Her research fundamentally addresses the magmatic systems beneath Yellowstone, which have not erupted for approximately 70,000 years but continue to influence geothermal activity and local seismicity. Utilizing state-of-the-art analytical equipment funded by a National Science Foundation CAREER award, Myers probes the mineralogical and geochemical signatures found in volcanic deposits. These mineral records act as proxies, revealing the temporal evolution of magma bodies, their storage, ascent, and ultimately eruption triggers, much like dendrochronology demonstrates historical climatic conditions through tree rings.

At the core of Myers’ work lies the challenge of volcanic eruption forecasting—an inherently complex scientific problem that balances the interpretation of geophysical signals with probabilistic modeling. Yellowstone’s volcanic system demonstrates periods of relative quiescence punctuated by episodes of unrest, including seismic swarms and ground deformation. Myers emphasizes the necessity of multidisciplinary observational networks, such as the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory consortium, which integrates data from seismic arrays, GPS, gas emissions, and thermal monitoring to understand this volatile environment.

A critical component of her approach is effective communication of volcanic hazards to both scientific audiences and the public. Myers acknowledges the anxiety that often accompanies discussions of Yellowstone’s potential explosive power but advocates for transparent, evidence-based messaging that clarifies how modern monitoring technologies detect early warning signs. Her outreach extends to teaching strategies that cultivate students’ skills not only in volcanology but also in science communication, ensuring future generations can responsibly engage with complex geoscientific challenges.

Moreover, Myers’ laboratory—the MOnSTER lab—serves as a training ground for undergraduate researchers who engage directly with ongoing projects, including updating geologic maps and analyzing real-time data streams from Yellowstone. The recruitment for these competitive summer research experiences highlights the surge of student interest in Earth sciences despite nationwide declines in STEM enrollments. These programs foster hands-on learning and contribute critical data for national observatories, bridging academic research and practical volcanic hazard mitigation.

A notable achievement in her career was instrumental in Montana State University joining the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory in 2020. This partnership places MSU among nine leading institutions collaboratively monitoring regional volcanic activity across the United States, alongside observatories responsible for prolific volcanoes in Alaska, Hawaii, and the Cascade Range. Such collaborations harness distributed expertise and facilitate the sharing of large geophysical datasets critical for real-time analysis and hazard forecasting.

Myers’ research contributions extend beyond Yellowstone into broader volcanic systems worldwide, where her multidisciplinary and field-based methodologies set new standards. The Geological Society of America recognized these efforts by awarding her their Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division Early Career award, reflecting her impactful scholarship within the geosciences community.

Her lab’s utilization of petrographic and geochemical methods to dissect volcanic materials allows her team to reconstruct magma chamber processes and the physical conditions preceding eruptions. This capability informs models of eruptive behavior and contributes essential empirical data to hazard predictions. Myers integrates field observations, seismic activity, and petrology to develop comprehensive volcanic system models—providing a window into the deep Earth processes governing volcanic unrest.

Throughout her academic tenure, Myers has also played a pivotal role in promoting diversity and inclusion within STEM fields, earning nominations for awards dedicated to gender equity and mentoring. By fostering an inclusive research environment, she supports varied perspectives essential for innovative scientific discovery. Her engagement with students focuses on building confidence and scientific literacy, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to geoscience research and public education.

Strategically located amid some of the oldest and youngest rocks on Earth, MSU offers Myers and her students a unique natural laboratory that spans billions to thousands of years in geologic time. This diversity not only enriches her research opportunities but also captures student imagination, encouraging a tactile connection to scientific concepts learned in classrooms. The physical geology curriculum at MSU, buoyed by active research, attracts a robust cohort of students driven by curiosity and a desire to impact Earth science understanding.

In a broader context, Myers’ work embodies the growing trend in Earth sciences that links fundamental research to societal needs. Accurate volcanic hazard assessment informs emergency preparedness protocols, risks to communities, and broader environmental impacts. Scientific advances achieved through her leadership and mentorship underscore the critical role academia plays in addressing timely global challenges posed by natural hazards.

