siam.org\/publications\/siam-news\/articles\/siam-introduces-its-newly-elected-leadership\/\u0022\u003ESIAM members reelected Cherry\u003C\/a\u003E to a second term as a council member-at-large. She began her three-year term in January 2024.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022SIAM Fellows are selected for deep mathematical contributions. Receiving Fellow status is a high honor for any applied mathematician,\u0022 said Regents\u2019 Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/faculty-wins-award-trailblazing-work-computing-and-biology\u0022\u003ESrinivas Aluru\u003C\/a\u003E, senior associate dean of the College of Computing and Class of 2020 SIAM Fellow.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Not only are Elizabeth\u0027s contributions technically outstanding, but her work also provides deep insights into the functioning of the heart and its abnormalities.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECherry\u2019s leadership and service extends outside of SIAM, influencing students and faculty across Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn December, the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/new-team-associate-deans-ready-advance-college-initiatives\u0022\u003ECollege of Computing appointed Cherry as associate dean for graduate education\u003C\/a\u003E. Before this appointment, she served as associate chair for academic affairs of the School of CSE.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith her new role as associate dean, Cherry continues serving as director of CSE programs at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn March 2024, Cherry was among five Georgia Tech faculty members selected for the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/03\/04\/new-cohort-acc-academic-leaders-network-fellows-selected\u0022\u003EACC Academic Leaders Network (ACC ALN) Fellows program\u003C\/a\u003E. The ALN program fosters cross-institutional networking and collaboration between ACC schools, increasing each institution\u2019s academic leadership capacity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECherry was part of a team of Georgia Tech and Emory University researchers who won a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-and-emory-researchers-win-award-arrhythmia-research\u0022\u003EGeorgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance award in 2023\u003C\/a\u003E. The group earned the Team Science Award of Distinction for Early Stage Research Teams award for work that captures high-resolution visualizations of spiral waves that create heart arrhythmias.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESIAM will recognize Cherry, Scheinberg, and Class of 2025 fellows during a reception at the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.siam.org\/conferences-events\/siam-conferences\/an25\/\u0022\u003ESIAM\/CAIMS Annual Meetings\u003C\/a\u003E this July in Montr\u00e9al.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt is such an honor to be recognized as a SIAM Fellow,\u201d Cherry said. \u201cI\u2019m thrilled to join my CSE colleagues who have also received this recognition.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETwo faculty members represented Georgia Tech as new fellows to the world\u2019s leading organization dedicated to applied mathematics, computational science, and data science.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) selected\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/people\/elizabeth-cherry\u0022\u003EElizabeth Cherry\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/katya-scheinberg\u0022\u003EKatya Scheinberg\u003C\/a\u003E as\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.siam.org\/publications\/siam-news\/articles\/siam-announces-2025-class-of-fellows\/\u0022\u003EClass of 2025 fellows\u003C\/a\u003E. The two Georgia Tech faculty join an illustrious class of 23 other researchers from around the globe in this year\u2019s class.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESIAM selected Cherry to recognize her contributions to mathematical and computational modeling and extensive service to the SIAM community. She studies the electrical behavior of cardiac cells and tissue.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScheinberg, from Georgia Tech\u2019s College of Engineering, was selected for her foundational contributions to derivative-free optimization and optimization applications in data science and her dedicated service to the optimization community.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) selected Elizabeth Cherry and Katya Scheinberg as Class of 2025 fellows. "}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2025-04-11 13:11:10","changed_gmt":"2025-04-25 14:41:38","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-04-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-04-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676817":{"id":"676817","type":"image","title":"2025-SIAM-Fellow-v2.jpg","body":null,"created":"1744386291","gmt_created":"2025-04-11 15:44:51","changed":"1744386291","gmt_changed":"2025-04-11 15:44:51","alt":"Elizabeth Cherry SIAM Fellow","file":{"fid":"260661","name":"2025-SIAM-Fellow-v2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/11\/2025-SIAM-Fellow-v2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/11\/2025-SIAM-Fellow-v2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":133435,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/11\/2025-SIAM-Fellow-v2.jpg?itok=PzGSlgfb"}}},"media_ids":["676817"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"167311","name":"SIAM"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"681671":{"#nid":"681671","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Faculty, Students Pilot AI Crisis Simulation","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers from Georgia Tech and the Georgia Tech Research Institute (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gtri.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGTRI\u003C\/a\u003E) recently piloted an in-depth crisis simulation exploring the national security implications of advanced artificial intelligence. Designed by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.aisi.dev\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAI Safety Initiative\u003C\/a\u003E in collaboration with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gtmun.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EModel UN at Georgia Tech\u003C\/a\u003E, the immersive half-day workshop challenged faculty to respond to a series of escalating threats \u2014 including a potential biological attack, cyberattacks, and rising global tensions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParticipants represented major governments, corporations, and organizations \u2014 including OpenAI and Google DeepMind \u2014 and were inundated with simulated press releases and intelligence reports describing the rapid evolution of AI technologies. Their task: to debate and coordinate policy responses in real time.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn one scenario, a preliminary World Health Organization report revealed AI-enabled pathogens spreading across Central Asia. The player representing China quickly moved to close borders and reimpose pandemic-era lockdowns, a move that caused global confusion and economic instability.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere\u2019s just no way I could have predicted that response,\u201d said Parv Mahajan, the director of the simulation. \u201cBut that kind of extreme response tells us so much about how unprepared countries might react.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDivjot Kaur, who constructed the simulated documents participants received throughout the workshop, agreed. \u201cThis valuable information can shed light on the research and work we must put in,\u201d she said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome players took advantage of the chaos. The simulation concluded with a discussion about how profit motives might distort information access and accelerate a potential AI arms race.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat stood out most to participants was the range of ideas that emerged during the crisis. \u201cIt was great to see the perspectives of diverse disciplines on the future of AI,\u201d said Amaar Alidina, an undergraduate researcher. \u201cDebate provided meaningful insight on topics we wouldn\u0027t even have thought of,\u201d Kaur said. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELooking ahead, the AI Safety Initiative hopes to expand the simulation through collaborations with labs and departments across campus.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe future of our work will depend, in some way or another, on AI,\u0022 said Mahajan. \u0022And the best way to understand the future is to try and experience it.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn a simulation from Georgia Tech and GTRI, participants navigated escalating global crises \u2014 including AI-enabled biothreats and cyberattacks \u2014 to assess how different actors might respond to emerging AI risks.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers explore national security risks posed by advanced AI through a high-stakes strategic exercise."}],"uid":"36734","created_gmt":"2025-04-08 18:30:49","changed_gmt":"2025-04-22 15:37:53","author":"Parv Mahajan","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-04-07T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-04-07T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676793":{"id":"676793","type":"image","title":"DSC04327.jpg","body":null,"created":"1744137281","gmt_created":"2025-04-08 18:34:41","changed":"1744137281","gmt_changed":"2025-04-08 18:34:41","alt":"Man with OpenAI placard listens carefully to speech.","file":{"fid":"260634","name":"DSC04327.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/08\/DSC04327_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/08\/DSC04327_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":319130,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/08\/DSC04327_0.jpg?itok=5QpHv7mI"}},"676794":{"id":"676794","type":"image","title":"DSC04279.jpg","body":null,"created":"1744137281","gmt_created":"2025-04-08 18:34:41","changed":"1744137281","gmt_changed":"2025-04-08 18:34:41","alt":"Man with \u0022Other Researchers and the Press\u0022 placard studies documents.","file":{"fid":"260635","name":"DSC04279.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/08\/DSC04279_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/08\/DSC04279_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":254102,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/08\/DSC04279_0.jpg?itok=ZWayoRds"}}},"media_ids":["676793","676794"],"groups":[{"id":"660394","name":"AI Safety Initative (AISI)"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"147","name":"Military Technology"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194465","name":"AI Safety"},{"id":"2835","name":"ai"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"184285","name":"Georgia Tech Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts; school of public policy"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"145171","name":"Cybersecurity"},{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"},{"id":"39481","name":"National Security"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAI Safety Initiative\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:board@aisi.dev\u0022\u003Eboard@aisi.dev\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Model UN\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:gatechmun@gmail.com\u0022\u003Egatechmun@gmail.com\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"681431":{"#nid":"681431","#data":{"type":"news","title":"TopoDx: Pioneering Antibiotic Resistance Testing \u2014 From Lab to Market","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPeter Yunker boils down his advice for researchers wanting to commercialize their lab advances.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cYou can\u2019t go it alone,\u201d said Yunker, an associate professor of physics at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn January, Yunker co-founded the biotechnology startup TopoDx LLC, with David Weiss, an Emory University School of Medicine researcher and director of the Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, and Yogi Patel, a Georgia Tech alumnus with a background in business development and bioengineering.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cResearchers often think that they have a good commercialization idea to help people, but that alone does not guarantee success,\u201d said Yunker. \u201cLook for partners with complementary skills who understand aspects of the commercialization process that you don\u2019t. Find mentors with business and scientific backgrounds in the specific industry you want to enter.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETopoDx has developed a microbial test to identify antibiotic resistance and susceptibility rapidly and accurately. Current tests produce a result in three to five days. TopoDx\u2019s approach can gain a result within four hours. Every hour counts in treating serious infections. Delays in accurate treatment can increase antibiotic resistance, which is a global challenge, causing up to 1 million deaths a year.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe company\u2019s testing method was inspired by a fundamental biophysics project in Yunker\u2019s lab. His team was interested in understanding how bacterial colonies behave. They tested white-light interferometry, a technology that can measure bacterial colonies down to the nanometer level.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhite-light interferometry allowed us to identify changes in the topography of a colony that indicated larger changes in the volume of cells in the entire colony,\u201d said Yunker. \u201cWe thought this might have practical applications.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe next step was giving research talks at meetings and looking for collaborators. \u201cI wanted to find someone with expertise on the bacteriology side, and I was very fortunate to meet David Weiss,\u201d Yunker said, noting his proficiency in heteroresistance, a phenomenon where a small subset of a bacterial colony resists an antibiotic.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf you have just one antibiotic-resistant cell in a hundred cells, it can cause treatments to fail,\u201d said Yunker.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe two collaborators hoped to commercialize their technology, identifying heteroresistance in microbial samples. However, they needed guidance in creating a business model. They consulted Harold Solomon, an entrepreneur with Georgia Tech VentureLab and a principal in the Quadrant-i program, a specialized program helping Georgia Tech faculty and students commercialize research.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESolomon became a key mentor. He guided them away from an ill-advised partnership and instead introduced them to Yogi Patel, who became a co-founder and the company CEO.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis new collaboration provided the team with an important lesson \u2014 one that Yunker passes along to other researchers looking to commercialize their discoveries. \u201cSeek expertise outside your field, be humble about your knowledge limitations, and view collaboration as a strategic partnership,\u201d he says.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen Patel came on board, he conducted extensive interviews with more than 15 clinical professionals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cYou need to interview end users or purchasers of whatever solution you want to build,\u201d said Patel. \u201cAsk them if the problem you think you may have solved is a problem with scale, with a market need.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClinicians, Patel learned, did not see heteroresistance as a significant issue. Instead, the slow pace of antibiotic testing was identified as a major problem. Faster testing could allow clinicians to prescribe targeted drugs more quickly and accurately, reducing unnecessary antibiotic use and the risk of multi-resistant infections.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith this survey information, Patel asked Yunker and Weiss to rethink how their technology could be commercialized.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cA company must solve a real-world problem,\u201d said Patel. \u201cI recommended that we switch from heteroresistance to solving slow antibiotic testing. We could keep heteroresistance as something we can still do as a second or third priority.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETopoDx\u2019s new technology can\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Emeasure, with single-nanometer accuracy, how bacterial colonies are responding to antibiotics in real time. This method could revolutionize how antibiotics are tested and prescribed. Testing would be conducted on a countertop device about the size of a large microwave. The co-founders envision the device as eventually being used by urgent care facilities and hospitals.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe want to make microbial testing susceptibility accessible anywhere and everywhere,\u201d said Patel.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdam Krueger, once a Ph.D. student in Yunker\u0027s lab, has continued to refine the technology. Now a post-doctoral researcher, Krueger joined TopoDx in a technical leadership role to expand the technology\u2019s capabilities for microbiological diagnostics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe will keep pushing the envelope forward scientifically while we try to commercialize the accomplishments that we have already made,\u201d Yunker said. \u201cWe hope that some fundamental studies we are doing now out of scientific curiosity could lead to further commercial applications.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech faculty members and graduate students, join the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/create-x.gatech.edu\/quadrant-i-startup-launch\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EQuadrant-i Startup Launch Program\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E to commercialize your research this summer\u003C\/strong\u003E: Over 12 weeks, you\u0027ll receive comprehensive support including guidance from experienced mentors, a $10,000 commercialization grant, and $150,000 worth of in-kind services. Showcase your innovation at Demo Day, where you\u0027ll have the opportunity to present to over 1,500 attendees, including industry leaders and investors. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/airtable.com\/appaTqlTL2zQkXBBR\/pagdkIvjQbvDbSD2F\/form\u0022\u003EApply today\u003C\/a\u003E! \u003Cstrong\u003EApplications close April 11\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPeter Yunker, an associate professor of physics at Georgia Tech, co-founded TopoDx LLC to revolutionize microbial testing. With partners David Weiss and Yogi Patel, TopoDx developed a test that identifies antibiotic resistance in just four hours, addressing a critical global challenge. Yunker advises researchers to seek complementary skills and mentorship for successful commercialization. Join the Quadrant-i Startup Launch Program to turn your research into real-world solutions!\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"TopoDx LLC, co-founded by Peter Yunker, David Weiss, and Yogi Patel, developed a microbial test that identifies antibiotic resistance within four hours."}],"uid":"36436","created_gmt":"2025-03-28 15:35:22","changed_gmt":"2025-04-16 19:43:23","author":"bdurham31","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-03-28T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-03-28T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"623758":{"id":"623758","type":"image","title":"Peter Yunker looking at territorial cholera strains","body":null,"created":"1564412886","gmt_created":"2019-07-29 15:08:06","changed":"1564412886","gmt_changed":"2019-07-29 15:08:06","alt":"","file":{"fid":"237578","name":"Yunker.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Yunker.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Yunker.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4750443,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Yunker.jpg?itok=g2xAvjJc"}}},"media_ids":["623758"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/create-x.gatech.edu\/quadrant-i-startup-launch","title":"Apply to Quadrant-i Startup Launch"}],"groups":[{"id":"583966","name":"CREATE-X"},{"id":"655285","name":"GT Commercialization"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192255","name":"go-commercializationnews"},{"id":"168707","name":"Peter Yunker"},{"id":"109","name":"Georgia Tech"},{"id":"194429","name":"TopoDx"},{"id":"194430","name":"David Weiss"},{"id":"194431","name":"Yogi Patel"},{"id":"194432","name":"biotechnology startup"},{"id":"194433","name":"microbial test"},{"id":"174503","name":"antibiotic resistance"},{"id":"194434","name":"susceptibility"},{"id":"194435","name":"white-light interferometry"},{"id":"182260","name":"bacterial colonies"},{"id":"2579","name":"commercialization"},{"id":"340","name":"collaboration"},{"id":"14601","name":"mentorship"},{"id":"194436","name":"Quadrant-I"},{"id":"194437","name":"Startup Launch Program"},{"id":"174430","name":"research commercialization"},{"id":"341","name":"innovation"},{"id":"194438","name":"urgent care facilities"},{"id":"4499","name":"hospitals"},{"id":"194439","name":"microbiological diagnostics"},{"id":"194440","name":"real-time testing"},{"id":"194441","name":"scientific curiosity"},{"id":"6713","name":"business development"},{"id":"569","name":"bioengineering"},{"id":"2161","name":"founders"},{"id":"3472","name":"entrepreneurship"},{"id":"166973","name":"startup"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten By John H. Tibbetts\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInternal Contact:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBreanna Durham\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMarketing Strategist\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["breanna.durham@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"681493":{"#nid":"681493","#data":{"type":"news","title":"PatchPals Pitches Wound Care Evolution at ACC InVenture Prize ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA team of biomedical engineering students represented Georgia Tech at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.accinventureprize.com\/teams#gt\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EACC InVenture Prize Competition\u003C\/a\u003E in South Bend, Indiana, pitching an invention that could improve wound care for chronic patients and efficiency in healthcare systems.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EVacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy is commonly used to treat the 6.5 million people affected by chronic wounds annually, but dressing changes can be frequent and time-consuming. PatchPals aims to cut the time it takes to treat each patient by up to 30% by automating a critical step of the process using artificial intelligence. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInitially developed by Aya Samadi and Deniz Onalir, BME 2024, for the pair\u0027s capstone design project in Spring 2024, PatchPals would allow nurses and technicians to take a photo of a wound, outline it, and upload it to the device, which begins cutting a precise piece of foam in 15 seconds. Typically, nurses must manually cut foam to fit each wound, which can be inexact.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe project began with the goal of creating a better bandage for everyday cuts and scrapes, but conversations with medical professionals led them to think more broadly. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Each time we share our device with professionals in the field, they all have the same reaction, saying, \u0027Finally.\u0027 It\u0027s validating and rewarding to know that we were able to identify a real problem in healthcare and provide a potential solution,\u0022 said Samadi, now a biomedical engineering graduate student. \u0022By eliminating the biggest bottleneck in the wound care process, we\u0027re not just saving nurses time, we\u0027re ensuring patients get the treatment they need, without the wait.\u0022 \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough demos at the Emory Wound \u0026amp; Hyperbaric Center and other medical facilities, the team has been able to refine its product and understand its potential place in the wound care market.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022If the foam doesn\u0027t fit the wound perfectly, it can damage the margins or lead to infections. As a nurse, I\u0027d love to use this device in a clinical setting,\u201d said Meg Winata, a medical student at Emory University. \u201cAutomating that process eliminates a lot of the human error of wound VAC dressing changes, so this could be a game-changer.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFollowing Onalir\u0027s graduation, Samadi recruited two new team members, Valeria Perez and Hayden Johnson, both master\u0027s students in biomedical engineering, to help develop the product. PatchPals is the subject of a clinical study at the Emory Wound \u0026amp; Hyperbaric Center, and the team intends to gather patient data by the semester\u0027s end. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the device evolves, the team credits the Institute\u0027s resources for the ability to reach this milestone.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech has an amazing atmosphere around research and development and entrepreneurship. Without \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/academics\/ai-for-engineering\/ai-makerspace\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ethe AI makerspace\u003C\/a\u003E or the BME design shop, we wouldn\u0027t be able to do any of the exploratory research into wound segmentation, automated cuttings, or create our prototypes,\u0022 Johnson said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPerez added that the innovation begins in the classroom. \u0022The BME curriculum is one where there are so many different project-based courses built into it, so it has given us a foundation to work on this device.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPatchPals was selected by the judges during the on-campus portion of the competition to represent the Institute at the ACC final, where the team received the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/inventureprize.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EPeople\u0027s Choice Award\u003C\/a\u003E \u2014 a $5,000 prize to continue the development of their invention \u2014\u0026nbsp;following an online and text vote concluding during Wednesday\u2019s televised final.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"The device, created by Georgia Tech students, uses AI to make chronic wound dressings 30% more efficient, which could save time and money.  "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe device, created by Georgia Tech students, uses AI to make chronic wound dressings 30% more efficient, which could save time and money. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The device, created by Georgia Tech students, uses AI to make chronic wound dressings 30% more efficient, which could save time and money.  "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2025-04-01 15:45:35","changed_gmt":"2025-04-03 19:12:55","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-04-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-04-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676731":{"id":"676731","type":"image","title":"PatchPals Meeting With Nurse","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAya Samadi (left), co-founder of PatchPals, and Valeria Perez (right) describe the device, which could improve wound care for chronic patients and efficiency in healthcare systems.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1743524230","gmt_created":"2025-04-01 16:17:10","changed":"1743524598","gmt_changed":"2025-04-01 16:23:18","alt":"PatchPals Team With Nurse","file":{"fid":"260556","name":"25-10010-P1-009.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/01\/25-10010-P1-009.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/01\/25-10010-P1-009.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4037265,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/01\/25-10010-P1-009.jpg?itok=TN-KUFiy"}},"676733":{"id":"676733","type":"image","title":"PatchPals Team New","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe PatchPals team representing Georgia Tech at the ACC InVenture Prize Competition. From left: Valeria Perez, Hayden Johnson, Aya Samadi, and Deniz Onalir.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1743536742","gmt_created":"2025-04-01 19:45:42","changed":"1743536742","gmt_changed":"2025-04-01 19:45:42","alt":"The PatchPals Team","file":{"fid":"260559","name":"Unknown.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/01\/Unknown.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/01\/Unknown.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":436120,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/01\/Unknown.jpeg?itok=eptVYOxB"}}},"media_ids":["676731","676733"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/taplink.cc\/patchpalsinventure","title":"Vote for PatchPals!"}],"groups":[{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"281961","name":"Office of Undergraduate Education \u0026 Student Success"},{"id":"1254","name":"Wallace H. Coulter Dept. of Biomedical Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"193158","name":"Student Competition Winners (academic, innovation, and research)"}],"keywords":[{"id":"1612","name":"BME"},{"id":"171868","name":"ACC InVenture Prize"},{"id":"1613","name":"Biomedical Engieering"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"681369":{"#nid":"681369","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Curing the Incurable: Georgia Tech\u2019s $40M Medical Mission ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech stands on the brink of a medical revolution, fueled by a monumental award from the Marcus Foundation. This transformative $40 million endeavor, with a principal investment of $20 million from the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/marcusfoundation.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMarcus Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E, promises to make high-quality, life-saving cell therapies more affordable, reliable, and accessible than ever before.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis was among the final initiatives personally directed by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/marcusfoundation.org\/#obituary\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBernie Marcus,\u003C\/a\u003E the philanthropist, entrepreneur, and The Home Depot co-founder, before his passing in November 2024. Marcus invited Georgia Tech President \u00c1ngel Cabrera to his home in Boca Raton, Florida, to discuss Georgia Tech\u2019s capability to usher in a new era of regenerative medicine.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u2019ll never forget my conversation with Bernie,\u201d Cabrera said. \u201cHis challenge to Georgia Tech was clear: Use our engineering expertise to make cell therapies more accessible and cost-effective and develop cures for incurable diseases.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis generous award is a testament to our shared belief in the power of innovation and technology to improve lives, and it\u2019s an honor for Georgia Tech to fulfill Bernie\u2019s vision for the future of healthcare,\u201d he added.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe funding will ignite innovation at Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cellmanufacturing.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EMarcus Center of Excellence for Cell Biomanufacturing\u003C\/a\u003E, formerly named the\u202fMarcus Center for Therapeutic Cell Characterization and Manufacturing, which has been bioengineering potential cellular cures for more than seven years. \u202fIt will enable Georgia Tech engineers to advance work at the center and within the National Science Foundation-funded \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cellmanufacturingusa.org\/\u0022\u003EEngineering Research Center in Cell Manufacturing Technologies\u003C\/a\u003E (CMaT), to develop automated bioreactor systems that eliminate the need for costly cleanrooms.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMarcus\/CMaT Director \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/faculty\/Johnna-S.-Temenoff\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EJohnna Temenoff\u003C\/a\u003E compared the current state of cell therapies to the early days of the automobile industry. She explained this new injection of funds will allow her team to shift from handcrafted production to an assembly-line approach.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI firmly believe that for us to make good on the promises of these biotechnologies to improve healthcare worldwide, we must be able to manufacture them in a more reproducible and cost-effective manner. Georgia Tech\u2019s distinctive strength lies in our engineering expertise, allowing us to tackle difficult biological problems,\u201d Temenoff said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe impact of this award extends beyond the laboratory. It has the potential to significantly boost Georgia\u0027s bioeconomy, making the state a hub for advanced therapy development and biomanufacturing. It will attract jobs and top-tier talent to the region.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jonathan-w-simons-md-a4247911\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EDr. Jonathan Simons\u003C\/a\u003E, chief science officer and medical director of the Marcus Foundation, said Bernie Marcus liked to think of cells as \u201cliving drugs.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESimons explained, \u201cThis is life-extending, lifesaving, and life-changing material. It\u0027s not like making a drug like penicillin or Tylenol. This is not like a little blister pack of pills. This is a whole new frontier for pharmacology and the pharmaceutical industry.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESimons emphasized this is the latest chapter of both the Marcus Foundation\u2019s investment in biomedical engineering at Georgia Tech and Bernie Marcus\u2019s enduring biomedical research philanthropy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI think Bernie would say, \u2018I\u2019m not interested in my legacy. I\u2019m interested in how many patients in five years will benefit from this $40 million effort. It\u2019s all about lives changed, lives saved, and diseases ended,\u2019\u201d he said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo learn more about Georgia Tech\u2019s research in cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing, visit \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cellmanufacturing.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Ecellmanufacturing.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA significant grant from the Marcus Foundation will support the Institute\u0027s research into making cell therapies more affordable.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A significant grant from the Marcus Foundation will support the Institute\u0027s research into making cell therapies more affordable."}],"uid":"28766","created_gmt":"2025-03-26 13:00:26","changed_gmt":"2025-03-26 13:58:34","author":"Shelley Wunder-Smith","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-03-26T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-03-26T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676668":{"id":"676668","type":"image","title":"A researcher in the Marcus Center of Excellence for Cell Biomanufacturing removes cultured cells from an incubator for further characterization and testing.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA researcher in the Marcus Center of Excellence for Cell Biomanufacturing removes cultured cells from an incubator for further characterization and testing.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1742946387","gmt_created":"2025-03-25 23:46:27","changed":"1742946492","gmt_changed":"2025-03-25 23:48:12","alt":"A researcher in the Marcus Center of Excellence for Cell Biomanufacturing removes cultured cells from an incubator for further characterization and testing.","file":{"fid":"260481","name":"image001.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/25\/image001.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/25\/image001.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1166641,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/25\/image001.jpg?itok=Os-wYfZj"}}},"media_ids":["676668"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:swundersmith3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EShelley Wunder-Smith\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Research Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["swundersmith3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"681214":{"#nid":"681214","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Heart Fellows: BME Grad Students Training to Become Next Generation Cardiovascular Leaders","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn 2023 the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering launched a new program designed to train the next generation of leaders in cardiovascular research. Five first-year graduate students formed the first cohort that fall.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECurrently, there are nine students in the Cardiovascular Biomechanics Graduate Training Program at Emory and Georgia Tech (CBT@EmTech). The program offers two years of training in an assortment of disciplines, including cardiovascular biomechanics, mechanobiology, medical imaging, computational modeling, medical devices, therapeutics discovery and delivery, and data science.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe goal of the program is to stimulate interdisciplinary training,\u201d so we expose the students to multiple areas of research,\u201d says Hanjoong Jo, CBT@EmTech director, Wallace H. Coulter Distinguished Professor.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAnd we have a very diverse group of trainees interested in various aspects of cardiovascular research and medicine,\u201d Jo added. \u201cFour out of five students from our first cohort already have secured prestigious fellowships, demonstrating the caliber of the trainees in the program.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe students from that cohort brought a wide range of experiences, interests, and ambitions to the program. Now in their final months as CBT@EmTech trainees, they took time to share their stories.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYohannes Akiel\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrincipal Investigator: Michael Davis\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECampus: Emory\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUndergraduate: University of Texas-San Antonio\u003Cbr\u003EI\u0027ve always had a passion for helping people and I feel that I\u2019m doing this through my research on aortic valve tissue engineering for pediatric patients. Aortic valve disease is found in 1-2% of live births, because of congenital heart defects or infections. Current valve replacements are limited \u2014 for one thing, they\u2019re incapable of growing and remodeling with the patient. This presents a need for a new tissue-engineered valve that can address these challenges. In the Davis lab, we\u2019re working on a tissue engineered heart valve to provide a better, long-term solution.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThroughout my time in the CBT@EmTech program, I\u0027ve gained a range of knowledge in the cardiovascular space, learning about atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease, valve disease, as well as computational and imaging techniques to help solve some of these problems. As part of the program, we are also required to take an Advanced Seminar class in the cardiovascular area.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough this class, I was able to participate in some interesting clinical observations in the Emory University Hospital cardiology department. For example, I watched a cardiologist perform a transesophageal echocardiogram. The doctor was checking for heart blockages on a patient who had atrial fibrillation. This procedure was followed by a cardioversion to restore a normal heart rhythm. This was a profound demonstration of biomedical technology in action that left a lasting impression on me.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeandro Choi\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrincipal Investigator: Hanjoong Jo\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECampus: Emory\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUndergraduate: Duke University\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a PhD student in the Jo Lab, I am studying how disturbed flow influences transcriptional regulation in endothelial cell reprogramming and atherosclerosis. Our goal is to identify and develop therapeutics that target non-lipid residual pathways contributing to this widespread and deadly disease.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI initially became interested in this line of research due to a family history of cardiovascular disease. As an undergraduate, I worked in a tissue engineering lab where I employed stem cell and tissue engineering methods to model the circulatory system. A desire to further explore the role of mechanosensitive genes and proteins in cardiovascular disease led me to pursue a PhD in this field.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the most valuable aspects of the CBT@EmTech program has been the opportunity to connect with a network of students and faculty who are leaders in cardiovascular research. Through monthly meetings, we share our work and gain insights into the diverse engineering applications our interdisciplinary program brings to the field, with the common goal of improving cardiovascular health.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAniket Venkatesh\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrincipal Investigator: Lakshmi Prasad\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECampus: Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUndergraduate: Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;October 2024 marked the three-year anniversary of my uncle\u2019s passing due to complications from a mild heart attack. His angiogram showed 30% vessel blockage, leading to heart surgery. Sadly, he suffered a brain stroke days later, resulting in deteriorating speech, muscle movement, and eventually death at 48. This personal tragedy brought urgency to my research questions: Can the risk of complications following cardiovascular treatments be predicted? Can underlying cardiovascular pathology be treated before it progresses to a heart attack or stroke? Was my uncle\u2019s death preventable? These questions drive my cardiovascular research, focused on predicting post-procedural heart valve outcomes through computational modeling.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeing part of the prestigious CBT@EmTech program at Emory and Georgia Tech has significantly advanced my research journey. Learning from fellow trainees, presenting my research, and attending academia-focused workshops (like one about grant writing) have helped me stand out in heart valve computational modeling. The program, along with my PI, Dr. Lakshmi Prasad Dasi, and co-PI, Dr. John Oshinski, has provided the resources needed to translate my research from the lab to the clinic through regular meetings with clinicians and data transfer to and from hospitals. I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue my long-term goal of predicting risks of complications before cardiovascular treatments and helping prevent adverse clinical outcomes like those experienced by my uncle.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIsabel Wallgren\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrincipal Investigator: Simone Douglas-Green\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECampus: Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUndergraduate Degree: University of Virginia\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPeripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when atherosclerotic plaque accumulates in limb arteries, blocking blood flow. Current interventions limit disease progression, but surgery is often needed to prevent critical limb ischemia. A less invasive approach promotes angiogenesis and arteriogenesis to strengthen collateral vessels and bypass blockages. The Hansen Lab studies satellite cells (SCs), which repair muscle fibers and release growth factors, as a potential PAD therapy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy research focuses on improving the delivery of SCs using a special fibrin scaffold in a mouse model of blocked blood flow in the legs. By adjusting the properties of the fibrin scaffold, we can create an environment that helps these cells grow and renew themselves. We study how quickly the fibrin forms to ensure the cells stay where we inject them and how it breaks down to keep a steady supply of renewing SCs. We believe that with fibrin, the cells will move into the damaged tissue, repair muscle fibers, and release growth factors to encourage new blood vessel growth.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe goal is to create alternative treatments for PAD that prevent disease progression and improve patients\u0027 quality of life.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe CBT@EmTech program has given me a supportive network of peers and mentors, enhancing my growth as a researcher. The program chairs have tailored the curriculum to our needs and allowed us to shape it. For example, I\u2019ve had the privilege of co-planning our biannual retreat. We recruited guests for two panels and invited a guest speaker for a storytelling workshop. This retreat shows how the program imparts knowledge beyond research, aiming to improve our scientific storytelling and self-presentation skills, valuable for any career.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDeborah Wood\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrincipal Investigator: Simone Douglas-Green\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECampus: Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUndergraduate Degree: University of Virginia\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a researcher, I am challenged to explore the unknown. Moreover, my role as an engineer is rooted in using knowledge that has already been conceptualized. Combining these perspectives as a biomedical engineer has led me to pursue research with an emphasis on improving human health.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EToday, cardiovascular diseases represent the global leading cause of death. While this glaring statistic indicates the egregious burden of cardiovascular diseases, my parents\u0027 lived experiences with cardiovascular diseases is what drives me to use my life\u2019s work to address critical challenges at the intersection of the cardiovascular field and biomedical engineering.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMy research seeks to alleviate cardiovascular diseases by using nanoparticles to target endothelial cells, which line the innermost layer of blood vessels and contribute to blood vessel function. The Cardiovascular Biomechanics and Mechanobiology Program at Emory (CBT@EmTech) has given me an avenue to pursue this research.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough my CBT@EmTech co-mentorship, I have developed a foundation in endothelial cell biology and atherosclerosis. I have also been challenged to think critically about how my research benefits both science and society through my exposure to prominent cardiovascular researchers. My experiences with CBT@EmTech have made me eager to use my training to pursue a postdoc in the and eventually lead a lab answering critical questions in cardiovascular research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Cardiovascular Biomechanics Graduate Training Program (CBT@EmTech) was launched in 2023 to develop future leaders in cardiovascular research. Meet some of the students who are getting interdisciplinary training in biomechanics, imaging, modeling, and therapeutics, and gaining clinical exposure, conducting impactful research, and securing prestigious fellowships.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Launched in 2023, CBT@EmTech trains future cardiovascular research leaders through interdisciplinary study, clinical exposure, and impactful research."}],"uid":"28153","created_gmt":"2025-03-18 19:01:41","changed_gmt":"2025-03-18 19:05:50","author":"Jerry Grillo","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676575":{"id":"676575","type":"image","title":"Heart Fellows","body":null,"created":"1742322048","gmt_created":"2025-03-18 18:20:48","changed":"1742323340","gmt_changed":"2025-03-18 18:42:20","alt":"Heart Fellows main photo","file":{"fid":"260379","name":"main-photo.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/18\/main-photo.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/18\/main-photo.png","mime":"image\/png","size":819571,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/18\/main-photo.png?itok=y_KOGzEb"}},"676577":{"id":"676577","type":"image","title":"heart fellows collage","body":"\u003Cp\u003EClockwise from top left: Yohannes Akiel, Leandro Choi, Isabel Wallgren, Deborah Wood, the entire current cohort of Fellows, Deborah Wood, and Aniket Venkatesh.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1742322283","gmt_created":"2025-03-18 18:24:43","changed":"1742323220","gmt_changed":"2025-03-18 18:40:20","alt":"Heart Fellows individual pics and group shot","file":{"fid":"260380","name":"Heart-Fellows-Collage.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/18\/Heart-Fellows-Collage.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/18\/Heart-Fellows-Collage.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3129598,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/18\/Heart-Fellows-Collage.jpg?itok=bZyTRHy4"}}},"media_ids":["676575","676577"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"185949","name":"doctoral trainees"},{"id":"3184","name":"cardiovascular disease"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"},{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"},{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jerry.grillo@bme.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJerry Grillo\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jerry.grillo@bme.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680713":{"#nid":"680713","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Under Pressure: Georgia Tech Researchers Discover a Potential New Way to Treat Glaucoma","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFour million Americans \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.healthdata.org\/news-events\/newsroom\/news-releases\/new-prevalence-glaucoma-us-2022-study-finds-higher-prevalence\u0022\u003Esuffer\u003C\/a\u003E from glaucoma, an incurable eye disease that slowly degrades peripheral vision and eventually leads to blindness. Researchers at Georgia Tech have discovered a potential way to stop this degradation and possibly save people\u2019s vision before it\u2019s too late.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/raquel-lieberman\u0022\u003ERaquel Lieberman\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/bio\u0022\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/a\u003E, and her \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lieberman.chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Elab\u003C\/a\u003E team have discovered two new antibodies with promise to treat glaucoma. The antibodies can break down the protein myocilin, which, when it malfunctions, can cause glaucoma.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELieberman\u2019s group recently \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/pnasnexus\/article\/4\/1\/pgae556\/7920644\u0022\u003Epublished\u003C\/a\u003E this research in the \u003Cem\u003EProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: Nexus\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProtein Problems\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMyocilin is just one of hundreds of thousands of proteins that make up the human body. In the eye, an especially delicate balance of proteins and fluid enables sight. The aqueous humor, a clear fluid, bathes the lens that helps focus light into the retina. In a healthy eye, the fluid drains regularly, but if something prevents the fluid from circulating, it increases pressure.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cYour eyeball is kind of like a basketball,\u201d explained Lieberman. \u201cIf you want it to work optimally, it has to be pressurized.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELieberman\u2019s team has learned that if myocilin mutates, it clumps up and prevents aqueous humor from draining, increasing eye pressure. If left unmanaged, glaucoma and \u2014 eventually \u2014 blindness will occur.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAntibody Answer\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELieberman\u2019s lab characterized two new antibodies that each, in their unique way, can destroy myocilin gone rogue. One binds in a way that does not prevent myocilin from clumping; the other prevents the protein from aggregating. Both effectively break down myocilin so it no longer blocks the aqueous humor from flowing.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cThese exciting results provide proof of concept that targeted antibodies for mutant myocilin aggregation could be therapeutic,\u201d said Alice Ma, a Ph.D. graduate who worked on the research. \u201cThis represents a new paradigm for treating other diseases associated with protein clumping, like Alzheimer\u2019s. These studies hold the potential to save the eyesight of millions of glaucoma patients.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe findings have been the culmination of nearly two decades of research with Lieberman\u2019s close collaborator, University of Texas at Austin chemical engineering Professor Jennifer Maynard, whose group helped discover the two antibodies that responded to the mutation. Lieberman\u2019s group then worked to understand how the antibodies functioned, determining the two that most successfully broke down the protein.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis study builds on 10 years of work that explains how myocilin folds to how to break it down,\u201d Lieberman said. \u201cI am at a very fortunate place in my career where this fundamental research coalesces into what we could use clinically.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETreatment Transformation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELieberman hopes the antibodies can help treat glaucoma patients, particularly those with early onset glaucoma, often children. She now has a research collaboration with Rebecca Neustein, a physician at Emory University who treats these young patients.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cShe doesn\u0027t have much hope to give her patients for curing glaucoma,\u201d Lieberman said. \u201cSo she was very excited that we could do some genotyping and figure out who these antibodies can help.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELieberman\u2019s research offers a clearer future for millions suffering from glaucoma and those at risk of developing the disease. By leveraging antibodies to target and break down malfunctioning myocilin, this discovery not only paves the way for new treatments for glaucoma but also opens doors for addressing other protein-aggregation diseases like Alzheimer\u2019s, Parkinson\u2019s, and even Type 2 diabetes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFunding: National Institutes of Health\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAnimation by Raul Perez\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENewly discovered antibodies break down the protein that causes glaucoma.\u003Cstrong\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Newly discovered antibodies break down the protein that causes glaucoma.  "}],"uid":"34541","created_gmt":"2025-02-24 22:14:02","changed_gmt":"2025-03-12 16:40:14","author":"Tess Malone","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676384":{"id":"676384","type":"image","title":"Screenshot-2025-02-24-at-5.18.21-PM.png","body":null,"created":"1740435641","gmt_created":"2025-02-24 22:20:41","changed":"1740435641","gmt_changed":"2025-02-24 22:20:41","alt":"Eye","file":{"fid":"260163","name":"Screenshot-2025-02-24-at-5.18.21-PM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/24\/Screenshot-2025-02-24-at-5.18.21-PM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/24\/Screenshot-2025-02-24-at-5.18.21-PM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1530649,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/24\/Screenshot-2025-02-24-at-5.18.21-PM.png?itok=1CJdqCv9"}}},"media_ids":["676384"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETess Malone, Senior Research Writer\/Editor\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Etess.malone@gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680790":{"#nid":"680790","#data":{"type":"news","title":"This Pacifier Could Monitor Babies\u2019 Vitals in the NICU","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have developed a pacifier that can constantly monitor a baby\u2019s electrolyte levels in real time, eliminating the need for repeated invasive blood draws.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/node\/42622\u0022\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have developed a pacifier that can constantly monitor a baby\u2019s electrolyte levels in real time, eliminating the need for repeated invasive blood draws.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The baby-friendly device measures electrolyte levels in real time, eliminating the need for repeated, painful blood draws. "}],"uid":"27255","created_gmt":"2025-02-28 16:51:08","changed_gmt":"2025-03-10 16:16:20","author":"Josie Giles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-03-04T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-03-04T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676425":{"id":"676425","type":"image","title":"hg-pacifier-image.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHong Yeo, associate professor and Harris Saunders Jr. Endowed Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, came up with the pacifier idea at a pediatric technology conference.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1740761476","gmt_created":"2025-02-28 16:51:16","changed":"1740761476","gmt_changed":"2025-02-28 16:51:16","alt":"Hong Yeo holding a white pacifier under development at Georgia Tech","file":{"fid":"260210","name":"hg-pacifier-image.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/28\/hg-pacifier-image.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/28\/hg-pacifier-image.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1199948,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/28\/hg-pacifier-image.jpg?itok=rBZv2BD5"}}},"media_ids":["676425"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680641":{"#nid":"680641","#data":{"type":"news","title":"LA Fires Trigger Temporary Spike in Airborne Lead Levels","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the Los Angeles fires quickly spread starting Jan. 7, with wind gusts approaching 100 mph, scientists observed a 110-fold rise in airborne lead levels. This spike had receded by Jan. 11.