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Spring 2025
Volume 2 Issue 4
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Dear Washkewicz Community
As we welcome spring, I’m proud to reflect on the tremendous momentum within the Washkewicz College of Engineering at Cleveland State University (CSU). This month’s newsletter is a testament to the innovation, impact, and leadership taking place across our faculty, students, and alumni.
Our researchers continue to break new ground. From transformative patent disclosures and groundbreaking NIH- and NASA-funded projects to eco-smart technologies and water quality innovations, our faculty are driving solutions that matter—locally and globally.
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Student excellence is also on full display. We are thrilled to highlight the journeys of Grace Quaintance and Giuliana Ciccarelli-Aloisi, whose stories illustrate the power of resilience, mentorship, and interdisciplinary learning. Events like the Ohio Celebration of Women in Computing (OCWiC 2025) have empowered our students to showcase their research and step confidently into leadership roles.
We’re equally proud of the incredible legacy being built by our alumni. This issue honors two trailblazers: Marianne Corrao and Ramona Lowery-Ferrell, whose careers exemplify purpose-driven leadership in engineering and public service.
I would also like to take a moment to thank everyone who supported CSU Giving Day. Together, we raised an inspiring $69,332 for Washkewicz College! A very special thank-you goes to our alumnus David L. Huiett, '66, of the Ohio Nu Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon, and congratulations to the fraternity for celebrating its 96th anniversary on January 31, 2025. We also proudly recognize the establishment of the Susan D. Carver Finish Line Endowed Scholarship, named in honor of recent retiree and Assistant Dean Dr. Susan B. Carver. Your generosity supports the next generation of engineers and we are deeply grateful.
We’re excited to host and welcome CSU eSports and the Cleveland Engineering Society to our College.
As always, thank you for being part of the Washkewicz College of Engineering family. We look forward to connecting with you at upcoming events, including the Bell Lecture and the Senior Design Symposium.
Warm regards,
Dr. Richard T. Schoephoerster
Dean and Professor, Washkewicz College of Engineering
Cleveland State University
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Lt. Governor Tressel Kicks Off Conversation on Ohio’s Workforce Playbook at Cleveland State University
Recently, Lt. Governor Tressel brought together business, education, and community leaders from northeast Ohio for a roundtable discussion at CSU on the region’s workforce strengths and its needs.
“We know that different parts of our state are great at different things and have unique workforce needs. So, gathering insights from local business and education leaders is a key first step in the development of Ohio’s Workforce Playbook,” said Lt. Governor Tressel.
Read more here..
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CSU Shines at OCWiC 2025: Empowering Women in Computing and Showcasing Academic Excellence
The Washkewicz College of Engineering proudly participated in the Ohio Celebration of Women in Computing (2025), an ACM biennial event held February 21–22 at the Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio. This conference brought together women in computing from leading organizations and universities across Ohio, including Bowling Green State University, Case Western Reserve University, Kent State University, KeyBank, Medical Mutual, MIM Software, Ohio Northern University, Ohio State University, Ohio University, Owens Corning, Sherwin Williams, University of Findlay, Westfield Insurance, Women Impact Tech, and Youngstown State University.
Organized by Dr. Aditi Singh, (2nd photo on right) Assistant College Lecturer of the Department of Computer Science of the Washkewicz College of Engineering, who delivered a talk entitled "Rise of Agentic RAG: Enhancing Accuracy and Minimizing Hallucinations in LLMs".
Graduate students Temitope Adeniyi (Odeyomi) and Hannah G. Simon represented CSU by presenting their research posters at the event. Additionally, graduate students Adya Hindalahally Nagesha, Dinky Mishra, Hannah G. Simon, and Sushma Avala, along with undergraduate student Eva Ternovska, actively participated in the Leadership Summit, demonstrating exceptional leadership skills and initiative. Congratulations to all.
Top photo (left-to-right):
Back row. Eva Ternovska, Hannah Simon, Harika Ummaneni, Avala Sushma, Dinky Mishra, and Adya Hindalahally Nagesha. Front row. Ramya S Vanamamulai, Poojareddy Arava, and Pavani Napa.
Read more here.
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Engineering Excellence, NSF Fellowship, and a Journey Through Diverse Careers
It’s a multitasking world we now live in, and Grace Quaintance is the epitome of the term.
Graduating Cum Laude from the Washkewicz College of Engineering at Cleveland State University in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Quaintance, a wife and mother of two was employed as a Facilities Engineer for Cleveland Clinic’s Buildings and Design Department.
“In the facilities department we dealt with buildings and how to improve their infrastructure. Hospitals are buildings that need to be operational 24/7,” said Quaintance.