As public interest in Yellowstone’s volcanic activity intensifies periodically, Myers’ expertise provides clarity and grounded perspectives. By combining rigorous data collection, analytical expertise, and community engagement, she facilitates a nuanced narrative about volcanoes that balances caution with scientific confidence. Her advancement of knowledge and dedication to teaching enrich both the scientific community and public discourse on volcanic phenomena.

Her contributions have proven integral to the national framework for volcano monitoring, situating her as a leading figure in volcanology. The integration of cutting-edge laboratory techniques with extensive field monitoring exemplifies the future of geoscience research. Myers’ work continues to inspire aspiring scientists and emphasizes the profound importance of sustained investment in multidisciplinary Earth science research and education.

Subject of Research: Volcanology, magma dynamics, volcanic hazard assessment, Yellowstone supervolcano monitoring
Article Title: Montana State University Volcanologist Madison Myers Earns Prestigious Early Career Award for Groundbreaking Yellowstone Research
News Publication Date: September 25, 2025
Web References:
– https://www.montana.edu/earthsciences/directory/2139971/madison-myers
– https://community.geosociety.org/mgpvdivision/awards/earlycareer
– https://www.montana.edu/news/20217/msu-becomes-member-of-yellowstone-volcano-observatory
– https://www.montana.edu/news/21241/madison-myers-earns-nsf-career-grant-for-yellowstone-volcano-research
– https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/how-take-a-volcanos-temperature
Image Credits: MSU photo by Colter Peterson
Keywords: Volcanology, Geology, Earth sciences, Magma dynamics, Yellowstone supervolcano, Volcanic hazard, Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology

Immunotherapy, particularly Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, has already redefined the landscape of hematologic cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma by harnessing the patient’s own immune cells to eradicate malignant cells. The process involves extraction of T cells, their genetic reprogramming with a synthetic receptor, and reinfusion into the patient’s bloodstream. Despite its seminal success against blood cancers, this modality faces formidable hurdles when applied to solid tumors. The tumor microenvironment’s complexity and the difficulty of CAR T cells to adequately recognize and penetrate solid masses call for novel receptor configurations and sophisticated cell engineering approaches.

The combinatorial explosion of possible CAR T cell designs, coupled with the growing wealth of accumulated experimental data and literature, presents a daunting analytical challenge. To tackle this, Miskov-Zivanov aims to build an AI-powered system capable of sifting through vast bodies of scientific literature and heterogeneous data repositories to integrate expert knowledge and raw experimental insights. This system will intelligently recommend superior therapeutic lymphocyte designs, including both CAR T cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), by synthesizing disparate sources of information into actionable engineering guidance.

Drawing on her unique background as a computer engineer with extensive postdoctoral experience in computational and systems biology, Miskov-Zivanov emphasizes automation in a field traditionally dominated by labor-intensive manual processes. She envisions her computational framework as a catalyst that automates the complex tasks typically performed by biologists, thereby accelerating and refining the design cycle for immunotherapeutic cells. This aspiration springs from her conviction that the convergence of computation and biology can unveil novel pathways that manual curation might never reveal.

Building on her earlier NSF-funded EAGER award, which developed a prototype tool utilizing Natural Language Processing (NLP) to extract pertinent data from scientific texts, she now evolves the approach to incorporate state-of-the-art large language models (LLMs) and neural networks. This hybrid system will not only parse and analyze scientific papers but also interpret experimental datasets to conduct comprehensive in silico experiments. By simulating thousands of potential cell designs computationally, this framework will perform hypothesis-driven screening prior to laboratory validation.

A critical innovation in Miskov-Zivanov’s project lies in developing improved prompting techniques for AI models, enabling more precise and relevant extraction of meaningful data from the overwhelming corpus of biomedical literature. Instead of forcing researchers to navigate tens of thousands of papers, many irrelevant to their queries, the system will pinpoint high-impact insights and knowledge, distilling the essence of complex biological narratives. This capability could dramatically reduce time and resources consumed in immunotherapy research and design.