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe fires enabled the first real-time data on airborne lead, thanks to a pioneering air quality measurement network known as Atmospheric Science and Chemistry (ASCENT), a nationwide initiative funded by the National Science Foundation, operating in 12 sites across the U.S. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ascent.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EASCENT\u003C\/a\u003E measured tiny particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) \u2014 small enough to enter the lungs and bloodstream. Unlike typical wildfires that burn natural materials such as grass and trees, the Eaton Canyon and Palisades fires burned through infrastructures like homes, including painted surfaces, pipes, vehicles, plastics, and electronic equipment. This raised concerns about the toxicity of these particles in the air, especially since many of the buildings were constructed before 1978, when lead paint was still commonly used.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELead is a toxic air contaminant that poses significant health risks, particularly for children, who are more vulnerable to its neurodevelopmental effects. While chronic lead exposure is well-documented, the effects of short-term spikes, like those recorded during these fires, are less understood.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur work through ASCENT,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/nga-lee-sally-ng\u0022\u003ESally Ng\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Tech\u2019s Love Family Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and the network\u2019s principal investigator, \u201chas provided us with new insights into the air we breathe, with unprecedented levels of detail and time resolution. Beyond the mass concentration of PM2.5 that is typically measured, we are now able to detect a wide range of chemical components in the aerosols in real time, to better understand and evaluate to what extent one is exposed to harmful pollutants.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInvestigators used several instruments to obtain hourly measurements at the ASCENT monitoring site in Pico Rivera, approximately 14 miles south of the Eaton Canyon fire, to assess atmospheric lead during the wildfires.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur findings showcased the importance of having real-time measurements of the chemical species that comprise particulate matter,\u201d said California Institute of Technology Ph.D. candidate in atmospheric chemistry and ASPIRE researcher Haroula Baliaka. \u201cDuring the LA fires, we provided the public with timely information about what they were breathing and how air quality evolved in the days that followed.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis research has been published in the CDC\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/volumes\/74\/wr\/mm7405a4.htm?s_cid=mm7405a4_w\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMorbidity and Mortality Weekly Report\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs the Los Angeles fires quickly spread starting Jan. 7 and wind gusts approached 100 mph, scientists observed a 110-fold rise in airborne lead levels. This spike had receded by Jan. 11.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The fires enabled the first real-time data on airborne lead, thanks to a pioneering air quality measurement network."}],"uid":"36573","created_gmt":"2025-02-20 19:46:27","changed_gmt":"2025-02-24 16:37:13","author":"aprendiville3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-02-20T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-02-20T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676361":{"id":"676361","type":"image","title":"The Atmospheric Science and Chemistry mEasurement NeTwork (ASCENT) site collects real-time data during the Los Angeles wildfires. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Atmospheric Science and Chemistry mEasurement NeTwork (ASCENT) site collects real-time data during the Los Angeles wildfires. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1740151674","gmt_created":"2025-02-21 15:27:54","changed":"1740152990","gmt_changed":"2025-02-21 15:49:50","alt":"The Atmospheric Science and Chemistry mEasurement NeTwork (ASCENT) site collects real-time data during the Los Angeles wildfires. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka","file":{"fid":"260134","name":"WhatsApp-Image-2025-02-06-at-08.56.50.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/21\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-02-06-at-08.56.50.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/21\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-02-06-at-08.56.50.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":146018,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/21\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-02-06-at-08.56.50.jpeg?itok=BFTgfKQ1"}},"676360":{"id":"676360","type":"image","title":"Investigators used measurements recorded hourly at the ASCENT monitoring site in Pico Rivera, approximately 14 miles south of the Eaton Canyon fire, to assess atmospheric lead during the Eaton Canyon and Palisades fires. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka","body":"\u003Cp\u003EInvestigators used measurements recorded hourly at the ASCENT monitoring site in Pico Rivera, approximately 14 miles south of the Eaton Canyon fire, to assess atmospheric lead during the Eaton Canyon and Palisades fires. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1740151574","gmt_created":"2025-02-21 15:26:14","changed":"1740151574","gmt_changed":"2025-02-21 15:26:14","alt":"Investigators used measurements recorded hourly at the ASCENT monitoring site in Pico Rivera, approximately 14 miles south of the Eaton Canyon fire, to assess atmospheric lead during the Eaton Canyon and Palisades fires. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka","file":{"fid":"260133","name":"403755238_885266183265183_29513148794895043_n--1-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/21\/403755238_885266183265183_29513148794895043_n--1-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/21\/403755238_885266183265183_29513148794895043_n--1-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":138391,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/21\/403755238_885266183265183_29513148794895043_n--1-.jpg?itok=tcYL7Vsk"}},"676362":{"id":"676362","type":"image","title":"The ASCENT facility in Pico Rivera is equipped with a range of aerosol measurement instruments, including the Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM) for non-refractory aerosols, Xact for detecting trace metals, Aethalometer for assessing black\/brown c","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe ASCENT facility in Pico Rivera is equipped with a range of aerosol measurement instruments, including the Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM) for non-refractory aerosols, Xact for detecting trace metals, Aethalometer for assessing black\/brown carbon, and the Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) to analyze aerosol size distribution and concentration. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1740151710","gmt_created":"2025-02-21 15:28:30","changed":"1740151710","gmt_changed":"2025-02-21 15:28:30","alt":"The ASCENT facility in Pico Rivera is equipped with a range of aerosol measurement instruments, including the Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM) for non-refractory aerosols, Xact for detecting trace metals, Aethalometer for assessing black\/brown carbon, and the Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) to analyze aerosol size distribution and concentration. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka","file":{"fid":"260135","name":"WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-26-at-17.50.04.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/21\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-26-at-17.50.04.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/21\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-26-at-17.50.04.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":205519,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/21\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-26-at-17.50.04.jpeg?itok=rH_i0D2e"}}},"media_ids":["676361","676360","676362"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: aprendiville@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAngela Barajas Prendiville\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDirector, Media Relations\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"680495":{"#nid":"680495","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Faculty Wins Award for Trailblazing Work in Computing and Biology","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech Regents\u2019 Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/people\/srinivas-aluru\u0022\u003ESrinivas Aluru\u003C\/a\u003E is the recipient of the Charles Babbage Award for 2025. Aluru was awarded for pioneering research contributions that intersect parallel computing and computational biology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis is a very well-deserved recognition for Srinivas as he joins the illustrious list of past recipients of the Charles Babbage Award,\u201d said \u003Cstrong\u003EVivek Sarkar\u003C\/strong\u003E, the John P. Imlay Jr. Dean of the College of Computing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSrinivas\u2019 accomplishments reflect positively on himself and all of us at Georgia Tech. This is indeed an occasion to celebrate.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe IEEE Computer Society presents the Babbage Award annually. The award recognizes significant contributions to parallel computation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E[Related:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.computer.org\/publications\/tech-news\/insider-membership-news\/2025-charles-babbage-award-winner\u0022\u003EIEEE-CS interview with Aluru on his award-winning career\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.computer.org\/profiles\/srinivas-aluru\u0022\u003EThe award\u003C\/a\u003E is named after Charles Babbage, widely considered to be a \u201cfather of the computer.\u201d Babbage and Ada Lovelace are credited with inventing the first mechanical computers in the 19th century, eventually leading to more complex designs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAluru is a pioneer in computational genomics, an area of biology that studies the order, structure, function, and evolution of genetic material. Throughout his career, his lab has developed software and algorithms to analyze the genomes of several species of plants, animals, and microorganisms.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGenome base pair sizes can number into the billions, which can be interpreted as massive datasets. Ever since the early years of his career, Aluru championed parallel computing as a practical approach to studying these challenging datasets.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParallelism divides a large problem into smaller ones, allowing different processors on a computer to solve the simpler tasks simultaneously. This approach breaks a genome into smaller segments, allowing computers to efficiently transcribe genetic code and identify insightful patterns.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSrinivas Aluru\u2019s groundbreaking contributions have profoundly shaped the intersection of parallel processing and bioinformatics. His work is nothing short of extraordinary,\u201d said \u003Cstrong\u003EYves Robert\u003C\/strong\u003E, awards chair of the IEEE Computer Society Babbage Committee.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt is a privilege to recognize a researcher whose work will undoubtedly have a lasting impact for generations to come.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIEEE selected Aluru as a fellow in 2010, and he recently served as the editor-in-chief of the journal \u003Cem\u003EIEEE\/ACM Transactions on Computational Biology and Bioinformatics\u003C\/em\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAluru has fellowships with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics. He is a past recipient of the NSF CAREER Award, IBM Faculty Award, and the Swarnajayanti Fellowship from the government of India.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with receiving the Babbage Award, Aluru\u2019s leadership acumen earned him the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/new-team-associate-deans-ready-advance-college-initiatives\u0022\u003Erecent appointment as senior associate dean\u003C\/a\u003E of Georgia Tech\u2019s College of Computing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAluru helped form the Institute for Data Engineering and Science (IDEaS) at Georgia Tech in 2016, serving as co-executive director. Later, he became the institute\u2019s sole executive director from 2019 to 2025. Regents\u2019 Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/david-sherril-serve-interim-director-institute-data-engineering-and-science\u0022\u003EC. David Sherrill became interim executive director of IDEaS\u003C\/a\u003E when Aluru accepted his associate dean appointment. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAluru started at Georgia Tech in 2013 to join the new School of Computational Science and Engineering, established in 2010. He served as the School\u2019s interim chair from 2019 to 2020. In 2023, the University System of Georgia appointed Aluru as Regents\u2019 Professor.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAluru completed his Ph.D. at Iowa State University in 1994. He then worked at Ames National Laboratory, Syracuse University, and New Mexico State University before returning to his alma mater from 1999 to 2013.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis award is a recognition of over two and a half decades of research efforts in my group, reflecting not only my work but that of numerous graduate students and collaborators,\u201d said Aluru.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI hope the award draws attention to the importance of parallel methods in computational biology and points key advancements to new entrants in the field.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech Regents\u2019 Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/people\/srinivas-aluru\u0022\u003ESrinivas Aluru\u003C\/a\u003E is the recipient of the Charles Babbage Award for 2025. Aluru was awarded for pioneering research contributions that intersect parallel computing and computational biology.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech Regents\u2019 Professor Srinivas Aluru is the recipient of the Charles Babbage Award for 2025. "}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2025-02-14 17:22:17","changed_gmt":"2025-02-14 17:28:03","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-02-14T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-02-14T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676289":{"id":"676289","type":"image","title":"Aluru Babbage Award Head Photo.jpg","body":null,"created":"1739553755","gmt_created":"2025-02-14 17:22:35","changed":"1739553755","gmt_changed":"2025-02-14 17:22:35","alt":"Srinivas Aluru IEEE-CS Charles Babbage Award","file":{"fid":"260044","name":"Aluru Babbage Award Head Photo.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/14\/Aluru%20Babbage%20Award%20Head%20Photo.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/02\/14\/Aluru%20Babbage%20Award%20Head%20Photo.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":93891,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/02\/14\/Aluru%20Babbage%20Award%20Head%20Photo.jpg?itok=ibf8NKff"}}},"media_ids":["676289"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/faculty-wins-award-trailblazing-work-computing-and-biology","title":"Faculty Wins Award for Trailblazing Work in Computing and Biology"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"170447","name":"Institute for Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674493":{"#nid":"674493","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech to Offer Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, New Minor","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe University System of Georgia Board of Regents has approved a new \u003Cstrong\u003ENeuroscience and Neurotechnology\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cstrong\u003EPh.D. Program \u003C\/strong\u003Eat Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe interdisciplinary degree is a joint effort across the Colleges of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESciences\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EComputing\u003C\/a\u003E, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEngineering\u003C\/a\u003E. The program expects to enroll its first graduate students in Fall 2025, pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Institute Curriculum Committee has also approved a new \u003Cstrong\u003EMinor in Neuroscience\u003C\/strong\u003E, set to become available in the Georgia Tech 2024-2025 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/catalog.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECatalog\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EB.S. in Neuroscience\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Ph.D. and Minor offerings build on the recently launched \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/09\/18\/georgia-tech-launch-interdisciplinary-neurosciences-research-program\u0022\u003ENeuro Next Initiative in Research\u003C\/a\u003E, and the established \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuroscience.cos.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EUndergraduate Program in Neuroscience\u003C\/a\u003E, respectively.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApproved by the Board of Regents in 2017, the interdisciplinary \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/undergraduate-studies-neuroscience\u0022\u003EB.S. in Neuroscience\u003C\/a\u003E degree in the College of Sciences enrolled more than 400 undergraduate students in 2022, and has been\u0026nbsp; the fastest growing undergraduate major at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe B.S. in Neuroscience is also key to a strong ecosystem of undergraduate neuroscience education across the state, which includes peer programs at Mercer University, Augusta University, Georgia State University, Agnes Scott College, and Emory University.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPh.D. in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new doctoral degree will provide a path for the rapidly growing pipeline of in-state neuroscience undergraduate students and young alumni \u2014 while also welcoming a wider slate of graduate researchers to campus.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Ph.D. Program\u2019s mission is focused on educating students to advance the field of neuroscience through an interdisciplinary approach, with scientists and engineers of different backgrounds \u2014 ultimately integrating neuroscience research and technological development to study all levels of nervous system function.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBiological Sciences Professor \u003Cstrong\u003ELewis A. Wheaton\u003C\/strong\u003E, who chaired the Ph.D. Program Planning Committee, shares that a cohort model will fuse \u201cexperimental and quantitative skill development, creating opportunities for students to work in science and engineering labs to promote collaborations, while also fostering a program and community that\u2019s unique to the state and against national peer offerings.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExpanding innovation \u2014 and impact\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWheaton explains that the new Ph.D. aims to equip graduates for a wide range of employment opportunities and growing specializations, including computational neuroscience, neurorehabilitation, cultural and social neuroscience, neuroimaging, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, developmental neuroscience, and neurolinguistics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new degree will also help meet the country\u2019s growing demand for a neuro-centric workforce. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for medical scientists (including neuroscientists) tracked around 13% between 2012 and 2022, faster than the average for all tracked occupations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWheaton adds that the program will equip neuroscientists to conduct research that can significantly improve lives.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESeeking students\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Planning Committee anticipates a tentative February 1, 2025 application deadline for Fall 2025 enrollments \u2014 and encourages students with the following interests to learn more and apply in the coming school year:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDeveloping deeper quantitative, computing and\/or engineering skills to make scientific discoveries that support innovations in neuroscience\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA clear, comprehensive understanding of the nervous system at all scales from molecular to systems\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUnderstanding how to use and innovate new tools and approaches to investigate the nervous system at all levels\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBecoming uniquely qualified to translate knowledge across neuroscience and related disciplines to create new knowledge in their professional pursuits\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDirector search\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe participating Colleges will soon conduct a search for a \u003Cstrong\u003Eprogram director\u003C\/strong\u003E, engaging a tenured member of the Georgia Tech faculty to serve as the new program\u2019s administrator. A \u003Cstrong\u003Egraduate program committee\u003C\/strong\u003E composed of five faculty members and mentors across the Colleges of Sciences, Computing, and Engineering, will also be created.\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDuring their April 2024 meeting,\u003C\/strong\u003E Regents also announced \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/04\/17\/board-regents-approves-funding-and-tuition-increases-fiscal-year-2025\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ebudget approvals and tuition changes\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E for Georgia\u0027s 26 member institutions.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Ph.D. Program Planning Committee\u003C\/strong\u003E included the following faculty:\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003ELewis Wheaton (Committee Chair, Biological Sciences)\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003EConstantine Dovrolis (Computer Science)\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003EChristopher Rozell (Electrical and Computer Engineering)\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003EEric Schumacher (Psychology)\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGarrett Stanley (Biomedical Engineering)\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003EDavid Collard (College of Sciences Office of the Dean)\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"The new interdisciplinary Ph.D. is expected to enroll its first graduate students in Fall 2025. Sciences will also offer a new Minor in Neuroscience, beginning Fall 2024. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe new Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology is expected to enroll its first graduate students in Fall 2025. The interdisciplinary degree is a joint effort with the Colleges of Sciences, Computing, and Engineering. Sciences will also offer a new Minor in Neuroscience, beginning Fall 2024.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The new interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology is expected to enroll its first graduate students in Fall 2025. Sciences will also offer a new Minor in Neuroscience, beginning Fall 2024. "}],"uid":"34528","created_gmt":"2024-05-02 19:41:10","changed_gmt":"2025-01-27 19:58:53","author":"jhunt7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-05-02T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-05-02T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673931":{"id":"673931","type":"image","title":"Georgia Tech (Allison Carter)","body":null,"created":"1714680532","gmt_created":"2024-05-02 20:08:52","changed":"1714680532","gmt_changed":"2024-05-02 20:08:52","alt":"Georgia Tech (Allison Carter)","file":{"fid":"257388","name":"Georgia Tech.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/02\/Georgia%20Tech.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/02\/Georgia%20Tech.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2458522,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/02\/Georgia%20Tech.jpg?itok=qlj9ANYs"}}},"media_ids":["673931"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/09\/18\/georgia-tech-launch-interdisciplinary-neurosciences-research-program","title":"Georgia Tech to Launch Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Research Program"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/new-minor-science-mental-health-and-well-being-launches-school-psychology","title":"New Minor in the Science of Mental Health and Well-Being Launches"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/new-georgia-tech-environmental-science-degree-launches","title":"New Georgia Tech Environmental Science Degree Launches "}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"443951","name":"School of Psychology"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"192253","name":"cos-neuro"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPrograms:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPh.D. in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003EContact Professor \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/lewis-wheaton\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ELewis Wheaton\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, Planning Committee Chair\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/academics\/degrees\/bachelors\/neuroscience-bs\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUndergraduate Program in Neuroscience\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/academics\/degrees\/bachelors\/neuroscience-bs\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMinor in Neuroscience\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech Neuro and Neuro Next\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPress Contact:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jess@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDirector of Communications\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences at Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENeuro Next Initiative:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sarahpeterson@gatech.edu \u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESarah Peterson\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EProgram Manager\u003Cbr\u003EGT Neuro\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAudra Davidson\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EResearch Communications Program Manager\u003Cbr\u003ENeuro Next Initiative at Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jess@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"679941":{"#nid":"679941","#data":{"type":"news","title":"From Molecules to Mind: Farzaneh Najafi Receives Multiple Awards for Cognitive Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn psychology and neuroscience research, a host of behaviors fall under the cognitive umbrella: learning, perceiving the environment, storing memories, and making decisions are just a few. Much like binary code underpins complex computational processes, researchers have long been searching for the molecular mechanisms that enable cognition.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/17976\u0022\u003EFarzaneh Najafi\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E(SBS) , recently received multiple awards that will enable her to dig deeper into the molecular origins of cognitive processes, with the help of interdisciplinary teams.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf we want to understand cognition, we really have to start small: at the level of molecules, genes, and the genome, and then work our way up to systems, behavior, and cognition,\u201d says Najafi. \u201cImpactful discoveries happen when people from different disciplines come together and collaborate. That\u2019s how we make real breakthroughs.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETwo of her recent awards stem from the third and final year of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rescorp.org\/scialog\/molecular-basis-of-cognition\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EScialog: Molecular Basis of Cognition\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;initiative. Funded by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rescorp.org\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch Corporation for Science Advancement\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (RCSA), the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rctech.com\/about-us\/foundation\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrederick Gardner Cottrell Foundation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.walderfoundation.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWalder Foundation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, this initiative \u003Ca\u003Ehas provided 48 multidisciplinary teams with more than $2.4 million to advance this area of research.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s exciting that Farzaneh has won not just one, but two team-based Scialog awards,\u201d said SBS School Chair \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/3756\u0022\u003EJeffrey (Todd) Streelman\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cSolving big problems in neuroscience often requires teams, and Farzaneh is well-placed to apply this in her research program.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith additional funding from the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t\u0026amp;source=web\u0026amp;rct=j\u0026amp;opi=89978449\u0026amp;url=https:\/\/www.whitehall.org\/\u0026amp;ved=2ahUKEwjlo5H_9fWKAxXRJNAFHSGqFU4QFnoECAwQAQ\u0026amp;usg=AOvVaw0l-R98tbK3o5VtJkvBd96R\u0022\u003EWhitehall Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chanzuckerberg.com\/\u0022\u003EChan Zuckerberg Initiative,\u003C\/a\u003E Najafi is set to lead several interdisciplinary projects to uncover the role of the cerebellum and neocortex (the brain\u2019s outer layer) across distinct cognitive processes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAt the end of the day, the goal is to develop effective therapeutics,\u201d says Najafi, whose work has long aimed to better understand and treat psychiatric and neurological disorders. \u201cTo develop targeted treatments, we have to\u0026nbsp;identify the molecules that are at the core of these cognitive processes.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDeeper than thought\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThroughout her career, Najafi has focused on how the brain makes and uses predictions to influence learning and behavior, with a particular focus on an area in the back of the brain called the cerebellum.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWithout those predictions, our perceptions and actions would be significantly delayed, which could impact our survival,\u201d explains Najafi. \u201cLearning happens when we update those predictions to better align with the world around us.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENajafi will bring that cerebellar expertise to two collaborative teams with the Scialog initiative.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWorking with researchers from Stanford University and Case Western Reserve University, one of Najafi\u2019s Scialog projects will focus on how sleep deprivation alters the 3D structure of genetic material in different species\u2019 cerebellum\u2014 and investigate potential mechanisms to reverse those changes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHer second project, in collaboration with researchers from University of California San Francisco and Duke University, explores how the brain chemical norepinephrine affects cerebellar activity across species. This research aims to understand the cerebellum\u0027s role in behavioral flexibility and adaptation, revealing how these chemical signals influence various brain functions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWorking across disciplines\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFormed at the October 2024 Scialog meeting, Najafi\u2019s two collaborative teams are part of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rescorp.org\/scialog\u0022\u003Ean RCSA initiative\u003C\/a\u003Ethat unites early career scientists in advancing basic science and developing high-risk, high-reward research projects. The Scialog: Molecular Basis of Cognition initiative, begun in 2022, annually gathered around 50 early career researchers to create collaborative proposals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe best part of the Scialog meeting was connecting with people from all kinds of disciplines. They worked with different species, used a variety of experimental and computational tools, and some attendees came from non-neuroscience backgrounds,\u201d says Najafi. \u201cI had no idea that these were the topics I was going to write about \u2014 they only came about because of the inspiring conversations I had at the meeting. I really loved the experience.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBoth Scialog teams are highly interdisciplinary, with researchers bringing expertise in different techniques and species to the team. Even within her own lab, Najafi attributes impactful research to interdisciplinary teams.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe only way to solve big questions in neuroscience is through an interdisciplinary approach,\u201d says Najafi, who is affiliated with two Interdisciplinary Research Institutes (IRI) at Georgia Tech: the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/bio\u0022\u003EParker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ENeuro Next Initiative\u003C\/a\u003E, a nascent IRI in neuroscience and society. \u201cWhat\u2019s great about Georgia Tech is its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. With these research institutes, the infrastructure is already in place, and they\u0027re actively working to expand it.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe School of Biological Sciences assistant professor has received several awards that will enable interdisciplinary research on the neural mechanisms of cognition.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The School of Biological Sciences assistant professor has received several awards that will enable interdisciplinary research on the neural mechanisms of cognition."}],"uid":"35575","created_gmt":"2025-01-24 17:35:18","changed_gmt":"2025-01-24 17:39:44","author":"adavidson38","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-01-24T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-01-24T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676126":{"id":"676126","type":"image","title":"Farzaneh_Najafi-lab_pic.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFarzaneh Najafi, assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech, conducting research in her lab.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1737740258","gmt_created":"2025-01-24 17:37:38","changed":"1737740258","gmt_changed":"2025-01-24 17:37:38","alt":"Farzaneh Najafi, assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech, conducting research in her lab.","file":{"fid":"259849","name":"Farzaneh_Najafi-lab_pic.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/24\/Farzaneh_Najafi-lab_pic.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/24\/Farzaneh_Najafi-lab_pic.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3427449,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/01\/24\/Farzaneh_Najafi-lab_pic.jpeg?itok=vBC5WB2s"}},"676127":{"id":"676127","type":"image","title":"Farzaneh-Najafi-research-group.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFarzaneh Najafi, who is affiliated with the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience and the Neuro Next Initiative, with her research group.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1737740301","gmt_created":"2025-01-24 17:38:21","changed":"1737740301","gmt_changed":"2025-01-24 17:38:21","alt":"Farzaneh Najafi, who is affiliated with the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience and the Neuro Next Initiative, with her research group.","file":{"fid":"259850","name":"Farzaneh-Najafi-research-group.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/24\/Farzaneh-Najafi-research-group.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/24\/Farzaneh-Najafi-research-group.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3544425,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/01\/24\/Farzaneh-Najafi-research-group.jpeg?itok=ZR-ksUCs"}}},"media_ids":["676126","676127"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/brain-ai-and-back-georgia-tech-hosts-inaugural-computational-cognition-conference","title":"From Brain to AI and Back: Georgia Tech Hosts Inaugural Computational Cognition Conference"},{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-neuroscientists-explore-intersection-music-and-memory","title":"Georgia Tech Neuroscientists Explore the Intersection of Music and Memory"},{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/neuroscience-study-taps-brain-network-patterns-understand-deep-focus-attention","title":"Neuroscience Study Taps Into Brain Network Patterns to Understand Deep Focus, Attention"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"187582","name":"go-ibb"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192253","name":"cos-neuro"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAudra Davidson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EResearch Communications Program Manager\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ENeuro Next Initiative\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"679470":{"#nid":"679470","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Biosensors Could Revolutionize Cancer Detection","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have developed biosensors with advanced sleuthing skills and the technology may revolutionize cancer detection and monitoring.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe tiny detectives can identify key biological markers using logical reasoning inspired by the \u201cAND\u201d function in computers \u2014 like, when you need your username and password to log in. And unlike traditional biosensors comprised of genetic materials \u2014\u0026nbsp;cells, bits of DNA \u2014 these are made of manufactured molecules.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese new biosensors are more precise and simpler to manufacture, reducing the number of false positives and making them more practical for clinical use. And because the sensors are cell-free, there\u2019s a reduced risk for immunogenic side effects.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe think the accuracy and simplicity of our biosensors will lead to accessible, personalized, and effective treatments, ultimately saving lives,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/gabe-kwong\u0022\u003EGabe Kwong\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor and Robert A. Milton Endowed Chair in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, who led the study, published this month in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41565-024-01834-8\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ENature Nanotechnology\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBreaking With Tradition\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers set out to address the limitations in current biosensors for cancer, like the ones designed for CAR-T cells to allow them to recognize tumor cells. These advanced biosensors are made of genetic material, and there is growing interest to reduce the potential for off-target toxicity by using Boolean \u201cAND-gate\u201d computer logic. That means they\u2019re designed to release a signal only when two specific conditions are met.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cTraditionally, these biosensors involve genetic engineering using cell-based systems, which is a complex, time-consuming, and expensive process,\u201d said Kwong.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo, his team developed biosensors made of iron oxide nanoparticles and special molecules called cyclic peptides. Synthesizing nanomaterials and peptides is a simpler, less costly process than genetic engineering, according to Kwong, \u201cwhich means we can likely achieve large-scale, economical production of high-precision biosensors.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUnlocking the AND-gate\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBiosensors detect cancer signals and track treatment progress by turning biological signals into readable outputs for doctors. With AND-gate logic, two distinct inputs are required for an output.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccordingly, the researchers engineered cyclic peptides \u2014 small amino acid chains \u2014 to respond only when they encounter two specific types of enzymes, proteases called granzyme B (secreted by the immune system) and matrix metalloproteinase (from cancer cells). The peptides generate a signal when both proteases are present and active.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThink of a high-security lock that needs two unique keys to open. In this scenario, the peptides are the lock, activating the sensor signal only when cancer is present and being confronted by the immune system.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur peptides allow for greater accuracy in detecting cancer activity,\u201d said the study\u2019s lead author, Anirudh Sivakumar, a postdoctoral researcher in Kwong\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lsi.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ELaboratory for Synthetic Immunity\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cIt\u2019s very specific, which is important for knowing when immune cells are targeting and killing tumor cells.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESuper Specific\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn animal studies, the biosensors successfully distinguished between tumors that responded to a common cancer treatment called immune checkpoint blockade therapy \u2014 ICBT, which enhances the immune system \u2014 from tumors that resisted treatment.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDuring these tests, the sensors also demonstrated their ability to avoid false signals from other, unrelated health issues, such as when the immune system confronted a flu infection in the lungs, away from the tumor.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis level of specificity can be game changing,\u201d Kwong said. \u201cImagine being able to identify which patients are responding to the therapy early in their treatment. That would save time and improve patient outcomes.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe first step toward this simpler, precise form of cancer diagnostics began with an ambitious but humble ($50,000) seed grant from the Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience five years ago for a collaboration between Kwong\u2019s lab and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/finnlab\/\u0022\u003Elab of M.G. Finn\u003C\/a\u003E, professor and chair in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt evolved into a multi-institutional project supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health that included researchers from the University of California-Riverside, as well as Georgia Tech faculty researchers Finn and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/faculty\/Peng-Qiu\u0022\u003EPeng Qiu\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in the Coulter Department.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe progression of the research, from an initial seed grant all the way to animal studies, was very smooth,\u201d Kwong said. \u201cUltimately, a collaborative, multidisciplinary effort turned our early vision into something that could have a great impact in healthcare.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECitation:\u003C\/strong\u003E Anirudh Sivakumar,\u0026nbsp;Hathaichanok Phuengkham,\u0026nbsp;Hitha Rajesh,\u0026nbsp;Quoc D. Mac,\u0026nbsp;Leonard C. Rogers, Aaron D. Silva Trenkle, Swapnil Subhash Bawage,\u0026nbsp;Robert Hincapie,\u0026nbsp;Zhonghan Li,\u0026nbsp;Sofia Vainikos,\u0026nbsp;Inho Lee,\u0026nbsp;Min Xue,\u0026nbsp;Peng Qiu,\u0026nbsp;M. G. Finn, Gabriel A. Kwong. \u201cAND-gated protease-activated nanosensors for programmable detection of anti-tumour immunity.\u201d \u003Cem\u003ENature Nanotechnology\u003C\/em\u003E (January 2025).\u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41565-024-01834-8\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41565-024-01834-8\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;This research was supported in part by National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants 5U01CA265711, 5R01CA237210, 1DP2HD091793, and 5DP1CA280832.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"BME researchers combine precision and simplicity in transforming diagnostic tools."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBME researchers combine precision and simplicity in cell-free biosensors, transforming diagnostic tools.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"BME researchers combine precision and simplicity in cell-free biosensors, transforming diagnostic tools."}],"uid":"28153","created_gmt":"2025-01-13 14:43:32","changed_gmt":"2025-01-13 14:54:09","author":"Jerry Grillo","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-01-13T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-01-13T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675994":{"id":"675994","type":"image","title":"Gabe and Anirudh","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAnirudh Sivakumar (right) and Gabe Kwong led development of new gene-free biosensors for cancer detection. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1736779096","gmt_created":"2025-01-13 14:38:16","changed":"1736780077","gmt_changed":"2025-01-13 14:54:37","alt":"Anirudh Sivakumar (right) and Gabe Kwong led development of new gene-free biosensors for cancer detection.  ","file":{"fid":"259691","name":"Gabe research.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/13\/Gabe%20research.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/01\/13\/Gabe%20research.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3604973,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/01\/13\/Gabe%20research.jpg?itok=Uqf-tUst"}}},"media_ids":["675994"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"385","name":"cancer"},{"id":"9513","name":"Cancer Reserach"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"10454","name":"biosensors"},{"id":"143471","name":"Cancer diagnostics"},{"id":"173581","name":"go-COS"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJerry Grillo\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"679023":{"#nid":"679023","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Special Delivery Nanoparticle Sidesteps the \u2018Middlemen\u2019","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMiddlemen get a bad rap for adding cost and complications to an operation. So, eliminating the go-betweens can reduce expense and simplify a process, increasing efficiency and consumer happiness.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/faculty\/James-Dahlman\u0022\u003EJames Dahlman\u003C\/a\u003E and his research team have been thinking along those same lines for stem cell treatments. They\u2019ve created a technique that eliminates noisome middlemen and could lead to new, less-invasive treatments for blood disorders and genetic diseases. It sidesteps the discomfort and risks of current treatments, making life easier for patients.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis would be an alternative to invasive hematopoietic stem cell therapies \u2014 we could just give you an IV drip,\u201d said Dahlman, McCamish Early Career Professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering. \u201cIt simplifies the process and reduces the risks to patients. That\u2019s why this work is important.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDahlman and a team of investigators from Georgia Tech, Emory University, and the University of California, Davis, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41587-024-02470-2\u0022\u003Epublished their approach in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature Biotechnology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMinding the Parents\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are like parent cells. Residing in the bone marrow, they produce all types of cells needed to sustain the blood and immune systems. Their versatility makes HSCs a valuable therapeutic tool in treating genetic blood diseases, such as sickle cell anemia, immune deficiencies, and some cancers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHSC therapies usually involve extracting cells from the patient\u2019s bone marrow and re-engineering them in a lab. Meanwhile, the patient endures chemotherapy to help prepare their body to receive the modified HSCs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese therapies are effective but also hard on the patients,\u201d Dahlman said. \u201cPatients undergo chemotherapy to wipe out their immune systems so the body will accept the therapeutic cells without a fight. The procedure can be life-threatening. We\u2019re hoping to change that.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHSCs can also be modified directly inside the body. The procedure uses lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to carry genetic instructions to the stem cells. The LNPs have targeting ligands attached \u2014 molecules designed to find specific target cells. Precisely engineering them adds layers of time, complexity, and cost to the process. They are, like extraction from bone marrow and chemotherapy, another middleman.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers wanted something simpler. They found it in a specific nanoparticle called LNP67.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cUnlike other nanoparticle designs, this one doesn\u2019t require a targeting ligand,\u201d Dahlman said. \u201cIt\u2019s chemically simple, which means it\u2019s easier to manufacture and opens the door to eventually scaling production, like mRNA vaccines.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOvercoming the Liver\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe key to LNP67\u2019s success is its ability to dodge the liver, the body\u2019s primary blood filter. Foreign invaders, even helpful invaders delivered through an IV as medicine, can be captured by a healthy liver.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe liver absorbs almost everything,\u201d Dahlman said. \u201cBut, by reducing what it captures by even as little as 10 percent, we can double delivery to other tissues where the nanoparticles and their payloads are needed.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers developed 128 unique nanoparticles, narrowing the list down to 105 LNPs that didn\u2019t have targeting ligands. These were ultimately screened and evaluated for their performance in delivering genetic instructions (in the form of mRNA) effectively and safely.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELNP67 emerged as the best performer thanks to its stealthy design. For example, the surface is designed to repel proteins and other molecules that would mark the LNP for capture by the liver. This feature helped the particles circulate more evenly in the body and reach the HSCs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe achieved low-dose delivery without a target ligand, which is exciting,\u201d Dahlman said. \u201cThis is something we\u2019ve been working toward for years, and I\u2019m very happy we got there.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECitation:\u003C\/strong\u003E Hyejin Kim, Ryan Zenhausern, Kara Gentry, Liming Lian, Sebastian G. Huayamares, Afsane Radmand, David Loughrey, Ananda Podilapu, Marine Z. C. Hatit, Huanzhen Ni, Andrea Li, Aram Shajii, Hannah E. Peck, Keyi Han, Xuanwen Hua, Shu Jia, Michele Martinez, Charles Lee, Philip J. Santangelo, Alice Tarantal, James E. Dahlman. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41587-024-02470-2\u0022\u003ELipid Nanoparticle Study, Nov. 2024\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Cem\u003ENature Biotechnology.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding:\u003C\/strong\u003E This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health grants UL1TR002378, UH3-TR002855, U42 OD027094, and TL1DK136047; National Science Foundation grant 0923395. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of any funding agency.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECompeting Interests:\u003C\/strong\u003E James Dahlman, Marine Z. C. Hatit, and Huanzhen Ni have filed a provisional patent related to this manuscript (US patent application number 63\/632,354).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Researchers demonstrate stem cell treatment without chemotherapy and painful bone marrow procedure"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers develop a lipid nanoparticle that can program stem cells while inside the body, avoiding the need for chemotherapy and bone marrow extraction in stem cell treatments.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers develop nanoparticle that can program stem cells while inside the body, avoiding the need for chemotherapy and bone marrow extraction in stem cell treatments."}],"uid":"28153","created_gmt":"2024-12-21 12:43:16","changed_gmt":"2024-12-21 13:02:54","author":"Jerry Grillo","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-12-21T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-12-21T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675906":{"id":"675906","type":"image","title":"Lipid nanoparticle","body":"\u003Cp\u003ELipid nanoparticles in their element: This computer generated image shows lipid nanoparticles, which are used to transport payloads to targets inside the body.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1734785517","gmt_created":"2024-12-21 12:51:57","changed":"1734785634","gmt_changed":"2024-12-21 12:53:54","alt":"Lipid nanoparticle AI generated image from adobe stock","file":{"fid":"259580","name":"Screen Shot 2024-12-17 at 12.14.01 PM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/21\/Screen%20Shot%202024-12-17%20at%2012.14.01%20PM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/21\/Screen%20Shot%202024-12-17%20at%2012.14.01%20PM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":9829642,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/21\/Screen%20Shot%202024-12-17%20at%2012.14.01%20PM.png?itok=g8m6iQ-v"}}},"media_ids":["675906"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"140","name":"Cancer Research"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"189917","name":"lipid nanoparticles"},{"id":"186748","name":"lipid nanoparticle"},{"id":"169030","name":"stem cell treatment"},{"id":"171013","name":"stem cell therapy"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"182868","name":"blood cells"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJerry Grillo\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678833":{"#nid":"678833","#data":{"type":"news","title":"NSF RAPID Grant to Analyze Plume Chemistry","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOn September 29, 2024, a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/experts\/scientists-atlanta-monitoring-air-conyers-chemical-plume\u0022\u003Echemical plume\u003C\/a\u003E of chlorine- and bromine-containing compounds spread across the Atlanta area. The result of a fire at the BioLab pool chemical manufacturing facility in Conyers, Georgia, the plume impacted communities for several weeks, prompting a stay-at-home order and the temporary evacuation of approximately 17,000 people for the surrounding county.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EProfessor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/huey.eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGreg Huey\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E has been awarded an NSF RAPID grant to\u0026nbsp;unravel the chemical composition of the emission plumes.\u0026nbsp;The grant,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/awardsearch\/showAward?AWD_ID=2509330\u0026amp;HistoricalAwards=false\u0022\u003E\u0022Identification and Measurement of Emissions from the Biolab Incident Impacting the Atlanta Urban Area\u0022\u003C\/a\u003E, will support the analysis of air chemistry data collected during a three-week span that the plume impacted the Atlanta area.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EDuring the incident, Huey\u2019s lab collected real-time air chemistry data in two locations \u2014 at Georgia Tech in Midtown Atlanta, and near the BioLab facility, in Conyers, GA.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHuey, a professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/huey-dr-greg\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;has spent the last fifteen years measuring halogens \u2014 including chlorine and bromine \u2014\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Ein remote locations like Barrow, Alaska. \u201cNormally, there are no halogens detectable in the Atlanta area,\u201d he says. \u201cBut spending the last 15 years making observations in other locations means that we were well-equipped to measure the halogens from the BioLab plume, and untangle some of the plume\u2019s chemistry.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cOur goal is to understand and\u0026nbsp;report what was in the plume, then establish a website and make the data publicly available,\u201d Huey adds. \u201cWe aim to share valuable public knowledge about this incident.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA rapid response\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhen the plume first became visible, Huey recognized the ability to collect data in real-time.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cWe decided to turn our high resolution mass spectrometer on and start sampling air,\u201d he says. This piece of scientific equipment is\u0026nbsp;capable of capturing and identifying chemical signatures, and is\u0026nbsp;sensitive to measuring levels of specific chemicals, such as chlorine and bromine. \u201cWe have a port measure on the roof of our building at Georgia Tech, which allowed us to start observing the first day,\u201d he adds.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHowever, this kind of data collection also depends on wind direction blowing chemicals to different regions, Huey explains.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELeveraging the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u2019 mobile air quality trailer, the team deployed a second mass spectrometer near the BioLab facility in Conyers, Georgia. \u201cThe City was very supportive,\u201d Huey shares. \u201cWe set up the mobile lab in the parking lot of Conyers City Hall with the goal of seeing what we could measure \u2014 and if we were seeing high levels of chlorine.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWith both sites established, Huey says the team was able to simultaneously measure in Conyers and in Midtown Atlanta \u2014 and began to see that the plume was more chemically complex than initially thought.