The National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska has welcomed 40 faculty members into its collaborative research network, the NSRI Fellows Program, to further expand its transdisciplinary research capabilities.
The new cohort of faculty broadens the institute’s access to expertise and resources across the University of Nebraska System in the areas of biomedical sciences, engineering, chemistry, nanotechnology, leadership development, health sciences, journalism, and more. The new faculty join more than 150 peers already in the program to receive public information related to NSRI’s mission that can help stimulate research teams for projects across the institute's research portfolio.
"Each faculty member brings unique expertise and a fresh perspective that can catalyze innovation across disciplinary boundaries," said Dr. Joshua Santarpia, NSRI science and technology advisor. "Their collective contributions could accelerate our progress on addressing some of the Nation's most pressing challenges, from strategic deterrence within a multipolar environment to integrating emerging technologies such as AI to developing medical countermeasures for evolving threats."
New Members
- Arpan Acharya, Pharmacology & Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Nirupam Aich, Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Matt Allen, National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE), University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Cory Armstrong, Journalism, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Pooheh Bagher, Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Shannon Bartelt-Hunt, Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Christian Binek, Physics, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Amanda Brinkworth, Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Subhash Chand, Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Barry Cheung, Physical Chemistry, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Scott Darveau, Chemistry, University of Nebraska at Kearney
- Joseph Dolence, Biology, University of Nebraska at Kearney
- David Hage, Analytical Chemistry, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Mary Hallin, Marketing & Entrepreneurship, University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Jody Herchenbach, Agribusiness, University of Nebraska at Kearney
- Victor Huang, Aviation Institute, University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Nate Hunt, Biomechanics, University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Heather Jensen-Smith, Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Jacob John, Materials & Nanoscience, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- David Kingston, Biomechanics, University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Philippe Malcolm, Biomechanics, University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Madhur Mangalam, Biomechanics, University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Stephen Morin, Chemistry, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Prabagaran Narayanasamy, Internal Medicine; Pulmonary, University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Brett Neely, Management, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- David Oupicky, Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Santosh Pitla, Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Adam Rosen, Health & Kinesiology, University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Sangjin Ryu, Mechanical & Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Marat Sadykov, Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Yury Salkovskiy, Cardiovascular Biomechanics, University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Mystera Samuelson, Environment, Agriculture & Occupational Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Steve Schulz, College of Business Administration, University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Gwenn Skar, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Ben Smith, Economics, University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Allen Thomas, Chemistry, University of Nebraska at Kearney
- Dana Verhoeven, Epidemiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Limei Zhang, Biochemistry, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Andy Zhong, Chemistry, University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Jorge Zuniga, Biomechanics, University of Nebraska at Omaha
In addition to receiving regular communications from NSRI, the faculty are invited to attend an annual invitation-only conference and to join eight working groups that provide a venue and platform for technical conversations surrounding real-world defense challenges.
The working groups include:
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Biological Defense
- Chemical Defense
- Food, Agriculture & Environment Security
- Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations
- Medical Countermeasures
- Strategic Deterrence
- Wearable Sensors
Dr. Allen Thomas, Donald E. Fox Professor of Chemistry at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, said: "Being an NSRI Fellow is a great honor. I am inspired by the innovation in technology aspects of the NSRI mission and the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research. My expertise is in medicinal chemistry and organic synthesis. I hope to apply my skills toward designing therapies to aid soldiers."
Dr. Cory Armstrong, Associate Dean and Lawrence L. and Ruth E. Pike Professor in Journalism at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, said: "I appreciate the connections among NSRI, national security agencies and the NU system, as I believe we have the expertise here in Nebraska to significantly augment and expand research and technology nationally and across the globe. I hope my experience in studying media messaging and the way it influences individuals’ decision making during crisis events will provide valuable insights to help stakeholders and leaders respond successfully to both natural and man-made disasters."
Dr. Heather Jensen-Smith, Director of the UNMC Advanced Microscopy Core Facility, said: "Leading a shared research facility for advanced light microscopy and imaging analyses, I see an excellent opportunity to serve as a force multiplier for several NSRI objectives. I will appreciate having access to a new cadre of collaborators and resources poised to conduct groundbreaking research in an environment that is fertile for establishing innovative and impactful responses to national security challenges. On a personal note, three generations of my family have supported the DOD — it is an honor to have the opportunity to do so, too."
Dr. Steve Schulz, Interim Dean and Lucas Diamond Professor of Business at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, said: "I appreciate that this program creates opportunities to collaborate with experts in supply chain risk management, AI applications and national security-related logistics. I look forward to contributing to critical national policies through cutting-edge research and advances in technology focused on food, agriculture and environmental security."
For more information, visit nsri.nebraska.edu/fellows.
