of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering

Celebrate, Promote, Inform in Service to Connecticut

Volume 40, 3 /  June 2025

At the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE), we take pride in the work we have done to support Connecticut and to help shape policies that encourage innovation and drive economic growth. Yet, as we consider the national science landscape, it is hard to ignore the concern that the United States is at risk of losing its place as a global leader in science and technology. We are facing serious challenges — tightening science budgets, more appealing opportunities abroad that pull researchers away, tax policies that make industry-led research harder, and regulations that take time and focus away from actual discovery.

The stakes are high. One study predicts that cutting public research and development funding in half could shrink the U.S. economy by 8.6% over the long term. Science funding is not just about making discoveries — it is essential to keeping our economy strong and growing.

We need to support bold, high-risk research that leads to transformative breakthroughs. Today, with most of the research funding already coming from business rather than government, the landscape has shifted — and our strategies must evolve with it. It is in the national interest that we have funding sources that accommodate both basic research and applied research for the public good.

Shrinking funding is not the only challenge. We also need to rebuild trust in science. That starts with how we communicate. We must speak clearly, directly, and in ways that truly connect with people. Institutions like CASE can lead the way by finding new, creative ways to bring the public into conversations about science and why it matters in their daily lives.

So, let us ask ourselves: How are we helping to build a stronger, bolder, more resilient scientific community? How are we making sure the next generation of scientists is ready to lead? I encourage all our members and friends of the Academy to step up — whether that is mentoring, helping shape public policy, or joining a CASE project. Together, we can keep Connecticut at the forefront of a national effort to remain committed to excellence in science.

Sincerely, 

Amy R. Howell, President
CT Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE)
Celebrate, Promote, Inform in Service to Connecticut

Comments about this edition of the Bulletin are welcome via jorszak@ctcase.org.

share insights from his 60-year career and research focus on the molecular basis of cellular motility and cytokinesis.

Listen, subscribe, and never miss an episode.

Alongside displaying their inventions and research during the reception, students were celebrated for their incredible achievements across Connecticut’s STEM competitions this school year. Read more.

Your dedication and involvement with the Academy help establish a community of Science, Engineering, Technology, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) experts, both here in Connecticut and across the country.

To learn more about the
Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, please visit ctcase.org.

Science and Engineering Notes from Around Connecticut

Connecticut’s spring strawberry crop will be among the smallest on record. Erratic and extreme weather patterns, including historic flooding, air pollution from Canadian wildfires, and several new diseases, threaten the future of strawberries in the state’s agricultural landscape. Watch here.

Connecticut has the largest horse population in New England, with over 500 horse-related businesses and $40 million in annual equine expenditures. To meet the growing demand in the horse industry, UConn will launch a new Bachelor of Science in Equine Science and Management in the fall of 2026, through the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources. Read more.

Over one trillion cicadas will emerge in the U.S. this year, with Brood XIV being one of the largest of all 17-year periodical cicada broods. While Brood XIV is anticipated in parts of the Southeast and Midwest U.S., it is also expected on Cape Cod in Massachusetts and Long Island in New York, according to UConn's cicada map. Connecticut, which hosts both annual and periodical cicadas, will not experience the same level of activity as its neighboring states. Read more.

The University of Connecticut has received over $47K from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture to fund six battery-operated refrigerated storage units that aquaculture farmers—those who breed and cultivate aquatic animals for food—will use to enhance the transportation of their products. This project is being implemented through UConn’s collaboration with the Connecticut Sea Grant, a program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Read more.

Our brains possess a unique immune system composed of cells known as microglia, which are essential for maintaining brain function. A new study led by Yale, published in Biological Psychiatry, reveals a surprising finding: women with alcohol use disorder show lower levels of microglia compared to healthy women, while this does not hold true for men. “A couple of drinks will wake up the microglia to see if there’s a problem,” says CASE Member Kelly Cosgrove, professor of psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine and senior author of the study. “But if you do that every day over years, or over decades, they eventually give up. And then you can start to see cognitive decline. Read more.

Eating a high-fat diet usually leads to weight gain. However, a recent study published in Nature Metabolism has discovered an unexpected biological loophole that converts fat storage into fat usage. It shows that the depletion of just one amino acid in an otherwise normal diet activates a switch that burns fat without breaking down muscle mass, providing insights into how this might be utilized to improve health and longevity in humans. “All of these findings were completely unexpected. And when that happens in science, it’s tremendously exciting,” says CASE Member Vishwa Deep Dixit, senior author of the study, Waldemar Von Zedtwitz Professor of Pathology, Immunobiology, and Comparative Medicine at Yale School of Medicine, and the director of Yale Center for Research on Aging. Read more.

