USF Department of Medical Engineering Newsletter

Message from the Chair

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

I am delighted to present to you our University of South Florida (USF-Tampa) Medical Engineering Department Newsletter/Annual Report. To set the stage, let me provide some key milestones of our journey. Our department started in 2017 with 1 Faculty Member and no official department headquarters. Now, we have 17 full-time Primary Faculty and several dozen Affiliated BME Faculty from other USF Departments and Colleges. We have been fortunate to have been awarded about 20,000 sq ft of space on the top floor of one of our modern research buildings, to serve as our department headquarters, with some of our key labs, all newly renovated. Phase 4 of this Medical Engineering/BME Renovation will comprise research labs for 3 new tenure/TT faculty to be recruited.

One of my favorite memories was the completion and Fl state approval for our BME undergraduate major, just the 4th such major in the State of Florida then. We are still growing, with about 400 BME students enrolled each year, including our BME MS and PhD programs. Another highlight is the success of our BME Senior Capstone projects, where we require each project to have an external industrial or hospital sponsor and mentoring team. We have already won several regional and national BME Capstone Awards, a foreshadowing of even greater things to come for our BME graduates. I am also fond of our Annual Department Strategic Planning Retreat Day, where we take time to strategically analyze our progress, and make (hopefully) wise plans for future growth, research expansion and student successes.

Thank you for taking a look at this report, which should help you get to know us better here in Tampa. Please reach out to me with any comments or questions, as we view this as a mechanism to get to know our BME friends and colleagues better, here at USF, and nationally as well.

Sincerely,

Robert Frisina, PhD, Founding and Endowed Chair

Welcome New Faculty

Mesiam Asgari, PhD

Assistant Professor

The Department of Medical Engineering is proud to officially welcome Dr. Meisam Asgari, who joined our faculty in 2024 as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Asgari brings with him a dynamic portfolio of interdisciplinary research and academic excellence that promises to enrich our department and inspire our students.

Dr. Asgari’s academic journey is marked by a strong international foundation and a consistent trajectory of innovation in mechanical and biomedical engineering. He completed his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at McGill University in 2015, followed by prestigious postdoctoral fellowships at McGill and Northwestern University.

Anna Bulysheva, PhD

Assistant Professor

The Department of Medical Engineering is excited to welcome Dr. Anna Bulysheva, who joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor in Fall 2022. With a distinguished background in bioelectrics, biomedical engineering, and interdisciplinary translational research, Dr. Bulysheva brings a unique and dynamic perspective to our growing academic community. She currently teaches Molecular and Cell Engineering, where she introduces students to the forefront of biomedical innovation at the cellular level. Dr. Bulysheva’s academic and professional journey reflects a deep and sustained commitment to biomedical discovery. She holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Byeol "Star" Kim, PhD

Assistant Professor

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Byeol “Star” Kim, USF’s newest Assistant Professor of Medical Engineering! Her arrival marks a bold addition to our vibrant research landscape, one that promises to yield new breakthroughs across bioengineering, AI‑enabled healthcare, and surgical simulation. She brings her expertise in Extended Reality (VR/AR), Human-Centered Medical Systems, Machine Learning and 3D Printing. With roles in USF Medical Engineering, Morsani College of Medicine and USF CAMLS (Center for Advanced Medical Learning Simulation), we look forward to the impact she will make in Tampa and beyond. Dr. Kim earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and M.S. and B.S. from the University of Maryland, College Park, in Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering (with a minor in International Engineering).

Neda Latifi, PhD

Assistant Professor

The Department of Medical Engineering is pleased to welcome Dr. Neda Latifi, who joined us in Fall 2023 as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Latifi directs the newly established Translational Tissue Engineering and Biofabrication (TTEB) Laboratory, where she is developing a dynamic research program focused on engineering functional, living tissues capable of growth, remodeling, and repair throughout a patient’s lifetime.

Dr. Latifi brings a robust interdisciplinary background to USF, encompassing tissue engineering, biomaterials, biofabrication, and cell-biomaterials interactions.

