All Episodes
Episode 31 · May 8, 2025
What's Your Why?
Dhruv Seshadri, assistant professor of bioengineering, develops wearable medical technology and low-cost health monitoring systems to improve patient care. He talks about the personal experiences behind his research, why equitable medical devices matter, and why he hires for curiosity and purpose over GPA.
Episode 30 · January 14, 2025
Lehigh's STEM Squad
Preschoolers who code. Middle schoolers dreaming about careers in space. Chayah Wilbers, program manager for Lehigh Engineering and head of the college's STEM Squad, has a gift for making engineering irresistible to kids — and she's building the tools to help teachers do the same.
Hear how Chayah Wilbers is building STEM tools for local teachers
Episode 29 · September 10, 2024
Engineering for the Real World
Whitney Blocher McTigue, an assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, uses polymers and biomaterials to solve real-world medical challenges — from making vaccines easier to transport to developing smart, degradable bandages. Her goal: turning fundamental science into better patient outcomes. And for her, it's personal.
Listen to Whitney Blocher McTigue on shelf-stable medicine and smarter wound care
Episode 28 · April 11, 2024
Making the Internet a Safer Place
Growing up, Dominic DiFranzo, assistant professor of computer science and engineering, spent so much time online that he became fascinated not just by internet communities, but by the technology behind them. Today, he designs tools that reduce cyberbullying, misinformation, and online scams — making digital spaces safer for kids, older adults, and everyone in between.
Episode 27 · October 31, 2023
Towards a More Resilient Energy Future
Javad Khazaei, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, moved to the U.S. from Iran and now researches how to make electric grids more reliable as they integrate solar, wind, and other renewable sources — work that's part of the global push toward net zero emissions.
Listen to Javad Khazaei on powering a more reliable electric grid
Episode 26 · July 12, 2023
The 'Holy Grail' of Materials
Siddha Pimputkar, associate professor of materials science and engineering, is developing new methods to grow cubic boron nitride — a semiconductor material he calls the "holy grail" of materials, with the potential to outperform silicon in electric vehicles, power electronics and future energy systems.
Listen to Siddha Pimputkar's discussion on the search for the 'holy grail' of materials
Episode 25 · January 24, 2023
'You Can Do This.'
Farrah Moazeni, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Lehigh, researches how to make smart water infrastructure more efficient and secure — including using AI to defend against cyberattacks that could cut off a city's water supply. She also shares her journey from Iran to the U.S. and how it shapes her mentorship of international students today.
Listen to Farrah Moazeni on building smarter, more resilient water systems
Episode 24 · December 13, 2022
Combating Antibiotic Resistance
Angela Brown, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, studies how bacteria adapt in order to develop new drug delivery strategies and anti-virulence therapies — work aimed at making antibiotics more effective and slowing a resistance crisis linked to nearly 5 million deaths worldwide in 2019.
Listen to Angela Brown on engineering new ways to fight antibiotic resistance
Episode 23 · November 1, 2022
Inspired by Animals
Keith Moored, professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics, studies the fluid mechanics of fish swimming to design quieter underwater robots, more efficient renewable energy devices, and better forecasts of climate change's impact on marine life.
Listen to Keith Moored on how fish are inspiring the next generation of underwater robots
Episode 22 · July 5, 2022
The 'Magic' of Materials Engineering
Nicholas Strandwitz, associate professor of materials science and engineering, explains the "magic" of atomic layer deposition — a technique precise to the atom that powers faster computer chips, more efficient solar cells, and future technologies.
Listen to Nick Strandwitz on the magic behind the materials that power modern technology
Episode 21 · April 20, 2022
Following Your Dreams
Healthcare is one of the world's most complex systems — and one of the most important to get right. Karmel Shehadeh, assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering, uses optimization and data-driven decision making to help hospitals run more efficiently, expand patient access, and build more equitable healthcare systems.
Listen to Karmel Shehadeh on using data and optimization to build better healthcare systems
Episode 20 · March 1, 2022
'They Nailed It.' Engineering the James Webb Space Telescope
Lehigh alum Scott Willoughby '89 led Northrop Grumman's team behind NASA's James Webb Space Telescope — the most powerful space observatory ever built. He explains how engineers solved one impossible problem after another to launch it, and how that work is already benefiting us here on Earth.
Listen to Scott Willoughby on how engineers built the James Webb Space Telescope
Episode 19 · December 6, 2021
'An Honor, and a Challenge'
Sibel Pamukcu, Lehigh's first woman faculty member in Civil Engineering, has spent more than 30 years pioneering electrokinetic remediation — an innovative way to clean contaminated soil and groundwater. In this episode, she discusses that groundbreaking research, the challenges of breaking barriers in academia, and why creating new knowledge still inspires her today.
Listen to Sibel Pamukcu on pioneering electrokinetic soil remediation
Episode 18 · October 5, 2021
'You Are Valued.'
Hannah Dailey, associate professor of mechanical engineering, traces her path from "terrified" transfer student to entrepreneur developing medical devices that help surgeons treat fractures. She also explains why expanding opportunities for women in engineering leads to better ideas and technologies for everyone.