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA proactive approach\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ECollected data in tow, the NSF RAPID grant will support Huey and a graduate student in the analysis of those site readings, including calibration and publication of chemical data \u2014 to be archived to a publicly accessible site; analysis of mass spectra associated with the plumes and identification of chemical compounds; calibration of the species identified, prioritized based on toxicity; and publication of a report on all species detected in the plumes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EData from the project will help inform communities potentially impacted by the plume \u2014 while helping predict the impacts of similar chemical incidents, enabling a better understanding of how to address accidental chemical emissions in the future.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cWe want to have a better idea of what this type of incident can produce for future incidents, and we want to have a better idea of what people may have been exposed to,\u201d Huey says.\u0026nbsp; \u201cWhile we can\u2019t measure and identify everything, this project will help us become better informed for the future.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ENSF AGS Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/awardsearch\/showAward?AWD_ID=2509330\u0026amp;HistoricalAwards=false\u0022\u003E#2509330\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ELed by School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Professor Greg Huey, the NSF RAPID grant is for analyzing air chemistry data collected during a three-week span when a chemical plume impacted the Atlanta area.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Led by School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Professor Greg Huey, the NSF RAPID grant is for analyzing air chemistry data collected during a three-week span when a chemical plume impacted the Atlanta area."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2024-12-11 15:46:57","changed_gmt":"2024-12-18 15:26:40","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-12-11T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-12-11T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675829":{"id":"675829","type":"image","title":"Atlanta, GA","body":null,"created":"1733941920","gmt_created":"2024-12-11 18:32:00","changed":"1733941920","gmt_changed":"2024-12-11 18:32:00","alt":"Atlanta, GA","file":{"fid":"259500","name":"Image.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/11\/Image.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/11\/Image.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":219913,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/11\/Image.jpeg?itok=LWv7kpbQ"}},"675834":{"id":"675834","type":"image","title":"The School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u0027 air quality trailer in Conyers, Georgia (Photo Credit: Greg Huey Research Group)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u0027 air quality trailer in Conyers, Georgia (\u003Cem\u003EPhoto Credit: Greg Huey Research Group\u003C\/em\u003E)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1733952206","gmt_created":"2024-12-11 21:23:26","changed":"1733952206","gmt_changed":"2024-12-11 21:23:26","alt":"The School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u0027 air quality trailer in Conyers, Georgia (Photo Credit: Greg Huey Research Group)","file":{"fid":"259505","name":"eas-trailer - credit dr greg huey research group.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/11\/eas-trailer%20-%20credit%20dr%20greg%20huey%20research%20group.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/11\/eas-trailer%20-%20credit%20dr%20greg%20huey%20research%20group.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":8767237,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/11\/eas-trailer%20-%20credit%20dr%20greg%20huey%20research%20group.jpg?itok=eQtHLI1A"}},"675835":{"id":"675835","type":"image","title":"Mass spectrometry equipment (Photo Credit: Greg Huey Research Group)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMass spectrometry equipment (Photo Credit: Greg Huey Research Group)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1733952206","gmt_created":"2024-12-11 21:23:26","changed":"1733952206","gmt_changed":"2024-12-11 21:23:26","alt":"Mass spectrometry equipment (Photo Credit: Greg Huey Research Group)","file":{"fid":"259506","name":"MS-equipment - credit dr greg huey research group.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/11\/MS-equipment%20-%20credit%20dr%20greg%20huey%20research%20group.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/11\/MS-equipment%20-%20credit%20dr%20greg%20huey%20research%20group.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":6406692,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/11\/MS-equipment%20-%20credit%20dr%20greg%20huey%20research%20group.jpg?itok=TAlNJfv0"}}},"media_ids":["675829","675834","675835"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by Selena Langner\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EContact: \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: jess.hunt@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678971":{"#nid":"678971","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Database Revolutionizes Protein-Lipid Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFrom combating cancer and infections to storing energy, lipid-protein interactions are critical to biological processes in cells. But the mechanisms that drive these interactions have historically been difficult to map and understand.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EA study led by Georgia Tech is showcasing a new resource to help researchers understand the structure and function of these interactions \u2014 called assemblies \u2014 at both molecular and functional levels. The work is published in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature-\u003C\/em\u003Efamily journal\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ECommunications Chemistry\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ECalled BioDolphin \u2014 short for Biological Database of Lipid-Protein Highly Inclusive Interactions \u2014 the resource is the first comprehensive, annotated database of protein-lipid interactions. Integrated into a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.biodolphin.chemistry.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Euser-friendly web server\u003C\/a\u003E, BioDolphin is freely accessible to all. Users can easily view and download interaction data and systematically analyze lipid-protein assemblies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cUnderstanding lipid-protein interactions is crucial in advancing our understanding of human health and disease treatment,\u201d says the study\u2019s corresponding author,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EAndrew McShan\u003C\/strong\u003E. \u201cBioDolphin is the first resource to collect this type of information for\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003Eall\u003C\/em\u003E kinds of proteins, not just those found in membranes. And because it is publicly available, this information is now at the tips of researchers\u2019 fingertips.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s42004-024-01384-z\u0022\u003EBioDolphin as a comprehensive database of lipid\u2013protein binding interactions\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d is led by McShan, an assistant professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech, alongside first author\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ELi-Yen (Zoey) Yang\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bioinformatics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EBioinformatics\u003C\/a\u003E Ph.D. student;\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Computational Science and Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E Assistant Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EYunan Luo\u003C\/strong\u003E; and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EKaike Ping,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ea Ph.D. student at Virginia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDiving into accessible data\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EA curated database with richly annotated information, BioDolphin contains over 127,000 lipid-protein binding interactions. And while most databases of lipid-protein assemblies have focused solely on a specific type of protein \u2014 membrane proteins \u2014 BioDolphin expands beyond that.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cBioDolphin enables us to globally define the structural features of lipid-protein assemblies across the eight different classes of lipid compounds to understand their cellular function and roles in disease,\u201d says McShan, adding that the database also provides information on paired lipid-protein annotation, experimental binding affinities, intermolecular interactions, and atomic structures across a wide range of lipid-protein interactions \u2014 all available to anyone with an internet connection.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA molecular blueprint for research \u2014 and teaching\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cIn the past, this\u0026nbsp;research has been limited because lipids are notoriously difficult to study in the lab,\u201d McShan says.\u0026nbsp;\u0022BioDolphin changes the paradigm. It is the first time that anyone has collected, annotated, and analyzed the known structural universe of lipid-protein interactions across all organisms.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s a rapidly developing field. McShan was recently\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/andrew-mcshan-awarded-curci-grant-cutting-edge-cancer-research\u0022\u003Eawarded a prestigious Curci grant\u003C\/a\u003E for cutting-edge cancer research into lipid-based universal immunotherapies and vaccines.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBeyond research applications,\u0026nbsp;the team hopes that BioDolphin will be a resource for biochemistry students.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThe database can serve as a tool for teachers and students studying these protein-lipid interactions, which is often an underdeveloped topic in biology and biochemistry courses,\u201d McShan says. \u201cI hope that BioDolphin is a valuable resource for the researchers of today \u2014 and that it can also be a building block for the researchers of tomorrow.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EShurl and Kay Curci Foundation, NSF Advanced Cyberinfrastructure Coordination Ecosystem: Services \u0026amp; Support (ACCESS) program, NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), Partnership for an Advanced Computing Environment (PACE) at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and Taiwan Ministry of Education Government Scholarship to Study Abroad program.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDOI:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s42004-024-01384-z\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s42004-024-01384-z\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFrom helping develop immunotherapies to teaching students, a new open-access database called BioDolphin is providing fresh insights on lipid-protein interactions \u2014 a critical component of biochemical research.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"From helping develop immunotherapies to teaching students, a new open-access database called BioDolphin is providing fresh insights on lipid-protein interactions \u2014 a critical component of biochemical research."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2024-12-17 23:21:54","changed_gmt":"2024-12-18 14:16:07","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-12-18T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-12-18T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675882":{"id":"675882","type":"image","title":"Lipids can be powerful tools to help deliver drugs and treatments through their interactions with proteins. (Adobe Stock)","body":"\u003Cp\u003ELipids can be powerful tools to help deliver drugs and treatments through their interactions with proteins.\u0026nbsp;(Adobe Stock)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1734478889","gmt_created":"2024-12-17 23:41:29","changed":"1734478889","gmt_changed":"2024-12-17 23:41:29","alt":"Lipids can be powerful tools to help deliver drugs and treatments through their interactions with proteins. (Adobe Stock)","file":{"fid":"259556","name":"AdobeStock_661699692.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/17\/AdobeStock_661699692.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/17\/AdobeStock_661699692.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1551301,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/17\/AdobeStock_661699692.jpeg?itok=sg4TyWrH"}}},"media_ids":["675882"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/andrew-mcshan-awarded-curci-grant-cutting-edge-cancer-research","title":"Andrew McShan Awarded Curci Grant for Cutting-Edge Cancer Research"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"192250","name":"cos-microbial"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by Selena Langner\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EContact: \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: jess.hunt@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678806":{"#nid":"678806","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Keeping Tabs on RNA Inside of Cells","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/saurabh-sinha-phd\u0022\u003ESaurabh Sinha\u003C\/a\u003E and a multi-institutional team of researchers have created a computational toolkit with the detection power and precision of a spy satellite. But instead of keeping tabs of human traffic on the ground, or infrastructure development in a city, they\u2019re focusing on RNA with unprecedented clarity at the subcellular level.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir intracellular spatial transcriptomic analysis toolkit, or InSTAnT, can analyze cellular data and chart RNA interactions, providing new insights into the molecular processes of life and advancing an evolving field of research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cConventional spatial transcriptomics maps RNA at the tissue level,\u201d said Sinha, professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University. \u201cBut InSTAnT represents a step forward. It provides, for the first time, an analytic technique to fully exploit single-molecule resolution. This means we can explore the intricate architecture, machinery, and activity of cells in ways that were not possible before.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to Georgia Tech and Emory, the team included researchers from from the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/illinois.edu\/\u0022\u003EUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign\u003C\/a\u003E. With Anurendra Kumar, a grad student in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.google.com\/view\/sinhalaboratorygatech\u0022\u003ESinha lab\u003C\/a\u003E, as lead author, they explained their innovative work recently in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-024-49457-w\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESubcellular GPS\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESpatial transcriptomics has enhanced the study of gene expression (how genes regulate cellular functions and behaviors), revealing molecular activity in its natural environment. The aim is to gain a deeper understanding of biology, health, and disease, with the hope of developing targeted treatments.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOne of the biggest challenges in the field was the lack of systematic tools to analyze spatial relationships at the subcellular level,\u201d Sinha said. \u201cWe saw this gap as an opportunity to innovate and solve a problem that was truly spatial in nature.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInSTAnT was designed to work in tandem with imaging-based spatial transcriptomics technologies like MERFISH (Multiplexed Error-Robust Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization, developed by Harvard in 2015), which can observe thousands of RNA molecules inside single cells, gathering detailed information about gene activity.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s like a GPS for tissue, looking all the way down to city street level,\u201d said Sinha. \u201cThe little dots on this GPS aren\u2019t people. They\u2019re RNA molecules called gene transcripts. But we didn\u2019t really know how to make sense of this distribution of molecules in the cytoplasm or the nucleus, or generally within the cell.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInSTAnT translates what MERFISH gathers, using advanced statistical tests and algorithms, analyzing the distribution of RNA molecules that carry genetic information needed for various cell functions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Cities in Our Cells\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf a cell was a busy little city, think of the gene transcripts \u2014 RNA molecules, the dots in Sinha\u2019s GPS scenario \u2014 as workers moving around town, performing their important tasks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;InSTAnT keeps tabs on this activity, investigating where and how these workers interact, and what they might be up to. So, InSTAnT identifies RNA pairs in specific areas, observing molecular interactions that are critical for cellular functions like protein production.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur toolkit provides a level of detail crucial for understanding complex biological processes and how they contribute to diseases,\u201d said Sinha, whose team tested the toolkit on a variety of datasets, including human and mouse cells, and across multiple cell types and brain regions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe expects InSTAnT to transform how researchers study RNA interactions and explore unknown aspects of cellular organization and function.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI think we\u2019ve opened new possibilities for studying how cells coordinate their activities and adapt to challenges,\u201d said Sinha, adding, \u201cand it was a true team effort, with two other PIs from another institution, and a talented Ph.D. student as the lead author. This is a great example of how collaboration and data-driven science can uncover new biological frontiers.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION:\u003C\/strong\u003E Aunrendra Kumar, Alex Schrader, Bhavay Aggarwal, Ali Ebrahimpour Boroojeny, Marisa Asadian, JuYeon Lee, You Jin Song, Sihai Dave Zhao, Hee-Sun Han, Saurabh Sinha. \u201cIntracellular spatial transcriptomic analysis toolkit (InSTAnT),\u201d \u003Cem\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/em\u003E. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-024-49457-w\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-024-49457-w\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFUNDING:\u003C\/strong\u003E This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, grant Nos. R35GM131819, R35GM147420, R21HG013180, and T32- 842 GM136629; Johnson \u0026amp; Johnson (WiSTEM2D Award for Science). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of any funding agency.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Researchers develop spatial transcriptomics toolkit that provides new insights into the molecular processes of life"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers develop spatial transcriptomics toolkit that provides new insights into the molecular processes of life. It\u0027s like a spy satellite that keeps tabs on the workings of RNA inside of cells.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers develop spatial transcriptomics toolkit that provides new insights into the molecular processes of life."}],"uid":"28153","created_gmt":"2024-12-10 19:46:15","changed_gmt":"2024-12-10 19:49:27","author":"Jerry Grillo","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-12-10T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-12-10T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675817":{"id":"675817","type":"image","title":"Sinha research team","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESaurabh Sinha (center) and his collaborators are advancing the field of spatial transcriptomics with development of InSTAnT. Flanking Sinha are trainees from his lab (left to right), Bhavay Aggarwal and lead author of the recently published study, Anurendra Kumar.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1733857850","gmt_created":"2024-12-10 19:10:50","changed":"1733860236","gmt_changed":"2024-12-10 19:50:36","alt":"BME researcher Saraubh Sinha (in foreground) and his grad students, Bhavay Aggarwal and Anurendra Kumar","file":{"fid":"259484","name":"Sinha team.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/10\/Sinha%20team.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/10\/Sinha%20team.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4028966,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/10\/Sinha%20team.jpg?itok=4CqjT5VT"}}},"media_ids":["675817"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"20571","name":"Transcriptomics"},{"id":"194125","name":"spatial transcriptomics"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJerry Grillo\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678802":{"#nid":"678802","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Making a Difference in Global Health","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EKristine Lacek vividly remembers watching news coverage of the West Africa Ebola outbreak while she was in high school. Inspired by the brave scientists investigating the disease, she wrote one of her Georgia Tech application essays about her aspiration to work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and contribute to their mission of preventing, detecting, and responding to disease threats.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELess than 10 years later, her high school dream became a hectic, fast-paced \u2014 and fulfilling \u2014 reality. Armed with an accelerated bachelor\u2019s degree in biology and a master\u2019s degree in bioinformatics from Georgia Tech, the double Jacket started a fellowship at the CDC during a pivotal time in history \u2014 the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cIt was sink or swim for sure,\u201d says Lacek. \u201cKnowing I was working on public health decision-making that could make a lifesaving difference worldwide showed me I had chosen the right path.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EToday, Lacek continues her drive to make a positive global impact as a bioinformatics scientist at the CDC, specializing in influenza and SARS-CoV-2 genomics. Her career has taken her around the world, with time spent in places like Ghana, Oman, Panama, Algeria, India, Thailand, and the Republic of Georgia. She currently lives in Denver, but will return to Georgia Tech to provide the graduation speech at the College of Sciences\u2019 inaugural master\u2019s commencement ceremony this December.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWe recently sat down with Lacek to talk about her career and Georgia Tech experience:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is your favorite memory from Georgia Tech?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELacek\u003C\/strong\u003E: I always enjoyed the Georgia Tech nights at various Atlanta special event locations like the aquarium and Six Flags. When I was in grad school, the grad gala was held at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Halfway through the night, my then-boyfriend-and-now husband looked around and said we should get married here \u2014 and we did!\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat were some of your college activities?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELacek\u003C\/strong\u003E: I worked a lot to fund my way through school. I tutored at the Center for Academic Success and worked as an athletic training aid with the track and field team. I gained research experience in the Exercise Physiology Laboratory as an undergrad and in the Gibson Lab as a grad student. Each summer, I served as the teaching assistant for the Biomolecular Engineering, Science, and Technology (BEST) Study Abroad Program in Lyon, France.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow did Georgia Tech prepare you for success?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELacek:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EThe mix of coursework in my undergraduate and graduate studies was ideal for my career. As an undergrad biology major, I learned key theories and scientific concepts that I still use daily. Studying bioinformatics in grad school, I refined my technical skills in coding, math, and computer science. My two skill sets work well together. Because I understand the molecular side of the interdisciplinary coin, I can better apply technical tools to get the answers I need from the data.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat advice do you have for Georgia Tech students, particularly those looking for a career in bioinformatics?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELacek\u003C\/strong\u003E: Being a fast learner is the best skill you can have, especially as technology continues to rapidly evolve. The things you are learning right now may not be the exact language or application you will use as a young professional, so the ability to learn new products, programs, and schema quickly will make you very valuable.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOn the public health side of things, I think being a really good collaborator and communicator is quintessential for success. One of my biggest regrets is not learning another language. As someone who does a large amount of technical support for other countries and overseas partners, working well with others and good communication is vital.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow do you define bioinformatics?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELacek:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003ETo me, bioinformatics is like a triangle of biology, computer science, and mathematics\/statistics. I\u2019m kind of halfway between the biology and computer science side, focusing a lot on next generation sequencing. I use code and statistical applications to make global health predictions based on the data analytics available.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETell us more about what you do.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELacek\u003C\/strong\u003E: I do a lot of genomic surveillance, which is basically tracking and monitoring genetic material to detect new mutations and variants. Influenza, for example, circulates year-round worldwide, and we are constantly sequencing samples from all over the place to track what the virus currently looks like and project what will happen globally. At the same time, we\u0027re also monitoring for novel outbreaks, with a posture of pandemic preparedness so that if something new and scary pops up, we are already looking for it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow are you making a difference in the world today?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELacek\u003C\/strong\u003E: After the COVID-19 emergency response wound down, I moved my focus to influenza. Over the last two years I have been going around the world to train other ministries of health in bioinformatics and next generation sequencing to do what we do in the United States for respiratory virus surveillance.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EI believe I\u0027ve trained and supported scientists from 89 different countries. Because of this effort, we\u2019ve detected some novel variants, such as a new swine flu in Vietnam. It\u2019s thrilling to know that we are making a worldwide impact by helping countries who don\u2019t always have the technical resources and informatics personnel we enjoy here in the U.S.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat are your hobbies?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELacek\u003C\/strong\u003E: I love to read; I read 106 books last year! I live in Denver, so of course, I enjoy hiking. I recently completed my first 14er (hiking a mountain peak that\u2019s 14,000 feet above sea level). I also love to thrift, cook, and eat out!\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"A Conversation with the College of Sciences Master\u2019s Commencement Speaker Kristine Lacek, BIO 2019, M.S. BI 2020"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFrom tracking viruses like COVID-19 and influenza to training health professionals worldwide, Kristine Lacek, Georgia Tech\u2019s first B.S.\/M.S. bioinformatics master\u2019s graduate, is making a global impact in public health. She will return to Georgia Tech to deliver the keynote speech at the College of Sciences\u2019 inaugural master\u2019s commencement ceremony.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"From tracking viruses like COVID-19 and influenza to training health professionals worldwide, Kristine Lacek, Georgia Tech\u2019s first B.S.\/M.S. bioinformatics master\u2019s graduate, is making a global impact in public health."}],"uid":"36607","created_gmt":"2024-12-10 18:25:53","changed_gmt":"2024-12-10 19:39:05","author":"ls67","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-12-10T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-12-10T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675810":{"id":"675810","type":"image","title":"In her dream career at the CDC, Kristine Lacek, Georgia Tech\u2019s first B.S.\/M.S. bioinformatics master\u2019s graduate, plays a key role in shaping the future of global disease surveillance and response.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIn her dream career at the CDC, Kristine Lacek, Georgia Tech\u2019s first B.S.\/M.S. bioinformatics master\u2019s graduate, plays a key role in shaping the future of global disease surveillance and response.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1733858016","gmt_created":"2024-12-10 19:13:36","changed":"1733858016","gmt_changed":"2024-12-10 19:13:36","alt":"Split screen photo shows a woman in a graduation gown and a woman speaking into a microphone.","file":{"fid":"259475","name":"collage.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/10\/collage_1.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/10\/collage_1.png","mime":"image\/png","size":4253356,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/10\/collage_1.png?itok=lVvy_uee"}}},"media_ids":["675810"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"130","name":"Alumni"},{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"192258","name":"cos-data"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"166882","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWriter: Laura S. Smith\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ECommunications Officer II\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Elaura.smith@cos.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678801":{"#nid":"678801","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Protein Handshake Holds Key to Immune Response","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA firm handshake between proteins on immune cells is important for the body\u2019s ability to fight infection. Meanwhile, a weak grip helps explain the poor immune deficiencies caused by a rare genetic disorder.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA new study led by Georgia Tech and Emory University researcher \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/cheng-zhu\u0022\u003ECheng Zhu\u003C\/a\u003E explores the role of physical force on the immune system\u2019s ability to fight an infection. The team\u2019s discoveries could lead to new therapies that boost immune responses and improve the outcomes of patients battling a rare and devastating disease.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWith this research, we\u2019ve shown how dynamic and physical the immune system truly is,\u201d said Zhu, Regents\u0027 Professor and J. Erskine Love Jr. Chair in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/\u0022\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (BME).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe work focuses on the interaction of B cells and T cells in the body\u2019s immune system via two proteins \u2014 CD40 on B cells and CD40L on T cells \u2014 in an immune deficiency disease called X-linked Hyper IgM syndrome, or X-HIgM. It\u2019s a genetic disorder affecting two out of every million newborn boys, 80% of whom die before the age of 25.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers found mechanical forces generated by these interactions create a \u201ccatch bond\u201d between the proteins. It\u2019s like a strong handshake that only gets firmer when each person tries to pull away.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen the bond is strong, it causes T cells to signal B cells they need to make antibodies to fight an invading pathogen. In fact, the B cells can actually switch gears, producing antibodies that are different from what they had been making.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut people with X-HIgM have damaged CD40L proteins, resulting in weak bonds, poor signaling, and the inability to make the right antibodies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/sciadv.adl5815\u0022\u003Epublished their findings in \u003Cem\u003EScience Advances\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. The work emphasizes the role of mechanotransduction \u2014 the conversion of physical force into chemical activity \u2014 in the immune system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZhu\u2019s fellow principal investigators in the study included Georgia Tech researcher \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/faculty\/Ankur-Singh\u0022\u003EAnkur Singh\u003C\/a\u003E and Juergen Wienands of the University Medical Center G\u00f6ttingen in Germany. Lead authors were BME PhD student Stefano Travaglino and former postdoc Hyun-Kyu Choi (now an assistant professor at Yonsei University in South Korea).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003ETraining Camp for B Cells\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the body\u2019s defense system, B cells are produced in the bone marrow and migrate to a part of the lymph nodes called the germinal center.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s like a training camp where B cells undergo improvement processes, including affinity maturation and antibody class switch, enhancing their ability to make effective antibodies,\u201d Travaglino said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EB cells interact with and receive instructive signals from T cells to make antibodies that are most effective in coping with the pathogen invader. It\u2019s a process that relies heavily on the interaction of CD40 and CD40L.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsing techniques like fluorescence microscopy, the researchers were able to look closely at activity in germinal centers. They used force spectroscopy tools like the biomembrane force probe which revealed that the strong, tugging handshake is suppressed by X-HIgM mutation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe findings suggest that the physical environment and activity within the germinal center is just as important as the chemical signals at play between the proteins. By demonstrating how X-HIgM mutations impair catch bonds, the researchers provided a mechanistic explanation for the condition\u2019s antibody deficiencies \u2014 knowledge that could open the door to future innovations in therapeutic intervention and immunotherapy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESingh called the team\u2019s findings \u201cnothing short of revolutionary.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe significance of the research extends far beyond understanding X-HIgM, offering a fresh perspective on how to approach a variety of immune disorders,\u201d he said. \u201cAs this field of study evolves, the potential for advancements in immune therapies looks bright.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION:\u003C\/strong\u003E Hyun-Kyu Choi, Stefano Travaglino, Matthias M\u00fcnchhalfen, Richard G\u00f6rg, Zhe Zhong, Jintian Lyu, David M. Reyes-Aguilar, J\u00fcrgen Wienands, Ankur Singh, and Cheng Zhu. \u201cMechanotransduction governs CD40 function and underlies X-linked Hyper IgM syndrome,\u201d \u003Cem\u003EScience Advances\u003C\/em\u003E. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/sciadv.adl5815\u0022\u003EDOI: 10.1126\/sciadv.adl5815\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFUNDING:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;This research was supported by National Institutes of Health grants U01CA250040, U01CA280984, R01CA238745, and R01CA266052; The Hyper IgM Foundation AWD-004331; German Research Foundation SFB TRR 274, project A08; National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant RS-2024-00337196; and the Yonsei University Research Fund 2024-22-0036. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of any funding agency.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"BME researchers explore the critical role of mechanical force in rare genetic disorder"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBiomedical engineering researchers explore the role of mechanical force in the immune responses of a rare genetic disorder. Their work focuses on mechanotransduction - or how physical force influences chemical processes.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Biomedical engineering researchers explore the role of mechanical force in the immune responses of a rare genetic disorder."}],"uid":"28153","created_gmt":"2024-12-10 16:46:31","changed_gmt":"2024-12-10 18:08:25","author":"Jerry Grillo","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-12-10T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-12-10T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675803":{"id":"675803","type":"image","title":"Immune Protein interactions","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe research team used advanced microscopy techniques to capture these images of CD40 and CD40L interactions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1733848794","gmt_created":"2024-12-10 16:39:54","changed":"1733848898","gmt_changed":"2024-12-10 16:41:38","alt":"Cd40 and Cd40L interactions","file":{"fid":"259469","name":"CD40 image.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/10\/CD40%20image.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/10\/CD40%20image.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2748962,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/10\/CD40%20image.jpg?itok=oknRnXcT"}},"675804":{"id":"675804","type":"image","title":"Zhu and Singh","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers Cheng Zhu and Ankur Singh\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1733848930","gmt_created":"2024-12-10 16:42:10","changed":"1733849016","gmt_changed":"2024-12-10 16:43:36","alt":"Cheng Zhu and Ankur Singh","file":{"fid":"259470","name":"Zhu and Singh.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/10\/Zhu%20and%20Singh.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/10\/Zhu%20and%20Singh.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":601925,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/10\/Zhu%20and%20Singh.jpg?itok=nnjPm2Dy"}}},"media_ids":["675803","675804"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"8963","name":"biomechanics"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"182426","name":"mechanoimmunology"},{"id":"13419","name":"Mechanotransduction"},{"id":"1895","name":"Immunology"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJerry Grillo\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674511":{"#nid":"674511","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Partners with Children\u2019s Hospital on New Heart Surgery Planning Tool","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECardiologists and surgeons could soon have a new mobile augmented reality (AR) tool to improve collaboration in surgical planning.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EARCollab is an iOS AR application designed for doctors to interact with patient-specific 3D heart models in a shared environment. It is the first surgical planning tool that uses multi-user mobile AR in iOS.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe application\u2019s collaborative feature overcomes limitations in traditional surgical modeling and planning methods. This offers patients better, personalized care from doctors who plan and collaborate with the tool.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers partnered with Children\u2019s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) in ARCollab\u2019s development.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/github.com\/twixupmysleeve\u0022\u003EPratham Mehta\u003C\/a\u003E, a computer science major, led the group\u2019s research.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe have conducted two trips to CHOA for usability evaluations with cardiologists and surgeons. The overall feedback from ARCollab users has been positive,\u201d Mehta said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThey all enjoyed experimenting with it and collaborating with other users. They also felt like it had the potential to be useful in surgical planning.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/2402.05075\u0022\u003EARCollab\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s collaborative environment is the tool\u2019s most novel feature. It allows surgical teams to study and plan together in a virtual workspace, regardless of location.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EARCollab supports a toolbox of features for doctors to inspect and interact with their patients\u0027 AR heart models. With a few finger gestures, users can scale and rotate, \u201cslice\u201d into the model, and modify a slicing plane to view omnidirectional cross-sections of the heart.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDeveloping ARCollab on iOS works twofold. This streamlines deployment and accessibility by making it available on the iOS App Store and Apple devices. Building ARCollab on Apple\u2019s peer-to-peer network framework ensures the functionality of the AR components. It also lessens the learning curve, especially for experienced AR users.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EARCollab overcomes traditional surgical planning practices of using physical heart models. Producing physical models is time-consuming, resource-intensive, and irreversible compared to digital models. It is also difficult for surgical teams to plan together since they are limited to studying a single physical model.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDigital and AR modeling is growing as an alternative to physical models.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2208.10639\u0022\u003ECardiacAR\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;is one such tool the group has already created.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHowever, digital platforms lack multi-user features essential for surgical teams to collaborate during planning. ARCollab\u2019s multi-user workspace progresses the technology\u2019s potential as a mass replacement for physical modeling.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOver the past year and a half, we have been working on incorporating collaboration into our prior work with CardiacAR,\u201d Mehta said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis involved completely changing the codebase, rebuilding the entire app and its features from the ground up in a newer AR framework that was better suited for collaboration and future development.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIts interactive and visualization features, along with its novelty and innovation, led the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/research\/chi-2024\/\u0022\u003EConference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2024)\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;to accept ARCollab for presentation. The conference occurs May 11-16 in Honolulu.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECHI is considered the most prestigious conference for human-computer interaction and one of the top-ranked conferences in computer science.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EM.S. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/harshakaranth.com\/\u0022\u003EHarsha Karanth\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and alumnus\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/alexanderyang.me\/\u0022\u003EAlex Yang\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(CS 2022, M.S. CS 2023) co-authored the paper with Mehta. They study under\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/poloclub.github.io\/\u0022\u003EPolo Chau\u003C\/a\u003E, an associate professor in the School of Computational Science and Engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech group partnered with Timothy Slesnick and Fawwaz Shaw from CHOA on ARCollab\u2019s development.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWorking with the doctors and having them test out versions of our application and give us feedback has been the most important part of the collaboration with CHOA,\u201d Mehta said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese medical professionals are experts in their field. We want to make sure to have features that they want and need, and that would make their job easier.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECardiologists and surgeons could soon have a new mobile augmented reality (AR) tool to improve collaboration in surgical planning.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EARCollab is an iOS AR application designed for doctors to interact with patient-specific 3D heart models in a shared environment. It is the first surgical planning tool that uses multi-user mobile AR in iOS.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe application\u2019s collaborative feature overcomes limitations in traditional surgical modeling and planning methods. This offers patients better, personalized care from doctors who plan and collaborate with the tool.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers partnered with Children\u2019s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) in ARCollab\u2019s development.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Cardiologists and surgeons could soon have a new mobile augmented reality (AR) tool to improve collaboration in surgical planning."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2024-05-06 00:16:54","changed_gmt":"2024-12-09 17:36:57","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-05-06T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-05-06T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673978":{"id":"673978","type":"image","title":"A pediatrician listens to a young patient\u0027s heartbeat with a stethoscope","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAn Adobe Stock image of a pediatrician listening to a young patient\u0027s heartbeat with a stethoscope.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1715354643","gmt_created":"2024-05-10 15:24:03","changed":"1715354643","gmt_changed":"2024-05-10 15:24:03","alt":"A pediatrician listens to a young patient\u0027s heartbeat with a stethoscope.","file":{"fid":"257440","name":"AdobeStock_285408398 (1).jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/10\/AdobeStock_285408398%20%281%29.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/10\/AdobeStock_285408398%20%281%29.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":104275,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/10\/AdobeStock_285408398%20%281%29.jpeg?itok=pgzOyLoe"}},"673948":{"id":"673948","type":"image","title":"ARCollab.png","body":null,"created":"1714954623","gmt_created":"2024-05-06 00:17:03","changed":"1714954623","gmt_changed":"2024-05-06 00:17:03","alt":"CHI 2024 ARCollab","file":{"fid":"257405","name":"ARCollab.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/05\/ARCollab.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/05\/ARCollab.png","mime":"image\/png","size":203974,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/05\/ARCollab.png?itok=uo3me70m"}}},"media_ids":["673978","673948"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/georgia-tech-partners-childrens-hospital-new-heart-surgery-planning-tool","title":"Georgia Tech Partners with Children\u2019s Hospital on New Heart Surgery Planning Tool"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"7846","name":"Georgia Tech Office of the Provost"},{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674733":{"#nid":"674733","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Chatbots Are Poor Multilingual Healthcare Consultants, Study Finds","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers say non-English speakers shouldn\u2019t rely on chatbots like ChatGPT to provide valuable healthcare advice.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA team of researchers from the College of Computing at Georgia Tech has developed a framework for assessing the capabilities of large language models (LLMs).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPh.D. students\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mohit3011.github.io\/\u0022\u003EMohit Chandra\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ahren09.github.io\/\u0022\u003EYiqiao (Ahren) Jin\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;are the co-lead authors of the paper\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/pdf\/2310.13132\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBetter to Ask in English: Cross-Lingual Evaluation of Large Language Models for Healthcare Queries\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E.\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir paper\u2019s findings reveal a gap between LLMs and their ability to answer health-related questions. Chandra and Jin point out\u0026nbsp;the limitations of LLMs for users and developers but also highlight their potential.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir XLingEval framework cautions non-English speakers from using chatbots as alternatives to doctors for advice. However, models can improve by deepening the data pool with multilingual source material such as their proposed XLingHealth benchmark.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFor users, our research supports what ChatGPT\u2019s website already states: chatbots make a lot of mistakes, so we should not rely on them for critical decision-making or for information that requires high accuracy,\u201d Jin said.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSince we observed this language disparity in their performance, LLM developers should focus on improving accuracy, correctness, consistency, and reliability in other languages,\u201d Jin said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsing XLingEval, the researchers found chatbots are less accurate in Spanish, Chinese, and Hindi compared to English. By focusing on correctness, consistency, and verifiability, they discovered:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECorrectness decreased by 18% when the same questions were asked in Spanish, Chinese, and Hindi.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAnswers in non-English were 29% less consistent than their English counterparts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENon-English responses were 13% overall less verifiable.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EXLingHealth contains question-answer pairs that chatbots can reference, which the group hopes will spark improvement within LLMs. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe HealthQA dataset uses specialized healthcare articles from the popular healthcare website\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EPatient\u003C\/em\u003E. It includes 1,134 health-related question-answer pairs as excerpts from original articles.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELiveQA is a second dataset containing 246 question-answer pairs constructed from frequently asked questions (FAQs) platforms associated with the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor drug-related questions, the group built a MedicationQA component. This dataset contains 690 questions extracted from anonymous consumer queries submitted to MedlinePlus. The answers are sourced from medical references, such as MedlinePlus and DailyMed.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn their tests, the researchers asked over 2,000 medical-related questions to ChatGPT-3.5 and MedAlpaca. MedAlpaca is a healthcare question-answer chatbot trained in medical literature. Yet, more than 67% of its responses to non-English questions were irrelevant or contradictory.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe see far worse performance in the case of MedAlpaca than ChatGPT,\u201d Chandra said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe majority of the data for MedAlpaca is in English, so it struggled to answer queries in non-English languages. GPT also struggled, but it performed much better than MedAlpaca because it had some sort of training data in other languages.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPh.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EGaurav Verma\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;and postdoctoral researcher\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/snowood1.github.io\/\u0022\u003EYibo Hu\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;co-authored the paper.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJin and Verma study under\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/faculty.cc.gatech.edu\/~srijan\/\u0022\u003ESrijan Kumar\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in the School of Computational Science and Engineering, and Hu is a postdoc in Kumar\u2019s lab. Chandra is advised by\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMunmun De Choudhury\u003C\/strong\u003E, an associate professor in the\u0026nbsp;School of Interactive Computing.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003EThe team will present their paper at\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www2024.thewebconf.org\/\u0022\u003EThe Web Conference\u003C\/a\u003E, occurring May 13-17 in Singapore. The annual conference focuses on the future direction of the internet. The group\u2019s presentation is a complimentary match, considering the conference\u0027s location.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEnglish and Chinese are the most common languages in Singapore. The group tested Spanish, Chinese, and Hindi because they are the world\u2019s most spoken languages after English. Personal curiosity and background played a part in inspiring the study.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cChatGPT was very popular when it launched in 2022, especially for us computer science students who are always exploring new technology,\u201d said Jin. \u201cNon-native English speakers, like Mohit and I, noticed early on that chatbots underperformed in our native languages.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESchool of Interactive Computing communications officer Nathan Deen and School of Computational Science and Engineering communications officer Bryant Wine contributed to this report.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA team of researchers from the College of Computing at Georgia Tech has developed a framework for assessing the capabilities of large language models (LLMs). Using their XLingEval framework, the researchers found chatbots are less accurate in Spanish, Chinese, and Hindi compared to English, notably lacking correctness, consistency, and verifiability.\u0026nbsp;However, models can improve by deepening the data pool with multilingual source material such as their proposed XLingHealth benchmark.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers found that chatbots are less accurate in Spanish, Chinese, and Hindi compared to English when asked health-related questions. "}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2024-05-15 18:33:19","changed_gmt":"2024-12-09 17:36:57","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-05-15T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-05-15T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674017":{"id":"674017","type":"image","title":"Better to Ask in English.jpg","body":null,"created":"1715798007","gmt_created":"2024-05-15 18:33:27","changed":"1715798007","gmt_changed":"2024-05-15 18:33:27","alt":"The Web Conference 2024","file":{"fid":"257480","name":"Better to Ask in English.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/15\/Better%20to%20Ask%20in%20English.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/15\/Better%20to%20Ask%20in%20English.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":107118,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/15\/Better%20to%20Ask%20in%20English.jpg?itok=2orTn8D2"}},"674018":{"id":"674018","type":"image","title":"The Web Conference.jpg","body":null,"created":"1715798047","gmt_created":"2024-05-15 18:34:07","changed":"1715798047","gmt_changed":"2024-05-15 18:34:07","alt":"Mohit Chandra and Yiqiao (Ahren) Jin ","file":{"fid":"257481","name":"The Web Conference.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/15\/The%20Web%20Conference.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/15\/The%20Web%20Conference.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":49308,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/15\/The%20Web%20Conference.jpg?itok=fWWPrBQP"}},"674027":{"id":"674027","type":"image","title":"Poster.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1715868226","gmt_created":"2024-05-16 14:03:46","changed":"1715868226","gmt_changed":"2024-05-16 14:03:46","alt":"The Web Conference 2024","file":{"fid":"257491","name":"Poster.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/16\/Poster.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/16\/Poster.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":173843,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/16\/Poster.jpeg?itok=o9Jnpk6r"}}},"media_ids":["674017","674018","674027"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/chatbots-are-poor-multilingual-healthcare-consultants-study-finds","title":"Chatbots Are Poor Multilingual Healthcare Consultants, Study Finds"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"7846","name":"Georgia Tech Office of the Provost"},{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"193556","name":"large language models"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENathan Deen, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ndeen6@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Endeen6@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678746":{"#nid":"678746","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Multipurpose Model Enhances Forecasting Across Epidemics, Energy, and Economics","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new machine learning (ML) model from Georgia Tech could protect communities from diseases, better manage electricity consumption in cities, and promote business growth, all at the same time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers from the School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) created the Large Pre-Trained Time-Series Model (LPTM) framework.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2311.11413\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELPTM\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is a single foundational model that completes forecasting tasks across a broad range of domains.