As AI continues to evolve, doctors at Yale School of Medicine (YSM) are already implementing clinical applications and believe AI is set to permanently transform the practice of medicine. CASE Member Chen Liu, the Anthony N. Brady Professor of Pathology, is spearheading the effort to usher YSM into a digital pathology revolution. “Human tissue contains a lot of information,” he says. “AI has the potential to mine huge amounts of data from human tissue to look for different diseases.”

“We’re on the cusp of a moment that will shift everything forever,” says CASE Member Harlan Krumholz, Harold H. Hines, Jr. Professor of Medicine (Cardiology). “It’s as if we’re just discovering microbes and the underlying cause of disease for the first time. AI is just as much a transformative milestone in medicine, and maybe more so.”

CASE member Lucila Ohno-Machado, Waldemar von Zedtwitz Professor of Medicine and Biomedical Informatics and Data Science (BIDS), emphasizes that the long-term potential lies in developing robotic caretakers to assist vulnerable patients when human help is not available. “The ability of an elderly patient to stay at home and tell a robot what they need or to have a robot to sense that they need help—this type of AI is what we are all working toward,” she says. Read more.

A study from the Yale School of Public Health, led by CASE Member Theodore R. Holford, the Susan Dwight Bliss Professor Emeritus of Biostatistics and Senior Research Scientist in Biostatistics, reveals striking disparities in life expectancy across the U.S. over the past century. Analyzing more than 179 million deaths between 1969 and 2020, the study provides new insights into how public health policies, social conditions, and environmental factors have fundamentally influenced Americans’ longevity based on their address. Read more.

New research from one of the first human clinical trials at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine suggests a connection between walnut consumption and measurable anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects in the colon. Led by CASE Member Daniel Rosenberg, a professor of medicine and the director of the Colon Cancer Prevention Program, the study received support from the American Institute for Cancer Research and the National Cancer Institute. "Ellagitannins in the walnut are important in providing the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties that we're seeing in patients in our clinical trial research," Rosenberg said. Read more.

Fairfield University recently launched a new Artificial Intelligence and Technology Institute. The program will include training on AI and emerging technologies, AI analytics, responsible use of AI technology, and visits from experts nationwide. Read more.

The Connecticut Office of Manufacturing will host the Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Forum on September 11 in Hartford, featuring nationally recognized speakers, interactive exhibits, and breakout sessions on topics such as talent development, technology adoption, and supply chain growth, along with opportunities to engage one-on-one with industry experts. Read more.

Forty-six Connecticut towns will split $30M for infrastructure improvements, such as road safety reconstruction projects, emergency management upgrades, sidewalk and pedestrian safety enhancements, educational and recreational facility upgrades, and other capital improvement projects. Funded through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), the grants promote economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects. Read more.

TRUMPF, a high-tech manufacturer of machine tools and laser technology, is the first company to receive a grant under Connecticut’s $25M Strategic Supply Chain Initiative. Employing approximately 500 people in the state and having recently completed a $40M expansion project in Farmington, TRUMPF will utilize the funding to enhance its production capacity and relocate manufacturing operations from outside the U.S. to Connecticut. Read more.

The University of Hartford hosted over 100 Connecticut manufacturers to learn more about collaborating with NASA and its prime contractors. “Since 1991, the University of Hartford has been proud to be the lead institution for the NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium, whose office is on our campus,” said Hisham Alnajjar, dean of UHart’s College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture and interim director of the NASA CT Space Grant Consortium. “This fruitful partnership has led to hands-on learning opportunities that position our students and faculty to be leaders in the aerospace technologies of the future. Read more. 

The University of New Haven has received a $1 million gift to establish a scholarship that aims to expand opportunities, enhance access to college, and promote innovation in engineering for high-achieving, high-need students from New Haven County pursuing engineering degrees. Read more.

The Connecticut Science Center is enhancing student achievement in STEM across the state. Schools and districts in long-term strategic partnerships with the Science Center have experienced an average increase of 13% in standardized science test scores. In 2024 alone, the Science Center engaged over 64,000 students through onsite and offsite programming, reaching every city and town in Connecticut. Read more.

