April 5-11, 2021

Newsletter

April 5, 2021

Faculty News
Research and Grants:

Dr. Peng Wei

Dr. Peng Wei (MAE) and his co-principal investigators have received a three-year, $2.5 million NASA System-Wide Safety grant to design and develop an in-time, learning-based aviation safety management system (ILASMS) for scalable heterogeneous advanced air mobility (AAM) operations. The team consists of GW, Vanderbilt, UT Austin and MIT Lincoln Lab. Their system design will involve offline (pre-flight) and online (in-flight) monitoring, assessment and decision making schemes for multiple electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft flying from their origin vertiports to destinations through assigned corridors. Their proposed system design will minimize the overall risks for the vehicles, the flight missions, and the airspace by considering a number of risk factors introduced by the three categories of hazards: 1) adverse convective weather, winds, and fog; 2) eVTOL vehicle and component level faults/degradation; and 3) airspace corridor incursion by non-cooperative aircraft.

 

Publications:

Dr. Paymen Dehghanian

Dr. Payman Dehghanian (ECE), his PhD student Jinshun Su, and researchers at the GW School of Business Department of Decision Sciences, Dr. Miguel Lejeune and his PhD student Dmitry Anokhin, have published the following journal article: D. Anokhin, P. Dehghanian, M. Lejeune, and J. Su, “Mobility-As-A-Service for ResilienceDelivery in Power Distribution Systems,” Production and Operations Management, doi:10.1111/poms.13393, March 2021.

Dr. Igor Efimov

Dr. Igor Efimov (BME) and colleagues have published the results of their first clinical trial of a new multi-pulse therapy of atrial fibrillation that he invented: F. Siong Ng, O. Toman, J. Petru, P. Peichl, R. A. Winkle, V. Y. Reddy, P. Neuzil, R. Hardwin Mead, N. A. Qureshi, Z. I. Whinnett, D. W. Bourn, M. B. Shelton, J. Kautzner, A. D. Sharma, M. Hocini, M. Haïssaguerre, N. S. Peters, and I. R. Efimov. “Novel Low-Voltage MultiPulse Therapy to Terminate Atrial Fibrillation,” JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. Published online March 31, 2021.

Dr. Tarek El-Ghazawi
                        
Dr. Volker Sorger

Drs. Tarek El Ghazawi and Volker Sorger (ECE) have published the following article: S. Sun, M. Miscuglio , X. Ma , Z. Ma, C. Shen, E. Kayraklioglu, J. Anderson, T. El Ghazawi, and V. J. Sorger, “Induced homomorphism: Kirchhoff’s law in photonics,” Nanophotonics, 2020-0655. Published online March 22, 2021. In this work, they show that it is possible to design, build, and validate an equivalent of Kirchhoff’s law in optics – here in chip integrated photonics, for increased technological usefulness. This work was funded by the National Science Foundation.

 

Media Mentions:

 

Conferences & Presentations:

Dr. Paymen Dehghanian

Dr. Payman Dehghanian (ECE) was invited to attend the National Science Foundation Workshop “Grid at the Edge,” held virtually on March 23-24 and co-sponsored by the Power Systems Engineering Research Center.

Dr. Michael Plesniak

On March 29, Dr. Michael Plesniak (MAE) gave an invited seminar, titled “Dynamics of Pulsatile Flow over a Surface Protuberance,” as part of the A&A Distinguished Speaker Series in the William E. Boeing Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the University of Washington.

 

Other News

SEAS will launch two new computer science programs this fall—a graduate certificate and a Master of Science in Applied Computer Science—both aimed at eliminating academic barriers for students interested in computer science. GW Today profiled the new programs in its March 31 article, “Two New Computer Science Programs Aim to Reduce Barriers.”

 

Congratulations to the SEAS students and faculty who have been selected as finalists for the 2021 GW New Venture Competition. The team of Hanhan Zhou (PhD '23) and Drs. Tian Lan and Guru Venkataramani (ECE) were selected for the Technical Venture track for the their product, “vFitting.” Their pitch: "vFitting is an AI-powered virtual try-on system using one single image. It is your personalized virtual-fitting room at home - all you need is your phone!" In the New Venture track, Sabina Sarinzhipova (BME junior) and her teammates from the GW School of Business and the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences were selected for their product, Osean Seafood. Their pitch: "Osean Seafood brings vegetarians and health-focused consumers nutritious, vegan, delicious, and affordable seafood substitutes to support the sustainability of our ocean."

