12 of the Nation's Best and Brightest Researchers

Biological Sciences Assistant Professor Teresa Lee looks into a microscope in a lab Image by Brooke Coupal
Asst. Prof. Teresa Lee is among a dozen UMass Lowell researchers who have received NSF CAREER awards since 2022.

By Brooke Coupal

As UMass Lowell faculty researchers advance discoveries in fields ranging from alternative cancer treatments to using drones to strengthen public infrastructure, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has taken notice.

Since 2022, the NSF has awarded 12 UMass Lowell faculty members with Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) grants totaling nearly $8 million. CAREER grants are the NSF’s most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education.

Many of these award-winning faculty members worked with the Office of Research Development, which offers proposal development resources and guidance to help researchers pursue competitive funding opportunities, including NSF CAREER awards.

"We're incredibly proud to see our faculty earn national recognition through NSF CAREER awards for their innovative research,” says Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Economic Development Anne Maglia. 

“These awards empower researchers to pursue bold ideas that advance knowledge, improve lives and address society's most pressing challenges. Their success builds on the momentum of our R1 research enterprise as we continue expanding the impact of our research.”

Meet UMass Lowell’s CAREER Awardees

Jasmina Burek stands in front of a tree Image by Brooke Coupal

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Asst. Prof. Jasmina Burek

The NSF awarded Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Asst. Prof. Jasmina Burek a CAREER grant worth nearly $600,000 to develop tools that will help decision-makers find the most sustainable strategies for keeping unwanted clothing and other textiles out of landfills. Learn more about Jasmina's research.
Hadi Amiri sits at a desk Image by Brooke Coupal

Computer and Information Sciences Asst. Prof. Hadi Amiri

Miner School of Computer and Information Sciences Asst. Prof. Hadi Amiri is looking to make AI systems more trustworthy and reliable by analyzing how the systems learn, keep and forget information. His research is funded by an NSF CAREER award worth nearly $500,000. Learn more about Hadi's research.
A woman with dark hair is wearing a lab coat and standing next to a microscope on a bench in a lab. Image by Brooke Coupal

Biological Sciences Asst. Prof. Teresa Lee

Asst. Prof. Teresa Lee of the Department of Biological Sciences received an NSF CAREER award totaling $1.1 million to study how the proteins that package DNA are passed down from parent to child, which is one aspect of the emerging field of epigenetics. Learn more about Teresa's research.
Mechanical Engineering Asst. Prof. Alessandro Sabato drapes his arm over a drone while wearing a remote control on his neck Image by K. Webster

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Assoc. Prof. Alessandro Sabato

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Assoc. Prof. Alessandro Sabato aims to make inspecting large structures like bridges, dams, railroad lines and wind turbines faster, more cost-effective and safer by using cameras mounted on drones. His research is being funded by an NSF CAREER grant for nearly $608,000. Learn more about Alessandro's research.
A man with short dark hair smiles while looking at a woman who is speaking into a microphone. Image by Ed Brennen

Computer and Information Sciences Assoc. Prof. Ming Shao

Miner School of Computer and Information Sciences Assoc. Prof. Ming Shao received an NSF CAREER grant worth nearly $500,000 to improve how AI systems continuously learn from new and changing data. Learn more about Ming's research.
Lewis Tseng

Electrical and Computer Engineering Assoc. Prof. Lewis Tseng

The NSF awarded Electrical and Computer Engineering Assoc. Prof. Lewis Tseng a CAREER grant worth nearly $500,000 to develop ways to help connected computing systems continue working reliably, even during failures or cyberattacks. Learn more about Lewis's research.
Asst. Prof. Chiara Ghezzi

Biomedical Engineering Assoc. Prof. Chiara Ghezzi

Biomedical Engineering Assoc. Prof. Chiara Ghezzi is using her $650,000 NSF CAREER grant to understand the connection between human oral tissue and the oral microbiome, and how they interact, by creating a model of the human gum tissue system in her laboratory. Her goal is to identify disease biomarkers that could ultimately contribute to early-stage diagnosis, prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, including asthma, arthritis, colorectal and pancreatic cancers, and Alzheimer’s disease. Learn more about Chiara's research.
Arghavan Louhghalam standing at a podium Image by Brooke Coupal

Civil and Environmental Engineering Assoc. Prof. Arghavan Louhghalam

Assoc. Prof. Arghavan Louhghalam of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is conducting research on resilience analytics that could someday help communities mitigate the impact of earthquakes and other natural disasters. Her effort is supported by a $525,000 NSF CAREER grant. Learn more about Arghavan's research.
Reza Ahmadzadeh and Fetch Image by Brooke Coupal

Computer and Information Sciences Assoc. Prof. Reza Ahmadzadeh

Assoc. Prof. Reza Ahmadzadeh of the Miner School of Computer and Information Sciences received an NSF CAREER grant worth about $500,000 to develop new algorithms for robots to learn complex tasks. Learn more about Reza's research.
Marian Jandel Image by Brooke Coupal

Physics and Applied Physics Assoc. Prof. Marian Jandel

Physics Assoc. Prof. Marian Jandel is researching an alternative cancer treatment that could destroy tumors in high-risk areas of the body, such as the brain. His work is being funded by an NSF CAREER grant worth nearly $440,000. Learn more about Marian's research.
EEAS Asst. Prof. James Heiss

Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Assoc. Prof. James Heiss

The NSF awarded Assoc. Prof. James Heiss of the Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences a $680,000 CAREER award for his research into understanding water and chemical exchanges between groundwater and surface water along the transition zone between land and sea. Learn more about James's research.
Asst. Prof. Frederic Chain

Biological Sciences Assoc. Prof. Frédéric Chain

Biological Sciences Assoc. Prof. Frédéric Chain’s research on gene regulation was recognized by the NSF with a CAREER award totaling $1.35 million. Learn more about Frédéric's research.

Office of Research Development 

Supports Proposal Development

  • Managing proposal projects
  • Reviewing and providing feedback
  • Facilitating connections
  • Providing competitive intelligence

Offers Targeted Programs

Provides Trainings and Events

  • Develop trainings based on faculty needs
  • Support new and mid-career faculty
  • Host events to support interdisciplinary research engagement and recognition