Faculty Research Day 2023: Investment in research makes innovation possible

James Golubieski doesn’t work in a lab. Even so, a simple blood test for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease may be one of his greatest legacies. 

The president of New Jersey Health Foundation, Inc. and its two related nonprofits spoke at Rowan University’s annual Faculty Research Day on Wednesday about NJHF’s mission to foster health-related research and innovation. Since 2013, when Rowan integrated the School of Osteopathic Medicine, New Jersey Health Foundation has donated $10.3 million to support Rowan University biomedical research, summer programs, community health projects—and the organization wants to fund even more. 

“We’re here to collaborate, to make sure that an idea gets out there,” said Golubieski, a self-described “finance guy.” He recalled meeting Robert Nagele in his cramped office at the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford in 2010, when the medical school was still part of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Golubieski was struck by the professor’s character and passion for his life’s work: finding an early detection method for Alzheimer’s disease, opening new possibilities for research and treatment. 

“He was so driven by this. It was the perfect investment for us,” Golubieski said. NJHF funding helped Nagele get his company, Durin Technologies Inc., off the ground. A recent study found Durin’s new test can detect the presence of Alzheimer’s disease-related pathology up to 10 years before symptoms arise with a nearly 97 percent accuracy rate.

“This was one of the best successes that we’ve had and these are the things we’re looking for,” Golubieski said.

Faculty, students and external guests filled the Eynon Ballroom at the Chamberlain Student Center on Wednesday, where faculty and their student teams shared the results of their research during panel discussions and poster presentations on topics ranging from transportation engineering and advanced materials to sustainability and climate change. 

President Ali Houshmand and Provost Tony Lowman highlighted Rowan’s fast-growing research endeavor. The third fastest-growing public research university in the nation, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education, Rowan University has accumulated $385 million in sponsored research and grants since 2012. Once its new veterinary school is accredited, Rowan will be one of only two universities in the nation to grant the MD, DO and DVM degrees. 

Rowan has undergone “the fastest ascension of any university in the nation that I can recall,” Houshmand said. “It’s remarkable and it cannot be done without faculty … the more that we provide the resources for you to do this scholarly work, the more we can solve the world’s problems.” 

Monika Williams Shealey, senior vice president for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, shared her motivation for leaving special education to pursue her doctoral studies around racial disparities in education and craft solutions. She encouraged faculty to include a diversity of perspectives and needs in their own research. 

“Connect with scholars and other graduate students to think about ways to elevate this work and enhance this work,” Shealey urged, “so that you’re open to considering the perspectives and ideas of others that you may not have thought about.”  

The program included four award presentations for research. They included: 

• Faculty Research Achievement Award: James Heinzen, professor of history and director of the Hollybush Institute;
• Breakthrough Research Award: Wu Lab Research Team, led by Chun Wu, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, biological and biomedical sciences;
• Award for Excellence in Graduate Research: Giuseppina Carannante, doctoral candidate of electrical and computer engineering;
• Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research: Crystal Stackhouse, dual major, physics and biomedical engineering.