CT State Tunxis unveiled a new, nearly 15,000 square-foot Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center in Farmington to help area students prepare for high-demand manufacturing careers. 13K sq. ft. is for machine learning spaces, with the remainder being developed for computer labs, classrooms, administrative space, and a conference room. Read more.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has launched a new online tool aimed at creating a more transparent and efficient siting and permitting process for large-scale renewable energy projects. Developed in partnership with the University of Connecticut’s Center for Land Use Education and Research, the Community Renewable Energy Siting Tool (CREST) utilizes Geographic Information Systems mapping to present data in an engaging and easily accessible format. CREST is free for public use and does not require specialized GIS software. Read more.

Scientists from around the globe convened in Stockholm for a Nobel symposium chaired by Paul Anastas, CASE Member and professor at the Yale School of the Environment. Centered on green chemistry, the scientists released a declaration on “Chemistry for the Future,” urging scientists, industry, educators, students, and policymakers to work together to ensure that scientific products are safe and sustainable by design, which is fundamental to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Read more.

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station is accepting soil samples from farms across Connecticut for a new program that offers free analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of highly toxic chemicals. PFAS, which have been in use since the 1940s, have been detected on farms and in drinking water across the nation. They can cause harmful health effects at extremely low concentrations and have earned the nickname “forever chemicals” due to their lack of degradation over time. Farms are particularly concerned about elevated PFAS levels in municipal biosolids that have historically been used as fertilizer. Read more.

A team of researchers, including CASE Member Robert Mason, professor of marine sciences at UConn, is working to understand why mercury levels are so high in the Arctic despite the region having a relatively sparse population and lower pollution levels. The findings from a research expedition in the spring of 2021 have been published in Science Advances. Read more.

The XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition announced that Mati Carbon, a non-profit utilizing the research of Yale geochemist Noah Planavsky, has won the competition’s grand prize of $50 million. Mati Carbon employs crushed rocks to convert CO2 into a stable form of carbon that can be stored in the ocean for thousands of years. Read more.

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has reported the first evidence of the invasive longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) infecting Ehrlichia chaffeensis in the U.S. Since its initial discovery in August 2017, the longhorned tick has spread to at least 21 states, primarily in the East and Northeast, including Connecticut. This tick, which is invasive in Australia, New Zealand, and several Pacific Islands, is originally from eastern Asia and flourishes in warm, humid environments. Environmental suitability models indicate that this tick will continue to spread throughout the eastern U.S., likely aided by its ability for parthenogenetic (without a male) reproduction and unrestricted feeding. Read more.

The State of Connecticut's Mosquito Management Program is monitoring mosquitoes for viruses that can cause illness in people, including the West Nile virus (WNV) and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus. Last year, WNV was detected in 309 mosquito samples from 44 towns across 7 counties in Connecticut. Thirteen human cases of WNV-associated illness were reported, with onset dates ranging from July 30 to September 15. WNV occurs every summer in the Northeast and has become the leading cause of mosquito-borne illness in this region since its introduction to the New York City area in 1999. Read more.

Newington eighth grader Nolan Kosciukiewicz won the Household Organization and Appliances category with his “Super Flipper” spatula at the 2025 Invention Convention held in Michigan in early June. Nolan was a CASE awardee at the 2024 Connecticut Invention Convention for his lever-driven spatula, which was inspired by his uncle, who has cerebral palsy. Read more.

RTX, the world’s largest aerospace and defense company—with its businesses Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon—earned top rankings for patents and innovation. With an annual R&D investment of $7.5 billion, RTX’s 60K patents cover a range of technologies, including advanced materials and manufacturing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, electrification, advanced sensing, and propulsion systems. Read more.

Goodwin University in East Hartford has broken ground on RiverTech, the state's first technology magnet high school. When completed in 2026, the 90,000-square-foot school will teach aspects of business, entrepreneurship, and technology, emphasizing new technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, computer science, and advanced manufacturing. Additionally, it will offer internships and pre-apprenticeships for Connecticut manufacturers. Read more.

In 2025, Pratt & Whitney will celebrate 100 years of innovations in aircraft engines while focusing on future generations of more efficient and sustainable propulsion technologies. According to CASE Member Michael Winter, chief scientist at parent company RTX, changes in engine architecture over the last century have led to thousands of enhancements in capabilities, including the air-cooled radial engine introduced in the 1920s, geared turbo fans launching in 2015, and research into hybrid-electric powertrains. Read more.

An agreement announced by the U.S. DOT and the Connecticut Department of Transportation will expedite at least 90 projects across the state. By establishing a unified federal review process and delegating authority to the state, the agreement aims to accelerate transportation projects, estimating an average savings of six weeks on each project every year. The projects include the Gold Star Memorial Bridge between New London and Groton, a new bus rapid transit system in New Haven, and improvements to Metro-North Railroad customer service along the New Haven Line. Read more.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration is seeking a company to spearhead the development of a new air traffic control system aimed at enhancing safety and reducing delays. This initiative will ensure that air traffic controllers have a dependable system, as the FAA plans to upgrade core infrastructure, including radar, software, hardware, and telecommunications networks. Furthermore, facilities will be modernized with state-of-the-art technology designed to minimize outages, boost efficiency, and reinforce safety. Read more.

