Active External Research Grants

Dr. Srinivas Allena

• Development and Characterization of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) Using Nonmetallic Fibers, NEx (ACI Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials), 04/15/2024-10/15/2025, $66,607. 

• Optimizing Fiberglass Reinforced Mix for use in Local Roadways in Ohio, Ohio Department of Transportation, Principal Investigator for CSU, Co-PI for the project, $278,557.21 (CSU share: $91,946), Lead university: Ohio State University, September 2024 – February 2026. 

Dr. Geyou Ao

• CAREER: Elucidating the Synergistic Nanoscale and Carbohydrate Interactions of Glyconanomaterials with Bacterial Proteins, Toxins, and Cells. National Science Foundation, Role: PI; 06/01/2022-05/31/2027; $609,147. 

• Establishing Liquid Crystals of Boron Nitride Nanotubes for Aligned Assemblies. National Science Foundation, Role: PI; 07/01/2021-06/30/2024; $353,902. 

Dr. Jessica E Bickel

• REU Grant: Synthesis, Assembly and Characterization of Soft Matter Research Experience for Undergraduates. NSF (with Kiril Streletzky) 2023-2026; $367,615. 

Dr. Chandra Kothapalli

• Improved pathogen control for poultry processing: Experimentally-validated mathematical models for scalding, chilling, and post-chilling. USDA-NIFA-AFRI. (with Dan Munther and Shawn Ryan); 07/2023 – 06/2026; $498,177. 

• Smooth muscle O-GlcNAcylation and vascular aging in metabolic syndrome. 1R01AG097644-01. National Institute of Aging. Role: Co-I. (PI: Priya Raman); 01/2026 – 12/2031. 

• An Intelligent Biorobot for the Regenerative Rehabilitation of Volumetric Muscle Loss Defects. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 1R01AR083865-01A1. Role: Co-PI. (PI: Sikder); 03/2025 – 02/2030. 

Dr. Chelsea Monty-Bromer

• Vertically stacked ZRA Sensor array for real-time water quality monitoring. TeCK Fund (Ohio Third Frontier Technology Validation and Startup Grant; Role: PI; 12/2022 – 08/2024; $100,000. 

• Wearable Health Sensor. RooSense LLC, Role: PI (with Peng Jiang); 08/2022-08/2024; $81,000. 

• Rewriting the Redox Paradigm: Dynamic hydrology shapes nutrient (N, P) and element . Department of Energy. Role: Co-PI; 09/2021-08/2024; $300,000 (CSU portion, $57,000). 

• SBIR: Novel Test Kit for Detection of Microbial Corrosion in Petroleum Systems; National Science Foundation; Role: Co-PI; 05/2021-05/2023; $256,000 

• SBIR: Wearable Fabric Sensor for Hydration Monitoring; National Science Foundation; Role: Co-PI; 04/2021-05/2022; $256,000 

Dr. Josiah Sam Owusu-Danquah

• Assessment and Development of Surface Coatings for Multifunctional Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs). NASA.  Role: PI; 2024-2026; $300,000. 

• Exploring Satellite Imagery Data for Highway Geometric Features Extraction and Database Management. Ohio Department of Transportation. Role: Co-PI; 2024-2026; $150,000.  

• Developing Transdisciplinary Transportation Curriculum for K12 Students: Integrating Augmented Reality with Hands-on Activities. US Department of Transportation. Role PI; 2026-2027; $84,996. 

Dr. PRABAHA SIKDER

• Multi-functional Dental Implants; Ohio Third Frontier, Role:PI; 03/2023 – 06/2024; $100,000 

Dr. Kiril Streletzky

• Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site at CSU: “Synthesis, Assembly and Characterization of Soft Matter Systems”, $367,616 (PI) National Science Foundation, Division of Material Research, 2023-2027. 

Dr. Xue-Long Sun

• Chemoenzymatic Semisynthesis of Proteoglycan and Its Cofactor Activities, (NIH) (1R15HL177621-01), Role: PI, 01/15/2025-12/31/2027, $445,500. 

Dr. Metin Uz

• Project Title: Wireless mechano-electrical stimulation of pudendal nerve using piezoelectric platform for stress urinary incontinence. NIH-NIDDK Stephen I. Katz ESI R01, $2,339,409, 06.23-05.28. Status: Awarded. Project Number 1R01DK135472-01. Role: PI 

• Project Title: Restoring the Mechanosensation in Engineered Skin using Controllable Cellular and Extracellular Cues. NSF-CBET, $503,973, 02.23-02.27 Status: Awarded. Award Number: 2227383 Role: Co-PI 

• Project Title: Mechanistic understanding of neural stem cell paracrine activity and extracellular vesicle secretion directed by wireless electrical stimulation. NSF-ERI-Cellular and Biochemical Engineering Program, $196,966, 07.23-06.26 Status: Awarded. Award Number: 2301908 Role: PI. 

DR. SHAOWEI YANG

• ERI: Engineering Amino Acid-Anchored 2D Silicoaluminophosphates and Aluminosilicates for Advanced Adsorption and Biomedical Applications, Funding Source: NSF, PI: Shaowei Yang, Funding Amount: $199,973. Project Period: 08/01/2025-07/31/2027.