This spring, Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) held its annual Norma Slepecky Memorial Lecture and Award Ceremony. WiSE was honored to host distinguished guest speaker Joan-Emma Shea, who presented “Self-Assembly of the Tau Protein: Computational Insights Into Neurodegeneration.” Shea is professor of chemistry, biochemistry and physics at UC Santa Barbara. She is a fellow of the American Chemical Society, the American Physical Society and the American Academy for Arts and Sciences. She serves as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Physical Chemistry A/B/C, and is the first woman in this position in the 124-year history of the journal. Shea highlighted how her team, which includes undergraduate researchers, has used computer simulations to uncover key molecular mechanisms behind Tau aggregation.
The event also celebrated student achievement with the presentation of the Norma Slepecky Undergraduate Research Prize, recognizing exceptional contributions to research.
Tessa DeCicco ’25, a biomedical engineering student in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, is this year’s recipient. Her paper, titled “Defining Anatomical Relationships of the Tibial Tubercle to Inform Execution of Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy in Revision of Total Knees,” received unanimous approval from the review committee.
DeCicco was co-nominated by Era Jain, assistant professor of biomedical and chemical engineering, and Dr. Timothy Damron, an orthopedic physician and the David G. Murray Endowed Professor with Upstate Medical Center.
DiCicco has worked for the past three years with Damron. Her winning paper, accepted to the 2025 annual meeting of the Orthopedic Research Society, aims to define pertinent anatomical relationships in the proximal tibia to inform fixation device design and provide data that may be considered when performing and securing a tibial tubercle osteotomy. The project involved collecting precise anatomical measurements to inform the development of a novel orthopedic fixation device. She played a central role in pinpointing critical anatomical and radiographic reference points. These foundational metrics directly shaped the planning and implementation of the project from start to finish. DeCicco submitted this paper as her primary research project.
Jain has also worked closely with DeCicco in her lab. “What sets Tessa apart is her enthusiasm for research, her ability to grasp complex scientific concepts quickly and her persistence in pursuing new challenges,” she says.
The Norma Slepecky Undergraduate Research Prize and Memorial Lecture honors the memory of Syracuse University Professor Norma Slepecky, a distinguished auditory neuroanatomist and member of the Institute for Sensory Research. A founding member of WiSE, this award was endowed in hopes that her legacy for undergraduate research mentorship would continue. The annual prize is awarded to undergraduate researchers in their junior or senior year who demonstrate excellence in research based in the full range of applied biological and engineering sciences.
Since 1999, Syracuse University’s Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) has championed the success and advancement of women in STEM and their allies of any gender, sex or other identity through inclusive, research-based programming and mentorship. Serving 18 departments across six schools and colleges, WiSE fosters a supportive community that empowers undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs and faculty alike to persist and excel in their academic and professional journeys. Led by experienced faculty and staff, WiSE promotes equity, builds networks and equips participants with tools for leadership, resilience and success in STEM fields.
To learn more about WiSE and Norma Slepecky, click here. Stay up to date with our social media @TheSUwise on Instagram and LinkedIn page.