 

Student News

Rishi Jarmarwalla

Rishi Jarmarwalla

Lauren Feeley

Lauren Feeley

Noah Leslie

Noah Leslie

 

Lobna Youssef

Lobna Youssef

 

Savana Stewart

Savana Stewart

 

Congratulations to our CEE undergraduate students who recently received fellowships and awards from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Rishi Jarmarwalla won Second Prize in the MARR Technical Paper competition, after competing against representatives of more than 15 universities. Rishi worked under the supervision of Dr. Samer Hamdar (CEE) and was funded through the National Science Foundation REU Program and the SEAS SUPER Program. Lauren Feeley and Noah Leslie were selected for two ASCE National Capital Section (NCS) scholarships, while Savana Stewart received the ASCE NCS Fitz Simons Memorial Scholarship. Finally, Lobna Youssef received the GW Outstanding Senior Award. The scholarships were announced at the ASCE NCS Virtual Ceremony, held on March 23.

 

Upcoming SEAS Events
BME Seminar: “High-density EEG, Robotic Lower Limb Exoskeletons, and Bionic Prostheses”
Speaker: Dr. Daniel Ferris, University of Florida
Wednesday, April 7
11:00 am – 12:00 pm (ET)
WebEx link

 

Entrepreneurship News & Events

GW Innovation Center Events
GWIC Spring 2021—We’re OPEN!

Bring your ideas and questions to the Innovation Center. We are here to help you with a range of expertise, from 3D modeling to equitable venture plans and human-centered design.

 

M06 Virtual Hours
Mondays 6:00 – 7:00 pm (ET) and Wednesdays 1:00 – 2:00 pm (ET)
GWIC student fellows, Phoenix Price, Isabelle Carney, and Jamie Horowitz, will host virtual office hours to assist in making, design, and social impact project development.

 

Virtual Mentor Hours with Innovation Center Co-directors
Fridays 12:00 – 1:30 pm (ET): GWIC Founder and SEAS Chief Evangelist, Annamaria Konya Tannon
Thursdays, 1:00 – 2:00 pm (ET): GWIC Co-director, Erica Cusi Wortham

 

For details and links, please visit the GWIC Events Page and Instagram @gwinnovationcenter.

GW Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Events:

Save the Date: 2021 GW New Venture Competition Finals
Thursday, April 15
More details will be announced soon.

 

Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Speaker Series: “Merging Health Devices and Technology into Business and Entrepreneurship”
Speaker: Dr. Wei Chen
Tuesday, April 20
5:00 – 6:00 pm (ET)
Register
How is artificial intelligence (AI) impacting the healthcare domain and accelerating healthcare innovation? How can healthcare entrepreneurs, business leaders and managers utilize artificial intelligence in their information systems and technology pipelines to scale their businesses? Join us on as we speak with Dr. Wei Chen, visiting assistant professor of information systems and technology management at GW’s School of Business, about the intersection of artificial intelligence and the healthcare industry.

 

External Events
ESIA Space Policy Institute Webinar: “Developing Space Professionals: How Universities and Industry Can Help”
Tuesday, April 6
3:30 – 4:30 pm (ET)
Online
Register
The Elliott School of International Affairs welcomes U.S. Army Gen. James Dickinson, the Commander of United States Space Command (USSPACECOM). Gen. Dickinson will share his experiences and lessons about the USSPACECOM mission to conduct operations in, from, and to space to deter conflict, and if necessary, defeat aggression. The focus of the discussion will be the important role of professional military education and training, along with how universities and industry can help. A public Q&A will follow the discussion.

 

WOWTALK XXII
Wednesday, April 7
4:00 pm (ET)
Zoom link
Speakers:

  • Dr. David Nagel (ECE):The Lure of LENR (Low Energy Nuclear Reactions)
  • Dr. Dwight Kravitz (Psychological and Brain Sciences): “Bridging Neuroscience and Behavior Using Big Data
  • Dr. Diana Pardo Pedraza (Anthropology): “Playful intra-actions: Dog-Human Training in Mine Detection

The WOWTALK (What’s Our Work) Series brings together colleagues and students from disciplines associated with GW's Science and Engineering Hall—and related fields—to present new research and share ideas. These short talks (15 minutes each) are designed to introduce members of the GW community to current and exciting research projects, to initiate discussion, collaborate, share expertise, and promote research performed in the SEH and at GW. Students are welcome to attend. All WOWTALK sessions will be held via Zoom.

