Faculty Development Program (FDP)

• Eric Berg NDSU professor of Animal Science
• Natasha Fillmore NDSU assistant professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences

The project aims to enhance healthcare by exploring the biological mechanisms underlying insulin resistance and how these processes are often influenced by specific dietary interventions. The goal is to understand the progression of conditions such as pre-diabetes and ultimately identify nutritional combinations that either exacerbate or prevent the onset of insulin resistance. In 2021 nearly 98 million Americans after the age of 18 were diagnosed as having pre-diabetes.

Continuous glucose monitors have previously not been used on pigs. The potential is there to engineer these monitors to be swine-specific. Results from the swine biomedical model have the potential to be transferred to health research that includes human participants.

• Youjin Jang NDSU assistant professor of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
• Inbae Jeong NDSU assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering

Internet of Things (IOT) sensing technologies are being used to track and predict crowd movements at community events, aiming to enhance understanding of crowd dynamics and create models for real-time crowd management.

The project focuses on identifying key factors that influence crowd movements at large community events. By surveying individuals with prior experiences in such situations, the team explores the interplay between personal traits, emotional states, and behavioral movements. In addition, an IoT camera system has been developed, incorporating high-resolution imaging, GPS, and IMU sensors. Using advanced sensor-fusion algorithms, the system is designed to be easily deployable and highly effective for application at managing crowd movement at community events.

The ultimate goal is to improve the safety and efficiency in crowd management at such events, by proactively identifying and mitigating potential risks.

• Zhikai Liang NDSU assistant professor of AES Plant Science
• Changhui Yan NDSU professor of Computer Science

This project addresses the challenge of understanding stem strength in wheat in various environmental conditions. North Dakota accounts for half of the 11 million acres planted for wheat in the United States, and this project directly addresses a challenge for spring wheat breeding programs in the state.

The team has collected multiscale phenotype data of stem samples. Creating a strong phenotyping profile in stem strength from the project will further boost genetic resilience to climate change and help direct future stem strength styles in wheat breeding in North Dakota. This research can help North Dakota remain a national and world leader in wheat genetics studies.

• Ryan McGrath NDSU associate professor of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences
• Kyle Hackney NDSU professor of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences
• Jeremy Hamm NDSU assistant professor of Psychology
• Bong-Jin Choi NDSU associate professor of Statistics
• Jagdish Singh NDSU professor and chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences

By 2025, almost 20 percent of the North Dakota population will be 65 or older, a trend that is evident nationwide. This project highlights the implication of age-related health impairments which includes Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The project’s focus is on the relationship between handgrip strength and cognitive impairment and emphasizing the need for further research to better understand that connection.

Handgrip strength is a reliable and easily measurable indicator of overall muscle strength and general health. Determining this shows outcomes like limitations in self-care, chronic diseases and early mortality. Low handgrip strength is linked with cognitive impairment and dementia.

• Yechun Wang NDSU associate professor of Mechanical Engineering
• Danling Wang NDSU associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Ang Guo NDSU assistant professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences

This project’s aim is to develop a self-powered implantable MXene (an advanced material) sensor that has the potential application of understanding the transformation of circulating cancer cells into tumors, particularly at bone sites. The sensor will integrate tissue engineering scaffolds and MXene-based sensing capabilities. The integration will allow the sensor to monitor biological and chemical signatures in real time, particularly during tumor formation or while using anticancer drugs.

The ability to mimic late-stage cancer conditions and capture critical data may provide valuable insights for understanding tumor formation, and could potentially reverse-engineer the processes to arrest this progression. One other key aspect is harnessing energy from within the human body as a power supply to avoid having to use instruments like batteries with a limited power supply.

The project represents a multi-tiered approach to solving challenges in the field of medicine, particularly helping cancer diagnostics and treatment monitoring. At the same time, it also addresses key technology barriers such as power supply for implantable devices.

• Natasha Fillmore NDSU assistant professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Sathish Venkatachalem NDSU associate professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Sijo Mathew NDSU assistant professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Obesity is a significant health concern in North Dakota and across the U.S., affecting the heart, lungs, and kidneys. This research explores the role of inflammation and lipid toxicity in obesity, focusing on how lipid accumulation damages cells and contributes to insulin resistance in these vital organs. By examining the impact of obesity on the cardiac-pulmonary-renal systems, the study aims to advance understanding of this public health issue while fostering a skilled biomedical workforce in North Dakota.

