University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Science | 2025 Dean's Report - Flipbook - Page 11
BIOTECH TARGETS BRAIN
TUMOR TREATMENT
R
esearchers at the University of Cincinnati are pioneering new
methods to tackle glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive
brain cancers, and its treatment often faces challenges due to the
complexity of the brain’s blood vessel environment. Led by Riccardo
Barrile, biomedical engineering assistant professor, the team uses
3D bio-printing to replicate human blood vessels, creating “organson-a-chip” to mimic the tumor’s environment. This approach enables
personalized drug testing, offering faster, more precise results while
reducing reliance on animal models. The project, supported by UC’s
Gardner Neuroscience Institute, aims to revolutionize treatments,
BUILDING SATELLITES TO FIX OTHER SATELLITES IN SPACE
improve patient outcomes, and advance the university’s commitment
EXPLORING THE FUTURE
OF HYPERSONIC FLIGHT
In the quest to revolutionize commercial aviation,
Prashant Khare, professor of aerospace
engineering, and his students are digging
into the complexities of hypersonic 昀氀ight. While
the last supersonic commercial aircraft, the
Concorde, 昀氀ew at Mach 2 before its retirement in
2003, Khare’s research aims to push the boundaries
to Mach 25, achieving speeds up to 13,500 mph.
to cutting-edge biomedical research.
Ou Ma, aerospace engineering professor,
received a grant from the Air Force Research
“IT’S A HUGE RISK. YOU DON’T
Laboratory and the U.S. Space Force to
WANT TO TRY MAKING REPAIRS
develop satellites that can 昀椀x other satellites
IN SPACE WITHOUT EXTREMELY
in space. Although satellites frequently
HIGH CONFIDENCE.” – OU MA
malfunction in orbit, there is currently little
that can be done to address it. Unresponsive
satellites can become 昀氀otsam that endangers
In his Intelligent Robotics and Autonomous
other satellites.
Systems Lab, Ma is exploring the new
昀椀eld of in-space servicing, assembly, and
The project also will demonstrate new robotic
manufacturing, with sweeping implications
arm cooperative control technologies. Ma is
for national security and industry. He is
uniquely quali昀椀ed for leading this task. He
collaborating with other universities and
helped develop the robotic arms aboard the
private aerospace companies to explore
International Space Station.
new ways of refueling, repairing or simply
retrieving unresponsive satellites in orbit.
The concept of hypersonic travel, popularized
by 昀椀lms like “Top Gun: Maverick,” where Tom
Cruise’s character 昀氀ies at Mach 10, is not just
昀椀ction. Khare notes that such speeds cause
aircraft surfaces to heat signi昀椀cantly, reaching
IECE
EMPOWERS
STUDENTS
temperatures
as high as 5,000
degrees
THROUGH
Fahrenheit, aboutACCESS,
half the temperature of the
sun’s surface. His research
focuses on overRETENTION
AND COMMUNIcoming these challenges by exploring new
TY
propulsion systems, such as liquid- and gas-fueled
The CEAS Office of Inclusive Excellence
rotating detonation and scramjet engines, and
and Community Engagement (IECE)
understanding the unique 昀氀uid dynamics at
is dedicated to supporting pre-collegiate
extreme speeds.
and collegiate scholars through a comprehensive
approach.
Byfocuses
partnering
with
Khare’s research
group
on multiphase
internal
and
external
organizations,
IECE
昀氀ows, non-reacting and reacting 昀氀uid dynamics,
staff
providesystems,
supportdata
through
highand
school
combustion
analytics
highaccess
programs,
collegerelevant
studenttoretention,
performance
computing
energy,
academic
success,
and professional
developpropulsion,
and environmental
applications.
He is head of UC’s Department of Aerospace
Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, and
is a 2025 American Institute of Aeronautics
and Astronautics (AIAA) Associate Fellow.
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI | CEAS
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