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with performing as well or better than models purpose-built for their applications, LPTM requires 40% less data and 50% less training time than current baselines. In some cases, LPTM can be deployed without any training data.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe key to LPTM is that it is pre-trained on datasets from different industries like healthcare, transportation, and energy. The Georgia Tech group created an adaptive segmentation module to make effective use of these vastly different datasets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech researchers will present LPTM in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, at the 2024 Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nips.cc\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENeurIPS 2024\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E). NeurIPS is one of the world\u2019s most prestigious conferences on artificial intelligence (AI) and ML research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe foundational model paradigm started with text and image, but people haven\u2019t explored time-series tasks yet because those were considered too diverse across domains,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/faculty.cc.gatech.edu\/~badityap\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EB. Aditya Prakash\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, one of LPTM\u2019s developers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur work is a pioneer in this new area of exploration where only few attempts have been made so far.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E[\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/research\/neurips-2024\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMICROSITE: Georgia Tech at NeurIPS 2024\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E]\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFoundational models are trained with data from different fields, making them powerful tools when assigned tasks. Foundational models drive GPT, DALL-E, and other popular generative AI platforms used today. LPTM is different though because it is geared toward time-series, not text and image generation. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech researchers trained LPTM on data ranging from epidemics, macroeconomics, power consumption, traffic and transportation, stock markets, and human motion and behavioral datasets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter training, the group pitted LPTM against 17 other models to make forecasts as close to nine real-case benchmarks. LPTM performed the best on five datasets and placed second on the other four.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe nine benchmarks contained data from real-world collections. These included the spread of influenza in the U.S. and Japan, electricity, traffic, and taxi demand in New York, and financial markets.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe competitor models were purpose-built for their fields. While each model performed well on one or two benchmarks closest to its designed purpose, the models ranked in the middle or bottom on others.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn another experiment, the Georgia Tech group tested LPTM against seven baseline models on the same nine benchmarks in zero-shot forecasting tasks. Zero-shot means the model is used out of the box and not given any specific guidance during training. LPTM outperformed every model across all benchmarks in this trial.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELPTM performed consistently as a top-runner on all nine benchmarks, demonstrating the model\u2019s potential to achieve superior forecasting results across multiple applications with less and resources.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur model also goes beyond forecasting and helps accomplish other tasks,\u201d said Prakash, an associate professor in the School of CSE.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cClassification is a useful time-series task that allows us to understand the nature of the time-series and label whether that time-series is something we understand or is new.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne reason traditional models are custom-built to their purpose is that fields differ in reporting frequency and trends.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, epidemic data is often reported weekly and goes through seasonal peaks with occasional outbreaks. Economic data is captured quarterly and typically remains consistent and monotone over time.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELPTM\u2019s adaptive segmentation module allows it to overcome these timing differences across datasets. When LPTM receives a dataset, the module breaks data into segments of different sizes. Then, it scores all possible ways to segment data and chooses the easiest segment from which to learn useful patterns.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELPTM\u2019s performance, enhanced through the innovation of adaptive segmentation, earned the model acceptance to NeurIPS 2024 for presentation. NeurIPS is one of three primary international conferences on high-impact research in AI and ML. NeurIPS 2024 occurs Dec. 10-15.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPh.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.harsha-pk.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHarshavardhan Kamarthi\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E partnered with Prakash, his advisor, on LPTM. The duo are among the 162 Georgia Tech researchers presenting over 80 papers at the conference.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrakash is one of 46 Georgia Tech faculty with research accepted at NeurIPS 2024. Nine School of CSE faculty members, nearly one-third of the body, are authors or co-authors of 17 papers accepted at the conference.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with sharing their research at NeurIPS 2024, Prakash and Kamarthi released an\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/github.com\/AdityaLab\/Samay\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eopen-source library of foundational time-series modules\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E that data scientists can use in their applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGiven the interest in AI from all walks of life, including business, social, and research and development sectors, a lot of work has been done and thousands of strong papers are submitted to the main AI conferences,\u201d Prakash said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAcceptance of our paper speaks to the quality of the work and its potential to advance foundational methodology, and we hope to share that with a larger audience.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new machine learning (ML) model from Georgia Tech could protect communities from diseases, better manage electricity consumption in cities, and promote business growth, all at the same time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers from the School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) created the Large Pre-Trained Time-Series Model (LPTM) framework.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2311.11413\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELPTM\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is a single foundational model that completes forecasting tasks across a broad range of domains.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with performing as well or better than models purpose-built for their applications, LPTM requires 40% less data and 50% less training time than current baselines. In some cases, LPTM can be deployed without any training data.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe key to LPTM is that it is pre-trained on datasets from different industries like healthcare, transportation, and energy. The Georgia Tech group created an adaptive segmentation module to make effective use of these vastly different datasets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech researchers will present LPTM in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, at the 2024 Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nips.cc\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENeurIPS 2024\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E). NeurIPS is one of the world\u2019s most prestigious conferences on artificial intelligence (AI) and ML research.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Large Pre-Trained Time-Series Model (LPTM) framework completes forecasting tasks across a broad range of domains, outperforms current models,  and requires 40% less data and 50% less training time than current baselines."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2024-12-04 12:32:04","changed_gmt":"2024-12-05 20:53:31","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-12-03T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-12-03T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675764":{"id":"675764","type":"image","title":"LPTM Head photo.jpg","body":null,"created":"1733315535","gmt_created":"2024-12-04 12:32:15","changed":"1733315535","gmt_changed":"2024-12-04 12:32:15","alt":"CSE NeurIPS 2024","file":{"fid":"259428","name":"LPTM Head photo.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/04\/LPTM%20Head%20photo.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/04\/LPTM%20Head%20photo.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":138121,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/04\/LPTM%20Head%20photo.jpg?itok=-_oqygAy"}},"675765":{"id":"675765","type":"image","title":"Aditya and Harsha.jpg","body":null,"created":"1733315572","gmt_created":"2024-12-04 12:32:52","changed":"1733315572","gmt_changed":"2024-12-04 12:32:52","alt":"CSE NeurIPS 2024","file":{"fid":"259429","name":"Aditya and Harsha.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/04\/Aditya%20and%20Harsha.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/12\/04\/Aditya%20and%20Harsha.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":54358,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/12\/04\/Aditya%20and%20Harsha.jpg?itok=Dv3sFphr"}}},"media_ids":["675764","675765"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/multipurpose-model-enhances-forecasting-across-epidemics-energy-and-economics","title":"Multipurpose Model Enhances Forecasting Across Epidemics, Energy, and Economics"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"},{"id":"191912","name":"Data Science at GT"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"677935":{"#nid":"677935","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Graduate Students Chosen for ARCS Scholar Awards","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFour Ph.D. candidates from the College of Sciences have been selected as new recipients of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.arcsfoundation.org\/about-arcs-scholars\u0022\u003EAchievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation Scholar Award\u003C\/a\u003E. The award recognizes doctoral students who show exceptional promise in making a significant contribution to the worldwide advancement of science and technology. The new recipients join three returning scholars from the College of Sciences. To view all of the current Georgia Tech ARCS Scholars, visit:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atlanta.arcsfoundation.org\/current-scholars-2024-25\u0022\u003E2024-25 ARCS Atlanta Scholars\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMeet the 2024-25 ARCS Scholars\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlivia Eng\u003C\/strong\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EEng is a Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) Fellow. Her research compares rover and orbital datasets of Mars to increase the spatial resolution of quantitative geologic mapping.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI am excited to receive this award as it validates the importance of my research and my abilities as a scientist,\u201d says Eng.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ENominated by her advisor, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Assistant Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/rivera-hernandez-dr-frances\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrances Rivera-Hern\u00e1ndez\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Eng is also a part of Georgia Tech\u0027s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute and Center for Lunar Environment and Volatile Exploration Research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cAlivia is an exceptional graduate student and planetary scientist,\u201d says Rivera-Hern\u00e1ndez. \u201cHer curiosity, passion, and question-driven approach have sparked multiple new projects at Georgia Tech and led my research group in exciting new directions. Beyond her research, Alivia is deeply committed to community engagement, aiming to inspire future generations to pursue careers in planetary geology. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with her.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMarrissa Izykowicz, \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIzykowicz\u2019s research focuses on synthesizing nanoparticles designed to target and retain anti-cancer drugs in both primary and metastatic tumors of various cancers. Her research tackles the challenge of treating metastatic lesions, which are difficult to target due to their small size and abundance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI am deeply passionate about my work because it addresses an issue that has plagued humanity for centuries,\u201d says Izykowicz. \u201cMy research investigates the\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ecomplexities of metastatic cancer, building on the knowledge of those who came before me to pave the way toward a potential cure.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EShe was nominated for the award by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/mg-finn\u0022\u003EM.G. Finn\u003C\/a\u003E, who serves as a professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the James A. Carlos Family Chair for Pediatric Technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cMarrissa is a wonderful student and colleague\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;always willing to do whatever is needed to advance her studies,\u201d says Finn. \u201cHer research is tremendously exciting, working with collaborator\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EStephen Housley\u003C\/strong\u003E on nanoparticles that can deliver medications directly to cancerous tumors. The project involves chemistry, cell biology, immunology, and analytical biochemistry, and Marrissa does it all with great dedication and expertise.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EZach Mobille, \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/math.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Mathematics\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EMobille is pursuing a Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences, specializing in computational neuroscience.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI am passionate about my research because it sheds light on how the brain\u2019s structure and abilities are related quantitatively,\u201d says Mobille. \u201cIt targets a deeper understanding of how information is processed in networks of neurons, which may influence how computational devices are designed in the future.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EMobille serves as chair of the community impact committee of the Georgia Tech\/Emory Computational Neural-engineering Training Program (CNTP) and is a past recipient of Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;InQuBATE Training grant.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESchool of Mathematics Assistant Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/hannah-choi\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHannah Choi\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, who advises Mobille, states: \u201cZach is driven by curiosity and determined to solve complex research problems. He has consistently impressed me with his creativity and motivation in computational neuroscience. Zach proposes innovative ideas, is never afraid of learning new techniques, and takes initiative in his research. I am thrilled that the ARCS fellowship has recognized his qualities as an independent and creative researcher.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJohn Pederson\u003C\/strong\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPederson uses computer simulations to study chemistry at solid\/liquid interfaces at the molecular scale.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cComputational modeling across length- and time-scales is a powerful technique for gaining insight into chemical and physical processes,\u201d says Pederson. \u201cWith my research, I hope to promote wider adoption of these multi-scale computational techniques to enable the design of cleaner and safer chemical processes.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn addition to his research work, Pederson helped organize and run ComSciCon-ATL 2024, an interdisciplinary science communications conference for Southeast STEM graduate students.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cJohn is an outstanding researcher and problem-solver,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/jesse-mcdaniel\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJessie McDaniel\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u003C\/a\u003E associate professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry who nominated Pederson. \u201dHe has contributed substantially to software and method development efforts that form the core of our group\u2019s work on studying chemical reaction mechanisms in complex environments related to electrochemistry and surface chemistry. John exemplifies excellence in all facets of research, scholarship, and service.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EHighlighting their potential to make significant contributions to science and technology, four College of Sciences Ph.D. candidates have earned the prestigious Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation Scholar Award. The new scholars join three returning College of Sciences ARCS recipients.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Highlighting their potential to make significant contributions to science and technology, four College of Sciences Ph.D. candidates have earned the prestigious Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation Scholar Award."}],"uid":"36607","created_gmt":"2024-10-28 13:48:45","changed_gmt":"2024-12-04 20:55:20","author":"ls67","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-10-28T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-10-28T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675442":{"id":"675442","type":"image","title":"New College of Sciences ARCS Scholars (from left to right): Alivia Eng, Marrissa Izykowicz, Zach Mobille, and John Pederson.","body":"\u003Cp\u003ENew College of Sciences ARCS Scholars (from left to right): Alivia Eng, Marrissa Izykowicz, Zach Mobille, and John Pederson.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1730123358","gmt_created":"2024-10-28 13:49:18","changed":"1730123358","gmt_changed":"2024-10-28 13:49:18","alt":"Four headshots","file":{"fid":"259066","name":"ARCS Scholars.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/28\/ARCS%20Scholars.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/28\/ARCS%20Scholars.png","mime":"image\/png","size":6025244,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/10\/28\/ARCS%20Scholars.png?itok=cyUjwaWY"}}},"media_ids":["675442"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"},{"id":"1279","name":"School of Mathematics"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"140","name":"Cancer Research"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"193157","name":"Student Honors and Achievements"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192259","name":"cos-students"},{"id":"18691","name":"graduate student awards"},{"id":"192252","name":"cos-planetary"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWriter: Laura Smith, College of Sciences\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"676414":{"#nid":"676414","#data":{"type":"news","title":"$3 Million NSF Grant Will Support Training in Sustainable Medical Devices","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researcher\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/w-hong-yeo\u0022\u003EW. Hong Yeo\u003C\/a\u003E has been awarded a $3 million grant to help develop a new generation of engineers and scientists in the field of sustainable medical devices.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe workforce that will emerge from this program will tackle a global challenge through sustainable innovations in device design and manufacturing,\u201d said Yeo, Woodruff Faculty Fellow and associate professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/\u0022\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe funding, from the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/new.nsf.gov\/funding\/opportunities\/us-national-science-foundation-research\u0022\u003ENational Science Foundation (NSF) Research Training (NRT) program\u003C\/a\u003E, will address the environmental impacts resulting from the mass production of medical devices, including the increase in material waste and greenhouse gas emissions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnder Yeo\u2019s leadership, the Georgia Tech team comprises multidisciplinary faculty:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/andres-j-garcia\u0022\u003EAndr\u00e9s Garc\u00eda\u003C\/a\u003E (bioengineering),\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/id.gatech.edu\/people\/hyunjoo-oh\u0022\u003EHyunJoo Oh\u003C\/a\u003E (industrial design and interactive computing),\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/lewis-wheaton\u0022\u003ELewis Wheaton\u003C\/a\u003E (biology), and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/josiah-hester\u0022\u003EJosiah Hester\u003C\/a\u003E (sustainable computing). Together, they\u2019ll train 100 graduate students, including 25 NSF-funded trainees, who will develop reuseable, reliable medical devices for a range of uses.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe plan to educate students on how to develop medical devices using biocompatible and biodegradable materials and green manufacturing processes using low-cost printing technologies,\u201d said Yeo. \u201cThese wearable and implantable devices will enhance disease diagnosis, therapeutics, rehabilitation, and health monitoring.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents in the program will be challenged by a comprehensive, multidisciplinary curriculum, with deep dives into bioengineering, public policy, physiology, industrial design, interactive computing, and medicine. And they\u2019ll get real-world experience through collaborations with clinicians and medical product developers, working to create devices that meet the needs of patients and care providers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech NRT program aims to attract students from various backgrounds, fostering a diverse, inclusive environment in the classroom \u2014 and ultimately in the workforce.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe program will also introduce a new Ph.D. concentration in smart medical devices as part of Georgia Tech\u0027s bioengineering program, and a new M.S. program in the sustainable development of medical devices. Yeo also envisions an academic impact that extends beyond the Tech campus.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u201c\u003C\/strong\u003ECollectively, this NRT program\u0027s curriculum, combining methods from multiple domains, will help establish best practices in many higher education institutions for developing reliable and personalized medical devices for healthcare,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019d like to broaden students\u0027 perspectives, move past the current technology-first mindset, and reflect the needs of patients and healthcare providers through sustainable technological solutions.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researcher W. Hong Yeo has received a $3 million NSF grant to lead a multidisciplinary team in training graduate students to develop sustainable, biocompatible medical devices that address environmental impacts, aiming to establish best practices in higher education for creating reliable and personalized healthcare solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researcher W. Hong Yeo has received a $3 million NSF grant to lead a multidisciplinary team in training graduate students to develop sustainable, biocompatible medical devices that address environmental impacts, aiming to establish best pract"}],"uid":"28153","created_gmt":"2024-08-30 12:39:46","changed_gmt":"2024-12-04 16:25:14","author":"Jerry Grillo","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-08-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-08-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674771":{"id":"674771","type":"image","title":"W. Hong Yeo","body":"\u003Cp\u003EW. Hong Yeo is leading a $3 million \u0026nbsp;NSF research training program to develop a new generation of engineers focused on creating sustainable medical devices.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1725021364","gmt_created":"2024-08-30 12:36:04","changed":"1725021453","gmt_changed":"2024-08-30 12:37:33","alt":"W. Hong Yeo is leading a $3 million  NSF research training program to develop a new generation of engineers focused on creating sustainable medical devices.","file":{"fid":"258332","name":"Yeo.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/08\/30\/Yeo.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/08\/30\/Yeo.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":588968,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/08\/30\/Yeo.jpg?itok=br_cUvwZ"}}},"media_ids":["674771"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"363","name":"NSF"},{"id":"191934","name":"National Science Foundation (NSF)"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"9535","name":"medical device"},{"id":"86321","name":"career training"},{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39451","name":"Electronics and Nanotechnology"},{"id":"39471","name":"Materials"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"},{"id":"39521","name":"Robotics"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"},{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJerry Grillo\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678411":{"#nid":"678411","#data":{"type":"news","title":"A New Carbon-Negative Method to Produce Essential Amino Acids","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAmino acids are essential for nearly every process in the human body. Often referred to as \u2018the building blocks of life,\u2019 they are also critical for commercial\u0026nbsp;use in products ranging from pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements, to cosmetics, animal feed, and industrial chemicals.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAnd while our bodies naturally make amino acids, manufacturing them for commercial use can be costly \u2014 and that process often emits greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide (CO2).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn a landmark study, a team of researchers has created a first-of-its kind methodology for synthesizing amino acids that uses more carbon than it emits. The research also makes strides toward making the system cost-effective and scalable for commercial use.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cTo our knowledge, it\u2019s the first time anyone has synthesized amino acids in a carbon-negative way using this type of biocatalyst,\u201d says lead corresponding author\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/peralta-yahya.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPamela Peralta-Yahya\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, who emphasizes that the system provides a win-win for industry and environment. \u201cCarbon dioxide is readily available, so it is a low-cost feedstock \u2014 and the system has the added bonus of removing a powerful greenhouse gas from the atmosphere, making the synthesis of amino acids environmentally friendly, too.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe study, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/10.1021\/acssynbio.4c00359\u0022\u003ECarbon Negative Synthesis of Amino Acids Using a Cell-Free-Based Biocatalyst,\u003C\/a\u003E\u201d published today in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/journal\/asbcd6\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EACS Synthetic Biology\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, is publicly available. The research was led by Georgia Tech in collaboration with the University of Washington, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and the University of Minnesota.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe Georgia Tech research contingent includes\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EPeralta-Yahya, a professor with joint appointments in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/pamela-peralta-yahya\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ChBE); first author\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EShaafique Chowdhury\u003C\/strong\u003E, a Ph.D. student in ChBE;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ERay Westenberg\u003C\/strong\u003E, a Ph.D student in Bioengineering; and Georgia Tech alum\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EKimberly Wennerholm\u003C\/strong\u003E (B.S. ChBE \u201923).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECostly chemicals\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThere are two key challenges to synthesizing amino acids on a large scale: the cost of materials, and the speed at which the system can generate amino acids.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhile many living systems like cyanobacteria can synthesize amino acids from CO2, the rate at which they do it is too slow to be harnessed for industrial applications, and these systems can only synthesize a limited number of chemicals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ECurrently, most commercial amino acids are made using bioengineered microbes. \u201cThese specially designed organisms convert sugar or plant biomass into fuel and chemicals,\u201d explains first author Chowdhury, \u201cbut valuable food resources are consumed if sugar is used as the feedstock \u2014 and pre-processing plant biomass is costly.\u201d These processes also release CO2 as a byproduct.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EChowdhury says the team was curious \u201cif we could develop a commercially viable system that could use carbon dioxide as a feedstock. We wanted to build a system that could quickly and efficiently convert CO2 into critical amino acids, like glycine and serine.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe team was particularly interested in what could be accomplished by a \u2018cell-free\u2019 system that leveraged some process of a cellular system \u2014 but didn\u2019t actually involve living cells, Peralta-Yahya says, adding that systems using living cells need to use part of their CO2 to fuel their own metabolic processes, including cell growth, and have not yet produced sufficient quantities of amino acids.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cPart of what makes a cell-free system so efficient,\u201d Westenberg explains, \u201cis that it can use cellular enzymes without needing the cells themselves. By generating the enzymes and combining them in the lab, the system can directly convert carbon dioxide into the desired chemicals. Because there are no cells involved, it doesn\u2019t need to use the carbon to support cell growth \u2014 which vastly increases the amount of amino acids the system can produce.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA novel solution\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhile scientists have used cell-free systems before, one of the necessary chemicals, the cell lysate biocatalyst, is extremely costly. For a cell-free system to be economically viable at scale, the team needed to limit the amount of cell lysate the system needed.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAfter creating the ten enzymes necessary for the reaction, the team attempted to dilute the biocatalyst using a technique called \u2018volumetric expansion.\u2019 \u201cWe found that the biocatalyst we used was active even after being diluted 200-fold,\u201d Peralta-Yahya explains. \u201cThis allows us to use significantly less of this high-cost material \u2014 while simultaneously increasing feedstock loading and amino acid output.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s a novel application of a cell-free system, and one with the potential to transform both how amino acids are produced, and the industry\u2019s impact on our changing climate.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThis research provides a pathway for making this method cost-effective and scalable,\u201d Peralta-Yahya says. \u201cThis system might one day be used to make chemicals ranging from aromatics and terpenes, to alcohols and polymers, and all in a way that not only reduces our carbon footprint, but improves it.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFunding: Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research Program.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EDOI: \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/10.1021\/acssynbio.4c00359\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E10.1021\/acssynbio.4c00359\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn a landmark study led by Georgia Tech, researchers demonstrate a first-of-its kind way to synthesize amino acids that uses more carbon than it emits. The research also makes strides toward making the system cost-effective and scalable for commercial use.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"In a landmark study led by Georgia Tech, researchers demonstrate a first-of-its kind way to synthesize amino acids that uses more carbon than it emits."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2024-11-13 16:33:58","changed_gmt":"2024-11-21 17:00:44","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-11-21T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-11-21T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675623":{"id":"675623","type":"image","title":"Glycine, one of the critical amino acids that the system coverts carbon dioxide into. (Image Credit: NASA)","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGlycine, one of the critical amino acids that the system coverts carbon dioxide into. (Image Credit: NASA)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1731515929","gmt_created":"2024-11-13 16:38:49","changed":"1731515929","gmt_changed":"2024-11-13 16:38:49","alt":"Glycine, one of the critical amino acids that the system coverts carbon dioxide into. (Image Credit: NASA)","file":{"fid":"259268","name":"jsc2024e038399~orig.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/13\/jsc2024e038399~orig.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/13\/jsc2024e038399~orig.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":863828,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/11\/13\/jsc2024e038399~orig.jpg?itok=Qpjl97vz"}},"675620":{"id":"675620","type":"image","title":"Professor Pamela Peralta-Yahya","body":"\u003Cp\u003EProfessor Pamela Peralta-Yahya\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1731515691","gmt_created":"2024-11-13 16:34:51","changed":"1770754138","gmt_changed":"2026-02-10 20:08:58","alt":"Professor Pamela Peralta-Yahya","file":{"fid":"259265","name":"Peralta-Yahya_headshot_0.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/13\/Peralta-Yahya_headshot_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/13\/Peralta-Yahya_headshot_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5917331,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/11\/13\/Peralta-Yahya_headshot_0.jpg?itok=ZlbM5Za_"}},"675622":{"id":"675622","type":"image","title":"Ph.D. Student Shaafique Chowdhury, first author of the study.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPh.D. Student Shaafique Chowdhury, first author of the study.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1731515691","gmt_created":"2024-11-13 16:34:51","changed":"1731515691","gmt_changed":"2024-11-13 16:34:51","alt":"Ph.D. Student Shaafique Chowdhury, first author of the study.","file":{"fid":"259267","name":"Chowdhury_0.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/13\/Chowdhury_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/13\/Chowdhury_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":7759023,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/11\/13\/Chowdhury_0.jpg?itok=M2c4BqHk"}},"675621":{"id":"675621","type":"image","title":"Ph.D. Student Ray Westerberg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPh.D. Student Ray Westerberg\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1731515691","gmt_created":"2024-11-13 16:34:51","changed":"1731515691","gmt_changed":"2024-11-13 16:34:51","alt":"Ph.D. Student Ray Westerberg","file":{"fid":"259266","name":"Westenberg_0.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/13\/Westenberg_0.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/13\/Westenberg_0.png","mime":"image\/png","size":20118,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/11\/13\/Westenberg_0.png?itok=0sm1x2SP"}},"675647":{"id":"675647","type":"image","title":"\u201cPart of what makes a cell-free system so efficient,\u201d Westenberg says, \u201cis that it can use cellular enzymes without needing the cells themselves. By generating the enzymes and combining them in the lab, the system can directly convert carbon dioxide into ","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u201cPart of what makes a cell-free system so efficient,\u201d Westenberg says, \u201cis that it can use cellular enzymes without needing the cells themselves. By generating the enzymes and combining them in the lab, the system can directly convert carbon dioxide into the desired chemicals.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1731680456","gmt_created":"2024-11-15 14:20:56","changed":"1731680456","gmt_changed":"2024-11-15 14:20:56","alt":"\u201cPart of what makes a cell-free system so efficient,\u201d Westenberg says, \u201cis that it can use cellular enzymes without needing the cells themselves. By generating the enzymes and combining them in the lab, the system can directly convert carbon dioxide into the desired chemicals.\u201d","file":{"fid":"259295","name":"Peralta-Yahya_Formate to amino acids_TOC.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/15\/Peralta-Yahya_Formate%20to%20amino%20acids_TOC.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/15\/Peralta-Yahya_Formate%20to%20amino%20acids_TOC.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":228824,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/11\/15\/Peralta-Yahya_Formate%20to%20amino%20acids_TOC.jpg?itok=9TrUQQoK"}}},"media_ids":["675623","675620","675622","675621","675647"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192250","name":"cos-microbial"},{"id":"192254","name":"cos-climate"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"188020","name":"go-rbi"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"},{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["sperrin6@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678583":{"#nid":"678583","#data":{"type":"news","title":"LLS Funds Immunoengineers and Cancer Specialists to Tackle Health Disparities","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EA multi-institutional research initiative aims to address lymphoma survival disparities in African American and EBV-infected patients.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA new interdisciplinary initiative with researchers at Georgia Tech, Emory University, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Weill Cornell Medical aims to address the knowledge gap in lymphomas \u2014 particularly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common form of blood cancer. Survival rates for DLBCL are lower among African American patients and those with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is prevalent in Latin America. The team uses immunoengineering tools to facilitate this discovery.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETackling Health Disparities in Lymphoma Treatment\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo address these health disparities, the team combines expertise in cancer biology and immunoengineering. At Georgia Tech, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/7480\u0022\u003EAnkur Singh\u003C\/a\u003E works with oncologists and cancer biologists from partner institutions to create innovative cancer technologies, such as lab-grown, lymph node-mimicking models of DLBDL tumors. Singh is Carl Ring Family Professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/\u0022\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (BME)\u0026nbsp;and directs\u0026nbsp;the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/immunoengineering.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Immunoengineering\u003C\/a\u003E. These models will mimic the tumor environments in lymphoma from African American patients and\u0026nbsp;model specific mutations prevalent in these patients. Researchers will observe how various genetic changes work in concert with the\u0026nbsp;immune system to impact a tumor\u0027s response to treatments.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe want to understand the full makeup of these tumors; not just the cancer cells but the surrounding supportive cells and proteins,\u201d said Singh, who serves as co-investigator for LLS SCOR.\u0026nbsp; \u201cThis study will help us pinpoint which parts of the tumor are critical for its survival and how we can disrupt those mechanisms, including the immune cells.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChallenges for Understanding Tumor Biology in High-Risk Groups\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDiffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common form of blood cancer. While many patients respond well to standard therapies, a significant portion \u2014 including a disproportionate number of African Americans and individuals with EBV-related conditions, experience poorer outcomes. The reasons behind these disparities are still largely unknown. Current barriers include a lack of diverse representation in research studies and a paucity of engineered technologies dedicated to understanding cancers in patients from underrepresented backgrounds.\u003Ca\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Most lymphoma studies don\u0027t include nearly enough African American or Hispanic patients,\u0022 said Jean Koff, lead investigator and associate professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University\u2019s Winship Cancer Institute. \u201cThis means we are likely missing key insights into the unique biology and treatment needs of these populations.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Collaboration Focused on Advancing Lymphoma Research and Care\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis new initiative, funded by The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.lls.org\/research\/specialized-center-research-program-scor\u0022\u003ELeukemia \u0026amp; Lymphoma Society\u0027s Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) Program\u003C\/a\u003E, will analyze a comprehensive collection of DLBCL tumor samples that includes many cases from Black and Hispanic patients. By examining genetic differences and tumor structures, the researchers hope to identify the factors most important for improving therapy for these groups.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis program is groundbreaking because it addresses both biological and structural barriers in treatment, leveraging the\u0026nbsp;latest bioengineered technologies,\u201d Singh noted. \u201cWe\u2019re looking at factors that have been overlooked for too long in cancer research, especially in high-risk communities.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo explore the composition and diversity of cells within tumors of African American patients and better understand how they grow and respond to treatments, the team leverages the expertise of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/node\/5349\u0022\u003EAhmet Coskun\u003C\/a\u003E. Coskun is a Georgia Tech immunoengineer known for his innovative approaches to understanding the immune response to cancer. An assistant professor in BME, Coskun holds the Bernie Marcus Early Career Professorship. He and his team use advanced imaging techniques and engineering principles to analyze tumor microenvironments in unprecedented detail. By examining how different immune cells interact with cancer cells, they hope to uncover the complexities of tumor biology and identify factors that contribute to treatment resistance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis five-year, multi-million-dollar LLS SCOR award is the culmination of years of collaboration among leading researchers in the field of lymphoma. Singh, with colleagues Koff, Coskun, Christopher Flowers at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and\u0026nbsp;Cornell Medicine\u2019s Ari Melnick, Ethel Cesarman, and Leandro Cerchietti, are fostering a partnership in lymphomas and EBV-related cancers, which is instrumental in advancing research on lymphoma treatment health disparities. Their longstanding partnership reflects a commitment to addressing the complex challenges different populations face when battling deadly cancers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022With this unique partnership, leveraging new cancer technologies, biology, and clinical expertise, we hope to make breakthroughs in lymphoma research and begin to address health disparities in lymphoma at multiscale levels,\u201d said Melnick, a co-lead for LLS SCOR and Gebroe Family Professor of Hematology and Oncology\u0026nbsp;at New York\u2019s Weill Cornell Medicine.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe group also played a significant role in organizing, moderating, and presenting at the inaugural conference \u201cHealth Disparities in Hematologic Malignancies: From Genes to Outreach,\u201d held in May 2023 in New York. The conference served as a vital platform for discussing the latest research, sharing best practices, and highlighting the importance of outreach initiatives aimed at improving care for underserved populations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022The research will provide a unique window into the intricate structure of lymphomas and how these complexities influence treatment,\u201d said Flowers, a physician-scientist and division head of\u0026nbsp;Cancer Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. \u201cBy studying lymphoma microenvironments in patient tissues and organoids, we can begin addressing health disparities in lymphoma, identifying why certain populations may respond differently to therapies. No other technology currently provides this level of insight or potential for tailored patient care.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis unique research collaboration is crucial, as understanding tumor heterogeneity can inform the development of more personalized treatment strategies, particularly for underserved communities that often face disparities in cancer care. By integrating engineering with oncology, the team hopes to create more effective therapies tailored to individual patient profiles, ultimately aiming to improve outcomes for all lymphoma patients. This multi-site collaboration aims to fast-track the development of therapies against lymphomas in African Americans and individuals with EBV-related conditions and eventually bring them to clinical trials\u003Ca\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProject Title: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.lls.org\/award\/translating-molecular-profiles-treatment-approaches-target-disparities-lymphoma\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETranslating molecular profiles into treatment approaches to target disparities in lymphoma\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E(Funding and award period: $5 million, October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2029)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA multi-institutional research initiative aims to address lymphoma survival disparities in African American and EBV-infected patients.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A multi-institutional research initiative aims to address lymphoma survival disparities in African American and EBV-infected patients."}],"uid":"36454","created_gmt":"2024-11-21 14:19:08","changed_gmt":"2024-11-21 16:30:41","author":"swilliamson40","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-11-21T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-11-21T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675692":{"id":"675692","type":"image","title":"AnkurKoff.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EJean Louise Koff and Ankur Singh\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1732198779","gmt_created":"2024-11-21 14:19:39","changed":"1732198779","gmt_changed":"2024-11-21 14:19:39","alt":"Jean Louise Koff and Ankur Singh","file":{"fid":"259344","name":"AnkurKoff.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/21\/AnkurKoff.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/21\/AnkurKoff.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":182419,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/11\/21\/AnkurKoff.jpg?itok=ycics0US"}},"675693":{"id":"675693","type":"image","title":"Immunoengineering.jpg","body":null,"created":"1732198838","gmt_created":"2024-11-21 14:20:38","changed":"1732198838","gmt_changed":"2024-11-21 14:20:38","alt":"Immunoengineering","file":{"fid":"259345","name":"Immunoengineering.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/21\/Immunoengineering.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/21\/Immunoengineering.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":189295,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/11\/21\/Immunoengineering.jpg?itok=euHjBY_v"}}},"media_ids":["675692","675693"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBy: Savannah Williamson\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["swilliamson40@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678582":{"#nid":"678582","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Mapping Protein Interactions to Fight Lung Cancer: Coskun Pioneering New Field of Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs Ahmet F. Coskun and his team of researchers continue their mission to create a 3D atlas of the human body, mapping cells and tissues, they\u2019re making discoveries that could lead to better treatments for the most common type of lung cancer.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile they\u2019re at it, they\u2019re pioneering new fields of research, and possibly spinning the work into a new commercial venture.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELast year, Coskun and his team introduced a new study in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/12\/20\/coskun-lab-pioneering-new-field-research-single-cell-spatial-metabolomics\u0022\u003E\u201csingle cell spatial metabolomics,\u201d\u003C\/a\u003E which explores the distribution of small molecules \u2014 metabolites \u2014 within tissues and organs. Now they\u2019re spearheading \u201cspatial interactomics,\u201d a research area concerned with interactions between various biomolecules inside of individual cells.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo study these interactions, they\u2019ve developed an innovative technique, or tool, to better understand why non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC, resists treatment in so many patients. They call it the \u201cintelligent sequential proximity ligation assay,\u201d or iseqPLA.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s a smart test that can look at proteins and how they interact with each other in space,\u201d said Coskun, Bernie Marcus Early Career Professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBasically, we\u2019re the first to create a new research area on spatial protein-protein interactions, which can tell us more about cell types and their functions,\u201d said Coskun. \u201cWith spatial interactomics, we can validate how cells physically touch, sense, and regulate nearby cells through the interaction of pairs of proteins.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo, the immediate goal of spatial interactomics is to investigate how protein-protein interactions drive drug resistance in NSCLC. And iseqPLA allows researchers to visualize how it\u2019s all happening at the subcellular level. Coskun\u2019s team described its work recently in the journal \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41551-024-01271-x\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ENature Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. He\u2019s also forming a company to commercialize the technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESmarter Tools\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDrugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs, like Osimertinib) have been successful in treating people with NSCLC. But many patients who initially respond well to the regimen, eventually develop a resistance. Protein interactions, a molecular kind of crosstalk, are a prime suspect in causing this resistance.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProteins interact with each other all the time, and this mingling controls how cells grow, divide, or survive. Coskun and his team want to see how these interactions change in response to cancer treatment, and iseqPLA shows them, essentially attaching glowing tags to proteins, lighting up their locations and interactions under a microscope.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThink of it like a super detailed map showing how different proteins in a cell are connected,\u201d Coskun said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe iseqPLA can examine 47 protein interactions in a single sample, which saves a lot of time (and resources) when compared to older methods, which look at two to three interactions at a time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers also created a computer model to analyze the spatial data they collected from iseqPLA, identifying patterns in protein interactions to help predict whether a cell was responding to a treatment or developing resistance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe showed that the test works not only in lab-grown cells but also in tissues from mice and humans,\u201d Coskun said. \u201cIt can really help us understand how patients respond to certain treatments.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding a Spatial Omics Market\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGoing forward, Coskun aims to enhance iseqPLA to study interactions among RNA, proteins, and metabolites, as well as the RNA, proteins, metabolites, etc., and other subcellular dynamics. He also hopes to get the technology into the hands of other researchers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe believe it will be a groundbreaking tool,\u201d he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith that in mind, Coskun is planning to form a startup company called SpatAllize. He\u2019s working with VentureLab, the nonprofit organization at Georgia Tech that provides entrepreneurship programs for students and faculty.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are currently performing customer interviews and forming a strategy for a viable plan towards the marketplace,\u201d he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe also plans to expand iseqPLA\u2019s utility into other areas of research, focusing on how protein interactions influence the immune system, the heart, and brain health. His team is also developing a spatial interactomics robot that integrates iseqPLA with advanced imaging and automated deep learning.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis will allow us to map all molecules within cells and tissues for an even better understanding of drug-cell interactions, particularly in cancer treatment planning,\u201d Coskun said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION:\u003C\/strong\u003E Shuangyi Cai, Thomas Hu, Abhijeet Venkataraman, Felix G. Rivera Moctezuma, Efe Ozturk, Nicholas Zhang, Mingshuang Wang, Tatenda Zvidzai, Sandip Das, Adithya Pillai, Frank Schneider, Suresh S. Ramalingam, YouTake Oh, Shi-Yong Sun, and Ahmet F. Coskun. \u201cSpatially resolved subcellular protein\u2013protein interactomics in drug-perturbed lung-cancer cultures and tissues.\u201d \u003Cem\u003ENature Biomedical Engineering.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41551-024-01271-x\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41551-024-01271-x\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFUNDING:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, grant Nos. P50CA217691, P30CA138292, and R33CA291197; and the National Science Foundation, grant No. R35GM151028. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of any funding agency.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECOMPETING INTERESTS:\u003C\/strong\u003E Coskun, Cai, and Hu declare a patent application related to the spatial-signaling interactomics assay (U.S. Provisional 63\/399,427 and U.S. Application No. 18\/452,178).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAhmet Coskun\u2019s team developed new tool for mapping protein interactions in cells to study drug resistance in the most common form of lung cancer and its part of a new research area called \u0022spatial interactomics.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Spatial Interactomics: Mapping Protein Interactions to Fight Lung Cancer Coskun pioneering new research area and building a company around iseqPLA technology "}],"uid":"28153","created_gmt":"2024-11-21 14:15:54","changed_gmt":"2024-11-21 15:13:42","author":"Jerry Grillo","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-11-21T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-11-21T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675691":{"id":"675691","type":"image","title":"Ahmet in lab","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAhmet Coskun\u0027s lab has developed iseqPLA to map protein interactions.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1732198211","gmt_created":"2024-11-21 14:10:11","changed":"1732198270","gmt_changed":"2024-11-21 14:11:10","alt":"Ahmet in lab with iseqPLA","file":{"fid":"259343","name":"ahmet robot4.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/21\/ahmet%20robot4.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/21\/ahmet%20robot4.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3061812,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/11\/21\/ahmet%20robot4.jpg?itok=0DMsSbGA"}},"675690":{"id":"675690","type":"image","title":"Cell activity","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn artistic rendering of sub-cellular activity: The cell membrane is seen at the top, nucleus on the bottom\/right. Protein pairs are being targeted by antibodies (sets of two). Then antibodies are linked to DNA pieces that glow when proteins were found to be closely interacting with each other. The glowing fluorescence DNA signal is then imaged by a microscope indicating the spatial locations of protein interactions as dots, which researchers use to generate graph models. The straight lines connecting the antibody and protein pairs indicate their graph wiring that gets altered in drug resistance. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1732198084","gmt_created":"2024-11-21 14:08:04","changed":"1732198196","gmt_changed":"2024-11-21 14:09:56","alt":"An artistic rendering of sub-cellular activity","file":{"fid":"259342","name":"cell world.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/21\/cell%20world.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/21\/cell%20world.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5629141,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/11\/21\/cell%20world.jpg?itok=mc1snlho"}}},"media_ids":["675691","675690"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"14906","name":"lung cancer"},{"id":"168013","name":"spatial"},{"id":"184359","name":"Omics"},{"id":"14641","name":"protein-protein interactions"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJerry Grillo\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678523":{"#nid":"678523","#data":{"type":"news","title":"College of Sciences Students Earn Walk-on Stamps President\u2019s Scholarships","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThree College of Sciences students with aspirations of making a difference in medicine were selected as recipients of the prestigious \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/stampsps.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStamps President\u2019s Scholarship\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. Though this scholarship is typically given to 40 exceptional incoming first-year students, a select few second- and third-year students are chosen to receive the honor for exemplifying the program\u2019s pillars of scholarship, leadership, progress, and service.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe new Scholars include \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E\/\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/modlangs.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Modern Languages\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Estudent\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ESonali Kaluri,\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;School of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Estudent\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ESeth Kinoshita\u003C\/strong\u003E, and School of Biological Sciences student\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMedina McCowin\u003C\/strong\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAs part of the program, the selected students will receive a full-ride scholarship, special mentoring, and travel opportunities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout the Scholars\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESonali Kaluri\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eis a third-year\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Estudent double majoring in biology and applied languages and intercultural studies (with a concentration in Spanish). Deeply passionate about women\u0027s health, she has researched clinical considerations of treating liver disease in pregnant women and the impact of a virtual lactation program on maternal and infant health outcomes at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EIn her spare time, she volunteers at the Winship Cancer Institute and the March of Dimes and is a member of the Yellow Jacket Fencing Club.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI hope to attend medical school and pursue a career in academic medicine after graduation from Georgia Tech,\u201d says Kaluri. \u201cMy research experience has made me acutely aware of the gaps in medical knowledge regarding the different ways disease processes affect women, and I hope to become an advocate for change through research and clinical practice!\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESeth Kinoshita\u003C\/strong\u003E is a third-year biochemistry major with a minor in health and medical sciences. As an undergraduate research assistant with the Department of Biomedical Engineering, he focuses on a novel drug delivery structure that can be surgically inserted to decrease recovery time and minimize invasiveness for tendon injuries. His work has been published in several academic journals. He serves as an undergraduate research ambassador and a pre-health mentor \u2014\u0026nbsp;and spends his free time with Sympathetic Vibrations, Georgia Tech\u0027s male a cappella group. Kinoshita also works as the medical coordinator for Aurora Day Camp, a camp for children with cancer and their siblings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0022After graduation, I want to pursue an M.D.\/Ph.D. in regenerative orthopedic medicine to bridge my tendon repair research with direct implementation into patients,\u201d says Kinoshita. \u201cI aim to develop innovative treatments that can restore mobility in the extremities and improve the quality of life for patients with musculoskeletal disorders.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMedina McCowin\u003C\/strong\u003E is a third-year biology major researching cancer treatment methods in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sulchek2.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESulchek BioMEMS and Biomechanics Lab\u003C\/a\u003E. She also worked for Lachance Laboratories as an undergraduate researcher, investigating cancer genetics\u003Cstrong\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EActive on campus, she is the biology representative for the Georgia Tech Undergraduate House of Representatives and president of the Georgia Tech Public Health Student Association. McCowin has also held several leadership roles with the Georgia Tech American Medical Student Association.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cIn the future, I hope to pursue an M.D.\/Ph.D. and become a pediatric oncologist and cancer treatment researcher, focusing on improving pediatric cancer treatments,\u201d says McCowin. \u201cWorking in the healthcare field and experiencing personal loss has taught me that empathy and compassion are the most important factors in becoming a doctor. As a doctor, I want to contribute to the advancements of pediatric medicine, but also be dedicated to improving the emotional and mental well-being of my patients and their families.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESonali Kaluri, Seth Kinoshita, and Medina McCowin have been selected as walk-on recipients of the prestigious Stamps President\u0027s Scholarship. Chosen for their academic achievements, leadership, and commitment to service, they will receive full scholarships, mentoring, and unique growth opportunities\u003Cstrong\u003E.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Sonali Kaluri, Seth Kinoshita, and Medina McCowin have been selected as walk-on recipients of the prestigious Stamps President\u0027s Scholarship, recognizing their exceptional academic accomplishments, leadership, and dedication to service."}],"uid":"36607","created_gmt":"2024-11-19 14:48:13","changed_gmt":"2024-11-19 16:42:42","author":"ls67","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-11-19T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-11-19T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675663":{"id":"675663","type":"image","title":"Congratulations to the walk-on Stamps President\u0027s Scholars from the College of Sciences: Sonali Kaluri, Seth Kinoshita, and Medina McCowin.","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECongratulations to the walk-on Stamps President\u0027s Scholars from the College of Sciences: Sonali Kaluri, Seth Kinoshita, and Medina McCowin.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1732027981","gmt_created":"2024-11-19 14:53:01","changed":"1732027981","gmt_changed":"2024-11-19 14:53:01","alt":"Three student headshots","file":{"fid":"259311","name":"Stampsscholars.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/19\/Stampsscholars.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/19\/Stampsscholars.png","mime":"image\/png","size":4760255,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/11\/19\/Stampsscholars.png?itok=ZmfDlsPk"}}},"media_ids":["675663"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/news\/two-college-sciences-students-earn-walk-stamps-presidents-scholarships","title":"Two College of Sciences Students Earn Walk-on Stamps President\u0027s Scholarships"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"193157","name":"Student Honors and Achievements"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"167103","name":"student honors"},{"id":"192259","name":"cos-students"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWriter: Laura S. Smith\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Elaura.smith@cos.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"678391":{"#nid":"678391","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Facundo Fern\u00e1ndez Receives 2024 Anachem Award","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/fernandez\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFacundo Fern\u00e1ndez\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Vasser Woolley Foundation Chair in Bioanalytical Chemistry and Regents\u2019 Professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/chemistry.gatech.edu\/people\/facundo-m-fernandez\u0022\u003ESchool of Chemistry and Biochemistry\u003C\/a\u003E, has been selected as this year\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.anachem.org\/awards\u0022\u003EAnachem Award\u003C\/a\u003E recipient by the Association of Analytical Chemists.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPresented as a part of a symposium arranged and given by former students and colleagues to honor the recipient, the award recognizes an outstanding analytical chemist that has advanced the field through exemplary research, teaching, or other endeavors.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThis award is very significant to me as it is given to the most accomplished scientists in the field of analytical chemistry, including some of my long-time heroes, such as\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EBob Kennedy\u003C\/strong\u003E of the University of Michigan,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ECatherine Fenselau\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eof the University of Maryland and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EScott McLuckey\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eof Purdue University,\u201d says Fern\u00e1ndez.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cAnachem award winners include\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ERosalyn Yallow\u003C\/strong\u003E, who received the Nobel Prize for the development of the radioimmunoassay technique,\u201d he adds. \u201cIt is enormously significant to be recognized by such close peers who appreciate the value of measurement science in general, and analytical chemistry in particular.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFern\u00e1ndez is a noted leader in the field of metabolomics and molecular imaging, where his\u0026nbsp;research encompasses the development of new ionization, imaging, machine learning and ion mobility spectrometry tools for probing composition and structure in complex molecular mixtures.\u0026nbsp;He is the author of over 225 peer-reviewed publications and has received the NSF CAREER award, the CETL\/BP Teaching award, the Ron A. Hites best paper award from the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, and the Beynon award from Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, among others.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe award recognizes an outstanding analytical chemist that has advanced the field through exemplary research, teaching, or other endeavors.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The award recognizes an outstanding analytical chemist that has advanced the field through exemplary research, teaching, or other endeavors."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2024-11-13 15:27:08","changed_gmt":"2024-11-13 15:43:25","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2024-11-13T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-11-13T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675618":{"id":"675618","type":"image","title":"Facundo Fern\u00e1ndez","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFacundo Fern\u00e1ndez\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1731511889","gmt_created":"2024-11-13 15:31:29","changed":"1731511889","gmt_changed":"2024-11-13 15:31:29","alt":"Facundo Fern\u00e1ndez","file":{"fid":"259260","name":"March 2022 cropped.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/13\/March%202022%20cropped_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/11\/13\/March%202022%20cropped_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":97986,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/11\/13\/March%202022%20cropped_0.jpg?itok=z1AJ-Wxu"}}},"media_ids":["675618"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192250","name":"cos-microbial"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["sperrin6@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"677688":{"#nid":"677688","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Brain Change: Ming-fai Fong using CAREER Award to enhance lives through community-driven research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/faculty\/Ming-fai-Fong\u0022\u003EMing-fai Fong\u003C\/a\u003E has always been interested in what she thinks of as the existential struggle embedded in her research; this notion of focusing simultaneously on the science and the people it can impact.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt turns out, the struggle is more like a loop, with the research impacting the people, and the people impacting the direction of the research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u2019m interested in how things work, in the science, in exploring and researching. But I always ask myself, \u2018what or who am I doing this for?\u2019 So, I try my best to stay connected with the community, with the people whose health and wellbeing we\u2019re ultimately working to improve,\u201d said Fong, assistant professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/\u0022\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech and Emory University.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFong\u2019s desire to stay connected to communities through her work manifested while she was an undergraduate mechanical engineering student at M.I.T. She wanted to make assistive devices for individuals with disabilities. So, she moved to northwestern Mexico for a fellowship designing wheelchairs for people who had been impacted by drug violence in the region.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat experience indirectly led her to the Coulter Department, where \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/fong-lab.github.io\/\u0022\u003Ethe Fong lab\u003C\/a\u003E studies how activity and experience shape brain circuits, with the goal of developing treatments for neurological disorders. Currently, her team is investigating the central visual pathway and visual impairments.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd when they aren\u2019t working on research, Fong and the students in her lab volunteer with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cviga.org\/\u0022\u003ECenter for the Visually Impaired\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gablindsports.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Blind Sports Association\u003C\/a\u003E. And whether they are repairing specialized typewriters called Braillers or working with athletes and coaches at a goalball match, those activities are helping to guide the research. It\u2019s all part of the existential loop.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur latest research proposal really grew out of our interactions with the blind and visually impaired community in Atlanta,\u201d said Fong, who recently won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, and will use the funding to support her lab\u2019s study of plasticity \u2014 the ability to adapt and learn \u2014 in the adult brain.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe were inspired by the residual sensory abilities of many people we\u2019ve interacted with,\u201d Fong added. \u201cFor example, some visually impaired people may develop a heightened sense of hearing. Motivated by a lack of accommodations and infrastructure for this community, we want to study how these enhanced sensory capacities emerge in people with irreversible visual impairment.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPlasticity City\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile Fong is referring to a lack of real-world infrastructure suitable for blind and visually impaired people, the concept is an appropriate metaphor when explaining the brain and plasticity.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThink of the brain as a growing city when we\u2019re young, constantly under construction, new infrastructure rapidly emerging everywhere. This is known as the \u201ccritical period.\u201d When we\u2019re children, that\u2019s a period time when the brain is very adaptable and capable of easily learning new things. As our brains age (or the city grows), development slows down \u2014 because neuroplasticity decreases as we get older.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen you experience vision loss, it\u2019s kind of like what happens when a major road closes and the city has to work quickly to find other routes to keep traffic moving. When vision is lost, the flexible brain reconfigures itself to adapt, finding new ways to process information through other senses, like hearing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut it\u2019s a matter of timing, a window of opportunity that Fong and her team want to keep open, if possible.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe want to understand the critical period, and how this reconfiguration process works,\u201d said Fong. \u201cUltimately, we think that by depriving the brain of one sense, like vision, we can reopen the critical period, making the brain more adaptable again, even in adulthood.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo test their ideas, Fong\u2019s team will observe how the brains of mice change when vision is impaired, paying close attention to areas of the brain responsible for hearing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHopefully, we can reveal new ways to help people with sensory impairments by making their brains more adaptable, like they were in childhood,\u201d said Fong, who is quick to point out a common misconception: losing your vision does not automatically improve your audition, or sense of hearing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYes, there are people with vision loss who learn to expertly use echolocation \u2014 making sounds and listening to the echoes \u2014 to navigate their surroundings. But that may be the exception, particularly when thinking of people who lose their vision as adults.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFor every one of those stories, there are 100 others in which someone can\u2019t tell you what direction a sound is coming from,\u201d said Fong.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to studying ways to identify and leverage the critical period of plasticity, Fong will use the CAREER Award to help support her lab\u2019s education initiatives targeting blind and visually impaired youth. With hands-on Brailler repair workshops and multi-sensory teaching tools, the program seeks to create inclusive learning environments for all non-visual learners, while promoting broader diversity in STEM fields.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond the lab and the research, Fong is considering her initial motivation for the work, \u201cthe lack of inclusive infrastructure for individuals with disabilities. One long term goal we have is to provide a neuro-scientific basis for advocating for improved accommodations,\u201d she said. \u201cIf our work can help make it possible for this remarkable community to participate in and contribute to society more broadly, that would be huge.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMing-fai Fong, assistant professor at Georgia Tech and Emory, researches brain plasticity and its role in adapting to vision loss. Her work, informed by community outreach with the visually impaired, aims to develop treatments for neurological disorders and advocate for inclusive infrastructure.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Ming-fai Fong, assistant professor at Georgia Tech and Emory, researches brain plasticity and its role in adapting to vision loss."}],"uid":"28153","created_gmt":"2024-10-17 14:22:33","changed_gmt":"2024-10-29 15:40:25","author":"Jerry Grillo","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-10-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-10-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675340":{"id":"675340","type":"image","title":"Ming-fai Fong in lab","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen we lose one sense, like vision, do our other senses get stronger? Ming-fai Fong is using her NSF CAREER Award to find out. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Photo by Jerry Grillo\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1729174508","gmt_created":"2024-10-17 14:15:08","changed":"1729174620","gmt_changed":"2024-10-17 14:17:00","alt":"Ming-fai Fong, BME researcher","file":{"fid":"258951","name":"Ming in lab.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/17\/Ming%20in%20lab.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/17\/Ming%20in%20lab.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2617818,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/10\/17\/Ming%20in%20lab.jpg?itok=NIx3zm2O"}}},"media_ids":["675340"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194034","name":"brain plasticity"},{"id":"173478","name":"neural plasticity"},{"id":"194035","name":"visual impairment"},{"id":"194036","name":"blindness"},{"id":"1912","name":"brain"},{"id":"187320","name":"brain activity"},{"id":"11322","name":"brain adaptation"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJerry Grillo\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"677366":{"#nid":"677366","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Unlocking the Brain: Using Microbubbles and Ultrasound for Drug Delivery","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe brain is a stronghold, the central command center for the body, protected by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This network of blood vessels and tissues acts as a biological gatekeeper, a selective filter that prevents harmful substances in the bloodstream from entering the brain\u2019s complex ecosystem.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s protection that comes at a cost. While the BBB lets some things in \u2014 like water, oxygen, general anesthetics made of very small molecules \u2014 it also prevents many vital therapeutics from reaching the brain, limiting the treatment options for neurological problems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut a multinational team of researchers led by Georgia Tech biomedical engineer\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/costas-arvanitis\u0022\u003ECostas Arvanitis\u003C\/a\u003E is tackling the challenge with a technique that combines microbubbles \u2014 tiny gas-filled spheres \u2014 and ultrasound technology. Their innovative approach aims to temporarily open the BBB, allowing drugs or immune cells in to take on the fight against disease, offering therapeutic hope for patients battling conditions like brain cancer or Alzheimer\u2019s disease.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe found that microbubble-enhanced ultrasound, an emerging technology that offers a noninvasive way to temporarily open the blood-brain barrier, allows blood-borne therapeutics to reach the brain,\u201d said Arvanitis, associate professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/\u0022\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe technique can potentially be fine-tuned to establish windows of opportunity to target brain diseases, he added. Costas and his collaborators\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-024-52329-y\u0022\u003Edescribe their work in a recent edition of \u003Cem\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBouncing Bubbles\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMicrobubbles, smaller than the diameter of human hair, have shells made of a lipid or protein. In healthcare, they\u2019re often used to help enhance visibility in ultrasound, acting as contrast agents, illuminating details inside the body.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUltrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images. When microbubbles are exposed to focused ultrasound waves, they rapidly expand and contract. This gentle mechanical force shakes the protective barrier surrounding the brain, creating small openings for aid to pass through.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDespite their simple structure, microbubbles have complex behaviors,\u201d Arvanitis said. \u201cThey can resonate at specific frequencies, allowing us to manipulate their oscillations to enhance permeability at the blood-brain barrier. And their behavior also depends on their size and shell composition.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor instance, microbubbles with elastic shells are more effective in increasing the permeability of the BBB. In their research, Arvanitis and his collaborators noted a 12-fold increase in drug delivery effectiveness using elastic-shelled (lipid-based) microbubbles.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMath Before Mice\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers conducted studies using mice but began with a mathematical model to simulate microbubble dynamics in brain vessels. They identified a resonant frequency that enhances microbubble movement and explored the correlation between frequency, bubble dynamics, and inflammatory responses in the brain.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir model and later experiments showed that specific ultrasound frequencies can enhance immune cell movement and increase drug accumulation in brain tumors. They also found that higher ultrasound frequencies, while effective in opening the BBB, were also accompanied by increased expression of inflammatory markers on the endothelia cells of the BBB \u2014 an important finding, as excessive inflammation can lead to further complications in patients with neurological disorders.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022By understanding and controlling the frequency dynamics of microbubbles, we can create a system that maximizes drug delivery efficacy,\u201d Arvanitis said. \u201cOur findings suggest that using lower frequencies may be beneficial for delivering therapeutics while reducing inflammation, which can be crucial for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer\u0027s and Parkinson\u0027s.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe research has implications that could extend beyond drug delivery, paving the way for new diagnostic techniques. Using ultrasound to open the BBB could allow clinicians to gather important information directly from the brain, improving diagnostic techniques, like ultrasound-enhanced biopsies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe scientific principles established by our work not only enhance our ability to develop safer and more effective treatments for brain diseases, but also lays the groundwork for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies within and beyond the brain,\u201d said Arvanitis, whose team included graduate students from his lab as well as researchers from the University of California (San Francisco), Stanford, and the University of Edinburgh.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe added, \u201cThe dynamics of microbubbles interacting with blood vessels could have important implications in other areas of medicine that we haven\u2019t yet explored.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION:\u003C\/strong\u003E Yutong Guo, Hohyun Lee, Chulyong Kim, Christian Park, Akane Yamamichi, Pavlina Chuntova, Marco Gallus, Miguel Bernabeu, Hideho Okada, Hanjoong Jo, Costas Arvanitis.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-024-52329-y\u0022\u003E\u201cUltrasound frequency-controlled microbubble dynamics in brain vessels regulate the enrichment of inflammatory pathways in the blood-brain barrier.\u201d\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E Nature Communications \u0026nbsp;doi.org\/10.1038\/s41467-024-52329-y\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFUNDING:\u003C\/strong\u003E This study was supported by NIH grants R37 CA239039, R01CA273878, R35NS105068, HL119798, HL139757, HL151358, and T32HL166146. This study was also supported by the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Ians Friends Foundation, and the German Research Foundation, and the Leducq Foundation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EResearchers led by Costas Arvanitis at Georgia Tech have developed a method using microbubbles and ultrasound to temporarily open the blood-brain barrier (BBB), enhancing drug delivery to the brain. This breakthrough could improve treatments for brain cancer, Alzheimer\u0027s, and more, by safely targeting the BBB.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers led by Costas Arvanitis at Georgia Tech have developed a method using microbubbles and ultrasound to temporarily open the blood-brain barrier (BBB), enhancing drug delivery to the brain"}],"uid":"28153","created_gmt":"2024-10-08 13:50:22","changed_gmt":"2024-10-23 14:36:57","author":"Jerry Grillo","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-10-08T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-10-08T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675241":{"id":"675241","type":"image","title":"Costas Arvanitis","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECostas Arvanitis is developing a method using microbubbles and ultrasound to breach the blood-brain barrier. \u2014 Photo by Jerry Grillo\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1728395115","gmt_created":"2024-10-08 13:45:15","changed":"1728395197","gmt_changed":"2024-10-08 13:46:37","alt":"Costas Arvanitis BME researcher","file":{"fid":"258843","name":"Costas Lab.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/08\/Costas%20Lab.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/08\/Costas%20Lab.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":7213847,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/10\/08\/Costas%20Lab.jpg?itok=Jo_fxvYz"}}},"media_ids":["675241"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"193999","name":"microbubbles"},{"id":"7677","name":"ultrasound"},{"id":"7615","name":"ultrasound drug delivery pharmaceutical therapy"},{"id":"178946","name":"blood-brain barrier"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"677707":{"#nid":"677707","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Faculty Pluses School\u2019s Expertise in Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETwo new assistant professors joined the School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) faculty this fall.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lumimim.github.io\/\u0022\u003ELu Mi\u003C\/a\u003E comes to Georgia Tech from the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle, where she was a Shanahan Foundation Fellow.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe sat down with Mi to learn more about her background and to introduce her to the Georgia Tech and College of Computing communities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFaculty:\u003C\/strong\u003E Lu Mi, assistant professor, School of CSE\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch Interests:\u003C\/strong\u003E Computational Neuroscience, Machine Learning\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEducation:\u003C\/strong\u003E Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; B.S. in Measurement, Control, and Instruments from Tsinghua University\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHometown:\u003C\/strong\u003E Sichuan, China (home of the giant pandas)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow have your first few months at Georgia Tech gone so far?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI\u2019ve really enjoyed my time at Georgia Tech. Developing a new course has been both challenging and rewarding. I\u2019ve learned a lot from the process and conversations with students. My colleagues have been incredibly welcoming, and I\u2019ve had the opportunity to work with some very smart and motivated students here at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYou hit the ground running this year by teaching your CSE 8803 course on brain-inspired machine intelligence. What important concepts do you teach in this class?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis course focuses on comparing biological neural networks with artificial neural networks. We explore questions like: How does the brain encode information, perform computations, and learn? What can neuroscience and artificial intelligence (AI) learn from each other? Key topics include spiking neural networks, neural coding, and biologically plausible learning rules. By the end of the course, I expect students to have a solid understanding of neural algorithms and the emerging NeuroAI field.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhen and how did you become interested in computational neuroscience in the first place?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI\u2019ve been fascinated by how the brain works since I was young. My formal engagement with the field began during my Ph.D. research, where we developed algorithms to help neuroscientists map large-scale synaptic wiring diagrams in the brain. Since then, I\u2019ve had the opportunity to collaborate with researchers at institutions like Harvard, the Janelia Research Campus, the Allen Institute for Brain Science, and the University of Washington on various exciting projects in this field.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat about your experience and research are you currently most proud of?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI\u2019m particularly proud of the framework we developed to integrate black-box machine learning models with biologically realistic mechanistic models. We use advanced deep-learning techniques to infer unobserved information and combine this with prior knowledge from mechanistic models. This allows us to test hypotheses by applying different model variants. I believe this framework holds great potential to address a wide range of scientific questions, leveraging the power of AI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat about Georgia Tech convinced you to accept a faculty position?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech CSE felt like a perfect fit for my background and research interests, particularly within the AI4Science initiative and the development of computational tools for biology and neuroscience. My work overlaps with several colleagues here, and I\u2019m excited to collaborate with them. Georgia Tech also has a vibrant and impactful \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ENeuro Next Initiative\u003C\/a\u003E community, which is another great attraction.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat are your hobbies and interests when not researching and teaching?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI enjoy photography and love spending time with my two corgi dogs, especially taking them for walks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat have you enjoyed most so far about living in Atlanta?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI\u2019ve really appreciated the peaceful, green environment with so many trees. I\u2019m also looking forward to exploring more outdoor activities, like fishing and golfing.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETwo new assistant professors joined the School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) faculty this fall.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lumimim.github.io\/\u0022\u003ELu Mi\u003C\/a\u003E comes to Georgia Tech from the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle, where she was a Shanahan Foundation Fellow.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe sat down with Mi to learn more about her background and to introduce her to the Georgia Tech and College of Computing communities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Two new assistant professors joined the School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) faculty this fall. Lu Mi comes to Georgia Tech from the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle, where she was a Shanahan Foundation Fellow. "}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2024-10-17 19:00:39","changed_gmt":"2024-10-17 19:06:02","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-10-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-10-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675349":{"id":"675349","type":"image","title":"Story Cover.jpg","body":null,"created":"1729191699","gmt_created":"2024-10-17 19:01:39","changed":"1729191699","gmt_changed":"2024-10-17 19:01:39","alt":"New CSE Faculty Lu Mi","file":{"fid":"258962","name":"Story Cover.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/17\/Story%20Cover.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/17\/Story%20Cover.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":68737,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/10\/17\/Story%20Cover.jpg?itok=EU-819PB"}}},"media_ids":["675349"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/new-faculty-pluses-schools-expertise-neuroscience-and-artificial-intelligence","title":"New Faculty Pluses School\u2019s Expertise in Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"}],"keywords":[{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"172288","name":"School of Computational Science Engineering"},{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"677620":{"#nid":"677620","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Heart Doctors Describe New Collaborative Planning Tool as \u2018Extremely Beneficial\u2019","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new surgery planning tool powered by augmented reality (AR) is in development for doctors who need closer collaboration when planning heart operations. Promising results from a recent usability test have moved the platform one step closer to everyday use in hospitals worldwide.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers partnered with medical experts from Children\u2019s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) to develop and test\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/05\/06\/georgia-tech-partners-childrens-hospital-new-heart-surgery-planning-tool\u0022\u003EARCollab\u003C\/a\u003E. The iOS-based app leverages advanced AR technologies to let doctors collaborate together and interact with a patient\u2019s 3D heart model when planning surgeries.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2408.03249\u0022\u003Eusability evaluation\u003C\/a\u003E demonstrates the app\u2019s effectiveness, finding that ARCollab is easy to use and understand, fosters collaboration, and improves surgical planning.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis tool is a step toward easier collaborative surgical planning. ARCollab could reduce the reliance on physical heart models, saving hours and even days of time while maintaining the collaborative nature of surgical planning,\u201d said M.S. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/pratham2903\/\u0022\u003EPratham Mehta\u003C\/a\u003E, the app\u2019s lead researcher.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNot only can it benefit doctors when planning for surgery, it may also serve as a teaching tool to explain heart deformities and problems to patients.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETwo cardiologists and three cardiothoracic surgeons from CHOA tested ARCollab. The two-day study ended with the doctors taking a 14-question survey assessing the app\u2019s usability. The survey also solicited general feedback and top features.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech group determined from the open-ended feedback that:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EARCollab enables new collaboration capabilities that are easy to use and facilitate surgical planning.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAnchoring the model to a physical space is important for better interaction.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPortability and real-time interaction are crucial for collaborative surgical planning.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsers rated each of the 14 questions on a 7-point Likert scale, with one being \u201cstrongly disagree\u201d and seven being \u201cstrongly agree.\u201d The 14 questions were organized into five categories: overall, multi-user, model viewing, model slicing, and saving and loading models.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe multi-user category attained the highest rating with an average of 6.65. This included a unanimous 7.0 rating that it was easy to identify who was controlling the heart model in ARCollab. The scores also showed it was easy for users to connect with devices, switch between viewing and slicing, and view other users\u2019 interactions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe model slicing category received the lowest, but formidable, average of 5.5. These questions assessed ease of use and understanding of finger gestures and usefulness to toggle slice direction.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBased on feedback, the researchers will explore adding support for remote collaboration. This would assist doctors in collaborating when not in a shared physical space. Another improvement is extending the save feature to support multiple states.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe surgeons and cardiologists found it extremely beneficial for multiple people to be able to view the model and collaboratively interact with it in real-time,\u201d Mehta said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe user study took place in a CHOA classroom. CHOA also provided a 3D heart model for the test using anonymous medical imaging data. Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/oria.gatech.edu\/irb\u0022\u003EInstitutional Review Board (IRB)\u003C\/a\u003E approved the study and the group collected data in accordance with Institute policies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe five test participants regularly perform cardiovascular surgical procedures and are employed by CHOA.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech group provided each participant with an iPad Pro with the latest iOS version and the ARCollab app installed. Using commercial devices and software meets the group\u2019s intentions to make the tool universally available and deployable.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe plan to continue iterating ARCollab based on the feedback from the users,\u201d Mehta said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe participants suggested the addition of a \u2018distance collaboration\u2019 mode, enabling doctors to collaborate even if they are not in the same physical environment. This allows them to facilitate surgical planning sessions from home or otherwise.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech researchers are presenting ARCollab and the user study results at\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ieeevis.org\/year\/2024\/welcome\u0022\u003EIEEE VIS 2024\u003C\/a\u003E, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) visualization conference.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIEEE VIS is the world\u2019s most prestigious conference for visualization research and the second-highest rated conference for computer graphics. It takes place virtually Oct. 13-18, moved from its venue in St. Pete Beach, Florida, due to Hurricane Milton.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe ARCollab research group\u0027s presentation at IEEE VIS comes months after they shared their work at the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/research\/chi-2024\/\u0022\u003ECHI 2024\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUndergraduate student\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/rahul-ozhur-narayanan-0899a8217\/\u0022\u003ERahul Narayanan\u003C\/a\u003E and alumni\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/harshakaranth.com\/\u0022\u003EHarsha Karanth\u003C\/a\u003E (M.S. CS 2024) and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/alexanderyang.me\/\u0022\u003EHaoyang (Alex) Yang\u003C\/a\u003E (CS 2022, M.S. CS 2023) co-authored the paper with Mehta. They study under\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/poloclub.github.io\/\u0022\u003EPolo Chau\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in the School of Computational Science and Engineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech group partnered with Dr. \u003Cstrong\u003ETimothy Slesnick\u003C\/strong\u003E and Dr. \u003Cstrong\u003EFawwaz Shaw\u003C\/strong\u003E from CHOA on ARCollab\u2019s development and user testing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022I\u0027m grateful for these opportunities since I get to showcase the team\u0027s hard work,\u0022 Mehta said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI can meet other like-minded researchers and students who share these interests in visualization and human-computer interaction. There is no better form of learning.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new surgery planning tool powered by augmented reality (AR) is in development for doctors in need of better collaboration when planning heart operations. Promising results from a recent usability test have moved the platform one step closer to everyday use in hospitals worldwide.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers partnered with medical experts from Children\u2019s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) to develop and test\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/05\/06\/georgia-tech-partners-childrens-hospital-new-heart-surgery-planning-tool\u0022\u003EARCollab\u003C\/a\u003E. The iOS-based app leverages advanced AR technologies to let doctors collaborate together and interact with a patient\u2019s 3D heart model when planning surgeries.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2408.03249\u0022\u003Eusability evaluation\u003C\/a\u003E demonstrates the app\u2019s effectiveness, finding that ARCollab is easy to use and understand, fosters collaboration, and improves surgical planning.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A usability evaluation of ARCollab demonstrated the app\u2019s effectiveness, finding it easy to use and understand, fosters collaboration, and improves heart surgery planning."}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2024-10-16 14:12:35","changed_gmt":"2024-10-16 15:16:02","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-10-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-10-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675333":{"id":"675333","type":"image","title":"ARCollab Head Image.jpg","body":null,"created":"1729087961","gmt_created":"2024-10-16 14:12:41","changed":"1729087961","gmt_changed":"2024-10-16 14:12:41","alt":"ARCollab Usability Evaluation","file":{"fid":"258944","name":"ARCollab Head Image.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/16\/ARCollab%20Head%20Image.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/16\/ARCollab%20Head%20Image.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":167048,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/10\/16\/ARCollab%20Head%20Image.jpg?itok=nA2bDcOj"}},"675334":{"id":"675334","type":"image","title":"PM at CHI.png","body":null,"created":"1729087994","gmt_created":"2024-10-16 14:13:14","changed":"1729087994","gmt_changed":"2024-10-16 14:13:14","alt":"Pratham Mehta at CHI 2024","file":{"fid":"258945","name":"PM at CHI.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/16\/PM%20at%20CHI.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/16\/PM%20at%20CHI.png","mime":"image\/png","size":407347,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/10\/16\/PM%20at%20CHI.png?itok=NmqqLc3T"}},"675335":{"id":"675335","type":"image","title":"VIS Graphic.jpeg","body":null,"created":"1729088018","gmt_created":"2024-10-16 14:13:38","changed":"1729088018","gmt_changed":"2024-10-16 14:13:38","alt":"Georgia Tech @ VIS 2024","file":{"fid":"258946","name":"VIS Graphic.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/16\/VIS%20Graphic.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/10\/16\/VIS%20Graphic.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":125923,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/10\/16\/VIS%20Graphic.jpeg?itok=fBVRzr59"}}},"media_ids":["675333","675334","675335"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/heart-doctors-describe-new-collaborative-planning-tool-extremely-beneficial","title":"Heart Doctors Describe New Collaborative Planning Tool as \u2018Extremely Beneficial\u2019"}],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"166983","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"},{"id":"654","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"9167","name":"machine learning"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"677155":{"#nid":"677155","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Impact of Data Augmentation: Georgia Tech Researchers Lead NSF Study","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn the past year, Georgia Tech researchers\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/vmuthukumar.ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVidya Muthukumar\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/faculty\/Eva-Dyer\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEva Dyer\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;have made a powerful impression on the National Science Foundation (NSF), forging partnerships between their labs and the foundation that may ultimately lead to more efficient, equitable, human-centered, and human-like artificial intelligence, or AI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWorking at the forefront of research in AI and machine learning, the two are both recent\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/03\/nsf-awards-sought-after-career-funding-5-engineering-faculty\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENSF CAREER Award winners\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u2013 and are collaborators in a multi-institutional, three-year, $1.2 million effort supported by the NSF\u2019s Division of Information and Intelligent Systems.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur goal is to provide a precise understanding of the impact of data augmentation on generalization,\u201d said Muthukumar, assistant professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESchool of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. She\u2019s also principal investigator of the NSF project called,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/awardsearch\/showAward?AWD_ID=2212182\u0026amp;HistoricalAwards=false\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u201cDesign principles and theory for data augmentation.\u201d\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeneralization is a hallmark of basic human intelligence \u2013 if you eat a food that makes you sick, you\u2019ll likely avoid foods that look or smell like that food in the future. That\u2019s generalization at work, something that we do naturally, but takes a greater effort to do efficiently in artificial intelligence.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo build more generalizable AI, developers use data augmentation (DA), in which new data samples are generated from existing datasets to improve the performance of machine learning models. For example, data augmentation is often used in computer vision \u2013 existing image data is augmented through techniques like rotation, cropping, flipping, resizing, and so forth.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBasically, data augmentation artificially increases the amount of training data used in machine learning models. The idea is, a machine learning model trained on augmented images of dogs is better equipped to recognize dogs in different environments, poses, and angles, even if the environments, poses, and angles are different from those seen during initial model training.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBut data augmentation procedures are currently done in an in an ad-hoc manner,\u201d said Muthukumar. \u201cIt\u2019s like, let\u2019s apply this and see if it works.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey are designed and tested on a dataset-by-dataset basis, which isn\u2019t very efficient. Also, augmented data does not always have the desired effects \u2013 it can do more harm than good. So, Muthukumar, Dyer, and their collaborators are developing a theory, a set of fundamental principles to understand DA and its impact on machine learning and AI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur aim is to leverage what we learn to design novel augmentations that can be used across multiple applications and domains,\u201d said Dyer, assistant professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGood, Bad, and Weird\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMuthukumar became interested in data augmentation when she was a graduate student at University of California at Berkeley.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhat I found intriguing was how everyone seemed to view the role of data augmentation so differently,\u201d she said. During a summer internship she was part of an effort to resolve racial disparities in a machine\u2019s classification of facial images, \u201ca commonly encountered problem in which the computer might perform well with classifying white males, but not so well with dark-skinned females.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers employed artificial data augmentation techniques \u2013 essentially, boosting their learning model\u2019s dataset by adding virtualized facial images with different skin tones and colors. But to Muthukumar\u2019s surprise, the solution didn\u2019t work very well.\u0026nbsp; \u201cThis was an example of data augmentation not living up to its promise,\u201d she said. \u201cWhat we\u2019re finding is, sometimes data augmentation is good, sometimes it\u2019s bad, sometimes it\u2019s just weird.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat assessment, in fact, is almost the title of a paper Muthukumar and Dyer have submitted to a leading journal: \u201cThe good, the bad and the ugly sides of data augmentation: An implicit spectral regularization perspective.\u201d Currently under revision before publication, the paper lays out their foundational theory for understanding how DA impacts machine learning.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe work is the latest manifestation of a research partnership that began when Muthukumar arrived at Georgia Tech in January 2021, and connected with\u0026nbsp;Dyer,\u0026nbsp;whose\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/dyerlab.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENerDS Lab\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;has a wide-angled focus, spanning the areas of machine learning, neuroscience, and neuro AI (her work is fostering a knowledge loop \u2013 the development of new AI tools for brain decoding and new neuro-inspired AI systems).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe started talking about how data augmentation does something very subtle to a dataset, changing what the learning model does at a very fundamental level,\u201d Muthtukumar said. \u201cWe asked, \u2018what the heck is this data augmentation doing? Why is it working, or why isn\u2019t it? And, what types of augmentation work and what types don\u2019t?\u2019\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThose questions led to their current NSF project, supported through September 2025. Muthukumar is leading the effort, joined by co-principal investigators Dyer;\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/mdav.ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMark Davenport\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Electrical and Computer Engineering; and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.cs.umd.edu\/~tomg\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETom Goldstein\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Maryland.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClever, Informed DA\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe four researchers comprise a kind of super-team of machine learning experts. Davenport, a member of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ml.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECenter for Machine Learning\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/csip.ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECenter for Signal and Information Processing\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;at Georgia Tech, aims his research on the complex interaction of signal processing, statistical inference, and machine learning. He\u2019s collaborated with both Dyer and Muthukumar on recent research papers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGoldstein\u2019s work lies at the intersection of machine learning and optimization. A member of the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies at Maryland, he was part of the research team that recently developed a \u201cwatermark\u201d that can expose text written by artificial intelligence.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDyer is a computational neuroscientist whose research has blurred the line between neuroscience and machine learning, and her lab has made advances in neural recording and gathering data. Muthukumar is orchestrating all of this expertise to thoroughly characterize data augmentation\u2019s impact on generalization in machine learning.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe hope to gain a full understanding of its influence on learning \u2013 when it helps and when it hurts,\u201d Muthukumar said. Furthermore, the team aims to broaden the promise of data augmentation, expanding its effective use in other areas, such as neuroscience, graphs, and tabular data.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOverall, there\u2019s promise in being able to do a lot more with data augmentations, if we do it in a clever and informed kind of way,\u201d Dyer said. \u201cWe can build more robust brain-machine interfaces, we can improve fairness and transparency. This work can have tremendous long-range impact, especially regarding neuroscience and biomedical data.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u0027s Vidya Muthukumar and Eva Dyer are spearheading a $1.2 million NSF-funded project to understand how data augmentation (DA) influences generalization in machine learning, a key component of AI\u0027s ability to make human-like decisions. Their research seeks to refine DA techniques for broader applications by developing more efficient and reliable methods across various domains.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech researchers Vidya Muthukumar and Eva Dyer are leading a multi-institutional project to develop a theory for data augmentation, aiming to improve the generalization and fairness of AI systems."}],"uid":"28153","created_gmt":"2024-09-26 18:35:08","changed_gmt":"2024-09-26 18:49:50","author":"Jerry Grillo","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-06-15T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-06-15T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675133":{"id":"675133","type":"image","title":"VidyaEva","body":"\u003Cp\u003EVidya Muthukumar and Eva Dyer have formed a research partnership that may lead tohuman-centered, and human-like artificial intelligence. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Photo by Jerry Grillo\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1727375152","gmt_created":"2024-09-26 18:25:52","changed":"1727375300","gmt_changed":"2024-09-26 18:28:20","alt":"Vidya Muthukumar and Eva Dyer","file":{"fid":"258727","name":"VidyaEva.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/26\/VidyaEva.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/26\/VidyaEva.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3617213,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/09\/26\/VidyaEva.jpg?itok=SwMY48HG"}},"675134":{"id":"675134","type":"image","title":"EvaVidya","body":"\u003Cp\u003EEva Dyer and Vidya Muthukumar\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1727375315","gmt_created":"2024-09-26 18:28:35","changed":"1727375360","gmt_changed":"2024-09-26 18:29:20","alt":"Eva Dyer and Vidya Muthukumar","file":{"fid":"258729","name":"EvaVidya.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/26\/EvaVidya.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/26\/EvaVidya.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4246920,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/09\/26\/EvaVidya.jpg?itok=CrMhbIPq"}}},"media_ids":["675133","675134"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"193860","name":"Artifical Intelligence"},{"id":"192783","name":"data augmentation"},{"id":"177339","name":"AI machine learning"},{"id":"175946","name":"Eva Dyer"},{"id":"186736","name":"Vidya Muthukumar"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"},{"id":"71881","name":"Science and Technology"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJerry Grillo\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"676015":{"#nid":"676015","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Undergraduate Anu Iyer Leads Parkinson\u2019s Research Study","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnu Iyer\u003C\/strong\u003E, a Georgia Tech Dean\u2019s Scholar, published her first research article as a first-year\u0026nbsp;student \u2014 based on research conducted while she was in high school. She is the lead co-author of the paper published in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-023-47568-w\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EScientific Reports\u003C\/a\u003E, a\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature Portfolio\u003C\/em\u003E journal.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIyer, now a second-year undergraduate majoring in biology with a pre-med focus, worked with researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to develop a novel voice-based diagnostic tool for Parkinson\u2019s disease (PD).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cEssentially, we proved the feasibility of a telemedicine approach towards detecting PD,\u201d says Iyer. \u201cThrough a three-second phone call, our machine-learning model recognizes patterns in data to detect Parkinson\u2019s with a 97 percent accuracy rate.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIyer states that additional strengths of the project include the potential for\u0026nbsp;detecting PD at an early stage, leading to improved treatment outcomes, and the practical benefits of a virtual diagnostic tool.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cParkinson\u2019s disease is a nervous system disorder that primarily affects the elderly population, and one of the many issues with detection is that symptoms must be analyzed in person,\u201d explains Iyer. \u201cIn Arkansas, 75 percent of our population resides in medically underserved areas\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;it can be hard for them to access health facilities. Our research addresses the need for convenient detection via telemedicine.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrom science fairs to academic researcher\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIyer\u2019s teachers at her STEM middle school encouraged her passion for science and discovery. A science fair enthusiast, Iyer led a sixth-grade team to win the state title for the\u0026nbsp;Verizon Innovative Learning app, creating a smartphone app that turns off text notifications when a car reaches more than five miles per hour.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIyer credits her middle school teachers for inspiring her to seek answers beyond what she found in her textbooks.\u0026nbsp;During the summer between eighth and ninth grade, Iyer watched YouTube videos to teach herself machine learning, appreciating the opportunity to use artificial intelligence to analyze data and make predictions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cMachine learning fascinates me because it holds so much potential,\u201d says Iyer. \u201cI\u0027ve always been interested in computer science, but machine learning opened my eyes to new possibilities and taught me that I can pay it forward through applied bioinformatics.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn ninth grade, she emailed UAMS professors with a research idea incorporating medicine and computer science. Her outreach led to a post as an undergraduate researcher, helping create a computer algorithm to detect eye disease. While working on a diagnostic AI model for malignancy, she began collaborating with\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EFred Prior\u003C\/strong\u003E, the chair of Bioinformatics at UAMS, who became a valued mentor.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cDr. Prior introduced me to the joys of research and how small changes can make a big difference in our world,\u201d says Iyer.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPrior assigned her to the team focusing on Parkinson\u2019s in her 11th grade year\u0026nbsp;\u2014 and she soon began taking on more of an active leadership role in the research. She spent the rest of high school juggling coursework with constructing code and drafting proposals to create the computer algorithm capable of detecting PD.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProgress and service\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIyer\u2019s desire to improve the world through research led her to Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cOne thing that spoke to me is the Progress and Service motto,\u201d says Iyer. \u201cMy career goals include becoming an empathetic researcher focused on reducing healthcare disparities. Specifically, I hope to specialize in developing diagnostic tools that are affordable and available for underserved areas.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAs lead co-author of the PD research study, Iyer spent much of her first year working with Prior and UAMS,\u0026nbsp;participating in Zoom calls every Saturday.\u0026nbsp;As a second-year,\u0026nbsp;Iyer intends to continue working with UAMS on PD and machine-learning research. She has also taken on a new role as multiple principal investigator for a study related to chronic back pain management.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELainie Pomerleau,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ewho taught Iyer\u2019s first-year English course, and is now an assistant professor of English at the College of Coastal Georgia, helped Iyer prepare the PD paper for publication. \u201cAnu embodies Georgia Tech\u0027s mission to develop leaders who advance technology to improve the human condition,\u201d says Pomerleau.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EDespite her busy schedule, Iyer has immersed herself in the Georgia Tech community. She loves the climbing wall at the Campus Recreation Center and points to Cognitive Psychology as her favorite class. Iyer\u0026nbsp;considers\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/explorellc.cos.gatech.edu\/home\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EExplore\u003C\/a\u003E, the science-centered living and learning community, to be one of the highlights of her first year.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI really enjoyed being a part of Explore, living with other students who prioritize science,\u201d says Iyer. \u201cIt was easy to make friends because we all had similar classes.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn the spring of her first year, she was selected as a College of Sciences Ambassador, accompanying prospective students and their parents to science-related courses and answering their questions about\u0026nbsp;campus life.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EShe plans to get more involved with researchers at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI am a biology major, but one amazing thing about Georgia Tech is that there is a lot of encouragement to join labs outside of your major and pursue your interests,\u201d says Iyer. \u201cI\u2019d like to work in a Georgia Tech lab, particularly in neurology.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELooking forward to her next few years at the Institute, she\u2019s excited about the possibilities ahead:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech is well known for groundbreaking research,\u201d she says. \u201cI want to take advantage of Tech\u2019s many opportunities\u0026nbsp;\u2014 and fulfill my ultimate goal of making a positive impact in the world.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESecond-year biology student Anu Iyer\u2019s groundbreaking research is revolutionizing Parkinson\u2019s disease detection.\u0026nbsp;Through a three-second phone call, her team\u2019s machine-learning model can detect Parkinson\u2019s with 97 percent accuracy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Biology major Anu Iyer wants to make a positive difference in the world; her groundbreaking research detecting Parkinson\u2019s disease demonstrates she\u2019s already well on her way."}],"uid":"36607","created_gmt":"2024-08-15 12:25:48","changed_gmt":"2024-08-28 15:38:30","author":"ls67","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-08-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-08-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674588":{"id":"674588","type":"image","title":"Iyer completed much of her research while in high school and submitted the paper for publication as a Georgia Tech first-year.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIyer completed much of her research while in high school and submitted the paper for publication as a Georgia Tech first-year.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1723725121","gmt_created":"2024-08-15 12:32:01","changed":"1723823011","gmt_changed":"2024-08-16 15:43:31","alt":"Young woman standing in front of a poster describing her Parkinson\u0027s Disease research","file":{"fid":"258135","name":"Anu.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/08\/15\/Anu.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/08\/15\/Anu.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":86911,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/08\/15\/Anu.jpg?itok=JLHlMjep"}},"674597":{"id":"674597","type":"image","title":"As a first-year, Iyer enjoyed diving into Tech\u0027s many events and activities, such as Georgia Tech Night at the Aquarium.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAs a first-year, Iyer enjoyed diving into Tech\u0027s many events and activities, such as Georgia Tech Night at the Aquarium.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1723729875","gmt_created":"2024-08-15 13:51:15","changed":"1724082962","gmt_changed":"2024-08-19 15:56:02","alt":"Four students pose with Georgia Tech mascot Buzz at the Georgia Aquarium.","file":{"fid":"258144","name":"AquariumBuzz.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/08\/15\/AquariumBuzz.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/08\/15\/AquariumBuzz.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":81209,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/08\/15\/AquariumBuzz.jpg?itok=fuf9fNtq"}}},"media_ids":["674588","674597"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/undergradresearch.gatech.edu\/research-opportunities","title":"Undergraduate Research Opportunities"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/celebrating-decade-explore-llc","title":"Celebrating a Decade of Explore LLC"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"77121","name":"parkinson\u0027s disease"},{"id":"48951","name":"featured student research"},{"id":"98111","name":"telemedicine"},{"id":"189331","name":"diagnostic testing"},{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"192259","name":"cos-students"},{"id":"166882","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWriter: Laura S. Smith\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ECommunications Officer II\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Sciences\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Elaura.smith@cos.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"675467":{"#nid":"675467","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Using Deep Learning Techniques to Improve Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EHepatic, or liver, disease affects more than 100 million people in the U.S. About 4.5 million adults (1.8%) have been diagnosed with liver disease, but it is estimated that between 80 and 100 million adults in the U.S. have undiagnosed fatty liver disease in varying stages. Over time, undiagnosed and untreated hepatic diseases can lead to cirrhosis, a severe scarring of the liver that cannot be reversed.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost hepatic diseases are chronic conditions that will be present over the life of the patient, but early detection improves overall health and the ability to manage specific conditions over time. Additionally, assessing patients over time allows for effective treatments to be adjusted as necessary. The standard protocol for diagnosis, as well as follow-up tissue assessment, is a biopsy after the return of an abnormal blood test, but biopsies are time-consuming and pose risks for the patient. Several non-invasive imaging techniques have been developed to assess the stiffness of liver tissue, an indication of scarring, including magnetic resonance elastography (MRE).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMRE combines elements of ultrasound and MRI imaging to create a visual map showing gradients of stiffness throughout the liver and is increasingly used to diagnose hepatic issues. MRE exams, however, can fail for many reasons, including patient motion, patient physiology, imaging issues, and mechanical issues such as improper wave generation or propagation in the liver. Determining the success of MRE exams depends on visual inspection of technologists and radiologists. With increasing work demands and workforce shortages, providing an accurate, automated way to classify image quality will create a streamlined approach and reduce the need for repeat scans.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProfessor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.biorobotics.gatech.edu\/wp\/\u0022\u003EJun Ueda\u003C\/a\u003E in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and robotics Ph.D. student Heriberto Nieves, working with a team from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, have successfully applied deep learning techniques for accurate, automated quality control image assessment. The research,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/jmri.29490\u0022\u003E\u201cDeep Learning-Enabled Automated Quality Control for Liver MR Elastography: Initial Results,\u201d\u003C\/a\u003E was published in the\u003Cem\u003E Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsing five deep learning training models, an accuracy of 92% was achieved by the best-performing ensemble on retrospective MRE images of patients with varied liver stiffnesses. The team also achieved a return of the analyzed data within seconds. The rapidity of image quality return allows the technician to focus on adjusting hardware or patient orientation for re-scan in a single session, rather than requiring patients to return for costly and timely re-scans due to low-quality initial images.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis new research is a step toward streamlining the review pipeline for MRE using deep learning techniques, which have remained unexplored compared to other medical imaging modalities.\u0026nbsp; The research also provides a helpful baseline for future avenues of inquiry, such as assessing the health of the spleen or kidneys. It may also be applied to automation for image quality control for monitoring non-hepatic conditions, such as breast cancer or muscular dystrophy, in which tissue stiffness is an indicator of initial health and disease progression. Ueda, Nieves, and their team hope to test these models on Siemens Healthineers magnetic resonance scanners within the next year.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPublication\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ENieves-Vazquez, H.A., Ozkaya, E., Meinhold, W., Geahchan, A., Bane, O., Ueda, J. and Taouli, B. (2024), Deep Learning-Enabled Automated Quality Control for Liver MR Elastography: Initial Results. J Magn Reson Imaging.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/jmri.29490\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/jmri.29490\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPrior Work\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/robotically-precise-diagnostics-and-therapeutics-degenerative-disc-disorder\u0022\u003ERobotically Precise Diagnostics and Therapeutics for Degenerative Disc Disorder\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERelated Material\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/jmri.29492\u0022\u003EEditorial for \u201cDeep Learning-Enabled Automated Quality Control for Liver MR Elastography: Initial Results\u201d\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EProfessor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.biorobotics.gatech.edu\/wp\/\u0022\u003EJun Ueda\u003C\/a\u003E in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and robotics Ph.D. student Heriberto Nieves, working with a team from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, have successfully applied deep learning techniques for accurate, automated quality control image assessment.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"With increasing work demands and workforce shortages, providing an accurate, automated way to classify image quality will create a streamlined approach and reduce the need for repeat scans. "}],"uid":"27863","created_gmt":"2024-07-15 19:33:24","changed_gmt":"2024-07-17 15:20:20","author":"Christa Ernst","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-07-15T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-07-15T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674351":{"id":"674351","type":"image","title":"Ueda MRE News","body":"\u003Cp\u003EProfessor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.biorobotics.gatech.edu\/wp\/\u0022\u003EJun Ueda\u003C\/a\u003E in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and robotics Ph.D. student Heriberto Nieves.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1721071536","gmt_created":"2024-07-15 19:25:36","changed":"1721071827","gmt_changed":"2024-07-15 19:30:27","alt":"Professor\u00a0Jun Ueda in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and robotics Ph.D. student Heriberto Nieves.","file":{"fid":"257851","name":"Heriberto and Ueda DL-MRE 6 half sized.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/15\/Heriberto%20and%20Ueda%20DL-MRE%206%20half%20sized.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/15\/Heriberto%20and%20Ueda%20DL-MRE%206%20half%20sized.png","mime":"image\/png","size":4165537,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/07\/15\/Heriberto%20and%20Ueda%20DL-MRE%206%20half%20sized.png?itok=2FyY2iUP"}}},"media_ids":["674351"],"groups":[{"id":"142761","name":"IRIM"},{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"152","name":"Robotics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"81491","name":"Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines (IRIM)"},{"id":"11689","name":"Institute for Bioengineeirng and Bioscience"},{"id":"594","name":"college of engineering"},{"id":"98751","name":"College of Engineering; George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"9540","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"97611","name":"research news"},{"id":"188087","name":"go-irim"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39521","name":"Robotics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EChrista M. Ernst |\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch Communications Program Manager |\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETopic Expertise: Robotics, Data Sciences, Semiconductor Design \u0026amp; Fab |\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EResearch @ the Georgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["christa.ernst@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"675438":{"#nid":"675438","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Hybrid Machine Learning Model Untangles Web of Communication in the Brain","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new machine learning (ML) model created at Georgia Tech is helping neuroscientists better understand communications between brain regions. Insights from the model could lead to personalized medicine, better brain-computer interfaces, and advances in neurotechnology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech group combined two current ML methods into their hybrid model called MRM-GP (Multi-Region Markovian Gaussian Process).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENeuroscientists who use MRM-GP learn more about communications and interactions within the brain. This in turn improves understanding of brain functions and disorders.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cClinically, MRM-GP could enhance diagnostic tools and treatment monitoring by identifying and analyzing neural activity patterns linked to various brain disorders,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=qW4_NR4AAAAJ\u0026amp;hl=en\u0022\u003EWeihan Li\u003C\/a\u003E, the study\u2019s lead researcher.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNeuroscientists can leverage MRM-GP for its robust modeling capabilities and efficiency in handling large-scale brain data.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMRM-GP reveals where and how communication travels across brain regions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe group tested MRM-GP using spike trains and local field potential recordings, two kinds of measurements of brain activity. These tests produced representations that illustrated directional flow of communication among brain regions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExperiments also disentangled brainwaves, called oscillatory interactions, into organized frequency bands. MRM-GP\u2019s hybrid configuration allows it to model frequencies and phase delays within the latent space of neural recordings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMRM-GP combines the strengths of two existing methods: the Gaussian process (GP) and linear dynamical systems (LDS). The researchers say that MRM-GP is essentially an LDS that mirrors a GP.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELDS is a computationally efficient and cost-effective method, but it lacks the power to produce representations of the brain. GP-based approaches boost LDS\u0027s power, facilitating the discovery of variables in frequency bands and communication directions in the brain.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConverting GP outputs into an LDS is a difficult task in ML. The group overcame this challenge by instilling separability in the model\u2019s multi-region kernel. Separability establishes a connection between the kernel and LDS while modeling communication between brain regions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough this approach, MRM-GP overcomes two challenges facing both neuroscience and ML fields. The model helps solve the mystery of intraregional brain communication. It does so by bridging a gap between GP and LDS, a feat not previously accomplished in ML.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe introduction of MRM-GP provides a useful tool to model and understand complex brain region communications,\u201d said Li, a Ph.D. student in the School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis marks a significant advancement in both neuroscience and machine learning.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFellow doctoral students\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/github.com\/JerrySoybean\u0022\u003EChengrui Li\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/github.com\/yulewang97\u0022\u003EYule Wang\u003C\/a\u003E co-authored the paper with Li. School of CSE Assistant Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.google.com\/site\/anqiwuresearch\u0022\u003EAnqi Wu\u003C\/a\u003E advises the group.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEach MRM-GP student pursues a different\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/phd-programs\u0022\u003EPh.D. degree offered by the School of CSE\u003C\/a\u003E. W. Li studies computer science, C. Li studies computational science and engineering, and Wang studies machine learning. The school also offers Ph.D. degrees in bioinformatics and bioengineering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWu is a 2023 recipient of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/news\/anqi-wu-awarded-2023-sloan-research-fellowship\u0022\u003ESloan Research Fellowship\u003C\/a\u003E for neuroscience research. Her work straddles two of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cse.gatech.edu\/research\u0022\u003ESchool\u2019s five research areas\u003C\/a\u003E: machine learning and computational bioscience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMRM-GP will be featured at the world\u2019s top conference on ML and artificial intelligence. The group will share their work at the International Conference on Machine Learning (\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/icml.cc\/\u0022\u003EICML 2024\u003C\/a\u003E), which will be held July 21-27 in Vienna.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EICML 2024 also accepted for presentation a second paper from Wu\u2019s group intersecting neuroscience and ML. The same authors will present\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2402.01263\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EA Differentiable Partially Observable Generalized Linear Model with Forward-Backward Message Passing\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETwenty-four Georgia Tech faculty from the Colleges of Computing and Engineering will present 40 papers at ICML 2024. Wu is one of six faculty representing the School of CSE who will present eight total papers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe group\u2019s ICML 2024 presentations exemplify Georgia Tech\u2019s focus on neuroscience research as a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/strategic-initiatives\u0022\u003Estrategic initiative\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWu is an affiliated faculty member with the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/09\/18\/georgia-tech-launch-interdisciplinary-neurosciences-research-program\u0022\u003ENeuro Next Initiative\u003C\/a\u003E, a new interdisciplinary program at Georgia Tech that will lead research in neuroscience, neurotechnology, and society. The University System of Georgia Board of Regents recently approved a new\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/05\/02\/georgia-tech-offer-phd-neuroscience-and-neurotechnology-new-minor\u0022\u003Eneuroscience and neurotechnology Ph.D. program\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cPresenting papers at international conferences like ICML is crucial for our group to gain recognition and visibility, facilitates networking with other researchers and industry professionals, and offers valuable feedback for improving our work,\u201d Wu said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt allows us to share our findings, stay updated on the latest developments in the field, and enhance our professional development and public speaking skills.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EVisit \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/research\/icml-2024\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ehttps:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/research\/icml-2024\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E for news and coverage of Georgia Tech research presented at ICML 2024.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new machine learning (ML) model created at Georgia Tech is helping neuroscientists better understand communications between brain regions. Insights from the model could lead to personalized medicine, better brain-computer interfaces, and advances in neurotechnology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Tech group combined two current ML methods into their hybrid model called MRM-GP (Multi-Region Markovian Gaussian Process).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENeuroscientists who use MRM-GP learn more about communications and interactions within the brain. This in turn improves understanding of brain functions and disorders.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A new machine learning (ML) model created at Georgia Tech is helping neuroscientists better understand communications between brain regions. "}],"uid":"36319","created_gmt":"2024-07-11 19:37:12","changed_gmt":"2024-07-12 15:25:01","author":"Bryant Wine","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-07-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-07-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674337":{"id":"674337","type":"image","title":"MRM-GP Head Photo.jpg","body":null,"created":"1720726656","gmt_created":"2024-07-11 19:37:36","changed":"1720726656","gmt_changed":"2024-07-11 19:37:36","alt":"Weihan Li ICML 2024","file":{"fid":"257837","name":"MRM-GP Head Photo.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/11\/MRM-GP%20Head%20Photo.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/11\/MRM-GP%20Head%20Photo.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":92978,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/07\/11\/MRM-GP%20Head%20Photo.jpg?itok=CyGJUal2"}},"674338":{"id":"674338","type":"image","title":"YW Poster.jpg","body":null,"created":"1720726696","gmt_created":"2024-07-11 19:38:16","changed":"1720726696","gmt_changed":"2024-07-11 19:38:16","alt":"Yule Wang ICML 2024 CSE","file":{"fid":"257838","name":"YW Poster.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/11\/YW%20Poster.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/11\/YW%20Poster.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":37723,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/07\/11\/YW%20Poster.jpg?itok=nnjhmwZN"}},"674339":{"id":"674339","type":"image","title":"CSE_ICML2024.png","body":null,"created":"1720726742","gmt_created":"2024-07-11 19:39:02","changed":"1720726742","gmt_changed":"2024-07-11 19:39:02","alt":"CSE ICML 2024","file":{"fid":"257839","name":"CSE_ICML2024.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/11\/CSE_ICML2024.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/11\/CSE_ICML2024.png","mime":"image\/png","size":173722,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/07\/11\/CSE_ICML2024.png?itok=uiGRsZ3_"}}},"media_ids":["674337","674338","674339"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"50877","name":"School of Computational Science and Engineering"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192863","name":"go-ai"},{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"9153","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBryant Wine, Communications Officer\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:bryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ebryant.wine@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"675410":{"#nid":"675410","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Geometry of Life: Physicists Determine What Controls Biofilm Growth","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFrom plaque sticking to teeth to scum on a pond, biofilms can be found nearly everywhere. These colonies of bacteria grow on implanted medical devices, our skin, contact lenses, and in our guts and lungs. They can be found in sewers and drainage systems, on the surface of plants, and even in the ocean.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cSome research says that 80% of infections in human bodies can be attributed to the bacteria growing in biofilms,\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/aawaz-pokhrel\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAawaz Pokhrel\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Esays, lead author of a groundbreaking new study that uses physics to investigate how these biofilms grow.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe paper, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41567-024-02572-3\u0022\u003EThe Biophysical Basis of Bacterial Colony Growth\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d was published in\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature Physics\u003C\/em\u003E this week, and it shows that the fitness of a biofilm \u2014 its ability to grow, expand, and absorb nutrients from the medium or the substrate \u2014 is largely impacted by the contact angle that the\u0026nbsp;biofilm\u2019s edge makes with the substrate. The study also found that this geometry has a bigger influence on fitness than anything else, including the rate at which the cells can reproduce.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThat was the big surprise for us,\u201d says corresponding author\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/yunkerlab.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPeter Yunker\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, an associate professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/peter-yunker\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cWe expected that the geometry would play an important role, and we thought that figuring out exactly what the geometry is would be important for understanding why the range expansion rate, for example, [the rate at which the biofilm spreads across the surface over time] is constant. But we didn\u0027t start the project thinking that geometry would be the single most important factor.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EUnderstanding how biofilms grow \u2014 and what factors contribute to their growth rate \u2014 could lead to critical insights on controlling them, with applications for human health, like slowing the spread of infection or creating cleaner surfaces. \u201cWhat got me excited was this opportunity to use physics to learn about complex biological systems,\u201d Pokhrel,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/yunkerlab.gatech.edu\/members\/\u0022\u003Ewho is also a Ph.D. student in Yunker\u2019s lab\u003C\/a\u003E, adds. \u201cEspecially on a project that has so many applications. The combination of the importance for human health and exciting research was really intriguing for me.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA new method\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EWhile biofilms are ubiquitous in nature, studying them has proven difficult. Because these \u201ccities of microorganisms\u201d are comprised of tiny individuals, scientists have struggled to image them successfully.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThat changed in 2015, when Yunker began wondering if\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003Einterferometry\u003C\/em\u003E, a commonly used imaging technique in physics and materials science, could be applied to biofilms. \u201cGiven my background in physics, I was familiar with its use in materials applications,\u201d Yunker recalls. \u201cI thought applying this technique more broadly might be interesting, because we know from decades of physics that surface interfaces contain a lot of information about the processes that create them.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe technique proved to be simple, effective, and time-efficient, providing nanometer-scale resolution of bacterial colonies. \u201cIt allows us to essentially get a picture of the topography \u2014 the shape of the surface of the bacterial population \u2014 with super-resolution,\u201d Yunker adds.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ELeveraging interferometry, the team began conducting new biofilm experiments, investigating how colonies\u2019 shapes changed over time. Co-first author\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/weitzgroup.umd.edu\/people\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGabi Steinbach\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, formerly a postdoctoral scholar in Yunker\u2019s lab and now a scientific research coordinator at the University of Maryland, noticed that every colony had a specific shape when it was small: a spherical cap, like a slice from the top of a sphere, or a droplet of water. It\u2019s a shape that shows up often in physics, and that sparked the team\u2019s interest.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cA spherical cap in physics is very interesting, because it is a surface-minimizing shape,\u201d Pokhrel adds. \u201cI was curious why a biological material was growing in this shape, and we started wondering if there was some physics to it \u2013 perhaps geometry was involved. And that made us think that maybe we could develop a model. And that got me really excited.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA mathematical mystery\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHowever, the researchers soon hit a roadblock. \u201cWhile we could see that the colonies were spherical caps at first, they would deviate from that shape as they grew,\u201d Pokhrel says. \u201cAnd the shape that they grew into was difficult to describe with existing spherical cap geometry.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThe middle didn\u2019t grow as quickly as it should to keep the spherical cap shape, and we wanted to connect all of this to the range expansion [the rate at which the colony spread across a surface],\u201d Yunker adds. \u201cBut we knew that somehow, geometry was playing a very important role.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFinally,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EThomas Day\u003C\/strong\u003E, a former graduate student in Yunker\u2019s lab, now a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Southern California, and one of the authors of the paper, suggested a quirky problem of geometry called the\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003Enapkin ring problem.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cAs soon as we started to think about the napkin ring problem, we were able to start developing a mathematical toolkit,\u201d Yunker says, though the solution wasn\u2019t effortless. \u201cWe couldn\u0027t find anyone who\u0026nbsp; had ever looked at a spherical cap napkin ring before, because the application is very rare.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EPokhrel, alongside two co-authors, was responsible for working out the geometry. He discovered that the cells grew exponentially at the edge of the shape, expanding further onto the medium, while the cells in the middle grew upward, creating a shape not unlike an egg in a frying pan \u2014 if the egg white was expanding outwards, while the yolk was only growing taller.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThis was the breakthrough discovery: Because the cells at the middle were only contributing to the biofilm\u2019s height, the team only needed to account for how many cells were at the edge of the biofilm, and the shape they needed to be in to grow and spread.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAfter incorporating their findings into a mathematical model, the team found that the contact angle was the most important factor: the angle that the very edge of the biofilm made when it touched the surface it was growing on. That single geometric quality is even more important to a biofilm\u2019s growth than the rate at which it can reproduce cells.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe physics-biology connection\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EOverall, the project took more than three years, from conception to publication.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003E\u201c\u003C\/strong\u003EAawaz really made an incredible effort seeing this work through,\u201d Yunker says. \u201cIt was many years and many, many experiments. But the finished product is 100% worth it.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe team hopes the research will pave the way for future studies, which could lead to applications like controlling biofilm growth to help prevent infections.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cGoing forward, there are still a lot of research avenues,\u201d Pokhrel says. \u201cFor example, looking at competition experiments between biofilms \u2014 do taller colonies change their contact angle so that they can spread faster? What role does this geometry play in competition?\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cBiology is complex,\u201d Yunker adds. In nature, the surface a biofilm grows on may not be as consistent as a laboratory surface, and colonies may have different mutations or may consist of more than one species. And while the model is based on how biofilms behave in a controlled lab environment, it\u2019s a critical first step in understanding how they may behave in nature.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECitation\u003C\/strong\u003E: Pokhrel, A.R., Steinbach, G., Krueger, A. et al. The biophysical basis of bacterial colony growth. Nat. Phys. (2024). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41567-024-02572-3\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding information:\u003C\/strong\u003E This research was funded by the NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences and NSF Biomaterials\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA groundbreaking new study published in \u003Cem\u003ENature Physics\u003C\/em\u003E has revealed that geometry influences biofilm growth more than anything else, including the rate at which cells can reproduce. The research shows that the fitness of a biofilm is largely impacted by the contact angle that the\u0026nbsp;biofilm\u2019s edge makes with the substrate.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Up to 80% of infections in human bodies can be attributed to the bacteria growing in biofilms, and understanding how biofilms grow could lead to critical insights on controlling them."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2024-07-09 19:16:24","changed_gmt":"2024-07-12 14:24:53","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-07-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-07-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674326":{"id":"674326","type":"image","title":"Microscopic image of biofilm on rock, Image Credit: NASA","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMicroscopic image of biofilm on rock, Image Credit: NASA\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1720552832","gmt_created":"2024-07-09 19:20:32","changed":"1720552832","gmt_changed":"2024-07-09 19:20:32","alt":"Microscopic image of biofilm on rock, Image Credit: NASA","file":{"fid":"257824","name":"jsc2019e039825~orig.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/09\/jsc2019e039825~orig.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/07\/09\/jsc2019e039825~orig.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":826490,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/07\/09\/jsc2019e039825~orig.jpg?itok=tV_FdfJE"}}},"media_ids":["674326"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192250","name":"cos-microbial"},{"id":"192259","name":"cos-students"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71911","name":"Earth and Environment"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["selenalynlangner@gmail.com"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"675221":{"#nid":"675221","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Children\u2019s Healthcare of Atlanta Pediatric Technology Center (PTC) Announces Gian-Gabriel Garcia, Ph.D., as New Pillar 1-Co Lead","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Children\u0027s Healthcare of Atlanta Pediatric Technology Center at Georgia Tech (PTC) is excited to announce that \u003Cstrong\u003EGian-Gabriel Garcia \u003C\/strong\u003Ewill serve as its Pillar 1 Co-Lead. Pillar 1 focuses on data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. In his new role, Garcia\u2019s responsibilities will include setting the pillar\u2019s strategy and vision, selecting and managing projects, overseeing various pillar activities, and working collaboratively across research groups and institutions. He will also identify cutting-edge technology and engineering solutions to implement priority projects while balancing the pragmatism and feasibility of these approaches.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ptc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EPTC\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;brings\u0026nbsp;clinical experts together with Georgia Tech scientists and engineers to develop technological solutions to problems in the health and care of children. The Center provides extraordinary opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in pediatrics, creating breakthrough discoveries that often can only be found at the intersection of multiple disciplines.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGarcia will work under the leadership of PTC Co-Directors Dr. Stanislav Emelianov (Georgia Tech) and Dr. Wilbur Lam (Children\u2019s) of Georgia Tech\u2019s Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University. Dr. Naveen Muthu of Children\u2019s Physician Group will be Garcia\u2019s counterpart in leading Pillar 1.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince 2021, Garcia has served as an assistant professor in Georgia Tech\u2019s H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering. His research group has published numerous journal and conference papers, and book chapters related to data-driven machine learning and optimization in healthcare, including various applications in diagnosis and disease management of concussion, opioids, cardiovascular disease, glaucoma, and maternal health. He has received federal funding as a primary investigator from both the National Institutes for Health and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. He and his research group have received several national and international recognitions for their work.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGarcia also teaches graduate-level courses in machine learning and optimization for healthcare. He received his Ph.D. in industrial and operations engineering at the University of Michigan and was a postdoctoral fellow at the MGH Institute for Technology Assessment.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Children\u0027s Healthcare of Atlanta Pediatric Technology Center at Georgia Tech (PTC) is excited to announce that \u003Cstrong\u003EGian-Gabriel Garcia \u003C\/strong\u003Ewill serve as its Pillar 1 Co-Lead. Pillar 1 focuses on data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. In his new role, Garcia\u2019s responsibilities will include setting the pillar\u2019s strategy and vision, selecting and managing projects, overseeing various pillar activities, and working collaboratively across research groups and institutions. He will also identify cutting-edge technology and engineering solutions to implement priority projects while balancing the pragmatism and feasibility of these approaches.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Children\u0027s Healthcare of Atlanta Pediatric Technology Center at Georgia Tech (PTC) is excited to announce that Gian-Gabriel Garcia will serve as its Pillar 1 Co-Lead. "}],"uid":"36410","created_gmt":"2024-06-24 20:25:00","changed_gmt":"2024-06-26 21:18:01","author":"mazriel3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-06-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-06-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674235":{"id":"674235","type":"image","title":"garcia-gian-gabriel_1.jpg","body":null,"created":"1719259011","gmt_created":"2024-06-24 19:56:51","changed":"1719259011","gmt_changed":"2024-06-24 19:56:51","alt":"Gian-Gabriel Garcia","file":{"fid":"257725","name":"garcia-gian-gabriel_1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/06\/24\/garcia-gian-gabriel_1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/06\/24\/garcia-gian-gabriel_1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":70711,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/06\/24\/garcia-gian-gabriel_1.jpg?itok=q2mNErYb"}}},"media_ids":["674235"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"6185","name":"pediatrics"},{"id":"8899","name":"Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"675142":{"#nid":"675142","#data":{"type":"news","title":"  Novel Use of Existing Drug Could Significantly Cut Heart Attack Risk","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EHeart attacks have been the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/newsroom.heart.org\/news\/more-than-half-of-u-s-adults-dont-know-heart-disease-is-leading-cause-of-death-despite-100-year-reign#:~:text=According%20to%20the%202024%20Heart,the%20U.S.%20for%20100%20years.\u0022\u003Eleading\u003C\/a\u003E cause of death in the U.S. for a century. While most treatments for cardiac events target breaking down blood clots, Georgia Tech researchers have found a way to prevent blood clots from even forming. Dramatically, their drug is shown to completely knock out the formation of blood clots without increasing the risks of bleeds \u003Cem\u003Ein vivo\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis drug is both affordable and already widely available for other uses, meaning patients could experience these benefits sooner than waiting for a completely new drug to go through FDA approval. Eventually, the drug could be used to prevent second heart attacks for high-risk patients or even primary heart attacks, strokes, and other complications caused by blood clots.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers presented their findings in the paper, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/38126172\/\u0022\u003EN-Acetyl Cysteine Prevents Arterial Thrombosis in a Dose-Dependent Manner In Vitro and in Mice\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d in \u003Cem\u003EArteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology\u003C\/em\u003E in April.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow Blood Clots Form\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost existing preventive treatments for clots involve anti-platelet drugs that can cause bad side effects for the patient.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDoctors are between a rock and a hard place \u2014 we can give you a drug that may help prevent a second cardiac event, but it might also cause a lot of bleeding,\u201d said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/ku\u0022\u003EDavid Ku\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;Lawrence P. Huang Endowed Chair for Engineering Entrepreneurship and Regents\u0027 Professor in the\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ME). \u201cThese blood clots are held together by a protein called von Willebrand factor (VWF), which is a different target for drugs.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EVWF is a long protein, occurring naturally in plasma, that allows blood clots to form quickly.\u0026nbsp; Under normal conditions, it functions like an inert ball of yarn, but when VWF unravels, it becomes sticky and catches platelets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u201cThe VWF grabs platelets and the platelets activate, so they release more VWF, which grabs more platelets, creating a positive feedback loop that leads to really fast clot formation,\u201d explained Christopher Bresette, an ME postdoctoral researcher.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBreaking Down Blood Clots\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBresette and Ku sought to break down VWF proteins using a drug already on the market, \u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EN-\u003C\/strong\u003Eacetyl cysteine\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;(\u003Cem\u003ENAC\u003C\/em\u003E), typically used\u0026nbsp;to treat acetaminophen overdose. Earlier researchers had tried using NAC to break down clots after formation, but Ku\u2019s team wanted to stop clots before they even started.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe chose NAC because of its current clinical use and safety history,\u201d Bresette said. \u201cUsing an existing drug for off-label use can speed up the time it takes to start helping patients.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/bio\u0022\u003EPetit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience\u003C\/a\u003E, the researchers ran blood through a small channel similar to a narrowing artery that could lead to a heart attack or stroke. NAC completely prevented a clot from forming under these conditions. Next, they tested NAC in a mouse model and found comparable results. Even better, NAC\u2019s benefits lasted six hours after it left the bloodstream, keeping arteries clear for longer.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers envision the drug will be most useful if a patient has already had a heart attack but is at risk of having a second one soon after. An IV injection of NAC could lower immediate risk. Eventually, NAC derivatives could be administered orally as a daily pill to reduce heart attack risk.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHeart attacks and strokes are just the beginning. From stopping embolisms to other blockages, the future with NAC is only just beginning. The researchers are hoping to conduct a clinical trial and receive FDA approval so NAC can help patients as soon as possible.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"full_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EHeart attacks have been the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/newsroom.heart.org\/news\/more-than-half-of-u-s-adults-dont-know-heart-disease-is-leading-cause-of-death-despite-100-year-reign#:~:text=According%20to%20the%202024%20Heart,the%20U.S.%20for%20100%20years.\u0022\u003Eleading\u003C\/a\u003E cause of death in the U.S. for a century. While most treatments for cardiac events target breaking down blood clots, Georgia Tech researchers have found a way to prevent blood clots from even forming. Dramatically, their drug is shown to completely knock out the formation of blood clots without increasing the risks of bleeds \u003Cem\u003Ein vivo\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"While most treatments for cardiac events target breaking down blood clots, Georgia Tech researchers have found a way to prevent blood clots from even forming. "}],"uid":"34541","created_gmt":"2024-06-18 17:28:03","changed_gmt":"2024-06-25 13:49:22","author":"Tess Malone","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-06-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-06-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674209":{"id":"674209","type":"image","title":"Chris Bresette lab","body":"\u003Cp\u003EChristopher Bresette in the lab. [Photo by Rob Felt.]\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1718731750","gmt_created":"2024-06-18 17:29:10","changed":"1718731750","gmt_changed":"2024-06-18 17:29:10","alt":"Chris Bresette in the lab","file":{"fid":"257694","name":"24-R10400-P64-001.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/06\/18\/24-R10400-P64-001.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/06\/18\/24-R10400-P64-001.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1888807,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/06\/18\/24-R10400-P64-001.jpg?itok=9W4_g882"}},"674211":{"id":"674211","type":"image","title":"24-R10400-P64-003.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe blood comes in from the top and splits into four channels that can be observed separately. The middle region is where the channel narrows to mimic an atherosclerotic plaque. [Photo by Rob Felt]\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1718731824","gmt_created":"2024-06-18 17:30:24","changed":"1718731824","gmt_changed":"2024-06-18 17:30:24","alt":"The microfluidic device the researchers use to quantify clot formation. ","file":{"fid":"257695","name":"24-R10400-P64-003.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/06\/18\/24-R10400-P64-003.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/06\/18\/24-R10400-P64-003.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2889930,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/06\/18\/24-R10400-P64-003.jpg?itok=jzVj7oE9"}}},"media_ids":["674209","674211"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ETess Malone, Senior Research Writer\/Editor\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:tess.malone@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Etess.malone@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"675091":{"#nid":"675091","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Nanowires Create Elite Warriors to Enhance T Cell Therapy","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAdoptive T-cell therapy has revolutionized medicine. A patient\u2019s T-cells \u2014 a type of white blood cell that is part of the body\u2019s immune system \u2014 are extracted and modified in a lab and then infused back into the body, to seek and destroy infection, or cancer cells.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow Georgia Tech bioengineer\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/singhlab.bme.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EAnkur Singh\u003C\/a\u003E and his research team have developed a method to improve this pioneering immunotherapy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir solution involves using nanowires to deliver therapeutic miRNA to T-cells. This new modification process retains the cells\u2019 na\u00efve state, which means they\u2019ll be even better disease fighters when they\u2019re infused back into a patient.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBy delivering miRNA in na\u00efve T cells, we have basically prepared an infantry, ready to deploy,\u201d Singh said. \u201cAnd when these na\u00efve cells are stimulated and activated in the presence of disease, it\u2019s like they\u2019ve been converted into samurais.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003ELean and Mean\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECurrently in adoptive T-cell therapy, the cells become stimulated and preactivated in the lab when they are modified, losing their na\u00efve state. Singh\u2019s new technique overcomes this limitation. The approach is described in a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41565-024-01649-7\u0022\u003Enew study\u003C\/a\u003E published in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature Nanotechnology\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNa\u00efve T-cells are more useful for immunotherapy because they have not yet been preactivated, which means they can be more easily manipulated to adopt desired therapeutic functions,\u201d said Singh, the Carl Ring Family Professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EWoodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/\u0022\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe raw recruits of the immune system, na\u00efve T-cells are white blood cells that haven\u2019t been tested in battle yet. But these cellular recruits are robust, impressionable, and adaptable \u2014 ready and eager for programming.