Meet Our Researchers

Meet Our Researchers

Research That Makes A Difference

Rowan University focuses on applied research, solving real-world problems that affect everyone. We partner on research and development with businesses and industry, government and nonprofits. Our faculty are leaders in education and research, receiving competitive funding from private and government agencies, including several National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Awards.

Undergraduate and graduate students are essential to Rowan's research programs, often collecting and analyzing data, presenting at national conferences, sharing credits in professional publications and winning regional and national awards.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries can impair aspects of executive functions such as decision-making and evaluating risks. Meet Dr. Rachel Navarra, behavioral neuroscientist.

Treating multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a stubborn and aggressive disease affecting plasma cells in blood. Studies of bone marrow could one day lead to more effective treatments. Meet Dr. Manoj Kumar Pandey, cancer biologist.

Alternative food production

Environmental sustainability, economics, public health and animal treatment are some of the key issues surrounding alternative food production. Meet Dr. Garrett Broad, communication researcher.

Business solutions for waste management

Smart business solutions may be the key to improving the market for recycling materials. Meet Dr. Jordan Howell, sustainable business researcher.

Gastrointestinal disease treatment

Patients suffering with gastrointestinal diseases require more effective treatments. Meet Dr. Sangita Phadtare, microbiologist.

Molecular genetics

Much can be learned about how cells are programmed to develop in the early stages of life. Meet Dr. Benjamin Carone, molecular biologist.

Depression in autistic adults

Understanding the factors contributing to depression in autistic adults will improve intervention and treatment. Meet Dr. Kaite Gotham, psychologist.

Untold stories of Soviet-era history

Soviet-era archives reveal how shadow economies were critical to living in a repressive dictatorship. Meet Dr. James Heinzen, historian.

Understanding the brain's "blue spot"

The brain's nucleus locus coeruleus, or "blue spot," is linked to various serious medical conditions. Researchers want to know more about how it works. Meet Dr. Barry Waterhouse, neuroscientist.

Advancing chemical analysis

Chemical analysis using liquid chromatography can be more efficient, sustainable, less expensive, and accessible to researchers. Meet Dr. James Grinias, chemist.

Finding eco-friendly solutions

Mathematical modeling, process design, and simulation can help forecast cost-effective and environmentally friendly ways to manage chemicals and waste. Meet Dr. Kirti Yenkie, chemical engineer.

Health impacts of sleep deprivation

Sleep well, stay well. Researchers are looking at an integrated approach of better sleep and diet to reduce hypertension and heart disease. Meet Dr. Diana Martinez, neuroscientist and physiologist.

Novel, sustainable materials

He's using silk and other natural fibers to create novel, sustainable materials with properties designed for biomedical and other technical applications. Meet Dr. Xiao Hu, materials scientist.

Investigating science deniers online

The internet is a popular news source, but identifying misinformation can be tricky. Meet Dr. Miles Coleman, science communication researcher.

Cultural and global history

Over time, our cultural practices, such as the food we eat and how we eat it, have shaped population growth and the modern landscape. Meet Dr. Q. Edward Wang, historian.

Addiction treatment

Learning more about patient behavior may improve individualized drug addiction treatment plans. Meet Dr. Martin Job, addiction research scientist.

Treating inflammation

Promising research may lead to a treatment for sepsis and other severe inflammatory responses to infection. Meet Dr. Kingsley Yin, pharmacologist and immunologist.

Climate change

Computer modeling indicates the intensity of hurricanes will continue to increase due to climate change. Meet Dr. Andra Garner, climate scientist.

Healthy behavior

Providing immediate incentives may help treat unhealthy behaviors and harmful addictions. Meet Dr. Bethany Raiff, psychologist.

Transportation safety

Distracted driving is the leading cause of fatal crashes in New Jersey. Researchers hope increasing public awareness will save lives. Meet Dr. Mohammad Jalayer, transportation engineer.

Political science

Examining the current political climate in Eurasia provides insight on violence, authoritarianism and other pressing issues. Meet Dr. Lawrence Markowitz, political scientist.

Virology

Current drugs to treat herpes simplex only treat symptoms. Understanding how the virus invades cells may be the key to designing new drugs to prevent infection. Meet Dr. Claude Krummenacher, virologist.
This is a photograph of Dr. Amanda Fakira doing lab work with a student at the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.

