The Bold Challenges Initiative has selected eight teams of University of Michigan researchers for its second cohort of the Boost program, representing 10 schools, colleges and units.
The teams will address challenges such as designing chemical reactors that convert carbon emissions into fuel, creating solar-powered water systems for rural communities in Tanzania and utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance wearable technologies used in physical therapy.
“This cohort is pursuing cutting-edge solutions to challenges faced by localized communities that can also be applied on a global scale,” said Arthur Lupia, interim vice president for research and innovation.
“Our mission is to serve the world through research, and by funding interdisciplinary teams focused on real-world problems, we’re achieving that goal. I’m thrilled to watch these teams grow and utilize the tools available at U-M to their full potential.”
The Boost program supports interdisciplinary teams in the early stages of research with substantial potential for future large-scale funding. Teams from all three campuses are encouraged to collaborate across fields, both within and outside of the university setting.
Teams will receive personalized skill-building and facilitation from research development experts and up to $75,000 to support activities that further their research and team growth.
Applications for the third cohort of the Boost program will be available in spring 2025.
The Boost teams and their topic areas for the 2024-25 academic year include:
Data Markets for Resilient Infrastructure: Equitable Financing and Resilience under Climate Transitioning
- Peter Adriaens, professor of civil and environmental engineering, finance and entrepreneurship, College of Engineering; and professor of environment and sustainability, School for Environment and Sustainability
- Ravi Anupindi, Colonel William G. and Ann C. Svetlich Professor of Operations Research and Management, and professor of technology and operations, Stephen M. Ross School of Business
- Sabine Loos, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, CoE
- SangHyun Lee, professor of civil and environmental engineering, CoE
- Jon Allan, adjunct lecturer in environment and sustainability, SEAS
- Darren Wolfberg, CEO, Triangle Digital, New York/Bermuda
- Abhisheik Dhawan, lead of donor engagements, United Nations Capital Development Fund
- John Morton, senior urban specialist, World Bank, Tanzania
Decarbonized, Equitable and Climate Adapted Directions for Energy Systems (DECADES)
- Michael Craig, assistant professor of environment and sustainability, SEAS; and assistant professor of industrial and operations engineering, CoE
- Sita Syal, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, CoE
- Seth Guikema, professor of industrial and operations engineering, and of civil and environmental engineering, CoE
- Allison Steiner, professor of climate and space sciences and engineering, CoE
- Rabab Haider, visiting assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, CoE
- Parth Vaishnav, assistant professor of environment and sustainability, SEAS
Demonstrating Clinical Utility of Pharmacogenetic Testing via Real-world Data Analysis
- Daniel Hertz, associate professor of pharmacy, College of Pharmacy
- Amy Pasternak, clinical pharmacist and clinical assistant professor of pharmacy, College of Pharmacy
- Donglin Zeng, professor of biostatistics, School of Public Health
- John C. Krauss, clinical associate professor of internal medicine, Medical School
- Norah Lynn Henry, Daniel F. Hayes M.D. Breast Cancer Research Professor; and professor of internal medicine, Medical School
Designing Next-Generation Electrochemical Flow Reactors to Convert Carbon Dioxide to Methanol Fuel
- Nirala Singh, associate professor of chemical engineering, CoE
- Charles McCrory, associate professor of chemistry, LSA
- Rohini Bala Chandran, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, CoE
Empathetic Multi-modal Behavioral Response and Adaptive Care Environments (EMBRACE)
- Sean Ahlquist, associate professor of architecture, A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
- Max Shtein, professor of materials science and engineering, of chemical engineering, and of macromolecular science and engineering, CoE
- Richard Gonzalez, Amos N. Tversky Collegiate Professor of Psychology and Statistics, professor of psychology, and of statistics, LSA; and research professor, Institute for Social Research
- Alicia Carmichael, research area specialist lead, ISR
- Alanson Sample, associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science, CoE
- Haylie Miller, assistant professor of kinesiology, School of Kinesiology
Hygroscopic Envelope: Building Enclosures for Climate Adaptation
- Tsz Yan Ng, associate professor of architecture, Taubman College
- Evgueni Filipov, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, and of mechanical engineering, CoE
- Wes McGee, associate professor of architecture, Taubman College; and associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, CoE
- Elizabeth Camuti, assistant professor of landscape architecture, Tulane School of Architecture
- Adam Marcus, associate professor of architecture, Tulane School of Architecture
Optimizing Gait Rehabilitation through AI-Enhanced Visualization and Precision Tracking with Wearable IMU Technology
- Lauro Ojeda, research scientist, mechanical engineering, CoE
- John Fink, professor of neurology, Medical School
- Hugo Gonzalez-Villasanti, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, CoE
Solar PV Water Pumping for Domestic and Livestock Uses in Last Mile Pastoral Societies in Tanzania
- Brian Min, associate professor of political science, LSA; and research associate professor, ISR
- Kelly Askew, Niara Sudarkasa Collegiate Professor of Anthropology and Afroamerican and African Studies, and professor of anthropology, and of Afroamerican and African studies, LSA; faculty associate, ISR; and professor of law, Law School
- Aline Cotel, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor; associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, CoE; and associate professor of Program in the Environment, LSA and SEAS
- Sisty Basil Massawe, ELICO Foundation
