Bioversity's UMass Lowell training program now has a new lab space thanks to a $660,000 grant. The program trains working-age adults in biotech workforce skills and has placed 80% of its 135 graduates in local life sciences jobs.
A new report by Change Chemistry and UMass Lowell identifies the need for targeted government incentives to help businesses transition to more sustainable chemicals. The report details how carefully designed incentives can reduce risk, accelerate commercialization, and drive real market adoption.
A UMass Lowell researcher has been awarded a nearly $1 million grant to study the effectiveness of extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) in preventing mass public shootings. The research aims to analyze how such laws impact gun violence and provide insights into data interpretation, social media behavior, and warning signs.
The BioSPACE project aims to provide farmers, environmental agencies, and water-reliant industries with portable sensors to rapidly detect germs that threaten marine and freshwater life. The economic burden caused by waterborne diseases exceeds $3 billion in direct health care costs each year in the United States.
Researchers at UMass Lowell found that anti-inflammatory bacteria were less abundant in people with Parkinson's disease, suggesting a potential biomarker for early diagnosis. A new study on Latinos may also uncover novel biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers are developing a bioengineered pancreas-like tissue using innovative biomaterials and engineered cells. The goal is to implant these cell-laden scaffolds into patients who need help managing their glucose levels.
The Center for Advancing Point of Care Technologies (CAPCaT) has received a five-year, $8.9 million award from the NIH to develop innovative point-of-care health technologies. The program aims to address heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders in underserved populations.
A global analysis of 2.3 million people reveals women are diagnosed and treated late for cardiac issues, with alarming rise in heart attacks among younger women. Non-traditional symptoms like vomiting, jaw pain, and abdominal pain are more common in women.
Carreon is developing technology to capture and convert greenhouse gases into clean-burning fuels using reactors powered by renewable energy sources. Her $538,659 NSF award will support this research over five years.
Assistant Professor Reza Ahmadzadeh at UMass Lowell has been awarded a $500,000 NSF CAREER grant to develop new algorithms for robots to learn complex tasks. The project aims to improve robot performance in everyday tasks, enabling them to assist older adults with daily chores and automate difficult duties in the workplace.
A team of researchers, led by UMass Lowell's Neil Shortland, is developing AI systems to help doctors triage patients in emergency situations. The project aims to identify the best human attributes that AI can mirror when making difficult decisions.
The NERVE Center has developed test methods and metrics for various robots, identifying limitations to improve systems. The center's success grew its research capabilities through partnerships with NIST and the U.S. Army.
Two UMass Lowell researchers, Meg Sobkowicz-Kline and Akshay Kokil, have received $1 million in grants to redirect plastic waste and develop a sustainable circular economy. Their projects focus on improving plastic film packaging recycling and creating a future workforce for plastics, aiming to increase recycling rates and reduce waste.
The UMass Lowell-led team aims to understand how proteins affect biting function in animals, with potential applications in treating diseases like muscular dystrophy. The research will involve studying molecular properties of myosin, a fibrous motor protein, and its impact on muscle force and velocity.
Researchers analyzed the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano's eruption to understand its effects on atmospheric waves. The blast provided an unprecedented view of atmospheric waves, allowing scientists to better predict the weather and climate.
Researchers aim to replicate buzz pollination using microrobots to understand its importance in agriculture and conservation. The project could lead to stronger motivation for conserving diverse bee species and optimizing fruit and vegetable yields.
The National Athletic Trainers' Association has updated its position statement to reduce intentional head-first contact behavior in American football players. The new recommendations address education and administration, skill development and behavior modification, rules and regulations, and technology and scientific research.
The collaboration aims to prepare professionals to support school-aged students with autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities. Full scholarships will be awarded to 24 graduate students starting in Fall 2022.
Researchers at UMass Lowell are developing a production method to freeze-dry COVID-19 vaccines activated by messenger-RNA, eliminating the need for refrigeration. The innovation could ease supply chain issues and deliver lifesaving immunizations to more people worldwide.
A new class of faster and more powerful semiconductors is being developed by UMass Lowell scientists to enhance wireless communication and digital imaging. The $1.7M NSF project aims to improve infrared optoelectronic devices, enabling better intracellular imaging, night vision, and quantum and 5G communication.
Katherine Tucker, a renowned nutritionist, has been awarded the top honor at UMass Lowell for her exceptional teaching, research, and service to the university. She will deliver the annual Distinguished University Professor Lecture and continue to lead her research team in establishing long-term interventions for diverse populations.
UMass Lowell researchers will focus on four projects to better protect employees in various professions, including healthcare workers and teachers. The five-year grant funding supports studies on work-life balance, engagement, burnout, and implementing programs to deal with job stressors.
Fred Martin, a UMass Lowell computer scientist, is being recognized for developing an educational framework that introduces robotics and AI to K-12 students. His work has guided the development of primary and secondary AI education initiatives worldwide.
The new center will offer staff and peer mentoring support in accessing financial aid, academic, career, and wellness services. It aims to bridge financial, language, and cultural barriers faced by Southeast Asian students.
The grant aims to educate diverse students for vital jobs in public health informatics and technology. UMass Lowell will offer new undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as certificates, to increase representation from underrepresented communities in the public health IT workforce.
The new AI-CARING initiative aims to develop robotics and artificial-intelligence systems to help seniors manage daily activities, including medication schedules and meal preparation. The project also seeks to grow employment opportunities and educational programs in the field of AI-robotics, with UMass Lowell as a key partner.