To represent and utilize the extracted knowledge efficiently, Miskov-Zivanov converts science-derived data into knowledge graphs (KGs)—structured semantic networks encoding relationships among biological entities like proteins, signaling pathways, and cellular behaviors. These KGs serve as a scaffolding layer upon which graph neural networks (GNNs) operate. GNNs, leveraging their prowess in modeling graph-structured data, analyze interconnections within the KGs to predict the efficacy of various immunotherapeutic cell configurations. This synergistic blend amplifies predictive accuracy beyond what isolated datasets or traditional statistical models can achieve.

Understanding the imperative for educating emerging engineers in these frontier methodologies, Miskov-Zivanov has introduced a novel graduate-level course focused on knowledge graphs and their construction, interpretation, and application. She believes that equipping the next generation of researchers with computational tools capable of integrating structured knowledge and data-driven learning models is vital for addressing increasingly complex biomedical challenges. By nurturing interdisciplinary expertise, this educational initiative seeds future innovation in synthetic biology and therapeutic design.

Underlying this ambitious technological endeavor is the goal to establish a reliable methodology for engineering and systematically testing thousands of immunotherapeutic cell designs with diverse receptor systems. Success could catalyze breakthroughs in developing cellular therapies that effectively infiltrate and neutralize solid tumors—an enduring challenge in oncology. Moreover, the project aspires to contribute novel algorithmic innovations to identify, present, and validate trustworthy predictive data in biomedical research.

Reflecting on her motivation, Miskov-Zivanov shares a poignant narrative of how a childhood news story about a young leukemia patient cured by immunotherapy ignited her passion. Her dual lens as a computer engineer and a scientifically curious individual fuels her drive to forge impactful applications of computing technologies in life-saving medical research. Her work epitomizes the compelling convergence of artificial intelligence and biotechnology, promising to reshape cancer treatment paradigms.

Her department chair, Alan George, lauds her as a rising star and innovator whose research lab, the MeLoDy (Mechanisms and Logic of Dynamics) Laboratory, bridges digital circuits, synthetic biology, AI, and dynamic systems. The award spotlights Miskov-Zivanov’s pioneering approach to designing immunotherapies and teaching complex computational methods, setting the stage for profound future contributions in science and engineering.

Dr. Miskov-Zivanov’s project embodies the forefront of biomedical innovation, where AI-powered automation intersects with molecular engineering to tackle the enduring challenge of cancer therapy. By weaving together computational linguistics, graph theory, machine learning, and synthetic biology, she charts a new course toward more efficient, interpretable, and impactful immunotherapy design. The convergence of these fields promises to accelerate discovery and ultimately transform patient outcomes in oncology.

Subject of Research: Artificial Intelligence-driven design of immunotherapy cells, focusing on CAR T cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.

Article Title: Artificial Intelligence-Driven Framework Poised to Revolutionize Immunotherapy Design

News Publication Date: Not specified in the provided content.

Web References:

• Natasa Miskov-Zivanov Faculty Page
• NSF Award Detail
• Pitt News on NSF EAGER Award
• MeLoDy Laboratory

Keywords: Cancer immunotherapy, Generative AI, Computer science, Artificial intelligence, Deep learning, Systems neuroscience, T lymphocytes, Immune system

Yang’s ambitious research has gained approval and funding through a prestigious $644,659 CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This award is pivotal, as it supports early-career faculty members in their quest to launch impactful studies that contribute to societal advancements. The integration of bespoke bioadhesives into the realm of medical devices signifies a paradigm shift in the way we think about surgical adhesives and their role in patient care.

The challenge presented by current medical devices is their composition; often, they are made of hard materials, including metals and plastics. In contrast, human tissues are predominantly soft and wet, creating a crucial gap in how well these two materials can interact. As Yang notes, there is a pressing demand for adhesives that can more closely mimic the properties of human tissues. This research not only promises to bridge the gap between devices and tissues but also aims to create solutions that enhance patient outcomes and overall healthcare quality.

Yang proposes to develop a dual-layered bioadhesive that features both a solid hydrogel layer and a clear liquid adhesive layer. This innovative design enables the adhesive to be customized to meet the mechanical properties of the target tissues, ensuring compatibility with the body’s inherent structures. The envisioned hydrogel-polymer bioadhesives will provide quick bonding capabilities alongside lasting stability, essential for any implantation scenario.