This past fall she joined the University’s Electrical & Computer Engineering Department (ECE) after receiving the National Science Foundation’s Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Graduate Fellowship (CSGrad4US) award for her doctoral studies. CISE Graduate Fellowships increase the number of diverse, domestic graduate students pursuing research and innovation careers in the CISE fields, namely computer engineering, computer science and information science.
Read more here.
| |  | Giuliana Ciccarelli-Aloisi |
Bridging the Gap: Pioneering CSU’s Integrated Major in Computer Science and Graphic Design
When Giuliana first arrived at CSU, she stood at a crossroads: pursue Graphic Design, a long-time creative passion, or follow the analytical path of Computer Science.
Her adviser, Tiffany Murrell introduced her to CSU’s new integrated major in Computer Science and Graphic Design—a combination that felt like it was crafted just for her. "As a society, we’re seeing more and more overlap between seemingly different fields," Giuliana explains. "Technology is integrated into every part of our lives, and this major represents that intersection."
Though still in the early stages of the program, Giuliana has already encountered challenges that push her creatively and analytically. One standout moment came during an Adobe Illustrator project in ART 244. Tasked with creating an interpretive self-portrait with minimal constraints, she found herself paralyzed by the creative freedom. Her solution? She turned to her analytical roots—gathering data from friends and family to design a piece that fused both sides of her personality.
Read more here.
| | | Awards, Patents and Research | | DOE Research Grant: Dr. Mustafa Usta Leads the Charge in Harnessing Tidal Power for Clean Water | | |
Dr. Mustafa Usta joins researchers from SUNY Binghamton and Lehigh University to develop a water-powered desalination system. Dr. Usta, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, has been awarded $234,527 under a Department of Energy grant to develop a water desalination system powered by tides. Dr. Usta joins a team led by the State University of New York at Binghamton (SUNY Binghamtom) and including Lehigh University researchers on the project, titled "Off-grid tidal turbine-driven centrifugal reverse osmosis system." The team will design, fabricate, and test lab-scale components of the proposed Centrifugal Reverse Osmosis (CRO) system. Read more here.
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Award Title: Smart Materials for Space Travel will Help Train New Scientists
Sponsor: NASA
Co-PIs: Dr. Josiah Owusu-Danquah, Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Dr. Geyou (Augyu) Ao, Associate Professor, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
Award: $299,995
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Award Title: An Intelligent Biorobot for the Regenerative Rehabilitation of Volumetric Muscle Loss Defects
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Co-PIs: Dr. Prabaha Sikder, Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Chandra Kothapalli, Professor, Chemical & Biomedical Engineering,
Dr. Koyal Garg, Saint Louis University
Award: $3 million
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Award Title: Modification of the curriculum of the BSCS Program
Sponsor: Center for Inclusive Computing of Northeastern University
PI: Dr. Sathish Kumar, Associate Professor, Computer Science
Co-PIs: Dr. Richard Schoephoerster, Dean & Professor, Dr. George Chatzimavroudis, Associate Dean and Inerim Chair Department of Computer Science
Award: $350,469
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Award Title: Multi-functional 3D Printed Bioprinted Tissue Scaffolds with Schwann Cell Density Gradients and Electrical Conductivity for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Co-PIs: Dr. Liqun Ning, Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Geyou Ao, Associate Professor, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
Cleveland Clinic Neurosurgeon Dr. Megan Jack
Award: $500,000
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Learn more about the Washkewicz College of Engineering Research here.
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Award Title: Revitalize Auto Industry: Elevating Automotive Workforce Excellence through Cybersecurity and AI Innovation
Sponsor: Oakland University
Prime Sponsor: Department of Defense
PI: Dr. Ye Zhu, Professor, Computer Science
Award: $139,534
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Award Title: Improved Emission Monitoring Around Construction Sites
Sponsor: Ohio Department of Transportation
PI: Dr. Mehdi Rahmati, Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Co-PIs Dr. Emmanuel Kidando and Dr. Josiah Owusu-Danquah, both Assistant Professors in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Award: $100,000
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CSU Patent Review Committee Recently Approved Invention Disclosures
Dr. Zhiqiang Gao, associate professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Director of the Center for Advanced Control Technologies (CACT), and his student Yu Hu, titled MASON RESET BASED CONTROL.
The novel technology has the potential to replace all proportional integral derivative (PID) controllers used in industry today because it addresses a nagging problem of trial-and-error PID tuning. The control mechanism of the subject invention is transparent and science-based.
Dr. Prabaha Sikder, assistant professor, Mechanical Engineering, titled A MULTIFUNCTIONAL PEEK CRANIAL IMPLANT. The novel cranial implant is composed of a proprietary bio-ceramic compound, when combined and processed, extruded filaments are 3D printed to produce biocompatible patient specific cranial implants to allow for improved healing of brain surgeries.