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis process creates a well-programmed na\u00efve T-cell ideal for enhancing immune responses against specific targets, such as tumors or pathogens,\u201d said Singh.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe precise programming na\u00efve T-cells receive sets the foundational stage for a more successful disease fighting future, as compared to preactivated cells.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGiving Fighter Cells a Boost\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWithin the body, na\u00efve T-cells become activated when they receive a danger signal from antigens, which are part of disease-causing pathogens, but they send a signal to T-cells that activate the immune system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdoptive T-cell therapy is used against aggressive diseases that overwhelm the body\u2019s defense system. Scientists give the patient\u2019s T-cells a therapeutic boost in the lab, loading them up with additional medicine and chemically preactivating them.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat\u2019s when the cells lose their na\u00efve state. When infused back into the patient, these modified T-cells are an effective infantry against disease \u2014 but they are prone to becoming exhausted. They aren\u2019t samurai. Na\u00efve T-cells, though, being the young, programmable recruits that they are, could be.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe question for Singh and his team was: How do we give cells that therapeutic boost without preactivating them, thereby losing that pristine, highly suggestable na\u00efve state? Their answer: Nanowires.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENanoPrecision: The Pointed Solution\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESingh wanted to enhance na\u00efve T-cells with a dose of miRNA. miRNA is a molecule that, when used as a therapeutic, works as a kind of volume knob for genes, turning their activity up or down to keep infection and cancer in check. The miRNA for this study was developed in part by the study\u2019s co-author, Andrew Grimson of Cornell University.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf we could find a way to forcibly enter the cells without damaging them, we could achieve our goal to deliver the miRNA into na\u00efve T cells without preactivating them,\u201d Singh explained.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETraditional modification in the lab involves binding immune receptors to T-cells, enabling the uptake of miRNA or any genetic material (which results in loss of the na\u00efve state). \u201cBut nanowires do not engage receptors and thus do not activate cells, so they retain their na\u00efve state,\u201d Singh said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe nanowires, silicon wafers made with specialized tools at Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/nano\u0022\u003EInstitute for Electronics and Nanotechnology\u003C\/a\u003E, form a fine needle bed. Cells are placed on the nanowires, which easily penetrate the cells and deliver their miRNA over several hours. Then the cells with miRNA are flushed out from the tops of the nanowires, activated, eventually infused back into the patient. These programmed cells can kill enemies efficiently over an extended time period.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe believe this approach will be a real gamechanger for adoptive immunotherapies, because we now have the ability to produce T-cells with predictable fates,\u201d says Brian Rudd, a professor of immunology at Cornell University, and co-senior author of the study with Singh.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers tested their work in two separate infectious disease animal models at Cornell for this study, and Singh described the results as \u201ca robust performance in infection control.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the next phase of study, the researchers will up the ante, moving from infectious disease to test their cellular super soldiers against cancer and move toward translation to the clinical setting.\u0026nbsp; New funding from the Georgia Clinical \u0026amp; Translational Science Alliance is supporting Singh\u2019s research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECITATION:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Kristel J. Yee Mon, Sungwoong Kim, Zhonghao Dai, Jessica D. West, Hongya Zhu5, Ritika Jain, Andrew Grimson, Brian D. Rudd, Ankur Singh. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41565-024-01649-7\u0022\u003E\u201cFunctionalized nanowires for miRNA-mediated therapeutic programming of na\u00efve T cells,\u201d\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cem\u003ENature Nanotechnology\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFUNDING:\u003C\/strong\u003E Curci Foundation, NSF (EEC-1648035, ECCS-2025462, ECCS-1542081), NIH (5R01AI132738-06, 1R01CA266052-01, 1R01CA238745-01A1, U01CA280984-01, R01AI110613 and U01AI131348).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EResearchers at Georgia Tech have developed a method using nanowires to deliver miRNA to T-cells, preserving their na\u00efve state and significantly enhancing their effectiveness in adoptive T-cell therapy for fighting infections and potentially cancer.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a method using nanowires to deliver miRNA to T-cells, preserving their na\u00efve state and significantly enhancing their effectiveness in adoptive T-cell therapy for fighting infections and potentially cancer."}],"uid":"28153","created_gmt":"2024-06-12 14:09:49","changed_gmt":"2024-06-12 17:43:33","author":"Jerry Grillo","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-06-12T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-06-12T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674172":{"id":"674172","type":"image","title":"Ankur Singh","body":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnkur Singh has developed a new way of programming T cells that retains their na\u00efve state, making them better fighters. \u2014 Photo by Jerry Grillo\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1718200954","gmt_created":"2024-06-12 14:02:34","changed":"1718201119","gmt_changed":"2024-06-12 14:05:19","alt":"Ankur Singh","file":{"fid":"257652","name":"ankur1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/06\/12\/ankur1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/06\/12\/ankur1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":7331552,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/06\/12\/ankur1.jpg?itok=aUhlcb_c"}},"674173":{"id":"674173","type":"image","title":"nanowires cells","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThis is an image of a T cell on a nanowire array. The arrow indicates where a nanowire has penetrated the cell, delivering therapeutic miRNA.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1718201149","gmt_created":"2024-06-12 14:05:49","changed":"1718201202","gmt_changed":"2024-06-12 14:06:42","alt":"Nanowires and cell","file":{"fid":"257653","name":"nanowire cell.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/06\/12\/nanowire%20cell.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/06\/12\/nanowire%20cell.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":158813,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/06\/12\/nanowire%20cell.jpg?itok=cpBiHfWS"}}},"media_ids":["674172","674173"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"149","name":"Nanotechnology and Nanoscience"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"7074","name":"nanowires"},{"id":"179643","name":"T cell activation"},{"id":"9513","name":"Cancer Reserach"},{"id":"187433","name":"go-ien"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJerry Grillo\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674719":{"#nid":"674719","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Family Loss Brings About Medical Breakthrough","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe call from his mom is still vivid 20 years later. Moments this big and this devastating can define lives, and for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/yeo\u0022\u003EHong Yeo\u003C\/a\u003E, today a Georgia Tech mechanical engineer, this call certainly did. Yeo was a 21-year-old in college studying car design when his mom called to tell him his father had died in his sleep. A heart attack claimed the life of the 49-year-old high school English teacher who had no history of heart trouble and no signs of his growing health threat. For the family, it was a crushing blow that altered each of their paths.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt was an uncertain time for all of us,\u201d said Yeo. \u201cThis loss changed my focus.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Yeo, thoughts and dreams of designing cars for Hyundai in Korea turned instead toward medicine. The shock of his father going from no signs of illness to gone forever developed into a quest for medical answers that might keep other families from experiencing the pain and loss his family did \u2014 or at least making it less likely to happen.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYeo\u2019s own research and schooling in college pointed out a big problem when it comes to issues with sleep and how our bodies\u2019 systems perform \u2014 data. He became determined to invent a way to give medical doctors better information that would allow them to spot a problem like his father\u2019s before it became life-threatening.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHis answer: a type of wearable sleep data system. Now very close to being commercially available, Yeo\u2019s device comes after years of working on the materials and electronics for an easy-to-wear, comfortable mask that can gather data about sleep over multiple days or even weeks, allowing doctors to catch sporadic heart problems or other issues. Different from some of the bulky devices with straps and cords currently available for at-home heart monitoring, it offers the bonuses of ease of use and comfort, ensuring little to no alteration to users\u2019 bedtime routine or wear. This means researchers can collect data from sleep patterns that are as close to normal sleep as possible.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMost of the time now, gathering sleep data means the patient must come to a lab or hospital for sleep monitoring. Of course, it\u2019s less comfortable than home, and the devices patients must wear make it even less so. Also, the process is expensive, so it\u2019s rare to get multiple nights of data,\u201d says Audrey Duarte, University of Texas human memory researcher.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDuarte has been working with Yeo on this system for more than 10 years. She says there are so many mental and physical health outcomes tied to sleep that good, long-term data has the potential to have tremendous impact.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe results we\u2019ve seen are incredibly encouraging, related to many things \u2014from heart issues to areas I study more closely like memory and Alzheimer\u2019s,\u201d said Duarte.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYeo\u2019s device may not have caught the arrhythmia that caused his father\u2019s heart attack, but nights or weeks of data would have made effective medical intervention much more likely.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInspired by his own family\u2019s loss, Yeo\u2019s life\u2019s work has become a tool of hope for others.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen he was in college, Hong Yeo\u0027s father died in his sleep from a heart attack, and Yeo changed his academic and research efforts as a result. Now, he and his research collaborators have developed a device that monitors vital signs during sleep, and it\u0027s the type of thing that may have helped doctors intervene in his father\u0027s illness if it had been available. This Sleep Scan device is a type of mask you can easily take on and off, and it has now been tested with human subjects and is close to being available commercially.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Family tragedy changed Hong Yeo\u2019s life, with his new direction leading to a new potentially lifesaving medical device."}],"uid":"36174","created_gmt":"2024-05-14 18:51:07","changed_gmt":"2024-06-10 20:28:28","author":"Blair Meeks","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-05-14T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-05-14T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674015":{"id":"674015","type":"video","title":"Family Loss Brings About Medical Breakthrough","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWhen he was in college, Hong Yeo\u0027s father died in his sleep from a heart attack, and Yeo changed his academic and research efforts as a result. Now, he and his research collaborators have developed a device that monitors vital signs during sleep, and it\u0027s the type of thing that may have helped doctors intervene in his father\u0027s illness if it had been available. This Sleep Scan device is a type of mask you can easily take on and off, and it has now been tested with human subjects and is close to being available commercially.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1715781745","gmt_created":"2024-05-15 14:02:25","changed":"1715781745","gmt_changed":"2024-05-15 14:02:25","video":{"youtube_id":"vZX_NZCxezg","video_url":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/vZX_NZCxezg"}},"674008":{"id":"674008","type":"image","title":"Yonghyun Yeo","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHong Yeo\u2019s father, Yonghyun Yeo, with his mother in Korea.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1715716401","gmt_created":"2024-05-14 19:53:21","changed":"1715777504","gmt_changed":"2024-05-15 12:51:44","alt":"This is a picture of Hong Yeo\u0027s father and mother in Korea.","file":{"fid":"257471","name":"Hong Yeo father.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/14\/Hong%20Yeo%20father_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/14\/Hong%20Yeo%20father_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2440599,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/14\/Hong%20Yeo%20father_0.jpg?itok=6M2BUNNi"}},"674009":{"id":"674009","type":"image","title":"Taewoog Kang","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETaewoog Kang, a post-doctoral student in mechanical engineering, works to repair a tiny circuit in Hong Yeo\u2019s lab on Georgia Tech\u2019s campus.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1715716558","gmt_created":"2024-05-14 19:55:58","changed":"1715719772","gmt_changed":"2024-05-14 20:49:32","alt":"This is a picture of a post-doctoral student in Hong Yeo\u0027s lab working on one of the tiny circuits used in the device.","file":{"fid":"257472","name":"Hong Yeo lab.Taewoog Kang.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/14\/Hong%20Yeo%20lab.Taewoog%20Kang_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/14\/Hong%20Yeo%20lab.Taewoog%20Kang_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1197264,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/14\/Hong%20Yeo%20lab.Taewoog%20Kang_0.jpg?itok=KgB7AkPW"}},"674010":{"id":"674010","type":"image","title":"Hong Yeo with Sleep Scan device","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHong Yeo shows off the latest version of his wearable sleep monitoring device.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1715716657","gmt_created":"2024-05-14 19:57:37","changed":"1715719743","gmt_changed":"2024-05-14 20:49:03","alt":"This is a picture of Hong Yeo holding the latest version of his wearable sleep monitoring device.","file":{"fid":"257473","name":"Hong Yeo with Sleep Scan.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/14\/Hong%20Yeo%20with%20Sleep%20Scan_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/14\/Hong%20Yeo%20with%20Sleep%20Scan_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1452560,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/14\/Hong%20Yeo%20with%20Sleep%20Scan_0.jpg?itok=xl-5cO9X"}}},"media_ids":["674015","674008","674009","674010"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/03\/18\/real-time-heat-protection-device-being-tested-florida","title":" Real-Time Heat Protection Device Being Tested in Florida "},{"url":"https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/05\/24\/researchers-develop-wireless-monitoring-detect-sleep-apnea-home","title":" Researchers Develop Wireless Monitoring to Detect Sleep Apnea at Home "}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"1613","name":"Biomedical Engieering"},{"id":"4460","name":"Medical Devices"},{"id":"193723","name":"Sleep Apnea"},{"id":"193724","name":"Memory Research"},{"id":"2832","name":"microelectronics"},{"id":"10454","name":"biosensors"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Blair.Meeks@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EBlair Meeks\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Blair.Meeks@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674829":{"#nid":"674829","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Asthma\u0027s New Treatment Frontier","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EAsthma impacts more than 40 million Americans, and 10% of the world\u2019s population.\u0026nbsp;However, current anti-inflammatory treatments only partially control the disease\u2019s symptoms.\u0026nbsp;Now,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ELiang Han,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ean associate professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ehas been\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/reporter.nih.gov\/project-details\/10856495\u0022\u003Eawarded a $2.47M grant by the National Institute of Health\u003C\/a\u003E to study the role our nervous system plays in asthma\u0026nbsp;\u2014 and the potential for new treatments. The grant will fund five years of research, with work beginning this spring.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cAsthma is typically considered an allergic inflammatory disease,\u201d Han says, \u201cand so the majority of research has previously focused on immune responses. But there is emerging evidence that the nervous system plays a critical role in the disease.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EHan highlights that our lungs are full of sensory nerves, which help monitor their internal state, and play an important role in regulating our breathing patterns and respiratory system. Vagal sensory neurons help send information from the lungs to the brain.\u0026nbsp;Recent data collected by\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EYanyan Xing\u003C\/strong\u003E, a former postdoctoral researcher in the Han lab and now a scientist at Empress Therapeutics, suggested that blocking a group of vagal sensory neurons stopped the development of asthma symptoms in mice.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cSince these sensory neurons are\u0026nbsp;responsible for responses like coughing, bronchoconstriction, and mucus\u0026nbsp;secretion, all of which are asthma symptoms, we want to investigate whether blocking these neurons can help inhibit asthma in humans,\u201d Han says. \u201cIf so, this might prove a promising treatment avenue for asthma.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe nervous system connection\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EIn her lab at Georgia Tech,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/liang-han\u0022\u003EHan\u2019s research\u003C\/a\u003E team investigates the role the nervous system plays in creating and behavioral responses, and how that contributes to chronic diseases.\u0026nbsp; \u201cWe want to understand how the nervous system receives, transmits, and interprets various stimuli to induce physiological and behavioral responses,\u201d she explains.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThis year, Han also received a\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/itching-answers-liang-han-receives-nsf-grant-dig-deeper-sensory-circuits\u0022\u003E$550k grant from the National Science Foundation\u003C\/a\u003E to investigate the neural circuit controlling itch sensation. The research has the potential to uncover new treatments for sensory conditions like chronic itch.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Liang Han awarded $2.47M NIH Grant to Study Nervous System\u0027s Role in Asthma "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAsthma impacts more than 10% of the world\u2019s population, but current anti-inflammatory treatments only partially control the disease. Now, with a $2.47M grant, \u003Cstrong\u003ELiang Han\u003C\/strong\u003E is exploring the role our nervous systems play, potentially leading to new treatments.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Han will investigate whether blocking specific neurons can help inhibit asthma \u2014 which may provide a new avenue for developing treatments."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2024-05-21 14:21:13","changed_gmt":"2024-06-10 15:44:10","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-05-21T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-05-21T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674049":{"id":"674049","type":"image","title":"The Han Lab: (from left to right) Liang Han, Katy Lawson, Rossie Nho, William Hancock","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Han Lab: (from left to right) Liang Han, Katy Lawson, Rossie Nho, William Hancock\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1716301460","gmt_created":"2024-05-21 14:24:20","changed":"1716301460","gmt_changed":"2024-05-21 14:24:20","alt":"The Han Lab: (from left to right) Liang Han, Katy Lawson, Rossie Nho, William Hancock","file":{"fid":"257515","name":"Han Lab photo 2024 (1).jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/21\/Han%20Lab%20photo%202024%20%281%29.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/21\/Han%20Lab%20photo%202024%20%281%29.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3307240,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/21\/Han%20Lab%20photo%202024%20%281%29.jpeg?itok=RlZwF5PQ"}}},"media_ids":["674049"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"192253","name":"cos-neuro"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674932":{"#nid":"674932","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Nakia Melecio to Lead Innovation Lab Effort at Enterprise Innovation Institute","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMelecio, who has also served as the deep tech catalyst in the Enterprise Innovation Institute\u2019s ATDC startup incubator, will lead Innovation Lab, which encompasses new business development efforts in life sciences and biosciences. The Innovation Lab initiative centers on three core activities:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGrow healthcare research, innovation, and workforce development practice.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExpand\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/global.innovate.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEI2 Global\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0027s international footprint.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESupport\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/venturelab.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVentureLab\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0027s National Science Foundation I-Corps activities.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNakia has been instrumental in helping to expand Georgia\u2019s life sciences community and ecosystem,\u201d said David Bridges, vice president of the Enterprise Innovation Institute, Georgia Tech\u2019s chief economic development arm. \u201cLeading Innovation Lab already builds on a foundation he created since joining us in 2019 and further supports our broad economic development mission.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe\u0027s already leading in the healthcare research practice expansion with his work in the MedTech Center and\u0026nbsp;running the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scaleuplab.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EScaleUp Lab Program\u003C\/a\u003E for deep tech innovation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnder Melecio\u2019s leadership as founding director, the MedTech Center, which has the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership and Global Center for Medical Innovation as partners, has worked with and evaluated the innovations of more than 200 companies. Since launching in 2021, the MedTech Center\u2019s 66 active startups have raised $13.1 million in investment capital and an additional $6.4 million in federal, non-dilutive funding grants.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2023, the MedTech Center was selected to join the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/innovate.gatech.edu\/center-for-medtech-excellence-named-inaugural-member-of-arpa-h-investor-catalyst-hub-spoke-network\/\u0022\u003EAdvanced Research Projects Agency for Health\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s ARPA-H Investor Catalyst Hub to accelerate the commercialization of practical, accessible biomedical solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe is supporting Georgia Tech\u2019s efforts to collaborate with Atlanta University Center schools \u2014\u0026nbsp;Spelman College, Clark-Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and the Morehouse School of Medicine \u2014 to collaborate with those minority-serving institutions as they build out capacity for their scientists and researchers to create more life sciences technology companies, following an award from the Economic Development Administration.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESimilarly, Melecio is working with the University of Alabama at Birmingham on a collaborative project in biologics and medical devices to move more of its researchers\u2019 innovations out of the lab and into commercial markets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs Innovation Lab lead, Melecio, who has secured more than $5.76 million in federal grants and awards to Georgia Tech,\u0026nbsp;will also work to develop biomanufacturing partnerships for Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith EI2 Global, the Enterprise Innovation Institute\u2019s program that fosters economic opportunity through collaborations with universities, innovators, governments, and nonprofit organizations worldwide, Melecio will serve as an instructor on Lab-to-Market and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/create-x.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/11\/ei2-kicks-programming-colombia-create-x\u0022\u003ECREATE-X programming\u003C\/a\u003E for entrepreneurs. He will also create and provide educational content for EI2 Global\u2019s university and ecosystem partners.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECloser to home, his Innovation Lab work includes ongoing projects as a principal in VentureLab, a program of Georgia Tech\u2019s Office of Commercialization. In that capacity, he will work on VentureLab\u2019s National Science Foundation-related Innovation Corps (I-Corps) programming. Those efforts, overseen by Commercialization Vice President\u0026nbsp;Raghupathy \u0022Siva\u0022 Sivakumar,\u0026nbsp;include the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/icorpshubacademy.org\/\u0022\u003ENSF I-Corps Hub Academy\u003C\/a\u003E, where Melecio will serve as director.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur efforts with Innovation Lab are centered around finding new opportunities, new markets, and new industries by leveraging our areas of expertise at the Enterprise Innovation Institute and Georgia Tech to build economic development capacity in the life sciences and biosciences space,\u201d Melecio said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u2019re looking to take a broader perspective, away from being hyper-focused in one or two niche areas in life sciences, to ensure that we maximize opportunities to support new ideas, build stronger practice areas in this space, and secure funding to bring those innovations to scale.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENakia Melecio, senior extension professional and director of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/medtech.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for MedTech Excellence\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/innovate.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEnterprise Innovation Institute\u003C\/a\u003E, will lead a new effort focused on economic development support for life sciences companies and bioscience commercialization and ecosystem building.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Melecio will focus on economic development for life sciences and biosciences."}],"uid":"28137","created_gmt":"2024-05-29 17:16:29","changed_gmt":"2024-05-29 17:26:54","author":"P\u00e9ralte Paul","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-05-29T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-05-29T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674086":{"id":"674086","type":"image","title":"Nakia Melecio - Enterprise Innovation Institute","body":"\u003Cp\u003ENakia Melecio head\u0027s Innovation Lab at Georgia Tech\u0027s Enterprise Innovation Institute. (PHOTO: P\u00e9ralte Paul)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1717003327","gmt_created":"2024-05-29 17:22:07","changed":"1717768298","gmt_changed":"2024-06-07 13:51:38","alt":"Headshot of Nakia Melecio","file":{"fid":"257556","name":"Nakia-Melecio.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/29\/Nakia-Melecio.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/29\/Nakia-Melecio.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":176811,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/29\/Nakia-Melecio.jpg?itok=qLO8AQZo"}}},"media_ids":["674086"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"7043","name":"biosciences"},{"id":"5153","name":"Life Sciences"},{"id":"815","name":"economic development"},{"id":"193760","name":"Innovation Lab"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"193761","name":"Nakia Melecio"},{"id":"3671","name":"Enterprise Innovation Institute"},{"id":"2579","name":"commercialization"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EP\u00e9ralte C. Paul\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:peralte@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eperalte@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E404.316.1210\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["peralte@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674908":{"#nid":"674908","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Physicist Flavio Fenton Awarded Lectureship for Heart Arrhythmia Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFlavio Fenton,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ea professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E, has been awarded the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.hrsonline.org\/about-us\/awards-scholarships\/douglas-p-zipes-lectureship-award\u0022\u003EDouglas P. Zipes Lectureship Award\u003C\/a\u003E by the Heart Rhythm Society for his groundbreaking research on arrhythmias. The award \u201chonors a scientist or clinician who has made a significant and unique contribution to the field of cardiac pacing and electrophysiology.\u201d Only one Lectureship is awarded each year.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/news\/we-heart-physics-flavio-fenton-cardiac-rhythms-chaos-and-mission-end-arrhythmias-0\u0022\u003EFenton uses physics to better understand how the heart functions\u003C\/a\u003E \u2014 or malfunctions, as in the case of arrhythmias.\u0026nbsp;Arrhythmias happen when a heart beats irregularly, and too slow or too fast. These contractions are cued by electrical signals \u2014 electrical signals that he has spent the last thirty years uncovering.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI am extremely honored and grateful to have been selected for this award,\u201d Fenton says. \u201cIt is really a privilege to join the list of recipients of this award, so many of whom I have long admired and whose research has formed and inspired me since my early days as a researcher. It is particularly meaningful for me to be recognized for my contributions to the study of cardiac arrhythmias by a society predominantly composed of medical doctors, especially given the unusual circumstance of a physicist receiving such an honor.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPhysics at the heart of it\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EBy\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.quantamagazine.org\/can-math-and-physics-save-an-arrhythmic-heart-20230712\/\u0022\u003Eleveraging mathematical and computational models\u003C\/a\u003E, along with conducting experiments, Fenton unravels the dynamics of voltage and calcium waves in the heart, and how their instabilities relate to arrhythmias \u2014 in particular the unique spiral waves associated with them. By combating these spiral waves with specifically-tailored electrical shocks, he has developed gentler, less-damaging methods than those traditionally-used in current defibrillators, which he hopes can be clinically applied in the future.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EFenton\u2019s contributions to the field have also included new methods to visualize and study arrhythmias experimentally and the development of theoretical and computational tools, increasing the accessibility of cutting-edge computer simulations aimed at personalizing heart treatments.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI would like to dedicate this award to my mentors and collaborators\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EAlain Karma\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ESteve Evans\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003ERobert Gilmour,\u003C\/strong\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EElizabeth Cherry\u003C\/strong\u003E, as well as to all my students whose contributions have been invaluable and with whom I have had so much fun doing research,\u201d he says. \u201cThis award is a testament to our collective work.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe award recognizes \u201chonors a scientist or clinician who has made a significant and unique contribution to the field of cardiac pacing and electrophysiology,\u0022 and recognizes Fenton\u0027s groundbreaking research, which uses physics to better understand how the heart functions \u2014 or malfunctions, in the case of arrhythmias.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Fenton has spent the last 30 years using physics to better understand how the heart functions, and has made groundbreaking contributions to the field."}],"uid":"35599","created_gmt":"2024-05-28 15:57:33","changed_gmt":"2024-05-28 16:22:00","author":"sperrin6","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-05-28T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-05-28T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674077":{"id":"674077","type":"image","title":"Fenton (center) with students Henry Chionuma, Evan Rheaume, Jimena Siles-Paredes, Casey Lee-Trimble, and Ilja Uzelac","body":null,"created":"1716913143","gmt_created":"2024-05-28 16:19:03","changed":"1716913143","gmt_changed":"2024-05-28 16:19:03","alt":"Fenton (center) with students Henry Chionuma, Evan Rheaume, Jimena Siles-Paredes, Casey Lee-Trimble, and Ilja Uzelac","file":{"fid":"257547","name":"Screenshot 2024-05-28 at 9.16.20\u202fAM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/28\/Screenshot%202024-05-28%20at%209.16.20%E2%80%AFAM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/28\/Screenshot%202024-05-28%20at%209.16.20%E2%80%AFAM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":5295118,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/28\/Screenshot%202024-05-28%20at%209.16.20%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=SUZleHYD"}},"674078":{"id":"674078","type":"image","title":"Fenton delivering his lecture this May.","body":null,"created":"1716913143","gmt_created":"2024-05-28 16:19:03","changed":"1716913143","gmt_changed":"2024-05-28 16:19:03","alt":"Fenton delivering his lecture this May.","file":{"fid":"257548","name":"Screenshot 2024-05-28 at 9.16.44\u202fAM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/28\/Screenshot%202024-05-28%20at%209.16.44%E2%80%AFAM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/28\/Screenshot%202024-05-28%20at%209.16.44%E2%80%AFAM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":3098163,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/28\/Screenshot%202024-05-28%20at%209.16.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=0BqrF1_I"}}},"media_ids":["674077","674078"],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"76941","name":"w"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWritten by \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:sperrin6@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESelena Langner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674629":{"#nid":"674629","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Flicker Stimulation Shines in Clinical Trial for Epilepsy","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBiomedical engineer\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/singer.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EAnnabelle Singer\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;has spent the past decade developing a noninvasive therapy for Alzheimer\u2019s disease that uses flickering lights and rhythmic tones to modulate brain waves. Now she has discovered that the technique, known as flicker, also could benefit patients with a host of other neurological disorders, from epilepsy to multiple sclerosis.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPreviously, Singer and her collaborators demonstrated that the lights and sounds, delivered to patients through goggles and headphones, have beneficial effects. Flicker has been successful in animal studies and in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2021\/05\/24\/early-feasibility-study-shows-flickering-lights-and-sound-could-be-new-weapon-0\u0022\u003Eearly human feasibility trials\u003C\/a\u003E, where it was tested for safety, tolerance, and patient adherence.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENow, thanks to a clinical trial for people with epilepsy, the researchers quantified flicker\u2019s effects with unprecedented precision. They also made an unexpected, but encouraging, discovery: The treatment reduced interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) in the brain.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThese large, intermittent electrophysiological events are observed between seizures in people with epilepsy. They appear as sharp spikes on an EEG readout.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhat\u2019s interesting about these IEDs is that they don\u2019t just occur in epilepsy,\u201d said Singer, McCamish Foundation Early Career Professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bme.gatech.edu\/bme\/\u0022\u003EWallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cThey occur in autism, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer\u2019s, and other neurological disorders, too.\u201d And IEDs disrupt normal brain function, causing memory impairment.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESinger and her team published their findings recently in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-024-47263-y\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Rhythm in Our Heads\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EInside the brain are elaborate symphonies of electrical activity: brain waves, or oscillations, that compose our memories, thoughts, and emotions. Singer wants to modulate those oscillations for therapeutic purposes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAt specific frequencies of light and sound, the flicker treatment can induce gamma oscillations in mice. This helps the brain recruit microglia, cells responsible for removing beta amyloid, which is believed to play a central role in Alzheimer\u2019s pathology. Part of the work is in recording what\u2019s happening in the brain during treatment to verify how it\u2019s working.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe patients in the trial were under the care of physician\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neurosurgery.wustl.edu\/people\/jon-t-willie\/\u0022\u003EJon Willie\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;at the Emory University Hospital Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. (Willie, co-corresponding author of the study with Singer, is now at Washington University in St. Louis.) They were awaiting surgery to remove an area of the brain where seizures occur. Before that could happen, they had to undergo intracranial seizure monitoring \u2014 recording electrodes are placed in the brain to pinpoint the seizure onset zone and determine exactly which tissue should be removed. Then, patients and their care team wait for a seizure to happen. It can take days.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn human studies, we\u2019ve used noninvasive methods like functional MRI or scalp EEG, but they have real downsides in terms of resolution,\u201d Singer said. \u201cWorking with these patients was a game changer. These are people with treatment-resistant epilepsy, which means that drugs aren\u2019t working for them.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPathway to Healing\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESinger\u2019s team recruited 19 patients. Lead author of the study, Lou Blanpain, a former Ph.D. student in Singer\u2019s lab and now a medical student at Emory, went from patient to patient with the flicker stimulation and recording equipment.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBecause these patients already had recording probes implanted for clinical reasons, we were able to record directly from the brain,\u201d Singer said. \u201cWe\u2019ve never been able to get recordings of this quality during flicker treatment before.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAs the researchers expected, flicker modulated the visual and auditory brain regions that respond strongly to stimuli. But it also reached deeper, into the medial temporal lobe and prefrontal cortex, brain regions crucial for memory. And across the brain, in regions Singer hadn\u2019t fully explored before, she found IEDs were decreasing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThat has important implications for whether flicker is therapeutically relevant for people with Alzheimer\u2019s, but also in general if we want to target anything beyond the primary sensory regions,\u201d she said. \u201cAll of this points to the potential use of flicker in a lot of different contexts. Going forward, we\u2019re definitely going to look at other conditions and other potential implications.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECitation:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;Lou T. Blanpain, Eric R. Cole, Emily Chen, James K. Park, Michael Y. Walelign, Robert E. Gross, Brian T. Cabaniss, Jon T. Willie, Annabelle C. Singer.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-024-47263-y\u0022\u003E\u201cMultisensory Flicker Modulates Widespread Brain Networks and Reduces Interictal Epileptiform Discharges,\u201d\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ENature Communications\u003C\/em\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003ENational Institutes of Health (R01 NS109226, RF1NS109226, RF1AG078736,\u0026nbsp;R01 MH120194, P41 EB018783, MH12019), DARPA, McCamish Foundation, Packard Foundation.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECompeting interests:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;Annabelle Singer owns shares in Cognito Therapeutics, which aims to develop gamma stimulation-related products. These conflicts are managed by Georgia Tech\u2019s Office of Research Integrity Assurance.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBiomedical engineer\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/singer.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EAnnabelle Singer\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;has spent the past decade developing a noninvasive therapy for Alzheimer\u2019s disease that uses flickering lights and rhythmic tones to modulate brain waves. Now she has discovered that the technique, known as flicker, also could benefit patients with a host of other neurological disorders, from epilepsy to multiple sclerosis.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Biomedical engineer\u00a0Annabelle Singer\u00a0has spent the past decade developing a noninvasive therapy for Alzheimer\u2019s disease that also could benefit patients with a host of other neurological disorders, from epilepsy to multiple sclerosis."}],"uid":"28153","created_gmt":"2024-05-09 21:09:38","changed_gmt":"2024-05-10 18:25:26","author":"Jerry Grillo","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-05-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-05-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673971":{"id":"673971","type":"image","title":"Annabelle Singer in lab","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA scientist and her tools: Annabelle Singer has quantified her flicker technology with unprecedented precision in a new clinical trial. \u0026nbsp;\u2014 Photo by Jerry Grillo\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1715288693","gmt_created":"2024-05-09 21:04:53","changed":"1715288806","gmt_changed":"2024-05-09 21:06:46","alt":"Annabelle singer in laB","file":{"fid":"257433","name":"Annabelle3.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/09\/Annabelle3.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/09\/Annabelle3.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2465554,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/09\/Annabelle3.jpg?itok=n9zhEfd6"}}},"media_ids":["673971"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"44881","name":"Alzheimer\u0027s Disease"},{"id":"107981","name":"epilepsy"},{"id":"183802","name":"Flicker"},{"id":"187624","name":"gamma flicker"},{"id":"1613","name":"Biomedical Engieering"},{"id":"187320","name":"brain activity"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJerry Grillo\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jerry.grillo@ibb.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674484":{"#nid":"674484","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Science Square Ushers in New Era of Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAgainst the breathtaking backdrop of Midtown, Georgia Tech recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of Science Square\u0027s first phase. In collaboration with its partner, Trammell Crow Company (TCC), the Institute celebrated the opening of this cutting-edge space dedicated to scientific discovery.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech President \u00c1ngel\u0026nbsp;Cabrera underscored the transformative power of partnerships like the one with TCC that has enabled Tech to create this space for innovation and collaboration, declaring, \u201cTalent alone is not sufficient. We need to create spaces where ideas and talent can translate into solutions, businesses, startups, and economic opportunity!\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe purpose-built tower stands ready to welcome science and medical researchers. It\u2019s a new dawn for Atlanta, said Katherine Lynch, TCC\u2019s vice president, who emphasized the importance of this being the city\u2019s first innovation district: \u201cToday, we celebrate an important milestone: the opening of Science Square \u2014 the premier innovation district in the Southeast!\u201d Lynch also spoke of Science Square\u2019s pivotal role of providing Atlanta with the unique opportunity to \u201cattract and retain these companies that would otherwise seek commercial lab space in other cities and states.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe ceremony also paid tribute to the legacy of Professor Robert Nerem, a trailblazer in biomedical engineering at Georgia Tech. His vision led to the establishment of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/projectengages.gatech.edu\/project-engages-overview\/\u0022\u003EProject ENGAGES\u003C\/a\u003E, which focuses on supporting high school students from underserved communities who are underrepresented in STEM. In a grand gesture of commitment to education, TCC presented a generous donation to the high school science education program. Lakeita Servance, assistant director of Outreach Initiatives at Georgia Tech, expressed gratitude for the endowment, saying, \u0022We are immensely thankful that the Trammell Crow Company has decided to provide an endowment to Project ENGAGES to ensure the legacy of the program continues for many more years.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn bringing the ceremony to a close, Atlanta City Councilman Byron Amos highlighted Science Square\u2019s numerous benefits, including the development of an environment conducive to both work and recreation, funds allocated for community training initiatives, and the potential creation of 3,000 jobs. Noting that his District 3 is home to Science Square, Amos said, \u201cScience Square has been what the relationship between the institution, a community, state and local elected leaders, and a developer really should look like. It has set the bar high for future plans\u0022.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of Science Square\u0027s first phase. In collaboration with its partner, Trammell Crow Company (TCC), the Institute celebrated the opening of this cutting-edge space dedicated to scientific discovery.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"First phase of innovation district promises to encourage medical advances, drive economic growth, and inspire future generations"}],"uid":"35798","created_gmt":"2024-05-02 13:41:40","changed_gmt":"2024-05-07 21:44:33","author":"Ayana Isles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-05-02T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-05-02T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673916":{"id":"673916","type":"video","title":"Science Square Opens in Atlanta","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech and the Trammell Crow Company have launched the first phase of Science Square, a pioneering mixed-use development dedicated to biological sciences and medical research. A ribbon-cutting ceremony April 25 heralded the opening to the Atlanta community and all businesses, universities, and organizations that conduct work in these fields.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1714658017","gmt_created":"2024-05-02 13:53:37","changed":"1714658017","gmt_changed":"2024-05-02 13:53:37","video":{"youtube_id":"AIVckuDEypg","video_url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AIVckuDEypg\u0026t=12s"}}},"media_ids":["673916"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2022\/08\/18\/georgia-tech-breaks-ground-science-square-announces-fund-connecting-local-community","title":"Georgia Tech Breaks Ground on Science Square"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2024\/04\/25\/new-science-and-medical-research-hub-opens-atlanta","title":"New Science and Medical Research Hub Opens in Atlanta"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"179355","name":"Building Construction"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"191083","name":"science square"},{"id":"292","name":"Biotech"},{"id":"129681","name":"biomedical research"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"},{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAyana Isles\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESenior Media Relations Representative\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["aisles3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674494":{"#nid":"674494","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Cellular Study Uncovers \u0027Whole-Body\u0027 Impacts of Endurance Exercise","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41586-023-06877-w\u0022\u003Egroup of papers\u003C\/a\u003E released May 1 in the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature,\u003C\/em\u003E scientists \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/d41586-024-01200-7\u0022\u003Eare one step closer\u003C\/a\u003E to a whole-body map of the body\u2019s cellular responses to endurance exercise \u2014 identifying striking \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nih.gov\/news-events\/news-releases\/endurance-exercise-affects-all-tissues-body-even-those-not-normally-associated-movement\u0022\u003E\u201call tissue effects\u201d of training\u003C\/a\u003E, even in tissues from organs not normally associated with movement.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe findings are the latest product of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.motrpac.org\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMolecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a ten-year effort launched in 2016 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to uncover how exercise improves and maintains our health at the molecular level.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003C\/a\u003E bioanalytical chemist \u003Cstrong\u003EFacundo Fern\u00e1ndez\u003C\/strong\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.emory.edu\/home\/research\/index.html\u0022\u003EEmory University\u003C\/a\u003E biochemist \u003Cstrong\u003EEric Ortlund\u003C\/strong\u003E lead one of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.emory.edu\/stories\/2020\/06\/emory_georgia_tech_exercise_study\/index.html\u0022\u003EConsortium\u2019s Chemical Analysis Sites\u003C\/a\u003E, joining researchers across the country to collect and translate data from animals and more than 2,000 volunteers into comprehensive maps of the cellular changes throughout the body in response to exercise.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe $226 million MoTrPAC NIH Common Fund investment also hopes to help people with chronic illnesses identify specific physical activities to improve individual health, and to potentially unearth therapeutic targets \u2014 medicines that might mimic the positive effects of exercise.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMoTrPAC\u2019s latest group of papers details data from studies in rats, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nih.gov\/news-events\/news-releases\/endurance-exercise-affects-all-tissues-body-even-those-not-normally-associated-movement\u0022\u003Euncovering how endurance exercise\u003C\/a\u003E affects biological molecules and \u201call tissues of the body,\u201d as well as tissues and gene expression, along with striking tissue differences between male and female organisms.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead more: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENature\u003C\/strong\u003E | \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/d41586-024-01200-7\u0022\u003EWhy is exercise good for you? Scientists are finding answers in our cells\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENIH\u003C\/strong\u003E | \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nih.gov\/news-events\/news-releases\/endurance-exercise-affects-all-tissues-body-even-those-not-normally-associated-movement\u0022\u003EEndurance exercise affects all tissues of the body, even those not normally associated with movement\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDOI\u003C\/strong\u003E | \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41586-023-06877-w\u0022\u003E\u201cTemporal dynamics of the multi-omic response to endurance exercise training\u201d\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFacundo M. Fernandez\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, is Regents\u2019 Professor and Vasser Woolley Foundation Chair in Bioanalytical Chemistry at Georgia Tech. He also serves as associate editor of the Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry (JASMS).\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EEric Ortlund\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E is a professor in the Department of Biochemistry at Emory University and a member of the Discovery and Developmental Therapeutics Research Program at Winship Cancer Institute.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EStudy co-authors from Georgia Tech\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E also include \u003Cstrong\u003EDavid A. Gaul\u003C\/strong\u003E (School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, along with \u003Cstrong\u003ESamuel G. Moore \u003C\/strong\u003E(Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences). \u003Cstrong\u003EEmory University co-authors \u003C\/strong\u003Ealso include \u003Cstrong\u003ETiantian Zhang\u003C\/strong\u003E and \u003Cstrong\u003EZhenxin Hou \u003C\/strong\u003E(Department of Biochemistry).\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFunding: \u003C\/strong\u003EThe MoTrPAC Study is supported by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41586-023-06877-w\u0022\u003Emultiple NIH grants and institutes\u003C\/a\u003E, as well as the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, and NORC at the University of Chicago.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ENIH grants include: U24OD026629 (Bioinformatics Center), U24DK112349, U24DK112342, U24DK112340, U24DK112341, U24DK112326, U24DK112331, U24DK112348 (Chemical Analysis Sites), U01AR071133, U01AR071130, U01AR071124, U01AR071128, U01AR071150, U01AR071160, U01AR071158 (Clinical Centers), U24AR071113 (Consortium Coordinating Center), U01AG055133, U01AG055137 and U01AG055135 (PASS\/Animal Sites); as well as NHGRI Institutional Training Grant in Genome Science 5T32HG000044; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institute of Health F32 postdoctoral fellowship award F32HL154711; National Institute on Aging P30AG044271 and P30AG003319.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"MoTrPAC scientists are creating a whole-body map of molecular responses to endurance training \u2014 finding striking \u201call tissue effects\u201d in a new set of studies"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EExercise is good for you. To understand why, MoTrPAC scientists are creating a whole-body map of molecular responses to endurance training \u2014 finding striking \u201call tissue effects\u201d in a new set of studies, featured on this month\u2019s cover of the journal \u003Cem\u003ENature\u003C\/em\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Exercise is good for you. To understand why, MoTrPAC scientists are creating a whole-body map of molecular responses to endurance training \u2014 finding striking \u201call tissue effects\u201d in a new set of studies, featured on the May cover of the journal Nature."}],"uid":"34528","created_gmt":"2024-05-02 20:40:54","changed_gmt":"2024-05-02 20:44:59","author":"jhunt7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-05-02T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-05-02T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673933":{"id":"673933","type":"image","title":"The May 2024 cover of the journal Nature, featuring MoTrPAC findings.","body":null,"created":"1714682479","gmt_created":"2024-05-02 20:41:19","changed":"1714682479","gmt_changed":"2024-05-02 20:41:19","alt":"The May 2024 cover of the journal Nature, featuring MoTrPAC findings.","file":{"fid":"257390","name":"naturecover-motrpac.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/02\/naturecover-motrpac.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/02\/naturecover-motrpac.