UMass Lowell's SWIMMER program trains master's and Ph.D. students to develop sustainable materials and chemicals reducing harm to water resources. Participants address issues like toxic PFAS, droughts, and environmental justice.
A UMass Lowell researcher has received a $2.7 million grant to develop models that predict how Alzheimer's disease advances. The study will use machine learning and artificial intelligence tools to analyze patient imaging data and make personalized predictions of future tau buildup.
UMass Lowell students have designed and built a miniature satellite, SPACE HAUC, which will be launched into Earth's orbit this fall. The satellite aims to demonstrate fast data transmission technology, and its success will train the next generation of astronomers and space scientists.
UMass Lowell is part of a nationwide program to evaluate rapid COVID-19 diagnostic methods. Researchers will assess the reliability and sensitivity of new products using clinical trials and community testing sites.
Researchers found that 76% of mercury deposition in a Massachusetts forest comes from atmospheric sources, with plants dominating as a source of mercury on land. The study suggests that forests worldwide may be a larger global absorber and collector of gaseous mercury than previously assumed.
The University of Massachusetts Lowell has recognized a group of K-12 students from Massachusetts and the Midwest for their artwork on climate change. The students' creations will be displayed on public buses to educate tens of thousands of passengers about extreme weather events.
The University of Massachusetts Lowell has received a $1.8 million federal grant to develop legged robots that will assist sailors with shipboard firefighting and maintenance. The robots will be designed to prioritize personnel safety, particularly during fires, and reduce maintenance time.
A new type of manmade quasicrystal created by the first test blast of an atomic bomb has been identified by a UMass Lowell geologist. The substance holds promise for various applications such as bone repair, heat insulation and converting heat to electricity.
Marianna Maiaru, a mechanical engineering assistant professor at UMass Lowell, has received a $450,000 grant from the Air Force to advance the development and processing of high-strength, high-temperature structural materials. Her project focuses on ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials used in aerospace applications.
A team of UMass Lowell students won the Rist Campuswide DifferenceMaker award for their invention of TrueFIT, a product that detects and seals leaks in ill-fitting face masks. The team aims to protect people in their everyday lives as well as workers in various industries.
Nilabja Guha, a UMass Lowell professor, received a three-year NSF grant to develop statistical tools for analyzing changes in data. The project aims to fill a gap in the analysis of changes in data and will focus on Bayesian change-point analysis.
UMass Lowell's Kennedy College of Sciences is hosting a free event series showcasing cutting-edge research and educational opportunities. Experts will discuss COVID-19 vaccine development, search for life on Mars, and diversity in the sciences. The series is open to the public and features online events from April 10-16.
Acoustica Bio, a Cambridge-based company, has won the top prize in the Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center's $200K Challenge for its innovative reformulation of intravenous medications. The startup will receive $50,000 in seed funding to advance its invention.
Archana Kamal, a physics professor at UMass Lowell, has received over $1 million in funding from the NSF and Air Force for her research on quantum information processing. Her project aims to develop self-correcting qubits using quantum reservoir engineering to address decoherence issues.
Researchers have found that plants play a leading role in cycling toxic mercury through the environment, absorbing up to 1,300 tons of mercury each year. This process can lead to neurological and cardiovascular problems in humans if exposed to high levels over long periods.
A new tool called GRASP (Guidelines for Ruling out and Assessing Pain) has been developed to simplify diagnoses for children with complex chronic medical conditions. The tool helps healthcare providers evaluate pain among non-verbal children, reducing hospitalizations and improving treatment outcomes.
A national research project is launching a bundled approach to address socio-cultural health determinants and improve health outcomes for Black women with HIV. The initiative, led by UMass Lowell, will evaluate and disseminate evidence-informed and trauma-informed interventions across 12 sites.
The UMass Lowell project aims to create new uses for plastic waste and improve recycling of plastic films from industrial and consumer goods. Researchers will develop innovative plastics-processing technologies to support manufacturers across the country.
Researchers at UMass Lowell have developed a new 3D imaging technique that uses specialized dye to better visualize human tissue inside the body. The technology, funded by the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, has the potential to revolutionize medical imaging and improve diagnosis accuracy for breast cancer and other diseases.
A new intervention program aimed at preventing sexual abuse has received a $1.5 million CDC grant to assess its effectiveness. The program, developed by UMass Lowell criminology researcher Ryan Shields, aims to prevent child sexual abuse and provide support for victims.
A UMass Lowell researcher has received a $700,000 NIH grant to explore the effectiveness of virtual reality-based rehabilitation for young people with traumatic brain injuries. The therapy aims to improve cognitive functioning and enhance quality of life for these patients.
A UMass Lowell researcher is working with the US Department of Justice to develop a workplace training program that aims to reduce trauma and stress among corrections employees. The goal is to improve their overall health outcomes, which are often poor due to chronic stress, obesity, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Researchers are working to determine how severe coastal storms contribute to water pollution in beach aquifers. The team will use computerized sensors installed at sites along the shoreline to measure groundwater flow and track the effects of saltwater intrusion.
The M2D2 $200K Challenge recognizes promising ventures developing groundbreaking medical devices and biotechnology innovations to improve healthcare outcomes. The competition provides funding, in-kind support, and expert resources to accelerate their progress.