Dr. Geyou Ao, associate professor, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and her Ph.D. student, Tanner Larson, titled CHOLESTERIC LIQUID CRYSTAL SHELL WITH BORON NITRIDE NANOTUBES IN AN AQUEOUS CORE. The novel aqueous core can be used to improve the functionality of photonic devices, specialty paints and liquid crystal displays.
Patent-Pending Water Monitoring Technology Commercialization
Dr. Chelsea Monty-Bromer, associate professor, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, is collaborating with the Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA) to continue the commercialization of technology invented by Dr. Monty-Bromer for real time monitoring of water quality and detection of harmful algae blooms. The collaboration includes a pilot program in the CWA Lake Erie/Watershed Testbed for innovative technology deployments within natural environments. The novel technology is patent pending and has received support from CSU’s TeCK Fund to take it from lab to market. In addition, it was named a Top New Technology.
Eco-Smart and Cost Effective Ultra-High Performance Concrete
An invention disclosure was submitted by Dr. Srinivas Allena, assistant professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Dr. Chandra Kothapalli, professor, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, titled Eco-Smart and Cost Effective Ultra-High Performance Concrete. Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) offers significant advantages over conventional concrete, but faces challenges such as high costs and excessive cement content, leading to sustainability and carbon emission concerns.
The subject invention utilizes industrial wastes to substitute expensive and energy-intensive cementitious materials, significantly lowering material costs. The inventive UHPC reduces the environmental impact by replacing high quantities of cement and silica fume with more sustainable alternatives like blast furnace slag, fly ash and limestone powder, thereby lowering the carbon footprint.
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Engineering a Legacy: Marianne Corrao Receives Top Alumni Honor from the Washkewicz College of Engineering
“We are very excited to be honoring Marianne as a distinguished alumna this year,” said Dr. Richard Schoephoerster, college dean. “She is very deserving of this honor, and the timing is related to her wrapping up a very impactful career building the Nexus Engineering Group to a highly successful engineering firm with phenomenal growth in recent years, and her long-term engagement with the Washkewicz College of Engineering in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and culminating now with helping us establish the Nexus Project Delivery Institute.”
Corrao is Executive Vice President and co-founder of Nexus Engineering Group, Inc., headquartered in Cleveland, with offices in Toledo, Chicago, and Midland, Michigan. She co-founded the company with business partner Jeff Herzog in 2005. Now, in its 20th year, Nexus has grown to nearly 250 professional employees, providing a full range of engineering and design services, along with project and construction management expertise in the oil, chemical, and utility industries.
Read more here.
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Championing Infrastructure and Empowering Communities: The Leadership of Alumna Ramona Lowery-Ferrell
Ramona Lowery-Ferrell, MBA/MPA, stands as a testament to excellence in public service, with a career spanning over 28 years in engineering, municipal leadership, and community advocacy. Her remarkable journey began in 1996 as the first Black and first female engineer at Cleveland’s Water Pollution Control (WPC) division, where she oversaw a complex sewer infrastructure serving over 380,000 Cleveland residents. Her leadership drove a workforce of 180 employees and managed an annual budget exceeding $38 million.
A champion of sustainable practices, Lowery-Ferrell secured $35 million in bond funding for critical capital projects and developed performance metrics that exceeded mayoral goals by 25%. Her contributions not only enhanced operational efficiency but also significantly improved Cleveland's resilience to flooding and environmental challenges.
Lowery-Ferrell attributes her success in her early days as a college student at Cleveland State University, to being a part of the LINK program and NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers). She now pays it forward as a mentor of NSBE.
Read more here.
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CSU Physics/Civil Engineering Alum Named Distinguished Staff Fellow at Oak Ridge National Lab
Philip Dee, a 2013 CSU graduate (BS Physics Honors, Bachelor of Civil Engineering), has been named a Eugene P. Wigner Fellow at the Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL) in Oak Ridge, TN. Dee’s fellowship research at ORNL will focus on developing innovative computational methods for simulating models of quantum materials, mainly using physics-informed machine learning approaches and many-body theory. These methods will help the field overcome challenges associated with the high degree of algorithmic complexity that hinders simulations of fully quantum models and leverages the world-class supercomputing resources at ORNL.
While at CSU, Dee conducted undergraduate research with Professors Kiril Streletzky and James Lock, studying light scattering phenomena experimentally and theoretically under the Undergraduate Summer Research Award (USRA) program.
