Noteworthy Achievements

PROFessionals of the Month -

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.

Noteworthy Accomplishments

Wendy Aita, Rowan Integrated Special Needs Ctr, received $250,000 from NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (NJ Department of Human Services) to support psychiatric and behavioral health clinical services for adults with IDD through RISN Center.

Dhritiman Bhattacharya, Electrical/Computer Engineering, received $100,000 from Georgetown University (prime sponsor: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) to support the study “Resource-efficient skyrmionic memory device using magneto-ionic handle and electric field control.”

Adriana Trias Blanco, Civil/Env Engineering, received $50,000 from National Science Foundation to support the study “I-Corps: Translation potential of a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-based bridge monitoring and inspection support technology.”

Nidhal Bouaynaya, VR Lab, received $1,231,995 (total funded to date: $1,731,995) from Federal Aviation Administration to support the study “Visualization and analysis of aviation safety data.”

Steven Brunwasser, Psychology, received $562,666 from National Institutes of Health to support the study “Toward the prevention of depression among neurodivergent college students.” 

Molly Fisher, Content Area Teacher Education, received $67,875 from National Science Foundation to support the study “Collaborative research: AI tools for measuring teachers’ professional noticing of children’s mathematics.” 

Jacqueline Genovesi, Fossil Park, received $264,671 from Institute of Museum and Library Services to support Empowering Early Career and Non-Traditional Museum Professions at The Edelman Fossil Park and Museum. 

Deanna Janora, Academic Affairs (SOM), received $2,500 from New Jersey Health Foundation, Inc. to support the NJHF George F. Heinrich, MD Excellence in Teaching Award.

Richard Jermyn, Rehabilitation Medicine, received $437,838 from NJ Department of Health (prime sponsor: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) to support the Rowan-Virtua SOM Mobile Liver Health Unit. 

Thomas Keck, Chemistry & Biochemistry, received $374,783 (total funded to date: $1,513,391) from National Institutes of Health to support the study “Combination drug therapy to treat pain with minimal or no abuse potential and side-effects.”

Antonios Kontsos, Mechanical Engineering, received $41,687 from CAMINNO (prime sponsor: National Aeronautics & Space Administration) to support the study “AI-coupled design agents for real-time adaptive spacecraft architecture.” 

Alison Krufka, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, received $310,685 (total funding to date: $737,754) from National Institutes of Health to support Bridges to the Baccalaureate: Cumberland Bridge to Rowan.

Jie Li, Electrical/Computer Engineering, received $3,999 (total funded to date: $23,999) from National Science Foundation to support IUCRC Planning Grant Rowan University: Center for Grid Enhancing Technologies for Offshore Wind Transmission and Integration (GOWIND).

Amin Nozariasbmarz, Mechanical Engineering, received $199,989 from National Science Foundation to support the study “ERI: Advancing thermomagnetic materials and devices for efficient waste heat recovery.” 

Kevin Overbeck, New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, received $1,025,002 (total funding to date: $3,026,745) from Health Resources and Services Administration to support the New Jersey Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program.

Elisabeth Pollio, Child Abuse Research Education & Service Institute, received $399,692 (total funding to date: $1,993,817) from US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to support Project CARES: Increasing Access to Effective Trauma-Focused Treatment Through Training and Self-Care.

Kathryn Quigley, Journalism, was appointed to the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium Board of Directors.

Carla Richards, Public Relations and Advertising, received a Research Assistance Grant from Urban Communication Association for her project, “The Billboard and the Bus Stop: Communicating Religion via Advertising in Urban vs. Rural Highway Environments.”

Courtney Richmond, Biological & Biomedical Sciences, received $41,396 from US Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service to support the study “Developing regional crop rotation strategies to manage wheat stem sawfly.”

Rachel Riley, Biomedical Engineering, received $480,380 from National Institutes of Health to support the study “Hypoxia-responsive lipid nanoparticles for regulation of angiogenesis as a therapeutic strategy for preeclampsia.”

Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM received two finalist nominations in the 2026 National Student Production Awards competition presented by College Broadcasters Incorporated. The Rowan Sports Review achieved a finalist nomination for Best Sports Show. Filter: An Examination of Social Media earned a finalist nod in the Best Documentary category. 

Deborah Shapiro, Performing Arts, received $5,000 from Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation (prime sponsor: National Endowment for the Arts) to support a Marie Rader Series engagement with jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and jazz pianist Bill Charlap, as part of the 26-27 season. 

John Shjarback, Law & Justice Studies, was awarded the 2026 Outstanding Book Award for the ASC Division of Policing for his book, “Chasing Change in Camden: Police Reform in one of America’s Most Violent Cities.”               

Kleiton Dos Santos Silva, CMSRU Biomedical Science, received $193,750 (total funded to date: $364,650) from National Institutes of Health to support the study “Optimizing autophagy to counteract aging-induced muscle deterioration in mice.” 

The Social Work Department received full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education.

Sebastian Vega, Biomedical Engineering, received $10,000 (total funded to date: $554,890) from National Science Foundation to support the study “REU Supplement for CAREER: Understanding the effects of mechanical dosing on mesenchymal stem cell identity” and $193,750 (total potential value: $426,250) from National Institutes of Health to support the study “AMPP Foley catheters: Pathogen-activated antimicrobial peptides for CAUTI prevention.” 

Winona Wigfall, CHAMP/GEAR UP, received $51,735 from The New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education to support the 2026 College Bound Spring Activity Grant Award Notice.

Sarah Wilson, ExEEd, received $306,250 from National Science Foundation to support the study "Collaborative research: Supporting student well-being with a community of transformation."

Qianqian Zhang, Electrical/Computer Engineering, received $199,865 from National Science Foundation to support ERI: Empowering Secure and Private-Preserving Semantic Communication for Wireless Edge Networks.