Eric Obeysekare, teaching assistant professor of computer science and engineering, Lehigh University

Latest episode · Episode 32

Engineering for Global Impact with Eric Obeysekare

15:07 · Published August 1, 2026

Eric Obeysekare discusses humanitarian engineering, AI, and entrepreneurship, and how Lehigh's FYRE program is preparing first-year students to solve real-world problems through hands-on learning.

▶ Listen to Episode 32

Filter by topic:

All Episodes

Dhruv Seshadri, Lehigh University

Episode 31 · May 8, 2025

What's Your Why?

When Dhruv Seshadri hires a student, he doesn't care about their GPA. He wants to know their why — the thing that fuels their passion to solve real world problems.

BiotechPublic Health

Hear how Dhruv Seshadri uses wearable devices to improve patient outcomes

Chayah Wilbers, Lehigh University

Episode 30 · January 14, 2025

Lehigh's STEM Squad

Chayah Wilbers has a knack for getting young kids excited about engineering, from turning preschoolers into little coders to amping up middle schoolers about careers in space.

Education

See how the STEM Squad is getting kids excited about engineering

Whitney Blocher McTigue, Lehigh University

Episode 29 · September 10, 2024

Engineering for the Real World

An assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, Blocher McTigue is working toward a future of innovative wound care and shelf-stable medicine.

BiotechPublic Health

Listen to Whitney Blocher McTigue on shelf-stable medicine

Dominic DiFranzo, Lehigh University

Episode 28 · April 11, 2024

Making the Internet a Safer Place

Dominic DiFranzo researches how to make the internet more pro-social, and a safer space for kids, older adults, and everyone else.

AI and Computing

Learn how Dominic DiFranzo is building a more pro-social internet

Javad Khazaei, Lehigh University

Episode 27 · October 31, 2023

Towards a More Resilient Energy Future

An assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, Khazaei's research aims to make the power system more robust and help reach net zero emissions by 2050.

EnergySustainability

Hear how Javad Khazaei is building a more resilient power grid

Siddha Pimputkar, Lehigh University

Episode 26 · July 12, 2023

The 'Holy Grail' of Materials

Siddha Pimputkar is researching a novel method of growing cubic boron nitride, a material that could solve major energy efficiency problems in electronics and the grid.

MaterialsEnergy

Read about Siddha Pimputkar's search for the 'holy grail' of materials

Farrah Moazeni, Lehigh University

Episode 25 · January 24, 2023

'You Can Do This.'

An assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, Moazeni researches ways to make smart water systems safer and more efficient.

SustainabilityPublic Health

Hear Farrah Moazeni on equitable access to clean water

Angela Brown, Lehigh University

Episode 24 · December 13, 2022

Combating Antibiotic Resistance

Associate professor Angela Brown explains why powerful, important drugs can also do harm, and how her lab is developing new strategies to fight bacterial infections.

BiotechPublic Health

Listen to Angela Brown on fighting antibiotic resistance

Keith Moored, Lehigh University

Episode 23 · November 1, 2022

Inspired by Animals

Associate professor Keith Moored talks about his research into bio-inspired locomotion and the fluid mechanics of fish swimming.

SustainabilityMaterials

See how Keith Moored is inspired by animals to design underwater vehicles

Nick Strandwitz, Lehigh University

Episode 22 · July 5, 2022

The 'Magic' of Materials Engineering

Associate professor Nick Strandwitz explains atomic layer deposition, a thin film growth technique behind the tech we rely on every day.

Materials

Learn about the 'magic' of atomic layer deposition with Nick Strandwitz

Karmel Shehadeh, Lehigh University

Episode 21 · April 20, 2022

Following Your Dreams

Karmel Shehadeh knew as a kid growing up in Amman, Jordan that she wanted to be a professor and researcher. Today, she is both.

Education

Read Karmel Shehadeh's story of following her dreams

Scott Willoughby, Lehigh University

Episode 20 · March 1, 2022

'They Nailed It.' Engineering the James Webb Space Telescope

Lehigh alum Scott Willoughby explains why the James Webb Space Telescope mission is an Apollo moment for science.

