Greetings from the College of Science and Technology (CoST) at N.C. A&T State University.

In this spring issue of the CoST Newsletter, we are delighted to highlight the outstanding achievements of our faculty and students across the College. These accomplishments continue to showcase the excellence, innovation and impact of our Aggie community. 

Our faculty and students are earning recognition at both national and international levels. Dr. Jian “Jessica” Han, professor of biology, received two prestigious teaching honors: the University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching and N.C. A&T’s Community-Engaged Teaching Award.

Dr. Donald West, teaching associate professor of Applied Engineering Technology, was selected to contribute to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam development.

Abdellah Ahmidouch, Ph.D., Dean,
College of Science and Technology

Junior chemistry student Muzan Ebrahem earned the 2026 Barry Goldwater Scholarship, becoming the second Goldwater Scholar in chemistry at N.C. A&T. She was also honored recently at N.C. A&T's Spring 2026 Honors Convocation with the Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence, which recognizes an undergraduate with a minimum 3.75 GPA who has demonstrated academic excellence alongside leadership, community service, arts, athletics and career achievements.

Physics juniors Misbahou Jalloh and Alexis Spence will spend their summers abroad in Denmark and France, respectively, through international internships. Additionally, four exceptional undergraduate researchers recently participated in the Council on Undergraduate Research’s Scholars Transforming Research (STR) program in Washington, D.C. 

This issue also highlights innovative research taking place within CoST. Work from Dr. Jyoti Iyer’s laboratory explores how cells divide accurately to sustain life. Also, an LDRD project led by Dr. Peng He and his graduate student, Daniel Boamah, addresses a critical global challenge — detecting PFAS contamination that continues to impact water systems and public health worldwide. 

We are also proud to recognize the 34 Ph.D. students who celebrated their candidacy on April 3, 2026. 

These achievements exemplify the Aggie Pride that defines our college. We hope you enjoy this collection of inspiring stories, and we invite you to share your own accomplishments with us — we would love to hear from you. 

Jian "Jessica" Han, Ph.D.,
professor, Department of Biology

Jian “Jessica” Han, Ph.D., professor of biology at N.C. A&T, has earned two of the institution’s most prestigious teaching honors in 2026, underscoring her transformative impact in both the classroom and the broader community. She received the University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Governors (BOG) Award for Excellence in Teaching, which is one of the highest faculty distinctions in the UNC System, as well as N.C. A&T’s Community Engaged Teaching Award.

Han is widely recognized for her innovative, student-centered teaching philosophy that emphasizes active learning, critical thinking, and real-world application of scientific knowledge. Her courses are designed to move beyond traditional memorization to foster collaborative problem-solving and inquiry-based learning experiences that empower students to take ownership of their education.

Her excellence extends beyond the classroom through impactful community engagement. Han has developed courses that connect scientific learning with community needs, including initiatives where students deliver presentations on brain health, nutrition and wellness to local populations. 

These efforts not only enhance student learning but also promote public health awareness and meaningful community partnerships, exemplifying the university’s land-grant mission.  

Through her mentorship, Han has guided more than 100 undergraduate and 20 graduate students, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in medicine, research and advanced study. Her dual recognition this year reflects her exceptional ability to integrate teaching excellence, research mentorship, and community impact, thereby solidifying her reputation as one of N.C. A&T’s most influential and inspiring educators. 

Donald Ray West, Ph.D., has been selected to participate in the development of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam.

The FE exam is a critical first step toward professional licensure for engineering students and assesses foundational knowledge in mathematics, physics, and discipline-specific engineering topics. 

West was chosen through a competitive selection process that evaluated candidates’ academic credentials, professional experience and instructional expertise. His selection reflects a record of sustained contributions to engineering education and a commitment to student preparation and professional standards.  

  As a member of the exam development team, he will collaborate with panels of subject matter experts from across the engineering profession. His work will involve reviewing and developing exam questions to ensure clarity, technical accuracy, appropriate rigor and fairness. This work aims to balance theoretical understanding with practical application while maintaining national standards of preparedness for entry-level engineers. Participation in FE exam development allows West to contribute beyond the classroom, helping shape an assessment that impacts thousands of aspiring engineers annually. His involvement supports the continued integrity and effectiveness of the licensure process and reinforces the role of higher education faculty in advancing the engineering profession.  

Donald Ray West, Ph.D.,
teaching associate professor,
Department of Applied Engineering Technology

Muzan Ebrahem, junior,
Department of Chemistry

Muzan Ebrahem, a junior chemistry major at N.C. A&T, has won the 2026 Barry Goldwater Scholar award and the N.C. A&T Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence.