Babak Safa, PhD

Assistant Professor

The Department of Medical Engineering at the University of South Florida is delighted to welcome Dr. Babak N. Safa as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Safa is an accomplished researcher in the field of soft tissue biomechanics, with a particular focus on vision and ocular diseases. He received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Sharif University of Technology and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Delaware. He completed his postdoctoral training at the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering of the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University.

Dr. Safa's expertise lies in investigating the biomechanical and mechanobiological aspects of ocular tissues.

Skyler Cruz

Graduate Academic Program Specialist

With a background in psychology and a strong commitment to student success, Skyler Cruz is eager to help graduate students thrive at every stage of their academic journey. She brings experience in guiding students through academic planning, research opportunities, and navigating the unique challenges of rigorous graduate school curricula. Skyler is dedicated to creating a supportive environment where students can achieve their goals and feel confident in their path forward. We’re excited to welcome Skyler Cruz, our new Graduate Academic Program Specialist!

Faculty Research Achievements & Awards

The Department of Medical Engineering at the University of South Florida is proud to announce that two of its distinguished faculty members—Drs. Robert Frisina and Richard Heller—have been recognized by the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida (ASEMFL) for their outstanding contributions to science and innovation.

Dr. Olukemi Akintewe, USF Engineering Professor, Recognized as an AIMBE Emerging Leader

Dr. Olukemi Akintewe, an Associate Professor of Instruction in Medical Engineering at the University of South Florida (USF) College of Engineering, has been selected as an inaugural Emerging Leader by the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE). Dr. Akintewe was formally recognized for her achievement at the AIMBE Annual Event held March, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

Souheil Zekri, Medical Engineering Professor, Receives 2023-24 Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award

Souheil Zekri, an associate professor of instruction and director of senior capstone courses in the University of South Florida's Medical Engineering Department, has been honored with the 2023-2024 USF Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award.

Associate Professor Zekri prioritizes the student experience, acknowledging that individuals come from diverse backgrounds and possess varying learning styles and challenges. He adapts his teaching methods to meet these needs, fostering trust and open communication to create an inclusive learning environment where students feel supported, empowered to succeed, and part of a community.

Dr. Alex Otten Receives USF Medical Engineering Faculty of the Year, 2025

Dr. Alex Otten began teaching as a faculty member at USF in Fall of 2023. While he may have a new title, he is no stranger to teaching at USF. In fact, he has been a part of the USF herd since 2006 when he started his bachelor’s in electrical engineering. During his candidacy he taught courses for both the medical and electrical engineering departments.

USF Staff Member of the Year - Recognizing Cherine Chehab for Outstanding Service and Impact

Aligned with USF’s principles of community and inclusion, Ms. Cherine Chehab has played a critical role in the success of the Department of Medical Engineering, first as Academic Advisor and now as our sole Academic Services Administrator (ASA). With a master’s in BME, she is exceptionally qualified to help our faculty and assist guiding students through one of the College’s most complex curricula.

Dr. Spirou Receives NIH Grant Renewal for Early Brain Development Research

We are proud to share that Dr. George Spirou, Professor in the Department of Medical Engineering, has received a renewal of his NIH 5-year R01 Grant —one of the most prestigious and competitive funding awards from the National Institutes of Health.

The goal of Dr. Spirou’s research is to better understand how the brain's wiring develops during early life, particularly how connections form between brain cells that allow us to hear and process sound. His work focuses on uncovering the sequence of events that guide this complex process, helping scientists better understand how the brain organizes itself and adapts to new experiences.

Dr. Christopher L. Passaglia Renews his NIH R01 Grant: Advancing Glaucoma Research with Precision Eye‑Pressure Control

Christopher L. Passaglia, Ph.D., a Professor of Medical Engineering at the University of South Florida in Tampa, has led pioneering work at the intersection of ocular neuroscience and bioengineering. His Ocular Neuroscience & Neuroengineering Lab—focuses on understanding how networks of retinal neurons encode visual signals in normal and diseased states and translating that understanding into diagnostic and therapeutic ocular devices. A centerpiece of his work is the development of wireless implantable devices that measure and regulate intraocular pressure (IOP) in animal models, enabling precisely controlled experiments on glaucoma progression.

