In This Issue

Meet CSU's Faculty

Prabaha Sikder, Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Prabaha Sikder is an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (MCE). He received his Ph.D. from the University of Toledo (UT) and post-doctoral training from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. His research interest lies in the development of medical implants and scaffolds which aim to treat orthopedic (bone) and musculoskeletal defects. His lab at CSU uses state-of-the-art additive manufacturing (3D printing) techniques to develop innovative and multi-functional biomaterial formulations based on ceramics and polymers.

His most recent research interest lies in the field of bioprinting where his group is developing ‘live’ (i.e., cell containing) biomimetic implants for the treatment of volumetric muscle loss. After joining CSU, he received the NSF I-Corps award for developing a design-specific, multi-functional interbody cage (spinal implant) for spinal fusion surgeries.

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Featured Student Researcher

Outstanding Leadership Award

Andrew Scherer, a member of the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Honors College majoring in Physics and Environmental Sciences, has been awarded a prestigious 2021 SPS Outstanding Leadership Scholarship by the National Society of Physics Students (SPS) office of the American Institute of Physics.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Andrew has performed undergraduate research with support from CSU’s Undergraduate Summer Research Award (USRA) program in 2019 and in 2020, working in the lab of Dr. Kiril Streletzky, an associate professor in the Department of Physics and the newly-elected president of SPS. Andrew presented his research to a national audience at the 2021 March Meeting of the American Physical Society.

Research Resources

Qualtrics Getting Started Guide

Cleveland State University has purchased a site-wide license for Qualtrics® cloud services for use as a survey tool for creating, delivering, and analyzing surveys and survey responses for research, academic, and administrative purposes. Qualtrics is available to all current CSU faculty and staff, and to students when supervised by faculty in a class or research setting.

Use of the University-provided Qualtrics account is subject to agreement with the terms of use found here. Our getting started guide will help you with the basics for establishing an account, and Qualtrics provides a range of free, self-paced online tutorials to help you get up to speed on using this powerful survey tool. If you are an experienced Qualtrics user and are willing to help guide new users, please contact Dr. Ben Ward or Dr. Joanne Goodell.

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Inspired Creativity

CSU's Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Band on Stage

The Cleveland State University Symphony Orchestra and the CSU Symphonic Band will return to the stage for live performances in October. Dr. Victor Liva, a professor, Coordinator of String Studies, Director of the Graduate String Quartet, and Conductor of Orchestras in the Department of Music, will conduct the CSU Symphony Orchestra on October 1 at 7:30 pm.

Dr. Birch Browning, a professor and Conductor of Bands and the Cleveland Winds in the Department of Music, will lead the CSU Symphonic Band on October 7 at 7:00 pm. Both concerts are free and open to the public, and will be held in the Waetjen Auditorium in the CSU Music & Communication Building.

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News from the Technology Transfer Office

Invention Disclosure Filing

An invention disclosure was submitted by Dr. Merlin Nithya Gnanapragasam, an assistant professor in the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BGES) and member of the Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease (GRHD), and Dr. Mahesh Ramamoorthy, an assistant research professor in GRHD, titled “Targeting Pum1 to alleviate y-globin expression as a treatment strategy against β-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia.”

The invention provides a novel RNA binding protein to treat blood disorders including beta thalassemia and sickle cell anemia. In people with beta thalassemia, low levels of hemoglobin lead to a lack of oxygen in many parts of the body.

Contact Jack Kraszewski for assistance with a disclosure to begin the process of protecting your invention or intellectual property.

Commercialization Support

Inventors’ Forum: Save the date October 7, 2021 3pm-4pm

Please join the CSU and Kent State Technology Transfer Offices for an engaged discussion on the commercialization process and funding opportunities available to advance your research.

Hosted by Kent State’s Division of Research and Sponsored Programs and Technology Commercialization, speakers will include Jack Kraszewski, Esq., CSU’s Director of Technology Transfer and Assistant Ohio Attorney General; and KSU’s Associate General Counsel Douglas Kubinski, Esq.

Registration for this informative online event can be found here. Registration is required and the link will be emailed prior to the event.

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Research Events

Reminder: Student Research Poster Session September 23

The Office of Research invites students, faculty, and staff to attend the Annual Undergraduate Research Poster Session on Thursday, September 23 from 12 pm - 3 pm in the Student Center Atrium. This event is the culmination of the 2020 and 2021 Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) programs, and approximately 100 Cleveland State undergraduate students, including McNair scholars, will share their research and creative activity through print posters and discussions.

Brown Bag Lunch Hosted by the Center for Refugee and Immigrant Success (CRIS) The Stories We Tell: An Overview of Immigrant and Refugee Literature in America presented by Jeff Karem (Chair and Professor of English) via Zoom. September 23 at 11:30 a.m. Register here.

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