Officials from the Association of American Railroads (AAR) are urging the U.S. Department of Transportation to adopt regulations that promote innovation and are performance-based. Specifically, the association advocates for the repeal of crew staffing requirements, modernization of track inspection regulations, revisions of rules introduced during the first Trump administration, and the finalization of a previously proposed regulation regarding modern air-brake technology by extending inspection intervals. Read more.

Items that appear in the In Brief section are compiled from previously
published sources including newspaper accounts and press releases.  

The following is excerpted from press releases and other news reports from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (nationalacademies.org).

Over the last decade, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have created transformative opportunities for health, healthcare, and biomedical science. While new tools are available to enhance effectiveness and efficiency across numerous applications in health and healthcare, challenges persist, including those related to rising care costs, staff burnout and shortages, and the growing disease burden of an aging population. The need for innovative approaches to tackle these persistent challenges is clear, and AI offers both new hope and new concerns. This report presents a unifying AI Code of Conduct (AICC) framework developed to align the field around responsible development and application of AI and to catalyze collective action to ensure that the transformative potential of AI in health and medicine is realized. Designed to be applied at every level of decision making—from boardroom to bedside and from innovation labs to reimbursement policies—the publication serves as a blueprint for building trust, protecting patients, and ensuring that innovation benefits people. Read more. 

The integration of large language models (LLMs) and generative artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has the potential to transform the practice of medicine, the work and experiences of healthcare providers, and the health and well-being of patients. Generative AI can support clinical decision-making and streamline workflows, promote engagement in care processes among patients and their support networks, and assist in clinical research. However, the successful and ethical implementation of generative AI requires careful consideration of the associated risks, particularly those related to data privacy, bias, transparency, and infrastructure limitations. This report explores the transformative potential of generative AI in healthcare, focusing on its applications in clinical decision-making, administrative efficiency, and patient engagement. Read more. 

In recent years, the global adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) has spurred significant construction and investment in new data centers and cloud computing. These data centers require large-scale, continuous power, posing challenges for local electric grids and broader climate goals. The National Academies convened the workshop Implications of Artificial Intelligence-Related Data Center Electricity Use and Emissions to explore how to map, measure, and mitigate the impacts of AI data center electricity usage. Organized through the National Academies Roundtable on Artificial Intelligence and Climate Change, the event gathered more than 95 in-person and more than 350 virtual participants from academia, the technology industry, electric utilities, community advocacy groups, and government agencies to discuss how recent AI developments could impact energy demands, identify options to mitigate increased electricity use and emissions, and consider regional implications related to data center siting and renewable resource availability. Read more. 

Formula often acts as the primary source of nutrition for many infants, making its safety and quality particularly crucial. While most food laws and regulations apply to infant formulas, they also face additional requirements and manufacturer regulations regarding specific quality factors. These factors include an evaluation of protein quality and evidence that the formula supports normal physical growth in infants. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration directed the National Academies to investigate and report on the current state of the science concerning methodologies for evaluating the biological quality of protein in infant formula and the formula's ability to promote normal physical growth. The resulting report provides conclusions, recommendations, and suggestions for future research aimed at improving standardized procedures for evaluating protein quality in infant formula. Read more. 

State departments of transportation (DOTs) have effective procurement processes for highway construction but struggle to acquire new business technologies. As they invest in advanced solutions for communications, asset management, and human resources, they aim to leverage artificial intelligence and cloud-based big data tools. However, traditional procurement methods typically used by state DOTs focus on individual purchases instead of long-term objectives and often fail to address the increasing complexity of these systems and evolving customer needs. This can create obstacles in acquiring technological products and services. This publication presents a guide that includes successful strategies and practices for procuring new and innovative transportation system technologies. Read more. 

Approximately 10-20% of individuals who contract Lyme disease, the most prevalent tick-borne illness in the U.S., experience persistent and often debilitating symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction. Chronic illnesses associated with Lyme infection share symptoms common to other infection-associated chronic illnesses (IACIs), including Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Despite the long-lasting effects on the quality of life for many individuals, there are currently no validated treatments for Lyme IACI. In response to this unmet need, the National Academies assembled a committee of experts to evaluate the evidence regarding disease mechanisms, diagnoses, and treatments for Lyme IACI and to outline a pathway for developing new treatments. The resultant report offers recommendations for creating treatments that enhance function and quality of life based on available evidence while continuing research to uncover the root causes and mechanisms of the disease. Read more. 

