Seven interdisciplinary Ohio State research teams have been awarded up to $300,000 each in Catalyst grants through the President’s Research Excellence (PRE) program in the fall cycle. This cycle's awardees are furthering research in life sciences, artificial intelligence, gene therapy, semiconductors, sensors and space.
Catalyst grants are awarded to medium or large teams representing three or more distinct disciplinary perspectives that are formed to pursue high-impact research towards an identified national-leadership level or highly strategically significant proposal target.
Ohio State has invested approximately $8.5 million to teams of Ohio State investigators through the PRE program since its inception in 2021.
Catalyst Awardees
Transport Mechanisms of Chemotherapy-induced Myelotoxicity
Lead PI: Sharyn Baker (Pharmacy)
Co-investigators: James Blachly and Brad Blaser (Medicine); Eric Eisenmann (Pharmacy)
Project description: Chemotherapy causes dose-limiting, potentially lethal damage to the bone marrow (myelotoxicity). This research team found that this side effect is dependent on transporter-mediated uptake processes, and propose to develop a therapeutic strategy to mitigate the incidence and severity of myelotoxicity in patients.
AI-Amplified Cyber Risk: Foundations and Solutions
Lead PI: Emre Koksal (Engineering)
Co-investigators: Isil Erel (Business); Zhiqiang Lin and Ness Shroff (Engineering)
Project description: Adversarial use of AI poses new major cyber risks to our national security that are not yet well understood. To that end, the team will build an original dynamic model to quantitatively evaluate the scale of the risk and propose formal mitigation strategies based on novel machine learning foundations.
Enhancement of Motor Axonal Repair via Delivery of Cytoskeletal Motor Protein KIF5A
Lead PI: Stephen Kolb (Medicine)
Co-investigators: Amy Moore and Jan Schwab (Medicine)
Project description: The proposed research will directly test the hypothesis that increasing the expression levels of the cytoskeletal protein KIF5A in mouse models of peripheral nerve transection and repair and a clinically relevant spinal cord contusion injury.
Pushing the Boundaries of Nanolithography with Magnetic Nanoparticles and Polymer Innovation
Lead PI: Davita Watkins (Arts and Sciences)
Co-investigators: Lisa Hall, Joel Paulson, Joshua Sangoro and Jessica Winter (Engineering)
Project description: Semiconductor technology is crucial for U.S. innovation. This research will revolutionize semiconductor manufacturing by developing defect-tolerant materials, enhancing nanofabrication, and providing groundbreaking insights into macromolecular assembly, driving innovation in nanotechnology.
Goniopolar Atomic Layer Thermopile Heat Sensors and Power Generators for Aircraft and Space Vehicles
Lead PI: Wolfgang Windl (Engineering)
Co-investigators: Joshua Goldberger (Arts and Sciences) and Joseph Heremans (Engineering)
Project description: This team proposes to exploit the transverse thermoelectric effect using goniopolar materials to demonstrate goniopolar Atomic Layer Thermopile (ALTP) heat sensors. These sensors are calculated to be superior to all existing technologies with many critical applications in the areas of defense and space.
Creating a Health Data Vault for Women in High-Stress Occupations
Lead PI: Carmen Quatman (Medicine)
Co-investigators: John Paul Anders and Nathan Edwards (ERIK); Scott Hayes (Arts and Sciences); Stephanie Roewer (Medicine); and Catherine Saenz (Education and Human Ecology)
Project description: Despite the growing understanding of the importance of physical and mental health in sustaining performance and well-being, there remains a critical gap in research and healthcare innovation targeted at women in these fields.
Enabling AI-Accelerated Manufacturing in Space
Lead PI: Boyd Panton (Engineering)
Co-investigators: Scott Griffin (ERIK); Ali Nassiri, Londono Ramirez and Rajiv Ramnath (Engineering); Caroline Wagner (Public Affairs)
Project description: This proposal advances in-space laser welding by designing a testbed for ISS experiments using AI to optimize welding processes. The research will enhance U.S. leadership in space manufacturing, support exploration, and pave the way for future commercialization of critical space technologies.