 

GW Women In Business 12th Annual Spring Conference: “Headliner”
Saturday, April 10
9:30 am – 4:30 pm (ET)
Register
The theme of this year's spring conference is “Headliner.” Through this theme, the conference organizers encourage attendees to enter the day with an open-mind, ask questions, and be inspired to seek innovation in these times of uncertainty. Ms. Annamaria Konya Tannon, the SEAS chief evangelist for innovation, entrepreneurship, and invention, will moderate the Innovation and Entrepreneurship panel, featuring: Suzanne Simon, founder of Chaia; Aysia Woods, event consultant for Events by AW; Andrea Vieria, co-founder of The Nail Saloon; and Susie Selby, winemaker/proprietor of Selby Winery.

 

GW Undergraduate Series: “Destination Moon: The National Air and Space Museum's New Look at Lunar Exploration”
Friday, April 16
10:30 – 11:30 am (ET)
Register (Students must register in advance using their GW email address. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.)
In mid-2022, as part of the complete renovation of the National Mall Building, NASM will open Destination Moon, its new exhibition on lunar exploration from ancient dreams to the missions happening today. At its center will be the story of the Cold War Moon race and Project Apollo. Among the key artifacts will be the Freedom 7 Mercury capsule in which Alan Shepard became the first American in space and the Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia, which carried Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin to the Moon and back during the first human lunar landing. The latter spacecraft has returned from a national tour that was part of the Destination Moon project. A newly restored, giant mural of a lunar crater painted by famous space artist Chesley Bonestell in 1957 opens the exhibit, and it ends with another giant mural: a panorama of the lunar surface taken by the Apollo 17 astronauts. Hanging overhead are a test vehicle for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, launched in 2009, and a model of the SLS/Orion vehicle that will launch the Artemis astronauts to the Moon in 2023/24. Michael Neufeld, senior curator of the National Air and Space Museum’s Department of Space History, will present. Dr. Rachel Riedner, associate dean of undergraduate studies, will moderate the discussion. This session is part of the GW Undergraduate Series, “Can't Get to DC Museums, Historical Sites, and Political Institutions? We will bring them to you!”

 

GW Research Showcase (formerly GW Research Days)
Monday, April 12 – Friday, April 16
Presenting at GW Research Showcase is a résumé-worthy opportunity for students to receive feedback on their projects, hone their presentation skills, and compete for prizes. This year’s event will be held virtually.

 

GW DIGITAL Health Summit graphic

GW Digital Health Summit
Wednesday, April 14 – Friday, April 16
GW will host its inaugural Digital Health Summit focused on the acceleration of digital technologies in health care and the implications for health care and academic environments alike. Presentations and discussions will focus on the state of the science, innovation and development with digital health technologies, as well as the gaps and opportunities that exist. The multi-day summit will focus each day on a key topic related to digital health: Day 1: Educational Needs; Day 2: Emerging Tech; and Day 3: Use of Tech. The summit will be hosted by GW’s: School of Nursing, SEAS, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, Office of the Vice President for Research, and Medical Faculty Associates.

GW Career Center Events & Services:

Virtual coaching appointments available: Make your appointment with Dr. Merrill, the STEM industry coach. If you need tips on the virtual job search or virtual Interviewing or would like to work on your career strategy, spruce up your resume, or land an internship, make a virtual coaching appointment with her in Handshake or email her for more information.

 

Technical interview preparation: If you have a technical interview coming up, sign-up for the new technical interview slots in Handshake! See tips for technical interviews in Handshake Article # 18641, Technical Interview Tips.

 

Dissertation Defenses
Student Name: Quan Dong
Dissertation Title: “Cloud-Connected Medical Devices for Personalized Medicine: An ECG Ring Sensor and a Home Air Pollution Sensor”
Advisor: Dr. Zhenyu Li (BME)
Friday, April 9
9:00 – 11:00 am
WebEx link

 

Human Resources News
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The HR Corner is back, with updates on benefits, employee resources, and more. Please visit the HR Corner to get the latest news and information.