Two engineering faculty members at Case Western Reserve University have recently been awarded prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) grants. This esteemed recognition is presented to junior faculty members who exhibit the potential to become academic role models in both research and education. The award serves as a springboard for Professor An Wang, specializing in computer science, and Professor Bridget Hegarty, an expert in environmental engineering, to advance their respective research agendas while contributing to the public good.
An Wang’s research promises significant contributions to the realm of machine learning, specifically addressing the issue of resource inefficiency in training algorithms. She aims to develop innovative methods to leverage resources from various cloud-computing platforms, thereby streamlining the process of training machine learning models. Machine learning is a field that seeks to mimic human cognitive processes by analyzing vast datasets to uncover patterns and generate predictions. However, its effective application often hinges on the capacity and efficiency of distributed computing systems.
One significant challenge that Wang identifies is the bottleneck created by communication among server machines during the training phase. The need for synchronization and data exchange can slow down the entire process, particularly when network speeds fail to keep pace with the computational demands of modern algorithms. By addressing these communication hurdles, Wang aspires to optimize both the cost-efficiency and quality of machine learning training.
A crucial aspect of her research involves treating the complexities of cloud resource allocation as a multi-layered optimization problem. Wang recognizes that not all data inputs are of equal significance during the training process. Her strategic approach will focus on allocating more resources to the high-priority data while minimizing the input and activities concerning less critical data. The results of her research will emphasize transparency and accessibility, as Wang intends to share her findings as open-source resources, fostering collaboration and innovation across the machine learning community.
In parallel, Bridget Hegarty’s research delves into the equally vital domain of microbiomes, investigating their implications for public health, particularly concerning water systems. Hegarty is leveraging her CAREER grant to explore the application of bacteriophages—viruses that specifically target and eliminate harmful bacteria. Her focus lies in developing safe biocontrol methods for water systems, addressing a pressing issue regarding unwanted bacterial growth that jeopardizes public health.
With a sharp rise in antibiotic resistance observed worldwide, Hegarty’s research gains heightened relevance. Bacteriophages are gaining interest as alternatives to traditional antibiotics. They can effectively target pathogenic bacteria while leaving beneficial microorganisms unharmed, creating an avenue for novel water treatment strategies. Hegarty envisions employing phage cocktails, mixtures of various phages, to combat biofilms—the resilient layers of harmful bacteria that can form on surfaces and render conventional disinfection methods ineffective.
Biofilms pose a significant challenge in medical settings, where they can accumulate in drainage systems and other water infrastructures, leading to infections and health risks for patients. The potential of phage therapy for such applications could revolutionize hospital sanitation protocols, demonstrating a reduction in contamination without the collateral damage of antibacterial agents. Hegarty’s pioneering research will share valuable insights into the design and testing of these phage cocktails, with the goal of developing robust, targeted strategies for controlling bacterial growth in various environments.
Both Wang and Hegarty’s projects are emblematic of an innovative interdisciplinary approach to scientific research. The Case School of Engineering’s Dean, Venkataramanan “Ragu” Balakrishnan, emphasizes their separate yet parallel pursuits encapsulating the spirit of advancing science for societal benefit. Their respective works highlight the importance of collaboration among different scientific disciplines as they aim to tackle some of the most pressing contemporary challenges related to health and technology.
Beyond her CAREER grant, Hegarty has received an additional $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to study indoor air quality in relation to asthma outcomes in children. This impactful research project aims to assess whether improvements in air quality can tangibly benefit children living in environments plagued by pollution and health hazards. Collaborating with reputable institutions such as the Cleveland Clinic and the University of Toronto, Hegarty intends to explore the intricate relationship between environmental factors, indoor microbiomes, and children’s respiratory health.
Her study will enroll 60 households, pairing those in need of environmental remediation with rigorous assessments designed to measure the health outcomes of the children residing there. Through this comprehensive approach, Hegarty hopes to uncover actionable strategies for mitigating the negative impacts of poor indoor air quality, adding an essential layer to her research program focused on public health solutions.
Through the intersection of innovative technology and public health, both An Wang and Bridget Hegarty are set to forge paths that will extend far beyond academia. Their research exemplifies the critical role that academic institutions, such as Case Western Reserve University, play in addressing global challenges. As they launch into their respective projects, Wang and Hegarty position themselves not just as researchers but as future leaders poised to impact their fields significantly.
The CAREER awards mark a pivotal moment in their academic careers, empowering them with resources to further develop their research ideas and implement effective teaching strategies that will influence future generations of scientists. Each faculty member’s dedication to their disciplines underscores the necessity of investing in early-career professionals who can infuse academia with fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a commitment to research that serves societal needs.
Subject of Research: Machine Learning and Microbiomes
Article Title: Case Western Reserve University Faculty Awarded Prominent NSF Grants for Innovative Research
News Publication Date: October 2023
Web References: Case Western Reserve University
References: N/A
Image Credits: Credit: Case Western Reserve University