CSU Physics/Electrical Engineering Alum Joins Los Alamos National Lab
Marie Blatnik ‘15 (BS Physics Honors, Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Honors) has successfully defended her PhD thesis in Physics, titled “Creating the Electric and Magnetic Fields for the nEDM@SNS Experiment” at the California Institute of Technology. She has joined Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) as a postdoctoral scholar, where she will develop a technique to use ultracold neutrons as an actinide surface probe.
| | | PROJECT DELIVERY INSTITUTE @ CSU | | |
We recently hosted our inaugural workshop to launch the Project Delivery Institute @ CSU. It is focused on improving industry competitiveness in capital projects delivery and technology integration. Designed as a collaborative Industry/Academe, it is a platform for research, development, education and aimed at improving industry best practices, the Project Delivery Institute @ CSU builds a sustainable and synergistic relationship between CSU - Cleveland's University and NEO's owners, contractors, A&E consultants and trade unions that constitute the economic backbone of the region. The Project Delivery Institute @ CSU inaugural workshop explored critical ideas in project delivery, emphasizing how the institute can add value to the industry.
Discussions highlighted research priorities, workforce development, industry collaboration and data-driven decision-making, reinforcing the Project Delivery Institute @ CSU's role as a hub for advancing project delivery practices, efficiency and stakeholder engagement.
Learn more here.
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Advance Your Career with CSU’s Micro-credentials: Learn, Grow, Succeed
Plug into non-credit education, micro-credentials and workforce development and continuing education. What are these opportunities?
| | Semiconductor Industry Micro-credentials | | | Custom Designed Apprenticeships | | | Non-credit education is flexible and accessible, complementing traditional educational paths and supporting lifelong learning. Micro-credentials are cutting-edge programs developed by CSU faculty, providing you with the specialized knowledge and skills to enhance your professional expertise. Workforce development and continuing education certificates programs deliver the training you need to stay competitive in an evolving job market. Learn more about these and other programs at csuohio.edu/continuing-education | | Washkewicz Magazine Now Available | |
| | We are proud to share our annual Washkewicz Magazine with you. Click here to flip through it's captivating pages to learn even more about our students, alumni, staff, faculty and industry partners. | | | |
CSU ESports Hosted by the
Washkewicz College of Engineering
| | Washkewicz College of Engineering is now home to the CSU ESports varsity team. You can learn more about the team here. As you may guess, many of the team members are Engineering students that you will recognize around campus. We are very excited about this opportunity to partner with Cleveland State University Athletics. The growth of Esports viewers and participants is exponential worldwide, so we believe this will be a great opportunity to attract talented students to the Washkewicz College of Engineering. Check out the new CSU ESports Gaming Lab in FH 125! Read more. | | Welcome Cleveland Engineering Society | |
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We are thrilled to announce that The Cleveland Engineering Society (CES) is moving to a brand-new location within the College of Engineering – FH 104B. This move represents a significant milestone, strengthening the long-standing relationship between CES and Cleveland State University. The collaboration will expand educational and networking opportunities between our students and faculty and the CES community.
March of 1880 marked the inception of the Civil Engineers Club of Cleveland, later changing its name to The Cleveland Engineering Society in 1908. The club's purpose was to expand the knowledge base of northeast Ohio engineering disciplines. Over the years members have attributed their success to the forum CES provides, which has allowed them vast networking opportunities and the platform to exchange ideas and information with peers. The Cleveland Engineering Society is a community resource for students and professionals who are passionate about science, technology, engineering, and math. Read more.
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Senior Design Symposium
Friday, May 2, 2025
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Wolstein Center
Details will be posted on the website.
| | Above, students gather to meet industry leaders presenting their real-world problems for their Senior Design Capstone. | | | | Washkewicz Lecture Series | | |
March 27, 2025 Eva Lerner-Lam, M.NAE, M.ASCE, M.SAE, F.ITE, Founder and President, Palisades Consulting Group, Inc., Civil Engineering
Title: Stewardship of Engineering Knowledge Bases in an Agentic AI Ecosystem
Learn more.
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February 27, 2025 Dr. Vipin Chaudhary, Kevin J Kranzusch Professor and Chair, Case Western Reserve University, Computer Science
Title: ICICLE: Intelligent CI with Computational Learning in the Environment, an NSF AI Institute
Learn more.
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February 6, 2025 Dr. Ryan Farris, Scholar Chair & Assistant Professor, Messiah University, Biomedical Engineering
Title: MAYA Design in Orthotic and Prosthetic Technology
Learn more.
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November 26, 2024 Dr. Richard C Reinhart, Senior Technologist
Communications and Intelligent Systems Division, NASA Glenn Research Center, Electrical Engineering
Title: Luna Explorations and Communications Architecture
Learn more.
| | | Stay tuned for the next Washkewicz Lecture Series. | | Engineering & Computer Science Connections Fair | |
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Engineering and Computer Science Connections Fair
Our Fall and Spring career fairs have brought over 310 employers and 2107 students to campus this academic year. Pre-event, students had the opportunity to meet with staff to navigate the resume writing and interviewing process, equipping them for success. Employers also participated in resume review sessions prior to both fairs to give students another opportunity to engage. Faculty, staff and student employees came out to support making the events a success. See photos here: Fall 2024 Spring 2025
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