Collaboration is key to success in this five-year project, and Yang will be partnering with Dr. Steffen Pabel from Massachusetts General Hospital. Together, they plan to develop a hydrogel heart patch that delivers medication directly to the heart to combat atrial fibrillation, a common cardiac irregularity. This synergy between academic research and clinical practice symbolizes a broader commitment to improving health outcomes through technological advancements.

The project also includes a significant educational component, targeting children and college students. This initiative aims to nurture interest and understanding of hydrogels and their applications in biomedicine, ensuring that the next generation is equipped to drive innovation in this crucial sector. PhD student Jiatai Sun will play a pivotal role in assisting Yang with the research and educational outreach.

New bioadhesives could hold potential applications beyond heart surgery. Yang envisions these adhesives being used to support electrodes implanted in patients with Parkinson’s disease, or to manage complex conditions like chronic heart failure. The versatility of these bioadhesives speaks to a future where medical devices are seamlessly integrated into the human body, enhancing healing and functionality.

Hydrogels, identified as water-based materials structured within a network of polymers, are a prevalent component in numerous everyday products. They are commonly found in wound dressings, contact lenses, and even the absorbent materials in diapers. Despite their current applications in emergency settings to patch wounds or temporarily seal tissues, hydrogels have faced limitations in longer-term use, particularly in permanent implantations. Yang’s research directly addresses these shortcomings.

Mechanical compatibility is paramount when it comes to human tissues. Different tissues in the body exhibit unique mechanical properties; for instance, brain tissue is notably soft, thereby requiring an adhesive with a similar softness. Conversely, a hydrogel intended for cartilage needs to demonstrate enough stiffness to support weight-bearing functions. This project reveals the necessity for tailored bioadhesives rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

The CAREER Award granted to Yang is not only a financial boon but also an important form of recognition from the NSF, reflecting the significance of his research in advancing science and engineering fields. Yang’s academic journey, which includes obtaining a PhD from Harvard University and gaining experience as a research fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, underscores his commitment to innovation.

Moreover, WPI itself is renowned for its project-based learning approach, emphasizing real-world problem-solving as a cornerstone of education since its founding in 1865. The university prides itself on fostering a scientific environment where groundbreaking research meets practical application. With more than 70 degree programs and a global network of project centers, WPI nurtures students who are prepared to tackle pressing issues in health, technology, and beyond.

As Yang forges ahead with this research, the implications of bioadhesives extend far beyond mechanical applications; they delve into the philosophical questions surrounding the future of healthcare. What if we could not only treat injuries but fundamentally enhance biological functions through innovative materials? The development of bioadhesives may catalyze a new era in regenerative medicine, where the melding of science and technology can yield life-changing therapies.

The excitement surrounding this research reflects a broader trend in biomedical engineering, where the fusion of materials science and healthcare is paving the way for transformative solutions. The journey to innovate bioadhesives is a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of improvement in medical care. Through collaborative efforts and groundbreaking research, Yang and his team are setting the stage for new possibilities in the evolving landscape of medical technology.

In conclusion, as the quest for the ideal adhesive continues, we find ourselves standing on the precipice of a medical revolution. The research driven by Jiawei Yang at WPI highlights the critical need for innovative solutions in an ever-evolving biomedical landscape. With a future that promises enhanced patient care and improved medical outcomes, the world is watching closely as these advancements unfold, ready to embrace the next wave of healthcare innovation.

Subject of Research: Development of bioadhesives for medical applications
Article Title: New Bioadhesives Set to Transform Medical Device Implantation
News Publication Date: October 2023
Web References: WPI
References: National Science Foundation
Image Credits: WPI Photo/Matt Burgos

Keywords

Hydrogels, Soft tissue, Polymer engineering, Education research, Adhesives, Mechanical engineering, Adhesion, Health and medicine.

