The Ohio State University College of Engineering

Led by Prof. Shaurya Prakash, researchers at Ohio State are developing a new AI-driven approach to better understand extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanoscopic particles released by cells that circulate throughout the body's biological fluids. The effort could result in faster, more reliable methods of detecting diseases such as cancer, monitoring patient health, and identifying infectious diseases through minimally invasive testing
https://engineering.osu.edu/news/2026/07/nsf-award-will-help-improve-disease-detection-and-biomarker-discovery
If successful, the research could transform how EVs are studied and used in medicine, opening new pathways for understanding disease and harnessing one of the body's smallest but most information-rich biological resources.

The project was recently awarded funding from the National Science Foundation’s Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation. Co-principal investigator is Assoc. Prof. Alok Sutradhar.

NSF award will help improve disease detection and biomarker discovery Shaurya Prakash explores diagnostic potential of extracellular vesicles

🥳 Cheers for Prof. Umit Ozkan, Distinguished University Professor and chair of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, as the recipient of the 2027 North American Catalysis Society Award for Distinguished Service in the Advancement of Catalysis.

Jointly sponsored by ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering and Clariant, this biennial award recognizes individuals whose technical accomplishments are matched by significant service to the catalysis community.

Professor Ozkan is being honored for transformative contributions spanning cutting-edge research, leadership, mentorship, and community-building. Over several decades, her service has strengthened collaboration across professional societies, elevated standards of scholarship, and expanded participation throughout the field. Her impact includes mentoring more than 100 researchers, serving in numerous professional leadership and editorial roles, and pioneering connections between thermal catalysis and electrocatalysis.

Her distinguished record of recognition also includes the NACS Robert Burwell Award, the ACS Olah and Storch Awards, the AIChE Margaret Rousseau Lifetime Achievement Award, and election to the National Academy of Engineering.

Prof. Umit S. Ozkan Receives the 2027 NACS Award for Distinguished Service in the Advancement of Catalysis Prof. Umit S. Ozkan Receives the 2027 NACS Award for Distinguished Service in the Advancement of CatalysisBy Nicholas Brunelli / July 21, 2026 Pro­fes­sor Umit S. Ozkan is award­ed for her trans­for­ma­tive ser­vice to the field of catal­y­sis through her cut­ting-edge research, lead­er­...

Congratulations to Electrical & Computer Engineering Prof. & Chair Balasubramaniam Shanker, who has been appointed interim dean of the College of Engineering 👏

He succeeds Dean Ayanna Howard, who concludes her tenure at Ohio State on July 31 before she begins serving as the 12th president of Spelman College.

Since arriving at Ohio State, Shanker has focused on designing and scaling programs that emphasize research impact, educational agility, student success and professional competence, while elevating these outcomes to external stakeholders.
Learn more: https://engineering.osu.edu/news/2026/07/shanker-named-interim-dean-ohio-state-engineering

Our Office of Advising is always striving to enhance success of our students. This summer that effort includes new roles and new faces!
https://engineering.osu.edu/news/2026/07/office-advising-restructuring-focused-student-success

To help coordinate efforts and initiatives centrally, academic advisors embedded in departments will begin reporting to one of three new associate directors.

Under the leadership of Director of Advising Mary Leist, these new roles and the restructure will amplify collaboration, consistency and operational excellence across the college's advising and student support network. Effective August 10, Katie Watkins will serve as associate director of advising for first-year engagement and transition. Effective August 17, Barry Tolchin begins serving as associate director of advising for academic persistence and intervention. Also effective August 17, Jamel Chamberlain will become associate director of advising for degree completion and academic pathways. 👏👏👏

Office of Advising restructuring focused on student success Three associate directors named

When Malcolm Pierce learned he would be presenting his research at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Turbo Expo 2026 in Milan, Italy, he knew the opportunity could be transformative. What he didn’t know was that a simple email and an application for a grant available through the Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry office would help make the experience possible.

A rising fourth-year mechanical engineering student, he conducts research under the mentorship of Prof. Calvin M. Stewart, PhD in the Materials at Extremes Laboratory.
https://engineering.osu.edu/news/2026/07/university-grant-propels-student-asme-turbo-expo-milan

Malcolm said receiving the Expanding STEM Horizons Grant gave him the opportunity to present his research to an international audience for the first time and broadened his worldview. “My entire perspective on the world was definitely changed as I got a firsthand look on how people can cooperate and develop relationships on a global scale,” he said.

University grant propels student to ASME Turbo Expo in Milan Malcolm Pierce works in the Materials at Extremes Laboratory

Fantastic CNN article about Distinguished Alumnus Michael Triplett, his entrepreneurial success and his quest to position Ohio as the next epicenter for biotech innovation and life sciences.
https://www.cnn.com/world/quest-to-turn-ohio-into-a-biotech-hub-michael-spc

Triplett formed one of Ohio’s most successful biotech startup companies, Myonexus Therapeutics, which was acquired in a deal that topped $225 million in 2019.

He has emerged as one of the state’s leading advocates to transform its capital, Columbus, into a biotech hub, telling anyone and everyone that the next wave of medical breakthroughs won’t come from the coastal elites, but the heart of the Midwest.

“Innovation follows people and purpose, not ZIP codes,” Triplett said. “I’m motivated to drive innovation based on economic renaissance in the state, and I have a lot of like-minded people that I’ve partnered with.”

Full article: https://www.cnn.com/world/quest-to-turn-ohio-into-a-biotech-hub-michael-spc

From a small-town pledge to the big time: A quest to turn central Ohio into a biotech hub | CNN Move over, Silicon Valley. Biotech entrepreneur Michael Triplett is quietly positioning Ohio to become the world’s next epicenter for biotech innovation and life sciences.

This week, two teams led by Ohio State researchers joined a $293M initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to harness for breakthroughs in energy dominance, discovery science and national security.
https://engineering.osu.edu/news/2026/07/ohio-state-researchers-lead-national-teams-exploring-science-ai-innovation

The projects led by Ohio State are:

▶️ ROBIN-NET: RObust BIdirectional PINNs for Accelerated Complex Flow Modeling and Discovery. Prof. Han-Wei Shen is joined by research teams from Los Alamos National Laboratory & Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The industry partner for the project is NVIDIA.

▶️ AI for Orbital Electronics Materials and Manufacturing. Prof. Roland Kawakami is joined by researchers at the University of Southern California, Yale University and Argonne National Laboratory. Intel joins the team as the industry partner.

Teams selected for phase one are eligible for phase two, which will include the opportunity for $6-15M in grant funding over three years.

“These awards underscore Ohio State’s leadership in AI, advanced computing and domain science and demonstrate the vital role our researchers play in accelerating discovery that will benefit Ohio, the nation and the world,” said Prof. John Horack, Ohio State’s vice president for research.

Ohio State researchers to lead national teams exploring science, AI innovation ‘Genesis Mission’ funded by $293M from Department of Energy