She joined the chemistry program from Stem Early College in Fall 2024 and has been on the Chancellor’s list throughout her stay with us. Muzan is a Dow Sure Scholar conducting research in Dr. Rachel Bangle’s photochemistry laboratory. Muzan’s primary research focuses on the synthesis and structural control of triangular silver nanoplates and their antimicrobial applications, exploring how nanoparticle geometry influences biological interactions and antimicrobial efficacy. She has also conducted research in cancer biology and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in cancer biology, applying chemical approaches to advance targeted therapies.

Muzan is the second Goldwater Scholar from the Department of Chemistry, following Tanae Lewis, who won in 2022. Lewis is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in biological chemistry at Johns Hopkins University. 

Two physics students, Misbahou Jalloh and Alexis Spence, both current juniors will spend the summer conducting research in Europe through different programs. 

Jalloh was accepted into the CIEE x Scan Design Foundation Environmental Sustainability Internship Program in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he will be working with Home.Earth, a sustainability-focused real estate development company, gaining exposure to projects centered on environmentally responsible housing, sustainable urban development, and innovative approaches to reducing the environmental impact of the built environment. 

Jalloh has crafted his physics degree via the Interdisciplinary concentration to focus on renewable and alternative energies. He views this opportunity as a “meaningful step toward building the perspective and experience needed to help develop solutions that are both technically sound and socially impactful.”  

Misbahou Jalloh, junior,
Department of Physics

Alexis Spence, junior,
Department of Physics

Spence will join a group from the ENS Paris-Saclay Lunim Laboratory (a joint lab of the University of Paris-Saclay and the French government) conducting research in quantum optics and photon manipulation as part of the University of Michigan International Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program – Optics in the City of Light, funded through the National Science Foundation.

This research builds on her previous work at Stanford University in quantum sensors and fits into her long-term plan of becoming an international science communicator with a significant research background. This experience enables her to travel, network and develop cutting-edge technology. 

“Gaining unique experiences like this will help me engage with more worldly audiences and teach from first-hand experience," said Spence. "This is a valuable tool when connecting with audiences far removed from the world of scientific research.” 

Four exceptional undergraduate researchers from N.C. A&T recently participated in the Council on Undergraduate Research’s Scholars Transforming Research (STR) program in Washington, D.C. — an opportunity made possible with support from A&T’s Center for Undergraduate Research.

This experience reflects the university’s ongoing commitment, outlined in Preeminence 2030, to expand high impact learning, strengthen research engagement, and prepare students for influential leadership roles. 

As part of the STR program, students completed intensive training in communicating the significance of their research to policymakers. They then applied these skills on Capitol Hill, meeting with several North Carolina congressional offices, including those of Sen. Ted Budd and Rep. Virginia Foxx.

During these visits, the students:

• Presented their research and discussed its real-world applications

• Advocated for expanded institutional and federal support for
    undergraduate research 

• Highlighted how investment in research strengthens student
   preparation, workforce development, and statewide economic
   growth 

• Demonstrated the strong return on investment that undergraduate
   research provides for state and federal priorities.

Pictured l to r:  Jordan Shegog (physics), Dallas Rawls (elementary education and accounting), Sheila Mungai (biology) and Leah Worrill (biology).

Throughout the experience, the students embodied the university’s values of scholarly excellence, civic engagement, and innovation. Their professionalism and clarity in discussing the impact of their work showcased both their individual capabilities and A&T’s growing culture of research-driven student success. 

The College of Science and Technology proudly recognizes these students and their dedicated faculty mentors, three of which are CoST students. Their participation underscores the vital role of the Center for Undergraduate Research in expanding opportunities that prepare Aggies to lead, advocate, and drive meaningful change. 

Cheyenne Brown (left) performs DNA extraction in the Iyer Lab at N.C. A&T under Dr. Jyoti Iyer's guidance

The Iyer Laboratory at N.C. A&T explores one of the most fundamental questions in biology: how cells divide accurately to sustain life. Using the microscopic roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, we investigate tiny, yet essential cellular structures called centrosomes. These structures act as organizational centers that help build the mitotic spindle, a dynamic scaffold that ensures chromosomes are evenly partitioned when a cell divides. This process is critical for proper growth and development, and errors in this process have been associated with diseases such as cancer and primary microcephaly. 

A major focus of the research is understanding how proteins regulate centrosome function to ensure proper cell division and development. Iyer’s lab is currently studying two proteins, DYN-1 and CHC-1, which are involved in the vesicular trafficking system that transports materials within cells. Specifically, the team is trying to understand how DYN-1 and CHC-1 contribute to centrosome biology. These studies are supported by an R15 grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences at the National Institutes of Health. 

In a recent publication in the journal Molecular Biology of the Cell, Iyer’s team demonstrated that when DYN-1 function is disrupted, key centrosome proteins accumulate abnormally, leading to defects in mitotic spindle assembly and cell division.

