Noteworthy Achievements

The PROFessionals of the Month program celebrates exemplary Rowan University employees, as nominated each month by their colleagues across the University community. To read honorees’ profiles, visit PROFessionals of the Month.

Mohamed Abouelkhair, Veterinary Medicine, received $50,000 from New Jersey Health Foundation to support the study, “Mechanistic and therapeutic exploration of macrolide antibiotics as repurposed anticancer agents.”

Russell Buono, CMSRU Biomedical Science, received $50,000 from New Jersey Health Foundation to support the study, “Optimizing delivery of a novel chemotherapeutic drug to human glioblastoma tumors using bacteria.”

Gerard Capellades, Chemical Engineering, received $127,590 from Merck & Co Inc., to support the study, “Twin crystallizer configuration for the isolation of poorly soluble impurities” and  $81,989 from Redwire Space Technologies, Inc. (prime sponsor: NASA) to support the study, “Growth of crystalline pharmaceutical alloys in microgravity p2.” 

Valerie Carabetta, CMSRU Biomedical Science, received $50,000 from New Jersey Health Foundation to support the study, “Addressing the possibility of using bacteriophage as a novel antimicrobial agent against highly drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii” and $50,000 from New Jersey Health Foundation to support the study, “AMPP foley catheters: Pathogen-activated antimicrobial peptides for CAUTI Prevention.” 

Ying Chen, Biomedical Engineering, received $50,000 from New Jersey Health Foundation to support the study, “Electrowritten metallo-elastomer conduits for next-generation vascular repair.”

Joshua Coren, Family Medicine, received $35,000 from New Jersey Health Foundation to support the study, Student-led SBIRT to decrease transition to substance use disorders in college students.”

Eduard Dedkov, CMSRU Biomedical Science, received $50,000 from New Jersey Health Foundation to support the study, “A novel therapeutic strategy to alleviate hypertension-induced diastolic heart failure.”

Peter Galie, Biomedical Engineering, received $50,000 from New Jersey Health Foundation to support the study, “Drag-reducing polymers with therapeutic capability.”

Eddie Guerra, Sweeney Center for Public Policy, received $36,822 from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey  (prime sponsor: The New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education) to support Expanding New Jersey's Nuclear Generation Capacity.

James Holaska, CMSRU Biomedical Science, received $50,000 from New Jersey Health Foundation to support the study, “Evaluating mechanotransduction inhibitors as a potential treatment strategy for aggressive breast cancers.”

Carl Hok, Neuroscience, received $75,000 from New Jersey Health Foundation to support the FY 26 Summer Student Research Grant Program.

Subash Jonnalagadda, Chemistry & Biochemistry, received $84,419  (total funding to date: $229,938) from Oregon State University (prime sponsor: National Institutes of Health) to support the study, “Discovering chemical activity networks - predicting bioactivity based on structure.” 

Claude Krummenacher, Biological & Biomedical Sciences, received $50,000 from New Jersey Health Foundation to support the study, “Analysis of antiviral molecules against herpes simplex viruses in organoid cultures.” 

Marilyn S. Manley, World Languages, is the first editor of the recently published volume, Quechua Language Instruction and Assessment Across the Americas: Challenges and Solutions. 

Melissa Manners, Biological & Biomedical Sciences, received $50,000 from New Jersey Health Foundation to support the study, “Targeting astrocyte-mediated neuroinflammation for the treatment of depression.”

Amos Mugweru, Chemistry & Biochemistry, received $46.600 from New Jersey Health Foundation, Inc. to support the study, “Polymer based nanomaterials for targeted PFAS removal.”

William Riddell, Civil & Environmental Engineering, received $796,531 from NJ Department of Military Affairs to support NJ DMAA Sustainable Facilities Center combined Builder/Audits/ISR Projects. 

Peter Schnatz, OB/GYN, received $50,000 from New Jersey Health Foundation to support the study, “Enhancing a 21 year prospective study on breast arterial calcification and cardiovascular disease with CDC mortality data.”

Shanmughapriya Santhanam, Molecular Biology, received $385,000 (total funded to date: $770,000) from National Institutes of Health to support the study, “Mitochondrial magnesium regulates MCU activity and PTP opening during ischemic reperfusion injury.”

Christina Simmons, Psychology, received $35,000 from New Jersey Health Foundation to support the study, “Feasibility and pilot evaluation of psychological stress response measurement in conjunction with virtual reality parent training for severe behavior.”

Leslie Spencer, Health & Exercise Science, received  $11,600 from Bancroft (prime sponsor: Wawa Foundation) to support the Lunchtime Energize Program 2026. 

Kenneth Stagliano, Rehabilitation Medicine, received $35,000 from New Jersey Health Foundation to support the study, “Development of a specialist program for peer recovery coaches to prevent health-related mortality in substance users.”

Marilena Vilceanu, Public Relations/Advertising, received $35,000 from New Jersey Health Foundation to support the study, “Nature, data, and healing - A model for ecological and human resilience using bird and bat vocalizations.”

Zhihong Wang, Chemistry & Biochemistry, received $50,000 from New Jersey Health Foundation to support the study, “Targeting the MRAS-SHOC2-PP1C Complex: chemical strategies to disrupt oncogenic signal transduction.”