Space

Hear Scott Willoughby on engineering the James Webb Space Telescope

Sibel Pamukcu, Lehigh University

Episode 19 · December 6, 2021

'An Honor, and a Challenge'

Sibel Pamukcu was the first woman faculty member of the department of civil engineering. Her pioneering research spans more than three decades.

SustainabilityEducation

Read Sibel Pamukcu's story as a pioneer in civil engineering

Hannah Dailey, Lehigh University

Episode 18 · October 5, 2021

'You Are Valued.'

Assistant professor Hannah Dailey talks about her journey from transfer student to entrepreneur to helping surgeons improve patient care.

BiotechEducation

Hear Hannah Dailey on medical devices and mentoring women in engineering

James Gilchrist, Lehigh University

Episode 17 · August 2, 2021

Coffee and Cosmetics

James Gilchrist shares the origin story of a course designed by students, for students: Coffee and Cosmetics: Engineering of Consumer Products.

Education

Learn how James Gilchrist let students design their own course

Anand Ramamurthi, Lehigh University

Episode 16 · January 4, 2021

How Engineers Treat Disease

Anand Ramamurthi, chair of Lehigh's bioengineering department, talks about how engineers can play a significant role in treating disease.

BiotechPublic Health

Hear Anand Ramamurthi on engineering solutions for disease

Matt Bilsky, Lehigh University

Episode 15 · November 19, 2020

Solving Life's What-If Problems

Lehigh alum and entrepreneur Matt Bilsky on how a creator mindset helped him start two companies.

Entrepreneurship

Read how Matt Bilsky turned a classroom project into a robotics company

Lesley Chow, Lehigh University

Episode 14 · October 27, 2020

Can Cartilage Be Regrown?

CAREER award winner Lesley Chow on a technique that may someday help cartilage regrow and help people avoid debilitating pain.

BiotechPublic Health

Hear Lesley Chow on regrowing cartilage

Terry Hart, Lehigh University

Episode 13 · October 8, 2020

The Astronaut, Part 2

Professor of practice Terry Hart '68 on training for his 1984 shuttle mission and his view on the future of space exploration.

Space

Continue Terry Hart's astronaut story, part two

Terry Hart, Lehigh University

Episode 12 · September 24, 2020

The Astronaut, Part 1

Lehigh alum, professor, and former astronaut Terry Hart on the edge engineering gave him as a fighter pilot and his path to NASA.

Space

Start Terry Hart's astronaut story, part one

Peter Schwarzenberg, Lehigh University

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.

Biotech

Read how an injury led Peter Schwarzenberg to bone-healing research

Kathleen Egan, Lehigh University

Episode 10 · August 21, 2020

Athlete, Activist, CEO

Kathleen Egan '90, CEO and cofounder of ecomedes, on turning imposter syndrome into a superpower.

SustainabilityEntrepreneurship

Hear Kathleen Egan on building a career around sustainable buildings

Christina Haden, Lehigh University

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.

Education

Learn how Christina Haden is breaking stereotypes in engineering

Sabrina Jedlicka, Lehigh University

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.

Education

Hear Sabrina Jedlicka on broadening the worldview of engineering students

David Adinaro, Lehigh University

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.

Public Health

Read David Adinaro's account of caring for COVID patients

Onur Denizhan, Lehigh University

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.

Education

Follow Onur Denizhan's journey as an international PhD student

Ellie Christman, Lehigh University

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.

Education

Hear Ellie Christman on her first year during remote learning

Brian Slocum, Lehigh University

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.

Public Health

See how Brian Slocum's team made PPE for local hospitals

Susan Perry, Lehigh University

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.

Education

Hear Susan Perry on teaching bioengineering labs remotely

Seanna Corr, Lehigh University

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.

Education

Read Seanna Corr's story as a senior finishing college remotely

Alexander Spivey, Lehigh University

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.

Education

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're doing and the personal stories that shape it. New episodes publish on a rolling basis.

Find us wherever you get your shows, and send story suggestions or feedback on X @RossinPodcast.

More about the podcast →

Christine Fennessy, host and producer of Rossin Connection

Meet the Host

Christine Fennessy is the multimedia content creator for the Rossin College. She writes content for the college website and its research magazine, Resolve, shoots video of faculty and students, and hosts and produces Rossin Connection.

Read Christine's full bio →