These findings identify DYN-1 as a previously unrecognized regulator of centrosome organization and highlight the importance of intracellular transport processes in maintaining proper centrosome function. This work included contributions from Jiya Hastings, a graduate student in the Iyer Lab, and Dr. Stephanie Held, a postdoctoral researcher at N. C. A&T. 

Iyer’s research not only advances fundamental understanding of how cells maintain genetic stability but also has important implications for human health. Many cancer therapies target proteins involved in centrosome assembly and cell division. Improving our understanding of these pathways could help make such treatments more effective and precise. 

Beyond scientific discovery, the Iyer Lab is deeply committed to training the next generation of scientists. Projects provide hands-on research opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students, equipping them with skills in microscopy, genetics, cell and molecular biology, and critical thinking. By combining cutting-edge science with student mentorship, they aim to contribute both to scientific knowledge and to the development of future innovators. 

Peng He, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry at N.C. A&T, and Ryan D. Davis, Ph.D., Sandia National Laboratories, proudly recognize the achievements of Daniel Boamah, a graduate researcher contributing to a collaborative Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) project focused on developing field-deployable chemical sensors for tracking fluorochemical degradation. 

Boamah’s research, “Ultrasensitive PFAS Detection via Polymerization in Sensing” introduces an innovative amplification-by-polymerization (ABP) strategy to enable highly sensitive detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at trace levels. His work addresses a critical global challenge, as PFAS contamination continues to impact water systems and public health due to their persistence in the environment. 

Within the project, Boamah has played a key role in the design and experimental validation of the sensing platform, integrating surface chemistry and analytical techniques to advance next-generation environmental monitoring technologies. His contributions support the broader goal of developing scalable and field-ready sensing systems for PFAS monitoring. 

In recognition of his impactful work, Boamah received a travel award from the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) to present his research at the SLAS 2026 International Conference and Exhibition in Boston. 

Daniel Boamah presents his research at the SLAS 2026 International Conference and Exhibition in Boston

He also earned first place in poster presentation (computational modeling) at the Triangle Student Research Competition 2025, held at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in Durham, North Carolina. 

Boamah’s accomplishments reflect the strength of collaboration between academic institutions and national laboratories and demonstrate a commitment to addressing pressing environmental challenges through innovative chemical sensing technologies. 

Pictured l to r: Ugonna Morikwe, Moses Ashie, Alexis Moody, Michelle Farrell, Jeffrey Blay, Shanna Marie Alonzo, Gift Fashotito, Anuoluwapo Odelade, Andrea Spool-White, Abdellah Ahmidouch, Misty Thomas, Connie Mayberry, Triet Phan, Tomica Sobers, Tolulope Ajayi, Tiffany Davis-Stewart, Murshid Chowdhury, Jackson Wiles and Brittany Sanders

The Applied Science and Technology (AST) PhD program reached an important academic milestone on April 2, 2026, as 34 AST Ph.D. students were formally granted candidacy after successfully completing their preliminary exams over the past 12 months. 

The annual Candidacy Ceremony, now in its fourth year, recognizes the transition from Ph.D. student to Ph.D. candidate and celebrates the dedication and scholarly achievement required to reach this stage of the program. 

The ceremony featured keynote remarks from Dean Ahmidouch and Brittany Sanders, Ph.D., an alumna of the AST Ph.D. program and a national award winner for research excellence. Misty Thomas, Ph.D., interim director of the AST Ph.D. Program, led the event and, along with Ahmidouch, presented honor cords and certificates to each new candidate. 

Program leadership and staff attended the ceremony, including Connie Mayberry, executive assistant to the AST Ph.D. Program, and all promoted candidates were recognized. A reception followed the ceremony in honor of the students’ accomplishments. 

Congratulations to the newest AST Ph.D. Candidates:

Tolulope Ajayi
Maryam Akinsola
Shanna Marie Alonzo
D. Lee Armstrong
Moses Ashie
Clarence Eddy Bailey
Omolola Balogun 
Alexander Blanchard
Jeffrey Blay
Murshid Chowdhury
Tiffany Davis-Stewart
C. Franklin Ezeanowai

Michelle Farrell
Gift Fashotito 
Taylor Gray
Mahdi Hasanzadeh Hesa
Binod Raj KC 
Chaudhary Khan
Alexis Moody
Willie Moore
Ugonna Morikwe
Oluseyi Valerie Ochima
Anuoluwapo Odelade

Jenny Pahkrin Rana
Triet Phan
Priscilla Randolph
Julia Robinson
Thakur Sapkota
Andrea Spool-White
Tomica Sobers
Victoria Tanoh
Mahsa Tavasoli
Jackson Wiles
Nathaniel Yeboah