Neuropharmacology

Can altering brain receptors prevent opioid addiction? Meet Dr. Amanda Fakira, neuropharmacologist.
This is a portrait of Dr. Sam Lofland standing in front of an x-ray diffractometer in his physics lab.

Advanced materials science

Developing new materials takes an interdisciplinary approach. Meet Dr. Sam Lofland, condensed matter physicist.
This is a portrait of Adam Alvarez, a Hispanic man with short dark hair. He is wearing a business suit with an open-collared pink buttoned shirt. He is relaxed in a chair and holding his glasses on his knee.

Healing through education

Educators can develop innovative strategies and support mechanisms for children exposed to trauma, violence and economic hardships. Meet Dr. Adam Alvarez, youth trauma researcher.
This is a portrait of Melissa Klapper, a white female with long blonde hair and professional dress, standing at an interior balcony rail.

Untold history

It takes an expert storyteller to uncover the experiences of people of the past, like women and children, whose voices have not been heard. Meet Dr. Melissa Klapper, historian.

Violence prevention

Mass public shootings are incomprehensible crimes. But it’s crucial to pinpoint their causes in order to prevent them. Meet Dr. Joel Capellan, criminologist. 

Engineering education

Every day, engineers in chemical plants make decisions that could have major safety repercussions—and it’s important they make the right ones. Meet Dr. Cheryl Bodnar, engineering educator. 

Pain management

When patients treated for pain become addicted to opioids, they need help, not shame. Meet Dr. Richard Jermyn, pain management and addiction treatment specialist.

Climate change

Much can be learned about our rapidly warming planet through the study of nitrous oxide, methane and carbon dioxide. Meet Dr. Charles Schutte, aquatic biogeochemist.

Health disparities

Community health is best improved with help from its members—and careful listening. Meet Dr. Nicole Vaughn, community health and wellness researcher. 

Climate change

Arctic Ocean water holds clues to climate change, but scientists must venture to find them. Meet Dr. Lauren Kipp, environmental scientist.

Sustainable materials

The planet needs renewable sources of new materials, perhaps from trees and plants. Meet Dr. Joe Stanzione, chemical engineer.

Superbugs

Modern medicine needs new methods to attack antibiotic-resistant ‘superbugs.’ Meet Dr. Valerie Carabetta, microbiologist.

Honey bees

Microbes in the guts of honey bees may impact their memories and social behavior. Meet Dr. Svjetlana “Lana” Vojvodic Kruse, biologist.

Alzheimer’s disease

A blood test to detect early signs of many diseases could lead to faster diagnosis and treatment. Meet Dr. Robert Nagele, cell biologist.

Cultural violence

We don’t remember American cultural violence the same way. That can change. Meet Dr. William Carrigan, historian.

Ancient human remains

Ancient human remains help us understand our roots. Meet Dr. Maria Rosado, anthropologist.

Inclusive education

Children with disabilities deserve an equitable education, no matter where they live. Meet Dr. Brent C. Elder, educator and advocate.

Artificial intelligence

In the right hands, artificial intelligence can do a lot more than beat chess masters or drive a vehicle. It can save lives. Meet Dr. Nidhal Bouaynaya, computer scientist.

Engineering systems

Careful study is required to make complicated systems work best for people, no matter their strengths or weaknesses. Meet Dr. Patrice "Polly" Tremoulet, human factors scientist.

NASA asteroid research

After a journey of some two billion miles, the NASA spacecraft OSIRIS-REx dropped a robotic arm and completed a touch-and-go collection maneuver above the asteroid Bennu. Meet Dr. Harold Connolly, geologist.

Cold spray technologies

A $14.5 million research grant will allow researchers to develop technology to modernize the Army and improve the safety of soldiers. Additionally, they will explore applications for civilian and commercial use.

Undergrad research

Rowan faculty and students reflect on the Summer Undergraduate Research Program.

Heart monitoring

Wei Xue, Ph.D., talks about a skin patch under development that measures heart rhythms and the aid he has received from Rowan University in applying for a patent and grants.

Genetic research

Paola Leone, Ph.D., details her groundbreaking research on Canavan disease and the help she received from Rowan University in transitioning clinical trial information to a pharmaceutical company.