Dr. Huabei Jiang - NIH R01 $1.9M Grant Renewal: Listening to the Unseen - Photoacoustic Imaging for Early Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are the leading preventable cause of birth defects and lifelong neurodevelopmental delays, affecting up to 40,000 infants each year in the US alone. Despite its significant prevalence, there is currently no effective way to predict FASD during pregnancy, and no approved treatments exist once damage has occurred.

To address this challenge, Dr. Jiang’s team has developed a new 3D photoacoustic tomography (PAT) imaging system, integrating 1,024 ultrasound detectors with a high-precision rotational scanning strategy to dramatically improve spatial resolution and image quality.

Biomedical Systems Meet Microelectronics: Dr. Albert Kim Enhances USF’s $3M NSF-Funded STEP-UP Traineeship

Associate Professor Albert Kim of Medical Engineering engaged with the USF’s interdisciplinary research team (Drs. Kumar, Katkoori, Yilmaz, and Alcantar), and received a prestigious five-year, $3 million NSF Research Training (NRT) grant, known as STEP-UP: Science, Technology, Engineering, Program for Upward Partnership for Advancing Microelectronics Education and Training. This initiative positions the USF College of Engineering at the forefront of semiconductor education, directly aligning with the Medical Engineering Department’s commitment to cross-disciplinary research, high-tech innovation, and student engineering training.

Yang Hu Receives 2024 Chih Foundation Research & Publication Award

Congratulations to Yang Hu, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Medical Engineering at the University of South Florida, on being selected for the prestigious 2024 Chih Foundation Research and Publication Award. This highly competitive award honors outstanding third- or fourth-year doctoral students who are conducting transformative research with strong potential for real-world impact.

Yang is mentored by Dr. Norma Alcantar, a professor known for her innovative work at the intersection of biomedical and environmental engineering. Under Dr. Alcantar’s guidance, Yang is contributing to cutting-edge research focused on sustainable biomedical materials and advanced purification technologies—projects that have the potential to improve both human health and environmental outcomes.

The Chih Foundation Award not only recognizes Yang's research excellence but also supports her continued progress toward publication and the broader dissemination of her work. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition of Yang’s dedication, talent, and scholarly promise.

BME Shout Outs

Dr. Robert Frisina
Founding & Endowed Chair

Inducted: 2025 ASEML - Academy of Science, Engineering & Medicine of Florida

Dr. Olukemi Akintewe, Associate Professor

1st AIMBE Emerging Leaders Cohort - 2025

Dr. Meisam Asgari
Assistant Professor

Joined the Editorial Board: Nature Scientific Reports Journal

Dr. Anna Bulysheva, Assistant Professor

Elected Council Officer of Biological Sciences of the International Society for Electroporation-Based Technologies and Treatments (ISEBTT) for 2024-2026

Dr. Richard Heller
Professor

Inducted: 2025 ASEML - Academy of Science, Engineering & Medicine of Florida, International Society for In Vitro Biology, Distinguished Scientist Award

Dr. Mark Jaroszeski
Professor

President of the USF Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors

Dr. Hubei Jiang
Professor

Highly Ranked Scholar - Lifetime (0.05% of all scholars worldwide, #32 in Tomography), Scholar GPS, 2025

Dr. Albert Kim
Associate Professor

USF Excellence in Research Award & NSF 5-Year CAREER Award Grant

Dr. Neda Latifi
Assistant Professor

Journal of Voice Best Paper Award, Basic Science, Clinical Medicine, Speech-language/Vocal Pedagogy

Dr. Babak Safa
Assistant Professor

The Role of iris biomechanics and sex differences in primary angle-closure glaucoma” NIH R00 grant currently active, and just renewed

Dr. George Spirou
Professor

USF Excellence in Research Award & NSF 5-Year CAREER Award Grant

Research and Innovation By the Numbers

External Grant Funding

We are well funded in terms of federal (mostly NIH & NSF) research grants, considering the number of our Primary Faculty (grown from 1 in 2017 to now 17, including 3 Professors of Instruction).

