At the College of Engineering and Computing, our research moves beyond theory. It creates tangible benefits for society.
Today, I would like to share with you a few examples of how our college is translating complex advances into solutions that address some of society’s most pressing challenges.
These advances – many of which are highlighted in this year’s FIU Research Magazine – are just a few of the achievements that help make our FIU a Preeminent State Research University.
Bridging AI and Human Understanding
Professor Mark Finlayson is helping to shape the future of artificial intelligence through groundbreaking research that recently earned him the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) – the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on early-career scientists.
Finlayson’s innovative work in helping AI understand stories, culture, and human behavior has established him as a leading voice in computational narrative science, with applications ranging from defense to digital humanities. Through research funded by the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, Finlayson’s team is discovering valuable insights for the fight against digital disinformation.
Finlayson’s expertise has positioned him as a crucial authority on emerging AI technologies, such as DeepSeek.
3D-Printing Personalized Bone Implants for Pediatric Cancer Patients
Doctors shared the challenges of helping their young patients with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, with Professor Anamika Prasad. In the majority of cases, treatment requires a highly complicated surgery to remove sections of tumor-riddled bone. Implants made of metal or other sturdy manmade materials can be a good replacement option for adults. But not kids with still-growing bones. Securing a limb could stunt its growth, resulting in one arm or leg becoming shorter than the other.
Leveraging her background in materials science and civil engineering, Prasad is on a mission to find innovative solutions. She’s developing a unique ‘scaffold’ implant design adapted to children’s unique needs. Similar to temporary scaffolding that supports construction workers, these 3D-printed structures made of FDA-approved material will provide places for bone cells to cling and climb on, so they can build bone over time.
Prasad works closely with Dr. Juan Prettel, chief of musculoskeletal oncology surgery at Baptist Health, on this research. With support from the Casey DeSantis Florida Cancer Innovation Fund through the Florida Department of Health, they received a big boost to develop a cost-effective, streamlined framework.
Matchmaking for Proteins
Successful matchmaking with protein molecules is like other kinds of matchmaking: The two must click for it to work. Except for proteins — the estimated 200 million molecular building blocks of life — it’s complicated. But knowing which two or more proteins best bond is critically important to designing new medications and vaccines.
That’s why researchers created a machine learning model that outperforms similar state-of-the-art software to predict how protein molecules will join. Their AI-based method, published in Nature Machine Intelligence, uses biological and structural information to score the strength of the bond.
The team included Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences Professor Giri Narasimhan and his doctoral student Vitalii Stebliankin, along with Associate Director of the Biomolecular Sciences Institute Prem Chapagain and molecular biologist Kalai Mathee.
These stories represent just a glimpse of the transformative work happening at our College of Engineering and Computing. To discover more innovations and meet the brilliant minds behind them, I encourage you to explore the latest edition of the FIU Research Magazine, where you’ll find in-depth coverage of projects shaping our future.
Sincerely,
Inés R. Triay
Interim Dean, FIU’s College of Engineering and Computing