• Ranjit Godavarthy NDSU associate professor of Transportation, Logistics and Finance
• Joseph Szmerekovsky NDSU associate dean of Business and professor of Transportation and Supply Chain
• Michael Robinson NDSU professor of Psychology

The COVID-19 pandemic and advancements in communication technology have reshaped work, shopping, and service delivery, enabling more people to live outside urban areas. However, rural living poses challenges, including limited access to supply chains. This study explores how digital technologies, such as crowdsourcing apps and autonomous vehicles, can improve rural quality of life by enhancing connectivity, reducing social isolation, and creating job opportunities. Specifically, it examines how these innovations can address food, energy, and water security in North Dakota's rural and tribal communities by strengthening fresh food and grocery supply chains.

• Shuvashis Dey NDSU assistant professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Danling Wang NDSU associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Benjamin Braaten NDSU professor and chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Qi Zhang NDSU associate professor of Plant Sciences

This project is developing a 3D-printed plant sensor that uses additively manufactured electronics (AME) and functional nanocomposites to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by plants. This innovative approach aims to overcome the limitations of traditional sensing methods, such as high costs, lack of real-time monitoring, and the need for specialized skills. By detecting VOCs, which can indicate plant stress from diseases, nutrient deficiencies, or environmental stressors, the sensor offers a more affordable and scalable solution for monitoring plant health. The project has the potential to significantly enhance agricultural productivity through low-cost, innovative technology.

• Jaeha Lee NDSU professor of Apparel, Retail Merchandising and Design

This study examines the challenges individuals with Down syndrome face in finding suitable clothing and participating in shopping experiences, which can limit their professional and social engagement. By exploring barriers to clothing accessibility and inclusivity, the research aims to provide insights into the unique needs of this population. The findings will inform recommendations for improving clothing design, production, and marketing, as well as product labeling and packaging, to enhance clarity and accessibility. These strategies aim to help retailers foster greater inclusivity and support for individuals with Down syndrome.

• Sandro Steinbach NDSU associate professor of Agribusiness and Applied Economics and director of Center of Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies
• Bong-Jin Choi NDSU associate professor of Statistics
• Dongin Kim NDSU research assistant professor of Agribusiness and Applied Economics
• Mingao Yuan NDSU associate professor of Statistics

This project leverages transdisciplinary expertise, open data ecosystems, and advanced big data analytics to transform global food supply chain modeling. It aims to address vulnerabilities caused by climate change and socio-economic disruptions, focusing on strengthening resilience and sustainability, particularly in underserved communities. By integrating agricultural economics, data science, climate science, and supply chain management, the project will develop a proof-of-concept framework to simulate and analyze food supply chain dynamics, providing critical insights to enhance global food system stability.

• Elizabeth Skoy NDSU professor of Pharmacy Practice
• Heather Fuller NDSU professor of Human Development and Family Science
• Diana Lopez-Soto NDSU assistant professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
• Jayme Steig NDSU assistant professor of practice of Pharmacy Practice
• Rebecca Brynjulson NDSU assistant professor of practice of Pharmacy Practice
• Ryan McGrath NDSU associate professor of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences
• Lisa Nagel NDSU director of operations for Collaboration and Advancement in Pharmacy Center

This project aims to equip pharmacists with the education, tools, and resources needed to address inappropriate medication use in older adults. During annual medication management visits with patients aged 65 and older, pharmacists will identify potentially inappropriate medications and implement tailored interventions. By doing so, the project seeks to quantify the prevalence of inappropriate medication use among older adults and identify strategies and resources to help prevent adverse events.

• Harun Pirim NDSU assistant professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
• Juan Li NDSU professor of Computer Science
• Jeremy Hamm NDSU assistant professor of Psychology
• Yagna Jarajapu NDSU associate professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Katie Reindl NDSU professor of Biological Sciences
• Natasha Fillmore NDSU assistant professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences

This project aims to develop a system to predict and prevent age-related diabetes by leveraging digital twins of real patients. A digital twin is a virtual representation of a patient, closely mirroring their actual health condition through the integration of diverse data sources, including medical records, genetic information, wearable device data, and social and environmental factors. This data will be structured into a knowledge graph, enabling effective computer processing by connecting related concepts. The ultimate goal is to create a dynamic simulation capable of predicting how the real patient might respond to various health scenarios, treatments, or lifestyle changes.

• Zhulu Lin NDSU associate professor of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

This project is conducting an irrigation feasibility study county by county in North Dakota using the most accurate, currently available data. The goal is to identify locations and areas of land in North Dakota where there is high potential of developing irrigation projects in the future. The use of new technology, concepts and products will stimulate the economy across the state and also provide experiential learning opportunities for students.

The project updated the North Dakota soil irrigability map using the most current Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO) data, removed lands that were not available or suitable for developing feasible irrigation projects and developing a dashboard and maps to show the land’s specific irrigation potential by soil suitability, water availability and power availability that would impact a parcel of land’s probability of being developed for irrigation in the future.

Findings of the study were presented at the 61st annual Joint North Dakota Water Convention and Irrigation Workshop on Dec. 10-13, 2024 in Bismarck.