Total Grant Support Since the inception of our Department in 2017, for our Primary Faculty (PI or Co-I): $65,000,000
Primary Faculty Grant Expenditures for Fiscal Year 2025: $3,815,282; Number of grants: 34

(Source: Grant Query Database, College of Engineering, USF)

Publications

One of the ultimate metrics for research success is quality and quantity of scholarly publications.

Number of Peer-reviewed Articles for our Medical Engineering Primary Faculty:

Since inception of our department in 2017: 196
Past 5 Years: 148
Fiscal Year 2025: 50

Please Note: Articles where more than 1 Medical Engineering Primary Faculty co-authored an article together were only counted once.

H Index, Full Professors - Dr. Heller: 62, Dr. Jiang: 57, Dr. Frisina: 56, Dr. Jaroszeski: 40, Dr. Passaglia: 21;
Mean H Index: 47

Total Citations, Full Professors – Dr. Heller: 18,661, Dr. Frisina: 10,194, Dr. Jiang: 9,974, Dr. Jaroszeski: 7,747, Dr. Passaglia: 1,779; Mean Total # Citations, Full Professors: 9,671

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles for Fiscal Year 2025:

Patents Awarded

Our Medical Engineering Faculty research programs are very much “real-world” as many technologies have been awarded US Patents.The future is bright, because in addition to the Awarded Patents, our faculty continues to submit Provisional Patents on a regular, accelerated basis. Also, several of our Primary Faculty have successful Startup Companies based upon their patented, innovative technologies.

Number of Newly Awarded Patents for our Medical Engineering Primary Faculty:

Since the inception of our Department in 2017: 22
Past 5 Years: 18
Fiscal Year 2025: None awarded yet this year. 18 Provisional Patents Pending currently.

Welcome New Members to the USF Medical Engineering Department Advisory Board

Geary Havran

NDH Medical

The Department of Medical Engineering at the University of South Florida is pleased to welcome Geary Havran to its Advisory Board. As President of NDH Medical, a leading manufacturer of medical devices and components, Mr. Havran brings over four decades of expertise in the biomedical and biotechnology industries.

Saleem Musallam
CEO, Excite Medical

The Department of Medical Engineering at the University of South Florida proudly welcomes Saleem Musallem, CEO and Founder of Excite Medical, to its Advisory Board. A dynamic leader and innovator in the global medical device industry, Mr. Musallem brings a wealth of experience in international business development, and healthcare entrepreneurship.

Thomas Osypka
Former CEO, Oscor

During the more than 20 years Thomas Osypka served as CEO of Oscor Inc., a very successful medical device company headquartered in Palm Harbor, Florida, you could always find a number of Bulls among his interns and employees. “We hired a lot of bright engineers and talent from USF,” he says. “I always thought if I ever had the opportunity to say thanks and give back, I would do it.” Serving on our Advisory Board is his way to say “thank you”.

Your Journey Starts Here: A Special Note to Our Incoming BME Student Cohort

Hello future innovators! I'm Bob Frisina, founding chair of the Medical Engineering (BME) Department. Welcome to USF, to our Colleges of Engineering and Medicine and our Medical Engineering Department.

You come at an exciting time, you're joining a vibrant department and superlative BME academic programs that are viewed as some of the top performers at USF and beyond, in terms of both outstanding research and academic excellence. Because we have many research grants, you will have very unique opportunities to become involved in state-of-the-art BME research, as well as experiencing fulfilling industry internships. Our faculty and staff have been carefully chosen because of their proven success in carrying out groundbreaking research and for fostering student success at multiple levels.

We have won many awards for noteworthy scholarship, technology transfer achievements, and student successes. We will be working with you individually to help you obtain a nationally competitive education in BME and support you in your quest and journey to become an excellent engineering professional. Please come to me or any other member of our faculty and staff at any time if you are having problems proceeding through our BME academic programs.

We truly care about your progress and development as engineers and people. We are your professional family! For advice, I will just say that to maximize your happiness here at USF in our BME majors, please recognize those who are helping you and show gratitude to them for their efforts and kindnesses. And be very persistent when facing hurdles and challenges. Don't give up.