The enormity of big data cannot be overstated, as it encompasses datasets that overwhelm conventional processing tools due to their sheer complexity and volume. The past two to three decades have seen an unprecedented growth in data generated from various sources, including social media interactions, scientific measurements, and epidemiological surveys. Veras underscores the that while we are inundated with vast amounts of data, the need for innovative methodologies to extract meaningful insights has never been more urgent.

Historically, the architecture of computers has favored dense and regular computational tasks, a design that inherently limits their efficacy when faced with sparse and irregular datasets. Veras emphasizes that the algorithms required to analyze these datasets demand extensive computational resources, thereby highlighting the inadequacies of existing hardware and software configurations. In light of this, there is a compelling need to rethink our approach to data processing, ensuring that it aligns better with the challenges posed by irregular data structures.

Veras’s research aims to address this fundamental disparity through the development of a groundbreaking coding language known as the Graph Structure Descriptor Language. This innovative language will empower researchers to describe the shape and structure of irregular data meaningfully. By translating high-level representations of complex problems into machine code, this new language will pave the way for more efficient data processing. It is envisioned that the infrastructure developed through this research will seamlessly integrate into the existing tools and systems researchers utilize, thereby enhancing their capabilities in handling big data.

In conjunction with these technological advancements, Veras advocates for educational growth within the field of high-performance computing. He announces that the University of Oklahoma will introduce a new degree concentration tailored specifically to address the burgeoning demand for expertise in high-performance computing within computer science. This initiative is more than just a curriculum enhancement; it represents a commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers equipped with the skill sets necessary to tackle modern data challenges.

The educational initiative will be anchored around an advanced parallel programming course, a subject that Veras passionately instructs. This foundational course will serve as the bedrock from which additional offerings will evolve, including a theory-based class and a capstone course designed to immerse students in practical research opportunities. This hands-on involvement is crucial, as Veras firmly believes that early exposure to research significantly enhances students’ prospects for successful careers in the field.

The capstone course will be particularly noteworthy, as it aims to connect students directly with real-world problems presented by various departments across the university. By engaging students in performance engineering tasks, they will gain invaluable experience while contributing to the improvement of computational applications utilized by the university’s research community. This approach not only nurtures the skills of participating students but significantly enriches the quality of research output at the institution.

Equally important to Veras is the cultivation of partnerships with industry leaders, as these relationships play a critical role in workforce preparedness. By bridging academic training with practical application, students are better equipped to transition into successful careers. Veras highlights the importance of early engagement in research, stressing that waiting until late into an academic program can hinder one’s ability to fully grasp the complexities of scientific inquiry and technical problem-solving.

Moreover, the initiatives stemming from this CAREER award serve as a catalyst for broader discussions about the future of computing. The challenges presented by big data demand a collective re-evaluation of how we design not only our hardware and software but also the educational frameworks that prepare future generations of computer scientists and engineers. By prioritizing innovative thinking and a cross-disciplinary approach, Veras’s vision extends beyond immediate technological advancements to encompass a more holistic outlook on education in data science and computation.

As the landscape of data analysis continues to evolve, Veras’s work exemplifies the critical intersection of academia, research, and practical application. The success of his initiatives could pave the way for significant advancements in the field of computer science, offering new pathways for understanding and interpreting complex datasets that were previously deemed insurmountable. The implications of this research are far-reaching, with potential applications spanning diverse fields such as healthcare, social sciences, and beyond.

In summary, the recognition of Richard Veras’s contributions through the National Science Foundation CAREER award not only highlights the importance of support for early-career researchers but also sheds light on the urgent need for innovation in how we approach data analysis in an increasingly complex world. As Veras embarks on this ambitious endeavor, the scientific community eagerly anticipates the advancements that will emerge, fueled by a commitment to reimagining the future of computing for the betterment of society.

Subject of Research: Innovations in computing infrastructure for sparse and irregular data
Article Title: Revolutionizing Data Processing: Richard Veras’s Groundbreaking Approach to Big Data
News Publication Date: October 23, 2023
Web References:
References:
Image Credits: University of Oklahoma/Travis Caperton

Keywords

Big Data, Computer Science, Data Processing, Software Engineering, High-Performance Computing, Research Opportunities