Innovation celebrated at Rowan Research Days

Rowan University recently highlighted research, innovation and creative inquiry across the institution’s campuses during this year’s Rowan Research Days at the Chamberlain Student Center. 

Hosted by the Division of University Research and School of Graduate Studies, the two-day event marked Rowan’s fast-rising research portfolio in basic and applied science, engineering, health and biotech, as well as humanities, social sciences and communication. Now offering three professional and 19 doctoral degree programs, Rowan expects to soon achieve designation as an R1 institution by the Carnegie Foundation. 

“You’ve seen a lot of changes in here, but I’m here to tell you, you haven’t seen anything yet,” said President Ali A. Houshmand. “This is only the beginning.”

That’s good for South Jersey, since innovation drives economic growth, national security, health and well-being, noted guest speaker Judith Sheft, executive director of the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology.

“Across the globe, countries are looking to harness the power of their innovation-to-invention pipeline to address a wide range of problems, from immediate societal health challenges and social inequity to longer-term issues such as climate change,” Sheft said. 

Getting there requires collaboration, Sheft said, a concept highlighted by the researchers, faculty and students who shared updates on just a fraction of hundreds of projects underway in Rowan labs.   

“One of my favorite quotes is an African proverb,” Sheft said. “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.” 

Two faculty members and two students received awards for their research.

Gerard Capellades, Ph.D., an assistant professor of chemical engineering in the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, received the Faculty Research Achievement Award. 

Andra Garner, Ph.D., an assistant professor of environmental science in the School of Earth & Environment, received the Breakthrough Research Award. 

Kazi Zahir Uddin, a mechanical engineering doctoral candidate in the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, received the Award for Excellence in Graduate Research. 

Jacqueline Ganter, a triple major in geographic information science and geography in the School of Earth & Environment, and in biological sciences in the College of Science & Mathematics, received the Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research.