Rowan Research News | Spring 2025

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News briefs from Rowan University's Division of Research | Spring 2025

Rock and dust samples collected from asteroid Bennu

Ingredients for life could be widespread across the solar system

New research on material collected during NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission supports the theory that asteroids delivered water and the chemical origins of life to Earth. Led by Harold Connolly Jr., founding chair of the Department of Geology in the School of Earth & Environment, the sample analysis from this historic mission is yielding monumental results.

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine researcher Francois Gould in his laboratory

Origins of swallowing difficulties in Parkinson's disease

Over time, Parkinson’s disease robs patients of their ability to control their muscles, including those required to swallow food, putting their lives at risk from choking and infections. Supported by the National Institutes of Health, François Gould, an assistant professor at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, is investigating swallowing dysfunction and the development of potential therapies.

Photograph from the Robert E. Adelson World War II Photograph Digital Collection

New Center for Digital Humanities Research

Researchers in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences have created an interdisciplinary hub focusing on the use of digital technology to better understand historical processes and humanities questions.

Research engineers from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center stand with researchers at Rowan University's Center for Research & Education in Advanced Transportation Engineering Systems

Center for Research & Education in Advanced Transportation Engineering Systems (CREATES) triples capacity

CREATES is expanding its research capacity with the purchase of a second Dynatest Heavy Vehicle Simulator. This new simulator, along with a planned seasonal frost facility, will enhance the center's ability to test pavement under various conditions and support critical research tasks with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine researcher Dan Manvich works in his laboratory

How does 'tranq' change the effects of fentanyl?

Researchers at the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine and the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University are investigating the dangerous combination of fentanyl and xylazine, which is increasingly found in opioid overdoses. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, their studies aim to understand the interaction between these drugs and develop more effective therapies to prevent fatal overdoses.

Partnership to advance innovation

Rowan University and Cooper University Health Care are collaborating to create a joint innovation center to support researchers and boost technology commercialization. This initiative builds on their long-standing partnership and aims to attract global researchers, enhance regional biomedical innovation, and improve patient outcomes.

Rowan University researcher Gregory Caputo works in his chemistry laboratory.

A new antimicrobial medication inspired by nature

Gregory Caputo, a professor in the College of Science & Mathematics, and collaborators are working to enhance daptomycin, a molecule isolated 40 years ago, to better treat dangerous infections. Their goal is to create a more versatile medication that can overcome bacterial resistance.

Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University opens to visitors

Nestled in the heart of southern New Jersey lies one of the largest troves of prehistoric fossils. The Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University offers a unique glimpse into the aftermath of the asteroid impact that wiped out non-avian dinosaurs 66 million years ago. With over 100,000 fossils unearthed, including the largest prehistoric crocodile and a 6-foot mosasaur skull, the site continues to reveal significant discoveries from Earth's ancient past.

Award highlights

Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences

Mitochondrial magnesium regulates MCU activity and PTP opening during ischemic reperfusion injury, National Institutes of Health, Shanmughapriya Santhanam, Molecular Biology

South Jersey Institute for Population Health Cycle 4 Research Engagement, Rowan University - Rutgers University Joint Board of Governors, Nicole Vaughn, Health & Exercise Science

Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering

Evaluating drag-reducing polymers to mitigate hypoperfusion following spinal cord injury, NJ Commission on Spinal Cord Research, Peter Galie, Biomedical Engineering

Towards AI-Enabled Autonomy of Robotic Inspection Platforms for Sustainability of Energy Infrastructure, U.S. Department of Energy, Subcontract with University of Alabama Huntsville, Huaxia Wang, Electrical & Computer Engineering

College of Science & Mathematics

Mechanism-Driven Virtual Adverse Outcome Pathway Modeling for Hepatotoxicity, National Institutes of Health, Subcontract with Tulane University, Subash Jonnalagadda, Chemistry & Biochemistry

Deciphering the biological underpinnings of an alternate means of metastasis, W.W. Smith Charitable Foundation, Mary Alpaugh, Biological & Biomedical Sciences

School of Earth & Environment

Municipal Fiscal Health and Resilience to Coastal Flooding, National Science Foundation, Qian He, Geography, Planning & Sustainability

research.rowan.edu