Listen to Hannah Dailey on how mechanical engineers help broken bones heal
Episode 17 · August 2, 2021
Coffee and Cosmetics
What do coffee makers, cosmetics, paint, and cereal have in common? They're all chemical engineering in action. James Gilchrist, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, explains how his course Coffee and Cosmetics — designed by students, for students — turns everyday products into lessons on engineering fundamentals.
Listen to James Gilchrist on the engineering behind coffee and cosmetics
Episode 16 · January 4, 2021
How Engineers Treat Disease
Anand Ramamurthi, professor of Lehigh's Department of Bioengineering, explains how engineers are repairing damaged tissue, delivering drugs more precisely, and building the next generation of healthcare technology — reshaping modern medicine from regenerative treatments to AI-driven data.
Listen to Anand Ramamurthi on bioengineering and the future of healthcare
Episode 15 · November 19, 2020
Solving Life's What-If Problems
Growing up, Matt Bilsky loved building things — a trait that eventually made him founder and CEO of FLX Solutions, where he develops snake-like robots that inspect and repair places people can't easily reach. He discusses robotics, mechatronics, and how curiosity and self-directed learning turned a K'NEX kid into a problem-solving CEO.
Listen to Matt Bilsky on going from engineering student to robotics entrepreneur
Episode 14 · October 27, 2020
Can Cartilage Be Regrown?
Lesley Chow, associate professor of bioengineering and materials science and engineering, is using biomaterials, tissue engineering, and 3D printing to help the body regenerate cartilage — work that could someday prevent osteoarthritis, a disease affecting more than 31 million Americans.
Listen to Lesley Chow on regrowing cartilage and preventing osteoarthritis
Episode 13 · October 8, 2020
The Astronaut, Part 2
Terry Hart '68 '88H, former NASA astronaut, talks about training for his historic 1984 shuttle mission, why weightlessness was initially awful, and the one failure NASA never anticipated. He also shares why he left the astronaut corps and his view on the future of space exploration.
Listen to Terry Hart on training for NASA's historic 1984 shuttle mission
Episode 12 · September 24, 2020
The Astronaut, Part 1
Terry Hart '68 '88H beat out nearly 8,000 applicants to become a NASA astronaut — a path that ran through Lehigh engineering, Bell Laboratories, and U.S. Air Force fighter jets. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, he shares what first sparked his fascination with space, and why Sally Ride was his favorite copilot.
Listen to Terry Hart on his path from Lehigh engineer to NASA astronaut
Episode 11 · September 3, 2020
From Injured Runner to Researcher
Peter Schwarzenberg '16 on the virtual technique he's developing to predict bone healing in tibial fractures.
Read how an injury led Peter Schwarzenberg to bone-healing research
Episode 10 · August 21, 2020
Athlete, Activist, CEO
Kathleen Egan '90, CEO and cofounder of ecomedes, on turning imposter syndrome into a superpower.
Hear Kathleen Egan on building a career around sustainable buildings
Episode 9 · July 8, 2020
Breaking the Stereotype
Professor of Practice Christina Haden on helping students in the PreLUsion program feel like they belong in engineering.
Learn how Christina Haden is breaking stereotypes in engineering
Episode 8 · June 18, 2020
Expanding the Worldview of Students
Associate dean Sabrina Jedlicka on how a chance meeting with a mentor shaped her path as a researcher.
Hear Sabrina Jedlicka on broadening the worldview of engineering students
Episode 7 · June 4, 2020
Caring for the COVID Convalescent
David Adinaro '88, chief medical officer of a COVID alternate-care site, on working the frontlines of the pandemic.
Episode 6 · May 26, 2020
The Journey of Onur Denizhan
PhD student Onur Denizhan on how his struggles as an international student from Turkey only made him stronger.
Follow Onur Denizhan's journey as an international PhD student
Episode 5 · May 13, 2020
'I Was Pleasantly Surprised.'
First-year chemical engineering major Ellie Christman on getting more out of remote learning than she expected.
Hear Ellie Christman on her first year during remote learning
Episode 4 · May 6, 2020
'Hospitals Are Desperate for Solutions.'
A small team led by Brian Slocum explains how they made more than 1,200 face shields for local healthcare providers.
Episode 3 · April 28, 2020
'We're Feeling the Lack of Closure.'
Professor of practice Susan Perry on the anxiety of teaching labs remotely, and the students who eased it.
Episode 2 · April 21, 2020
'It's a Hard Time to Be a Senior.'
Bioengineering senior Seanna Corr on the goodbyes she didn't get to say and her worries about the future.
Read Seanna Corr's story as a senior finishing college remotely
Episode 1 · April 14, 2020
'There Are Positives to This.'
First-year engineering student Alexander Spivey on staying focused after the pandemic forced students to leave campus.
Hear Alexander Spivey on staying focused during his first year
About the Podcast
Rossin Connection is the podcast of Lehigh University’s P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. Produced by the college’s communications team, episodes feature conversations with faculty, alumni, and students about the research they are doing and the personal stories that shape it. New episodes are published on a rolling basis.
Find us wherever you get your shows, and send story suggestions or feedback on X @RossinPodcast.
Meet the Host
Christine Fennessy is the multimedia content creator for the Rossin College. She writes content for our website and research magazine, Resolve, shoots video of our faculty and students, and hosts and produces our podcast, Rossin Connection. She’s a big fan of the mountains and is always working on turning her yard into a wildlife sanctuary.
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