Get ready for an enlightening journey in BME. Go Bulls!

Spotlight on Medical Engineering Partners

USF–Moffitt Partnership Powers Innovation, Student Success, and National Recognition

The University of South Florida’s Department of Medical Engineering and Moffitt Cancer Center have built a thriving partnership that is transforming student learning, research collaboration, and innovation in biomedical engineering. Over the past several years, this collaboration has not only supported multiple student capstone projects addressing urgent clinical needs, but has also earned national recognition from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Innovation in Action: USF Medical Engineering & Jabil

Jabil’s involvement with Medical Engineering extends prominently into student experiential learning, especially through the Senior Capstone projects in the USF College of Engineering. These projects pair academic theory with practical industry problems to fuel innovation and solution development. This relationship is especially strong with the Department of Medical Engineering.

Student & Alumni Success

Senior Capstone Design Experience at USF Medical Engineering

Innovation in Action: Capstone & Beyond

The USF Biomedical Engineering Capstone is a year-long, sponsor-driven design experience where student teams transform authentic clinical and industry problems into functioning solutions using the Stanford Biodesign Process. Guided by faculty, mentors, medical professionals, and industry engineers, teams deliberately combine biomedical, mechanical, electrical, and computing skill sets to navigate the full engineering journey—from early stakeholder interviews and problem framing to measurable requirements and testable specifications.

BME Student Senior Capstone Projects - 2025
14 Teams • 39 Students • 12 Sponsor Companies & Institutions

1st Place

Juliana Gonzalez Alvarado, Camilo Garcia Gonzalez, Russell Kramer Sponsor:
Billington Plastic Surgery & Establishment Labs Project: Design and Development of a Scar Reduction Device for Breast Surgery Patients

2nd Place

Parth Kulkarni and Bethelhem Tadesse
Sponsor: Jabil Health

Project: Design and Development of an Occlusion Detection System for Insulin Patch Pumps

3rd Place

Christiana Bedros, Eduardo Machado Douaihi, Alex Lapointe

Project: Design and Development of an Endoscopic Device for Tissue Encapsulated Biliary Stent Removal

Medical Engineering Capstone Video

View an information video to learn more about the Department of Medical Engineering's Capstone program featuring interviews with faculty and students.

Additional Capstone Team Prizes / Awards

2021 Capstone Winners

Abby Blocker, Carolyna Yamamoto Alves, Jacob Yarinsky

The Steven H. Krosnick Prize (First Prize): The Eucovent, University of South Florida, 2021. $20,000 Prize

Jabil Innovation Technology Challenge -- First Place, 2021. $10,000 Prize

Florida Venture Forum Collegiate Startup Competition (First Place): The Eucovent, USF, 2021.The Jabil Scholar Capstone Competition First Place (2020, 2021, and co-first place 2022).

2022 Capstone Winners

Sarah Schellhase, Ross Turner, Isabela Zimmermann

2022 The Florida Blue Health Innovation Challenge (First Place): Meditrack Geo, CONMED - USF, 2023. $20,000 Prize

2024 Capstone Winners

Sophia Alonso, Hannah Caldi, Flepp Wallace

The Florida Blue Health Innovation Challenge (Third Place): FlexiFlowOptic, Jabil Health - USF, 2024. $2,500 Prize

2025 Capstone Winners

Juliana Gonzalez Alvarado, Camilo Garcia Gonzalez, Russell Kramer

The Florida Blue Health Innovation Challenge (First Place): Renüvra, Billington - Motiva - University of South Florida, 2025. $5,000 Prize

Thank you to our Senior Capstone Project Partners

Axogen | Billington Plastic Surgery | CONMED | Endo-Therapeutics

Barbara J. Lancor Awards

2025 Barbara J. Lancor Medical Engineering Outstanding Achievement Award

The Barbara J. Lancor Medical Outstanding Achievement Award is given to the BME senior demonstrating outstanding accomplishments in academics, research, and service during their time at USF.

