This research develops a non-hormonal male contraceptive by blocking two sperm proteins, Catsper and SLO3, that enable hyperactivated “power swimming” required for fertilization. By designing molecules that inhibit these proteins, the project aims to create a safe, reversible contraceptive option that avoids hormonal side effects.

This research examines historical struggles over who controls medical devices in the United States. Using cases like the open-source “EpiPencil,” it traces twentieth-century conflicts among doctors, engineers, industry, and government. The study challenges linear progress narratives and shows how shifting claims to expertise shape medical technology and authority.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) causes severe breathing failure and kills tens of thousands annually, yet has no effective treatment. This research studies how ARDS disrupts lung surfactant, a critical stabilizing substance in the lungs. By identifying immune-related factors that damage surfactant, the work aims to develop the first targeted therapeutic cure.

Subduction zones generate earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes, yet their behavior varies between regions. This research investigates how water released from subducting plates interacts with surrounding rocks. Using supercomputer simulations, it models hydration-driven cracking and fluid migration, revealing patterns that may influence where earthquakes and volcanic activity occur.

Traditional neural networks are powerful but difficult to interpret and vulnerable to small input changes. This research develops wavelet-based neural networks with provable stability guarantees, extending the scattering transform to texture modeling. The approach reduces feature complexity while improving interpretability, enabling more reliable and mathematically explainable AI systems.

Microplastics and nanoplastics pose growing environmental and health concerns, yet their formation pathways remain unclear. This research compiles data from nearly 300 studies to model plastic degradation and identifies key roles of plastic type and weathering process. Lab experiments reveal mechanical wear can directly generate nanoplastics, improving risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

Dark matter makes up most of the universe but cannot be directly observed. This research studies how dark matter halos evolve using cosmological simulations and the principle of maximum entropy. Results show halo entropy increases over time, indicating their evolution toward equilibrium follows fundamental thermodynamic principles.

Tiny errors in electrode placement can determine success or failure of Parkinson’s surgery. This research develops high-resolution Polarization Sensitive Optical Tomography to map brain anatomy at micrometer scale—over 100 times finer than MRI. Automated scanning and 3D reconstruction create detailed connectivity maps, improving surgical precision and neuroscience understanding.

Marine debris severely harms ocean ecosystems, yet most cleanup focuses only on floating waste. This research develops underwater robots equipped with specialized computer vision to detect and remove submerged trash. By training algorithms for challenging underwater conditions, the work enables safer, scalable cleanup operations and supports long-term ocean preservation.

Over 11 million U.S. homes rely on toxic lead pipes. Bioderived polyethylene offers a safer replacement, but long-term durability must be ensured. This research studies how chlorine degrades pipe materials and how molecular branching improves resilience. Accelerated aging tests link polymer structure to performance, guiding design of longer-lasting, reliable water infrastructure.