STEM

SyracuseCoE Awards Nearly $200K for 11 New Faculty Fellow Projects Supporting Research and Innovation

Friday, August 16, 2024, By News Staff

The Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems at Syracuse University (SyracuseCoE) has awarded $198,851 in 2024 SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellow awards to support 11 research and innovation projects led by faculty members from Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF).

The SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellows program supports and honors faculty members who demonstrate a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research and scholarship in the areas of energy, environmental quality and sustainable design, with additional support available for projects engaging New York state-based companies. These projects were selected from a pool of faculty proposals submitted during a funding solicitation issued by SyracuseCoE earlier this spring. Since 2015, over $1 million has been awarded to advance research and development projects led by SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellows.

“We are excited to include these exceptional faculty members in SyracuseCoE’s growing network,” says SyracuseCoE Executive Director Jianshun “Jensen” Zhang, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering amd Computer Science. “Their diverse expertise across disciplines and, in many instances, collaboration with local entrepreneurs will be critical in supporting our mission of promoting innovative solutions for human health, global energy and environmental challenges.”

“This is an excellent program for energy and environmental research and development,” says Dacheng Ren, associate dean for research in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “The support from SyracuseCoE addresses a critical gap in aligning the technical needs of regional and national companies with the expertise of faculty and students at Syracuse University.”

Lindi Quackenbush, interim vice president for research at SUNY ESF, says, “SUNY ESF is a longstanding partner institution of SyracuseCoE, and the SyracuseCoE Faculty Fellows program provides important support for SUNY ESF faculty, often working in collaboration with regional companies and communities, to develop and expand their research capabilities and expertise while addressing global challenges.”

2024 Faculty Fellow awards include: 

  • Bing Dong, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Syracuse University, “Smart Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERVs) for Schools”
  • Scott Erdman, associate professor of biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Syracuse University, “Metal Doped Fungal Biomass as Material for Energy Storage Devices”
  • Sevgi Erdogan, associate professor, School of Information Studies, Syracuse University, “Smart Cities Research Network Development for Sustainable and Resilient Communities”
  • Jennifer Goff, assistant professor of chemistry, SUNY ESF, “Characterization of Bimetallic Nanoparticles for Usage as Air Filter Antibacterials”
  • Mohammad Uzzal Hossain, assistant professor of sustainable resources management, SUNY ESF, “Revitalizing Local Waste Material in Low Carbon Construction Materials Through Materials Circularity for Decarbonizing the Built Environments”
  • Tong Lin, postdoctoral research associate, Building Energy and Environmental Systems Laboratory, Syracuse University, “Enhanced Cooling Fan Design Coupled with Advanced Mixed-Flow Fan Rotor for Improved Efficiency and Compactness”
  • Ericka Redmond, assistant professor of chemical engineering, SUNY ESF, “Innovative Nano-Sawdust Composites for Sustainable Thermal Insulation”
  • Yilei Shi, associate teaching professor of civil and environmental engineering and undergraduate civil engineering program director, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Syracuse University, “A Pilot Study on Simulated Hygrothermal Behavior of a Novel Sustainable Roof System for Green Buildings”
  • Endong Wang, associate professor of sustainable construction, SUNY ESF, “Facilitating Market Penetration of Sustainable Building Retrofitting Through Persuasive Technology”
  • Yeqing Wang, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, College of Engineering amd Computer Science, Syracuse University, “Renewable and MOF-Coated Highly Porous Delignified Wood Composite for Gas Separation”
  • Weiwei Zheng, associate professor of chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Syracuse University, “Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for Emission Control Application”

The awards were made possible by funding to support SyracuseCoE activities, awarded by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR).

One of 13 New York State Centers of Excellence, SyracuseCoE strategically brings industry partners together with researchers and students in a thriving culture of collaboration and innovation, ultimately creating new businesses and jobs, strengthening regional and state economies. SyracuseCoE supports growth and innovation through companies and researchers. Since 2002, more than 200 firms and institutions have been engaged in SyracuseCoE collaborative projects, in addition to more than 75 faculty in Central New York. For more information, visit the center’s website.

Story by Kai Volcy