Camilo Garcia Gonzalez – First Place

Camilo Garcia is an exceptional senior undergraduate student with outstanding academic, research, and service achievements. He has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA, earning honors such as induction into Tau Beta Pi and consistent recognition on the Dean of Engineering’s List throughout his studies. Camilo’s research spans biomaterials, neuroengineering and cardiovascular tissue engineering, including his work under the prestigious WashU CARDS Research Fellowship, where he developed innovative neuroimaging tools. He has expertise in biomaterials, polymer research, and product development, particularly focused on regenerative medicine.

Barbara J. Lancor Medical Engineering Excellence Achievement Award

The Barbara J. Lancor Medical Engineering Excellence Achievement Award is given to two BME seniors demonstrating excellent accomplishments in academics, research, and service during their time at USF.

Mark Thivierge – 2nd Place Tie

Mark Thivierge has worked for Dr. Robert Frisina, Dr. Redwan Alqasemi, and Dr. Meisam Asgari, and his research has led to three publications: one for his work with Mark Bauer (Hearing Research), and two literature reviews on post-translational modifications in hearing loss (Hearing Research) and cochlear inflammaging (Cells). Mark has contributed to his campus community and strengthened his identity as a global citizen through service opportunities including AdventHealth, the Kerolle Initiative in the Dominican Republic, and student leadership.

Nadezhda Korostyleva – 2nd Place Tie

Nadezhda Korostyleva has worked as an OPS employee and a research assistant in Dr. Neda Latifi’s Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory for the past year, running independent in vitro experiments, gathering and analyzing data, and writing a manuscript that was submitted for publication to Applied Sciences.

Winner of the Mark Bauer Scholarship:

Azin Ghasemi, PhD Student

Since 2015, Azin Ghasemi, PhD has been committed to advancing the field of Biomedical Engineering through research, academic excellence, and service. With a master’s degree in Tissue Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology, she has sought to make meaningful contributions to biomaterials and regenerative medicine and views Biomedical Engineering as a vital pathway toward improving human health. She aspires to impact millions of lives through her work in this transformative field.

Student Travel Achievement Recognition (STAR) Award

The Student Travel Achievement Recognition (STAR) Award provides a significant opportunity to acknowledge research excellence and cultivate future leaders within our BME Community.

Mario Brock Leao

Veda Madem

Raimi Mallic

Jordan Onyejiaka

Bethelhem Tadesse

Cornelius Family Foundation

To offer scholarships to full-time, undergraduate students, pursuing a Biomedical Engineering major, in the College of Engineering. This scholarship is based on merit (minimum GPA 3.40).

Maria Martinez Sarmiento

Medical Engineering Scholarship Fund

To provide scholarships to full or part-time students at all academic levels, pursuing a degree in the Medical Engineering department, in the College of Engineering, on Tampa campus.

Miguel Garcia

USF Federal Credit Union Biomedical Engineering Scholarship

To offer scholarships to full-time students, at all academic levels, pursuing a Biomedical Engineering Major, in the College of Engineering, on the Tampa campus.

Jordan Onyejiaka

Medical Engineering Space Expansion

New BME Research and Teaching Labs on the Horizon

The University of South Florida Space Committee, Chaired by Vice-Provost Steven Tauber, has given us a unique opportunity to expand our research and teaching facilities by awarding most of the rest of the space (7th floor) in one of our modern research buildings. This expansion of about 10,000 sq ft is on the top floor of our Interdisciplinary Sciences Building (ISA); with singular views of our spacious campus and surrounding areas of Tampa. In addition, to the new labs, we are including unique Student Engagement Areas, with state-of-the-art audiovisual capabilities, where undergraduate and graduate BME students can have community spaces that they can call “home” on campus.

Our Department is unique in that we can typically offer a newly renovated lab to faculty we recruit nationally; where in many cases new faculty can design their own lab. Phases 2 & 3 of this four-phase renovation are scheduled to be completed by the end of this year; so fully operational for the Spring 2026 semester. Fund-raising is ongoing for Phase 4, involving three more new research labs.

Some artists’ conceptions of highlights of this newly built space are given here.

If you are interested in submitting news and accomplishments to be included in the next Medical Engineering Newsletter for review by our Editor, Terri Fox, or Dr. Frisina and our Team, please click the button below.

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