Understanding and anticipating change in the ocean—and its impacts on marine ecosystems and human communities—has never been more urgent. In recent years, both fundamental and applied research in ocean science has produced more accurate forecasts of ocean and seafloor processes, enabling communities to adapt to changing conditions. However, as we enter this new decade (2025-2035), U.S. investment in ocean science, engineering, and technology is not keeping pace with increasing societal needs. This report offers guidance on how to direct investments in ocean research, infrastructure, and workforce development to address national and global challenges in the coming decade and beyond, thereby enhancing national security, scientific leadership, and economic competitiveness through a flourishing blue economy. The report also presents a significant challenge for NSF and the wider research community: to create a new paradigm for predicting the state of the ocean at scales relevant to human well-being in the next decade. Achieving this will require an integrated approach to research that fully utilizes emerging technologies, expands the workforce, and increases available resources through strategic partnerships among federal and state agencies, industry, academia, and other stakeholders. More info. 

As people age, they become more likely to experience hearing difficulties in certain situations, such as conversations in public places where there is often more noise. This can sometimes result in isolation, depression, or even fatigue from the effort required to communicate with others. The National Academies convened a committee of experts to identify a core set of outcomes and corresponding measures that researchers and clinicians should use each time they evaluate the effectiveness of hearing aids and other treatments for addressing hearing difficulties. The resulting report presents those outcomes and measures, along with recommendations for encouraging their use within the hearing health community. Read more. 

Nanotechnology—the science and technology of objects and phenomena at the 1-100 nm length scales—serves as a prime example of how the United States has effectively utilized national science and technology policy to lead in the fiercely competitive global research market. Two decades after the establishment of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), the United States can proudly claim multiple Nobel Prizes and an array of technologies that are the envy of the world. This report evaluates the current state of nanotechnology, highlighting its impact on U.S. economic prosperity and national security, and examines how and in what form the NNI should continue. This report makes recommendations to sustain and expand the nanotechnology infrastructure, including human capital, cutting-edge tools, and shared facilities, ensuring that the nation's nanotechnology innovation and discovery remain the best in the world. Read more. 

For over 60 years, public health newborn screening programs have supported families in the United States by identifying babies at risk for serious yet treatable conditions and connecting them with clinical care. Today, more than 98% of infants undergo dried blood spot screening, which involves collecting a few drops of blood within the first days of life, applying them to a paper card, and sending the card to a lab for testing for markers of specific health conditions such as congenital hypothyroidism, cystic fibrosis, and sickle cell disease. The public health impacts of newborn screening are substantial, with over 7,000 infants identified each year for timely interventions. Despite these accomplishments, challenges in implementing newborn screening programs continue. In response to a congressional request, an ad hoc committee of subject matter experts was convened to examine the current landscape of newborn screening in the United States, recommend options to strengthen this public health service, and establish a vision for the future. The resulting report provides actionable recommendations for navigating the path ahead while preserving and enhancing what is already considered a valuable and effective public health achievement. Read more. 

The purpose of the Academy is to "provide guidance to the people and the government of the State of Connecticut... in the application of science and engineering to the economic and social welfare." 

OFFICERS OF THE ACADEMY

Amy R. Howell, President
University of Connecticut

Mike Ambrose, Vice President
MH Ambrose Consulting,
Ambro Enterprises LLC

Tanimu Deleon, Secretary
General Dynamics, Electric Boat

Regis Matzie, Treasurer
RAMatzie Nuclear Technology Consulting, LLC

John Kadow, Past President
Alphina Therapeutics

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jeff Orszak

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Kerry Shea

EDITORS
Leon Pintsov, Executive Editor - Engineering
Pitney Bowes, Inc. (ret.)

Mike Genel, Executive Editor - Medicine
Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics
Yale University School of Medicine
CASE President, 2008-2010

Carolyn Teschke, Executive Editor - Science
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology
University of Connecticut

COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT
Rebecca Mead, INQ Creative

The Bulletin is published by the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, Inc, 222 Pitkin Street, Suite 101, East Hartford, Connecticut, 06108. 860.282.4229, jorszak@ctcase.org. To subscribe, visit ctcase.org.

The Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering is a private, nonprofit public service organization established by Special Act No. 76-53 of the Connecticut General Assembly.

COPYING PERMITTED, WITH ATTRIBUTION