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":247686,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/02\/naturecover-motrpac.jpg?itok=mymjzQ9a"}},"636490":{"id":"636490","type":"image","title":"Facundo M. Fernandez and Eric Ortlund ","body":null,"created":"1593099266","gmt_created":"2020-06-25 15:34:26","changed":"1714682596","gmt_changed":"2024-05-02 20:43:16","alt":"Facundo M. Fernandez and Eric Ortlund ","file":{"fid":"242165","name":"Fernandez and Ortlund.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Fernandez%20and%20Ortlund.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/Fernandez%20and%20Ortlund.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2379860,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/Fernandez%20and%20Ortlund.jpg?itok=emr7a46k"}}},"media_ids":["673933","636490"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/emory-georgia-tech-participating-six-year-exercise-research-study","title":"Emory, Georgia Tech Participating in MoTrPAC Exercise Research Study"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"141","name":"Chemistry and Chemical Engineering"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"},{"id":"192258","name":"cos-data"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPress Contacts:\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jess@cos.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJess Hunt-Ralston\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nDirector of Communications\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nCollege of Sciences\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nGeorgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:anthony.van.witsen@emory.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnthony (Tony) Van Witsen\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nHealth Sciences Writer\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nWoodruff Health Sciences Center\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nEmory University\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:andrea.harris@nih.gov\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAndr\u00e9a Harris\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., S.C.P.M.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nHealth Science Policy Analyst\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nOffice of Strategic Coordination \u2013 The Common Fund\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nDivision of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nOffice of the Director, NIH\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jess@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674367":{"#nid":"674367","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Why Can\u2019t Robots Outrun Animals?","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ERobots that can run, jump, and even talk have shifted from the stuff of science fiction to reality in the past few decades. Yet even in robots specialized for specific movements like running, animals are still able to outmaneuver the most advanced robotic developments.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/user\/simon-sponberg\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESimon Sponberg\u003C\/a\u003E recently collaborated with researchers at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.washington.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EUniversity of Washington\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sfu.ca\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESimon Fraser University\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.colorado.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EUniversity of Colorado Boulder\u003C\/a\u003E, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sri.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EStanford Research Institute\u003C\/a\u003E to answer one deceptively complex question: Why can\u2019t robots outrun animals?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis work is about trying to understand how, despite have some really amazing robots, there still seems to be a gulf between the capabilities of animal movement and what we can engineer,\u201d says Sponberg, who is Dunn Family Associate Professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/physics.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Physics\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ERecently published in \u003Cem\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/scirobotics.adi9754\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EScience Robotics\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/em\u003E their study systematically examines a suite of biological and robotic runners to figure out how to further advance our best robotic designs.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn robotics design we are often very component focused \u2014 we are used to having to establish specifications for the parts that we need and then finding the best component solution,\u201d said Sponberg, who also serves on the executive committee for Georgia Tech\u0027s \u003Ca href=\u0022neuro.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ENeuro Next Initiative\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cThis is of course not how evolution works. We wondered if we systematically analyzed the performance of animals in the same component way that we design robots, if we might see an obvious gap.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe gap turns out not to be in the function of individual robotic components, but rather the ability of those components to work together in the seamless way biological components do, highlighting a field of opportunity for new research in robotic development.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis means that the frontier is not necessarily figuring out how to design better motors or sensors or controllers,\u201d says Sponberg, \u201cbut rather how to integrate them together \u2014 this is where biology really excels.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead more about man versus machine and the future of bioinspired robotics \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ece.uw.edu\/spotlight\/why-animals-can-outrun-robots\/\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Georgia Tech Researcher Collaborates to Advance Bioinspired Design"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech Researcher Simon Sponberg collaborates to ask why robotic advancements have yet to outpace animals \u2014 and look at what we can learn from biology to engineer new robotic designs.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech Researcher Simon Sponberg collaborates to ask why robotic advancements have yet to outpace animals \u2014 and look at what we can learn from biology to engineer new robotic designs."}],"uid":"35575","created_gmt":"2024-04-24 19:31:58","changed_gmt":"2024-05-02 20:25:23","author":"adavidson38","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-05-02T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-05-02T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673838":{"id":"673838","type":"image","title":"mCLARI_Spider.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECan this small robot outrun a spider? Photo Credit: Animal Inspired Movement and Robotics Lab, CU Boulder.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1713987354","gmt_created":"2024-04-24 19:35:54","changed":"1713987354","gmt_changed":"2024-04-24 19:35:54","alt":"Can this small robot outrun a spider? Photo Credit: Animal Inspired Movement and Robotics Lab, CU Boulder.","file":{"fid":"257286","name":"mCLARI_Spider.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/24\/mCLARI_Spider.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/24\/mCLARI_Spider.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3554930,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/24\/mCLARI_Spider.jpg?itok=wDPfHkwN"}}},"media_ids":["673838"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/georgia-tech-partners-15m-nsf-grant-explore-muscle-dynamics","title":"Georgia Tech Partners on $15M NSF Grant to Explore Muscle Dynamics"},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/edge-georgia-tech-professors-awarded-curci-grants-emerging-bio-research-0","title":"On The Edge: Georgia Tech Professors Awarded Curci Grants for Emerging Bio Research"},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/feature\/ultrafast-flight","title":"How Insects Evolved to Ultrafast Flight (And Back)"}],"groups":[{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"150","name":"Physics and Physical Sciences"},{"id":"152","name":"Robotics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188087","name":"go-irim"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"192253","name":"cos-neuro"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"181469","name":"bioinspired design"},{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"},{"id":"39521","name":"Robotics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAudra Davidson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nResearch Communications Program Manager\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nNeuro Next Initiative\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674403":{"#nid":"674403","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Growing Up at Georgia Tech ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMany students meticulously plan their Commencement outfits, but Courtney Curtis sewed hers.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Douglasville, Georgia, native got her first sewing machine when she was 9, taking inspiration from her seamstress grandmother. Despite sewing through her finger the first time she used the machine, Curtis kept at it.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022I am not someone who gives up or quits. If you sew through your finger once, that doesn\u0027t mean you\u0027ll do it again. Everything, whether it\u0027s a hobby or starting a new project, comes with a learning curve, and if I start something, I\u0027m going to finish it,\u0022 she said.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAround the time she started sewing, Curtis set foot on the Georgia Tech campus for the first time. Attending \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ceismc.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECEISMC\u003C\/a\u003E events and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/expandedlearning.ceismc.gatech.edu\/kidsclub\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EK.I.D.S Club\u003C\/a\u003E events, she remembers how expansive the 400-acre campus felt as a child. Over time, it became familiar as she returned often with her dad, who was earning a master\u0027s degree in civil engineering.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022When we were on campus with him, he would study in front of the same big tree on Tech Green. While he studied, I would do my homework, and that spot became one of my favorite study spots on campus,\u0022 she said.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOn one of her many weekend trips to campus as a high school student, she attended a biomedical engineering student panel and felt an instant connection to the program.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022As a high school sophomore, I listened to the panel talk about their experiences, what it meant to be in BME, and everything they do at Georgia Tech, and that was a primary reason why I gravitated toward it. I felt that it fit with who I was as a person, and in hindsight, getting my education here allowed me to pursue my passions,\u0022 Curtis, a John Lewis Leadership Fellow, said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAfter graduating, she will join Owens \u0026amp; Minor as an R\u0026amp;D product engineer focusing on medical apparel, combining her interests in sewing and helping others. Owens \u0026amp; Minor was the primary sponsor of Curtis\u0027 capstone project, in which her team created a more inclusive cleaning coverall.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Unfortunately, the hoods currently used in cleaning coveralls don\u0027t accommodate the fact that people have heads and that those heads have hair. That was a glaring complaint we heard, especially from women who wear their hair in puffs or may have braids. Our coverall resolves that issue with an inclusive hood that covers your hair, keeps everything nice and sterile while you\u0027re working, and eliminates waste,\u0022 she explained.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFrom the Flowers Invention Studio to the Salsa Club, Curtis will miss plenty of aspects of campus life, including one that she knows goes against the norm for most college students.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022I\u0027m surprisingly going to miss the atmosphere and the vibes around final exams when everybody\u0027s super stressed and scrambling, and you see everyone cramming in the Library,\u0022 she said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen she crosses the Commencement stage, Curtis will be thinking of all those who helped her get to this point \u2014 her family, the Georgia Tech Society of Black Engineers, the Black Women\u2019s Support Group, the Office of Minority Educational Development, and BME faculty members including James Blumling, Swati Gupta, Melissa Kemp, S. Balakrishna Pai, and Ankur Singh.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"From K.I.D.S Club to the Commencement stage, Courtney Curtis prepares for the final step of her Georgia Tech journey.  "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFrom K.I.D.S Club to the Commencement stage, Courtney Curtis prepares for the final step of her Georgia Tech journey.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"From K.I.D.S Club to the Commencement stage, Courtney Curtis prepares for the final step of her Georgia Tech journey.  "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2024-04-26 15:30:23","changed_gmt":"2024-05-02 12:54:33","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-04-26T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-04-26T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673867":{"id":"673867","type":"video","title":"Growing Up at Georgia Tech","body":"\u003Cp\u003EFrom K.I.D.S Club to the Commencement stage, Courtney Curtis will take the final step of her Georgia Tech journey in a dress she sewed.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1714146467","gmt_created":"2024-04-26 15:47:47","changed":"1714146467","gmt_changed":"2024-04-26 15:47:47","video":{"youtube_id":"R0d4mwzrwYc","video_url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=R0d4mwzrwYc"}},"673868":{"id":"673868","type":"image","title":"Courtney Curtis Commencement Photo","body":null,"created":"1714146633","gmt_created":"2024-04-26 15:50:33","changed":"1714146633","gmt_changed":"2024-04-26 15:50:33","alt":"Courtney Curtis in front of Tech Tower. ","file":{"fid":"257318","name":"Screenshot 2024-04-26 at 11.36.00\u202fAM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/26\/Screenshot%202024-04-26%20at%2011.36.00%E2%80%AFAM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/26\/Screenshot%202024-04-26%20at%2011.36.00%E2%80%AFAM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":2448532,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/26\/Screenshot%202024-04-26%20at%2011.36.00%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=WSOn51pJ"}}},"media_ids":["673867","673868"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1254","name":"Wallace H. Coulter Dept. of Biomedical Engineering"},{"id":"361651","name":"Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC)"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"175583","name":"K.I.D.S. Club"},{"id":"249","name":"Biomedical Engineering"},{"id":"411","name":"CEISMC"},{"id":"192072","name":"Flowers Innovation Studio"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u003C\/a\u003E - Institute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674432":{"#nid":"674432","#data":{"type":"news","title":"One in a Million  ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn the weeks after Commencement, Andrew Rogers, a master\u0027s medical physics candidate, will begin looking for a place to live in Texas for his residency, take a family vacation to Alaska, and return to his hometown of Augusta, Georgia, to pack for his big move.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBut a busy travel schedule is nothing new for Rogers. Diagnosed with hepatoblastoma at the age of 3, he spent over a decade traveling between Augusta, Philadelphia, and Atlanta, with lengthy hospital stays in between, undergoing treatment for the rare childhood liver cancer.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGiven a prognosis with a \u0022one-in-a-million\u0022 chance of survival, Rogers had two liver transplants before the cancer spread to his lungs and brain. In total, he endured 50 surgeries before his 13th birthday, and it was during the countless trips to Atlanta that he dreamed of two things \u2014 attending Georgia Tech and making a difference for kids facing similar struggles.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EUnlike chemotherapy or other procedures, Rogers found radiation therapy to be a painless experience, in part thanks to the radiation therapists administering the treatment.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022They may not have thought much of it at the time, but in those moments, by playing with me, making me laugh, making me a Spiderman radiation mask, they helped me forget \u2014 even for a second \u2014 that I had cancer and helped me enjoy life. I think about that every day. I hope to one day change a child\u0027s life like my therapists did for me,\u201d he said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENow 18 years cancer-free, Rogers earned a bachelor\u0027s degree in radiation therapy from Augusta University. A program director told him about Georgia Tech\u0027s medical physics program, and, since arriving at the Institute in 2021, he has sought hands-on experience in the field. Completing the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nre.gatech.edu\/clinical-rotation-course\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eclinical portion of the program\u003C\/a\u003E through a partnership with the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Rogers learned each role within the rotation.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022From booting up machines and checking on patients to everything else, I just started wanting to come in every day. I\u0027d go in for free just because I love what I\u0027m doing,\u0022 he said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ERogers wasn\u0027t immune to the stresses of everyday college life, but he approached them with a positive perspective.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022My parents told me that there\u0027s always a light at the end of every tunnel, and it\u0027s always going to be worth it in the end. So, I will keep telling myself and everybody else that when they\u0027re going through a hard time, keep pushing,\u201d he said. \u201cThings may be painful and stressful now, but think about what you will achieve in the future and the people you will help get through battles of their own. That will always keep me motivated.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ERogers isn\u0027t done with medical appointments, but with each yearly checkup, he never tires of hearing the words he hopes to deliver in his career: \u0022All clear.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Andrew Rogers was given a week to live at 3 years old. Now cancer-free, he wants to make sure no child with cancer goes through it alone.  "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAndrew Rogers was given a week to live at 3 years old. Now cancer-free, he wants to make sure no child with cancer goes through it alone.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Andrew Rogers was given a week to live at 3 years old. Now cancer-free, he wants to make sure no child with cancer goes through it alone.  "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2024-04-29 19:38:56","changed_gmt":"2024-05-01 17:01:55","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-04-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-04-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673885":{"id":"673885","type":"video","title":"One in a Million","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAndrew Rogers was given a week to live at 3 years old. Now cancer-free, he wants to make sure no child with cancer goes through it alone.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1714482805","gmt_created":"2024-04-30 13:13:25","changed":"1714482805","gmt_changed":"2024-04-30 13:13:25","video":{"youtube_id":"qWhuY8pvoiY","video_url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qWhuY8pvoiY"}},"673881":{"id":"673881","type":"image","title":"Andrew Rogers in the hospital with his dad by his side. ","body":null,"created":"1714420832","gmt_created":"2024-04-29 20:00:32","changed":"1714421351","gmt_changed":"2024-04-29 20:09:11","alt":"Andrew Rogers in the hospital with his dad by his side. ","file":{"fid":"257332","name":"Screenshot 2024-04-29 at 3.55.06\u202fPM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/29\/Screenshot%202024-04-29%20at%203.55.06%E2%80%AFPM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/29\/Screenshot%202024-04-29%20at%203.55.06%E2%80%AFPM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":3602414,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/29\/Screenshot%202024-04-29%20at%203.55.06%E2%80%AFPM.png?itok=SnCrhfdS"}}},"media_ids":["673885","673881"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"126011","name":"School of Physics"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"140","name":"Cancer Research"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"167101","name":"Spring Commencement"},{"id":"280","name":"Cancer research"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u003C\/a\u003E - Institute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Steven.gagliano@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674386":{"#nid":"674386","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New Science and Medical Research Hub Opens in Atlanta       ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology and the Trammell Crow Company are transforming Atlanta\u2019s booming\u0026nbsp;skyline with the launch of the first phase of Science Square, a pioneering mixed-use development dedicated to biological sciences and medical research and the technology to advance those fields. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for April 25.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe opening of Science Square\u2019s first phase represents one of the most exciting developments to come to Atlanta in recent years,\u201d said \u00c1ngel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech. \u201cThe greatest advances in innovation often emerge from dense technological ecosystems, and Science Square provides our city with its first biomedical research district, which will help innovators develop and scale their ideas into marketable solutions.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EScience Square\u2019s first phase includes Science Square Labs, a 13-story purpose-built tower with state-of-the-art infrastructure to accommodate wet and dry labs and clean room space. To promote overall energy efficiency as well as sustainability, the complex houses a massive 38,000-square-foot solar panel. The solar panel system is in addition to an energy recovery system that extracts energy from the building\u2019s exhaust air and returns it to the building\u2019s HVAC system, reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Electrochromic windows, which tint during the day to block ultraviolet rays and steady the temperature while also controlling the environment \u2014 key in research labs \u2014 are also featured throughout the building.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEquipped with technologically advanced amenities and infrastructure, Science Square Labs serves as a nexus for groundbreaking research, enabling collaboration between academia, industry, and startup ventures. Portal Innovations, a company specializing in life sciences venture development, is among the first tenants to establish operations at Science Square, as Atlanta takes center stage as the country\u2019s top city for research and development employment growth.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe opening of the complex\u2019s first phase, just south of Georgia Tech\u2019s campus and totaling 18 acres, also features retail space and The Grace Residences developed by High Street Residential, TCC\u0027s residential subsidiary. The 280-unit multifamily tower, already welcoming tenants, is named in honor of renowned Atlanta leader and Georgia State Representative Grace Towns Hamilton who spent many years championing this community.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBeyond its scientific endeavors, Science Square embodies Georgia Tech\u2019s commitment to uplifting the local community. By collaborating with organizations like Westside Works, Science Square aims to empower residents through targeted workforce development initiatives and economic opportunities.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis mixed-use development adds immense value to Atlanta\u2019s west side and will lead the development of pioneering medical advances with the power to improve and save lives,\u201d President Cabrera added.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"The ribbon-cutting ceremony is taking place on April 25"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology and the Trammell Crow Company are transforming Atlanta\u2019s booming skyline with the launch of the first phase of Science Square, a pioneering mixed-use development dedicated to biological sciences and medical research and the technology to advance those fields. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for April 25.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Trammell Crow Company delivers first phase of Georgia Tech district devoted to advancing sciences that improve the human condition"}],"uid":"27262","created_gmt":"2024-04-25 19:28:24","changed_gmt":"2024-04-26 15:58:24","author":"Fletcher Moore","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-04-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-04-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673851":{"id":"673851","type":"video","title":"New Science and Medical Research Hub Opens in Atlanta","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETrammell Crow Company delivers first phase of Georgia Tech district devoted to advancing sciences that improve the human condition.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1714065027","gmt_created":"2024-04-25 17:10:27","changed":"1714073020","gmt_changed":"2024-04-25 19:23:40","video":{"youtube_id":"7NDImY4yZGQ","video_url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7NDImY4yZGQ"}},"673844":{"id":"673844","type":"image","title":"Science Square\u2019s first phase includes Science Square Labs, a 13-story tower with built in, state-of-the-art lab and clean room space.","body":null,"created":"1714006796","gmt_created":"2024-04-25 00:59:56","changed":"1714008304","gmt_changed":"2024-04-25 01:25:04","alt":"Trammell Crow Company delivers first phase of Georgia Tech district devoted to advancing life sciences","file":{"fid":"257293","name":"PerkinsWill_ScienceSquare1-Print-06.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/24\/PerkinsWill_ScienceSquare1-Print-06.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/24\/PerkinsWill_ScienceSquare1-Print-06.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":16871436,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/24\/PerkinsWill_ScienceSquare1-Print-06.jpg?itok=TOYZNjCr"}},"673848":{"id":"673848","type":"image","title":"Equipped with technologically advanced amenities and infrastructure, Science Square Labs serves as a nexus for groundbreaking research, enabling collaboration between academia, industry, and startup ventures. ","body":null,"created":"1714052161","gmt_created":"2024-04-25 13:36:01","changed":"1714052339","gmt_changed":"2024-04-25 13:38:59","alt":"Equipped with technologically advanced amenities and infrastructure, Science Square Labs serves as a nexus for groundbreaking research, enabling collaboration between academia, industry, and startup ventures. ","file":{"fid":"257297","name":"IMG_0067.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/25\/IMG_0067.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/25\/IMG_0067.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3957361,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/25\/IMG_0067.jpg?itok=qMiJWhr5"}},"673845":{"id":"673845","type":"image","title":"Georgia Institute of Technology and the Trammell Crow Company are transforming Atlanta\u2019s booming  skyline with the launch of the first phase of Science Square","body":null,"created":"1714008280","gmt_created":"2024-04-25 01:24:40","changed":"1714008411","gmt_changed":"2024-04-25 01:26:51","alt":"Science Square is just south of Georgia Tech\u2019s campus and totaling 18 acres.","file":{"fid":"257294","name":"PerkinsWill_ScienceSquare1-Print-07.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/24\/PerkinsWill_ScienceSquare1-Print-07.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/24\/PerkinsWill_ScienceSquare1-Print-07.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":19735520,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/24\/PerkinsWill_ScienceSquare1-Print-07.jpg?itok=JyZUrMja"}}},"media_ids":["673851","673844","673848","673845"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2022\/08\/18\/georgia-tech-breaks-ground-science-square-announces-fund-connecting-local-community","title":"Georgia Tech Breaks Ground on Science Square"},{"url":"https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2022\/04\/14\/construction-begin-science-square-life-science-hub","title":""}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"},{"id":"85951","name":"School of Chemistry and Biochemistry"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193653","name":"Georgia Tech Research Institute"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"},{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:aprendiville3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAngela Barajas Prendiville\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDirector, Media Relations\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Institute of Technology\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:aisles3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAyana Isles\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESenior Media Relations Representative\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674366":{"#nid":"674366","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Neurotech Moonshot: Georgia Tech Researcher Shares Impact of BRAIN Initiative in Congressional Briefing ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor the past 10 years, the National Institutes of Health have led an unprecedented effort to revolutionize our understanding of the human brain. The aptly named \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/braininitiative.nih.gov\/about\/overview\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBRAIN (Brain Research Through Advancing Neurotechnologies) Initiative\u003C\/a\u003E has led to remarkable technological advancements, insights into the structure and function of the brain, and budding therapies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ERecently, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/School of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ECE) Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/user\/1109\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EChris Rozell\u003C\/a\u003E traveled to Washington, D.C. to share the impact of his BRAIN Initiative research with U.S. Congressional offices \u2014 and offer insights on how critical this program is to society. The briefing took on a particular urgency because BRAIN Initiative funding was cut over 40% this year, and future funding appears to be in jeopardy in the current federal budget climate.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe millions of patients suffering with intractable neurologic disorders and mental illness deserve a moonshot to develop new solutions for their conditions,\u201d said Rozell, who also holds the Julian T. Hightower Chair in ECE and serves on the executive committee for Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENeuro Next Initiative\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cYou can\u0027t get to the moon with a paper plane, and you can\u2019t get there without a map. The BRAIN Initiative is a vital program because it\u0027s one of the few places that brings together interdisciplinary teams that include the scientists who have been building maps of brain circuits and the engineers who have been building rockets to understand and intervene with those circuits.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u0027m proud to have had the chance to represent not only our own research, but the incredible community here at Georgia Tech and around the country working to understand many different aspects of the brain, developing new neurotechnologies, and advancing therapies for neurologic disorders.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch3\u003EInterdisciplinary impacts\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe main message we presented to Congress is that the interdisciplinary combination of rigorous science and technical innovation can have enormous societal impact over the next few decades,\u201d said Rozell.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA stark example of that impact was published in \u003Cem\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41586-023-06541-3\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENature\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E this past fall. In this research, Rozell and his collaborators at the\u202f\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/icahn.mssm.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai\u003C\/a\u003E and\u202f\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/med.emory.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EEmory University School of Medicine\u003C\/a\u003E identified the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/09\/researchers-identify-crucial-biomarker-tracks-recovery-treatment-resistant-depression\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Efirst known biomarker\u003C\/a\u003E of disease recovery with deep brain stimulation in treatment-resistant depression.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe fact that an engineer can advance clinical therapies is a testament to the new era we\u0027re in,\u201d says Rozell, \u201cwhere disciplinary boundaries are fading, and technological innovation accelerates our scientific and translational breakthroughs.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis research served as a focal point of the congressional briefing, where Rozell presented with BRAIN Initiative Director \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ninds.nih.gov\/about-ninds\/who-we-are\/staff-directory\/john-ngai\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EJohn J. Ngai\u003C\/a\u003E, clinical collaborators, and a family whose lives have been transformed by this work. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEvents like last week are dream come true,\u201d shared Jon Nelson, who was treated with deep brain stimulation as part of the study and presented with Rozell in D.C. After living through 10 years of debilitating, treatment-resistant depression, Nelson says \u201cremission of depression still doesn\u0027t feel real. It\u0027s been a year and a half, and I still am in awe every single day.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe fact that I have come out of this study and found that the disease is purely an electrical deficiency in my brain has fueled me to completely pulverize the stigma of mental illness,\u201d Nelson explained. \u201cWhen you have an opportunity to go speak to Congress \u2014 that\u2019s about as great of a platform as you can get for that. Being able to put a face to what the BRAIN Initiative funding can do for people was just amazing.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen meeting with local representatives, Rozell also relayed his work as co-executive leader of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENeuro Next Initiative\u003C\/a\u003E, a budding Interdisciplinary Research Institute at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI was thrilled to highlight that Georgia Tech is leading the charge with the Neuro Next Initiative, which will evolve into a full Interdisciplinary Research Institute in 2025,\u201d said Rozell. \u201cGeorgia Tech has the ingredients\u0026nbsp;to become a leading center for modern technology-driven interdisciplinary brain research and workforce development.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis visit was a reminder to me that research funding is not guaranteed and it\u2019s important to keep communicating the critical value that research plays in advancing our understanding, training our workforce, fueling our economy, and ultimately making a better tomorrow for society.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech Professor Chris Rozell recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to present his groundbreaking research on treatment-resistant depression to Congress. There, Rozell shared insights on the impact of 10 years of the NIH BRAIN Initiative \u2014 and share with local representatives how Georgia Tech is playing a key role in leading the charge.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Chris Rozell traveled to Washington, D.C. to share the impacts of the past decade of brain research funded by the NIH BRAIN Initiative with Congress \u2014 and share with local representatives how Georgia Tech is playing a key role in leading the charge."}],"uid":"35575","created_gmt":"2024-04-24 19:01:17","changed_gmt":"2024-04-26 15:55:05","author":"adavidson38","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-04-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-04-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673835":{"id":"673835","type":"image","title":"Rozell was joined by BRAIN Initiative Director John J. Ngai, clinical collaborators, and a family whose lives have been transformed by this work. ","body":"\u003Cp\u003ERozell was joined by BRAIN Initiative Director John J. Ngai, clinical collaborators, and a family whose lives have been transformed by this work.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1713985800","gmt_created":"2024-04-24 19:10:00","changed":"1713985800","gmt_changed":"2024-04-24 19:10:00","alt":"Rozell was joined by BRAIN Initiative Director John J. Ngai, clinical collaborators, and a family whose lives have been transformed by this work. ","file":{"fid":"257282","name":"Chris-Rozell-BRAIN-Initiative-Briefing-Group-Photo.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/24\/Chris-Rozell-BRAIN-Initiative-Briefing-Group-Photo.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/24\/Chris-Rozell-BRAIN-Initiative-Briefing-Group-Photo.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3133594,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/24\/Chris-Rozell-BRAIN-Initiative-Briefing-Group-Photo.jpg?itok=oOiNIDaf"}},"673836":{"id":"673836","type":"image","title":"Rozell presented to members of U.S. Congress as well as local representatives during his visit.","body":"\u003Cp\u003ERozell presented to members of U.S. Congress as well as local representatives during his visit.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1713985859","gmt_created":"2024-04-24 19:10:59","changed":"1713985859","gmt_changed":"2024-04-24 19:10:59","alt":"Rozell presented to members of U.S. Congress as well as local representatives during his visit.","file":{"fid":"257283","name":"Chris-Rozell-BRAIN-Initiative-Briefing-Room.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/24\/Chris-Rozell-BRAIN-Initiative-Briefing-Room.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/24\/Chris-Rozell-BRAIN-Initiative-Briefing-Room.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":407458,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/24\/Chris-Rozell-BRAIN-Initiative-Briefing-Room.jpeg?itok=I_wOe-Z6"}},"673837":{"id":"673837","type":"image","title":"Georgia Tech Engineering Professor Chris Rozell shared his research and the impacts of the past decade of brain research funded by the NIH BRAIN Initiative with Congress.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech Engineering Professor Chris Rozell shared his research and the impacts of the past decade of brain research funded by the NIH BRAIN Initiative with Congress.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1713985921","gmt_created":"2024-04-24 19:12:01","changed":"1713985921","gmt_changed":"2024-04-24 19:12:01","alt":"Georgia Tech Engineering Professor Chris Rozell shared his research and the impacts of the past decade of brain research funded by the NIH BRAIN Initiative with Congress.","file":{"fid":"257284","name":"Chris-Rozell-BRAIN-Initiative-Congressional-Briefing.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/24\/Chris-Rozell-BRAIN-Initiative-Congressional-Briefing_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/24\/Chris-Rozell-BRAIN-Initiative-Congressional-Briefing_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":414430,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/24\/Chris-Rozell-BRAIN-Initiative-Congressional-Briefing_0.jpg?itok=QAcnntWA"}}},"media_ids":["673835","673836","673837"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2023\/09\/researchers-identify-crucial-biomarker-tracks-recovery-treatment-resistant-depression","title":"Researchers Identify Crucial Biomarker That Tracks Recovery from Treatment-Resistant Depression"},{"url":"https:\/\/neuro.gatech.edu","title":"Learn more about the Neuro Next Initiative"},{"url":"https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2021\/09\/ai-and-neuroscience-become-dance-partners-georgia-tech-arts-event","title":"AI and Neuroscience Become Dance Partners for Georgia Tech Arts Event"}],"groups":[{"id":"66220","name":"Neuro"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"443951","name":"School of Psychology"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"155","name":"Congressional Testimony"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"},{"id":"111361","name":"BRAIN initiative"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"},{"id":"192253","name":"cos-neuro"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"193656","name":"Neuro Next Initiative"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAudra Davidson\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nResearch Communications Program Manager\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nNeuro Next Initiative\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674348":{"#nid":"674348","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Researchers Identify Novel Gene Networks Associated with Aggressive Type of Breast Cancer","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBreast cancer is the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/cancer\/breast\/basic_info\/index.htm#:~:text=Cancer%20is%20a%20disease%20in,women%20in%20the%20United%20States.\u0022\u003Esecond-most common cancer diagnosis for U.S. women\u003C\/a\u003E, and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/breast-cancer\/about\/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html\u0022\u003Esecond-leading cause of female cancer deaths\u003C\/a\u003E. In recent years, breast cancer treatments have improved significantly, thanks to targeted gene therapy and immunotherapy. However, for the small group of patients diagnosed with the most aggressive basal-like type of breast cancer, such approaches are less successful.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ERecently, scientists in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/icrc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech Integrated Cancer Research Center (ICRC)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;have found that this particular breast cancer displays a unique interactive gene network structure. Using a type of mathematics called \u201cgraph theory,\u201d which models relationships between a pair of objects, the researchers computationally detected changes in gene-gene interactions as \u003Ca\u003Ethis breast\u003C\/a\u003E cancer occurs and develops.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe discovery of novel gene networks associated with basal-like breast cancers has helped us identify potential new gene targets to treat this very aggressive type of breast cancer,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/people\/john-mcdonald\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJohn McDonald\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, ICRC founding director, professor emeritus in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/biosciences.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Biological Sciences\u003C\/a\u003E, and the study\u2019s corresponding author. \u201cWe would not have discovered these possible treatments through analyses of gene expression alone.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile causing just 10-20% of breast cancer diagnoses, basal-like breast cancer is much more aggressive than other subtypes \u2014 and if not identified early, when it can be treated by surgery and\/or radiation therapy, effective anti-cancer drug treatment can be challenging. The basal-like subtype does not respond to traditional hormonal therapies.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/molecular-cancer.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/1476-4598-7-4\u0022\u003EOne theory\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca\u003Eas\u003C\/a\u003E to why, advocated by many cancer researchers, is that individual genes do not function autonomously; as such, changes in how genes interact with one another in cancer may be as important as the cancer-driving genes themselves.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe components of any complex system, like the human genome, are certainly important,\u201d said McDonald. \u201cThe way in which these independent components interact with one another is also critical.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca\u003EFor this study, the researchers analyzed three major subtypes of breast cancer, with particular emphasis on the most aggressive basal-like subtype.\u003C\/a\u003E The researchers found that gene-gene interactive networks are quite different in the aggressive basal-like subtype, compared to the more prevalent luminal A and luminal B subtypes.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMany of the genes comprising these unique networks were found to be involved in functions not previously associated with breast cancer. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Stephen-Housley\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStephen Housley\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, a neurobiology researcher in the School of Biological Sciences and a co-author on the paper, noted that \u201can unexpected and intriguing result from our study is that neural processes appear to play a prominent role in distinguishing the highly aggressive basal-like tumors from the less aggressive luminal A and luminal B subtypes.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca\u003EIn total, the researchers examined more than 300 million pairs of genes, comparing healthy women to those with breast cancer. Study co-author \u003C\/a\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/zainab-arshad-a81673178\/\u0022\u003EZainab Ashard\u003C\/a\u003E, a computational biologist who recently worked in McDonald\u2019s lab,\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003Eexplained, \u201cDifferences in the gene network structure between healthy individuals and breast cancer patients allowed us to identify changes in patterns of gene-gene interactions within breast cancer development.\u201d\u003Ca href=\u0022#_msocom_1\u0022 id=\u0022_anchor_1\u0022\u003E[s1]\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe team\u2019s results are detailed\u0026nbsp;in a new paper,\u0026nbsp;\u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1089\/genbio.2024.0002\u0022\u003EChanges in Gene Network Interactions in Breast Cancer Onset and Development\u003C\/a\u003E,\u201d which appeared\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003Ein the April 2024 issue of \u003Cem\u003EGEN Biotechnology\u003C\/em\u003E. Based on the results of this study and their \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cell.com\/iscience\/pdf\/S2589-0042(21)01493-0.pdf\u0022\u003Epreviously published analyses of eight other types of cancer\u003C\/a\u003E, the researchers believe they have established the usefulness of network analysis in identifying potential new candidates for the diagnosis of and targeted gene therapy treatment for breast and other types of cancers.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to McDonald, Housley, and Ashard, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kara-keun-lee\u0022\u003EKara Keun Lee\u003C\/a\u003E, a former bioinformatics Ph.D. student who worked in McDonald\u2019s lab, is also a co-author on the paper.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe results shown here are in whole or in part based on data generated by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/tcga\u0022\u003ETCGA Research Network.\u003C\/a\u003E The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) Project was supported by the Common Fund of the Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health, and by NCI, NHGRI, NHLBI, NIDA, NIMH, and NINDS.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis research was supported by the Mark Light Integrated Cancer Research Center Student Fellowship, the Deborah Nash Endowment Fund, Northside Hospital (Atlanta), and the Ovarian Cancer Institute (Atlanta).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECitation: \u201cChanges in Gene Network Interactions in Breast Cancer Onset and Development,\u201d Zainab\u0026nbsp;Arshad,\u0026nbsp;Stephen N.\u0026nbsp;Housley,\u0026nbsp;Kara Keun\u0026nbsp;Lee, and\u0026nbsp;John F.\u0026nbsp;McDonald, GEN Biotechnology, April 2024,\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nDOI: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1089\/genbio.2024.0002\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/doi.org\/10.1089\/genbio.2024.0002\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe team used a computational math theory to identify gene-gene interactions that may be good targets for treating basal-like cancers that are resistant to traditional hormone therapies.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The team used a computational math theory to identify gene-gene interactions that may be good targets for treating basal-like cancers that are resistant to traditional hormone therapies."}],"uid":"34760","created_gmt":"2024-04-23 18:35:04","changed_gmt":"2024-04-24 18:34:55","author":"Laurie Haigh","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-04-23T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-04-23T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"670488":{"id":"670488","type":"image","title":"John McDonald, Emeritus Professor in the School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Tech","body":null,"created":"1681145806","gmt_created":"2023-04-10 16:56:46","changed":"1681145862","gmt_changed":"2023-04-10 16:57:42","alt":"John McDonald, Emeritus Professor in the School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Tech","file":{"fid":"253352","name":"john_mcdonald_0.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/04\/10\/john_mcdonald_0.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/04\/10\/john_mcdonald_0.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1099148,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2023\/04\/10\/john_mcdonald_0.png?itok=VHjiP2YI"}}},"media_ids":["670488"],"groups":[{"id":"1292","name":"Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB)"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1275","name":"School of Biological Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"187423","name":"go-bio"},{"id":"193266","name":"cos-research"},{"id":"192250","name":"cos-microbial"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto: savannah.williamson@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESavannah Williamson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nResearch Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"674277":{"#nid":"674277","#data":{"type":"news","title":"NIH awards $2.9M to Annoviant to advance heart disease technology","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EATLANTA \u2014\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EAnnoviant Inc. a health technology company and member startup in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/medtech.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for MedTech Excellence\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;at Georgia Tech\u0027s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/innovate.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEnterprise Innovation Institute\u003C\/a\u003E, is receiving a $2.99 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to further scale the development and commercialization of its TxGuard\u2122 pulmonary-valved conduit for pediatric heart disease.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe award follows two Phase I NIH grants the company received, the most recent being in 2021.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAnnoviant\u0027s patented TxGuard\u2122 stands at the forefront of technological innovation in conduit replacements for treating congenital heart disease (CHD), the most prevalent birth defect globally and a leading cause of birth-related mortality, the company said.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECHD encompasses a broad range of abnormalities that disrupt blood flow to and from the heart. It affects approximately 40,000 newborns annually \u2014 or 1% of births in the U.S. \u2014 and 1.35 million worldwide. With an estimated 2.9 million CHD patients in the U.S. alone, the need for advanced solutions is paramount.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022This marks a significant milestone for Annoviant as we accelerate our pursuit of impactful innovation to save lives,\u0022 said Annoviant CEO and co-founder Ajay Houde, Ph.D. \u0022It validates our hypothesis and shows the NIH\u0027s confidence in our ability to make good progress. Because we are a small startup, it gives private investors the confidence to invest with us and more companies working with us across the broader ecosystem.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAddressing critical shortcomings observed in current commercial devices, TxGuard\u2122 offers clinical advantages, notably its resistance to calcification, thrombosis, infection, and the host cell integration. This cutting-edge technology marks a new era in pediatric cardiac interventions, providing durable pulmonary valved grafts that adapt and regenerate alongside patients, minimizing the need for multiple re-operations over their lifetimes.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Heart disease is the leading killer of men and women in the U.S. and is the most common birth defect in our newborns,\u0022 said Center for MedTech Excellence Director Nakia Melecio, who worked with Annoviant to help it scale and reviewed its federal funding submissions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Center for MedTech Excellence, which launched in 2022, works with early-stage life sciences startups that have specific obstacles that young tech companies in other sectors don\u0027t face.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022This is a critical milestone for the company, and validates its research and work, thus far,\u0022 Melicio said. \u0022Annoviant\u0027s technology is tackling several challenges that the market currently faces and elevating the possibility for better patient outcomes in management of congestive heart failure.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPediatric patients with CHD often undergo multiple cardiovascular surgeries throughout their lives, with associated costs totaling billions for the U.S. healthcare industry. TxGuard\u2122 offers a transformative solution to this ongoing challenge, promising extended durability and reduced healthcare burden for patients and providers alike.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHe credited the company\u0027s work with the Center for MedTech Excellence and being a health tech startup in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/atdc.org\/\u0022\u003EAdvanced Technology Development Center (ATDC)\u003C\/a\u003E, the Enterprise Innovation Institute\u0027s startup incubator, as being pivotal in Annoviant\u0027s growth.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EATDC SBIR\/STTR Catalyst Connie Casteel, who works with the incubator\u0027s portfolio companies to help the prepare for these federal, non-dilutive funding grants, had worked with Annoviant on its federal funding approach and strategy.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022We went through the 16-week program with the MedTech Center and it really helped us think through the various aspects of the commercialization process and operational challenges we would face,\u0022 Houde said. \u0022Greg Jungles at ATDC was also instrumental in helping us. \u0026nbsp;I\u0027m really thankful for Nakia and his work with the MedTech Center and Greg and the team at ATDC.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECompany to deploy resources toward scaling its pediatric heard disease technology and commercialization efforts.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Grant is third NIH award for health technology startup."}],"uid":"28137","created_gmt":"2024-04-19 15:29:34","changed_gmt":"2024-04-19 15:43:01","author":"P\u00e9ralte Paul","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-04-19T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-04-19T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673766":{"id":"673766","type":"image","title":"Innoviant Co-Founders","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAnnoviant co-founders Ajay Houde and Naren Vyavahare, CEO and chief technology officer, respectively.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1713540668","gmt_created":"2024-04-19 15:31:08","changed":"1713541083","gmt_changed":"2024-04-19 15:38:03","alt":"Headshots of the two co-founders.","file":{"fid":"257202","name":"Annoviant Co Founders.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/19\/Annoviant%20Co%20Founders.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/19\/Annoviant%20Co%20Founders.png","mime":"image\/png","size":2180405,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/19\/Annoviant%20Co%20Founders.png?itok=Vvs8TKFg"}}},"media_ids":["673766"],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"138","name":"Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics"},{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"146","name":"Life Sciences and Biology"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"193646","name":"annoviant"},{"id":"4238","name":"atdc"},{"id":"193647","name":"Center for MedTech Excellence"},{"id":"8949","name":"Heart Disease"},{"id":"6185","name":"pediatrics"},{"id":"136201","name":"Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"106361","name":"Business and Economic Development"},{"id":"71891","name":"Health and Medicine"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EP\u00e9ralte C. Paul\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nperalte@gatech.edu\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n404.316..1210\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["peralte@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}