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Message STRIDE NewsletterPage 1NEWSLETTERSTRIDE INTO SPRING: ACADEMIC RESEARCHTRANSLATION HIGHLIGHTSSpring was a busy time for ClemsonSTRIDE’s Academic Research Translation(ART) Academy. A new cohort of 13faculty participants formed 8 teamsdedicated to turning academicresearch into real-world impact. Overthe course of the semester, the teamsattended weekly sessions anddiscussions. The seven week programculminated with an exciting pitchcompetition where 4 standout teamspresented their ideas and research toattendees. These presentations showedthe breadth of the research beingdown at Clemson, as well as thecommitment to bridging the gapbetween research and its applicationto society.

BY THE NUMBERSInnovation ManagementInnovation ReadinessIndustry PartnershipSUPPORT7 PROJECTS FUNDED 123STRIDE > CURF > SCRAACTIVITY TO IMPACTFOCUSEDAttended I-CorpsSubmitted Innovation Disclosureand IP ApplicationCompany CreationFollow on FundingADVANCEMENTSTRIDE’S FALL 2025 IMPACTClemson STRIDE is making a big impact instimulating translation of research throughintentional development and ecosystems! Clemson Elevate alignment with STRIDEStrategic CommunicationsCULTURE23 teams, 29 participants throughSTRIDE ART AcademyResearch Translation educationTRAINING3 funded STRPs in 2024 4 funded STRPs in 2025Total funded $1mm+FUNDING

CAMPUS VISITSTHE GOALThe goal of these meetings was toexchange ideas, identifyroadblocks, and share bestpractices to build Clemson’sinfrastructure for research impact.Topics ranged from entrepreneurialtraining and industry engagementto student involvement and supportfor early-stage commercialization.As part of Clemson University’sparticipation in the National ScienceFoundation’s (NSF) AcceleratingResearch Translation (ART) program,Clemson STRIDE welcomed itsdesignated mentor institution, NorthCarolina State University, for a visitfocused on an open insight discussionaround Clemson's ResearchTranslation resources and culture inBLANK MONTH.NC State, recognized nationally forits fantastic infrastructure in researchand licensing, is serving as a mentorto Clemson and several otherinstitutions selected for the NSF ARTinitiative. With a proven track recordof over 200 startups launched fromNC State research in the past tenyears—the university brings greatinsight to Clemson STRIDE’s researchtranslation efforts. During their visit, NC Staterepresentatives engaged in open andstrategic dialogue with five keygroups across Clemson’s campus.These groups spanned a range ofstakeholders, including facultyresearchers, technology transfer staff,innovation leaders, graduatestudents, and administrators. Eachsession fostered candid conversationsaround Clemson’s current researchtranslation culture, strengths, andopportunities for growth.WHY IT MATTERSThe visit from NC State marks akey step in Clemson’s ARTjourney. With this mentorship,Clemson is poised to deepen itsculture of innovation, expand itsexternal partnerships, andamplify the societal andeconomic impact of its researchPage 3STRIDE Newsletter

In FACULTY SUCCESS STORIESKYLE BRINKMANSTRIDE NewsletterPage 4His advice to other researchers lookingto translate their research intopractical applications is to consider the“Three Whys”. He asks researchers toconsider the Three Why’s: why you, whynow, and why this specific technology.He claims that there has to be analignment, “You, the technology, and thetiming has come together and bealigned in order to be successful intranslating the lab market into practicalresearch applications.”- Dr. KyleBrinkman. Dr. Kyle Brinkman has cultivated adiverse and accomplished career inMaterials Science and Engineering.Prior to joining Clemson University, heserved at the Savannah River NationalLaboratory within the Department ofEnergy, where he led a broad spectrumof materials research and engineeringprojects. Today, his work centers on thedevelopment of advanced ceramic-based materials and solid-state ionicsfor energy conversion and storage. Byintegrating his expertise with nuclearmaterials research, his team is makingsignificant contributions to theperformance of batteries and fuelcells. Dr. Brinkman’s research aims not onlyto discover new materials and productsbut also to engineer protectivecoatings and structural modificationsthat enhance material durability andperformance. In a recent interview with STRIDE, Dr.Brinkman discussed his approach tonavigating complex researchchallenges. He underscores the valueof clearly defining the problem at handand approaching solutions from fresh,interdisciplinary perspectives.Moreover, he stresses the importanceof continually expanding one’sknowledge base and embracing newareas of study as key to makingmeaningful scientific progress.Kyle Brinkman, Professor and DepartmentChair of Materials Science and Engineering

FACULTY SUCCESS STORIES DR. APPARAO RAOSTRIDE NewsletterPage 5Dr. Apparao Rao joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy at ClemsonUniversity in Fall 2000 and in 2010 was appointed as the R. A. BowenEndowed Professor of Physics. Rao attended the Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology as a Postdoctoral Research Associate, and the University ofKentucky for a Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics and Masters in Science inPhysics. He is also the founding director of the Clemson NanomaterialsInstitute established in 2013. Rao has played a pivotal role inadvancing the fields of nanoscienceand nanotechnology through bothfoundational and applied research. Hehas made significant impacts to theapplication of Raman spectroscopy foranalyzing nanomaterials and was anearly innovator in liquid-injectiontechniques for synthesizing carbonnanotubes. His current research spanstwo major areas: the development ofmaterials for energy harvesting andbattery systems designed to function inextreme environments, and the studyand implementation of novelelectrochemical systems and analyticalmethods.Among his recent achievements, Rao’s group introducedthermoelectrochemical oscillators driven by the Soret effect (TRECO),capable of efficiently converting low-grade waste heat near roomtemperature into usable energy. These devices demonstrated groundbreakingthermopower, over four times higher than previously recorded values, andexhibited novel voltage oscillation behaviors, now understood throughphysics-based modeling.

  STRIDE’S NEWEST LAUNCHESNSF/ARTWEBPAGELorem ipsum dolor sit amet,consectetur adipiscing elit, sed doeiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore etdolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minimveniam, quis nostrud exercitationullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex eacommodo consequat. Duis aute iruredolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velitesse cillum dolore eu fugiat nullapariatur. Excepteur sint occaecatcupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa quiofficia deserunt mollit anim id estlaborum.Clemson STRIDE has officially launched its brand-new website, marking amajor milestone for the NSF-funded initiative aimed at accelerating researchtranslation. The site serves as a centralized hub for faculty, students, andindustry partners, offering comprehensive resources—from programinformation and training opportunities to seed funding details and successstories. Designed to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in alignmentwith Clemson Elevate, the website empowers the community to explore andengage with STRIDE’s mission more easily and effectivelBETA TEST STRIDE RESEARCHTRANSLATION CONCIERGEPORTALHTTPS://WWW.CLEMSON.EDU/RESEARCH/PROJECTS/NSF-STRIDE/STRIDE WEBPAGESTRIDE NewsletterPage 6Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed doeiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Utenim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laborisnisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor inreprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nullapariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt inculpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

UNDERGRADUATE FINAL PROJECTSSTRIDE NewsletterPage 7STRIDE has had the opportunity to support and judge multipleundergraduate judging events over the course of the Spring semester. In March, STRIDE hosted theCECAS SPARK Challenge atClemson’s Entrepreneurship Hub,the Brook T. Smith Launchpad. Tenteams competed in a dynamic“shotgun-start” pitch sessionbefore four teams of judges.Clemson STRIDE’s NSF mentor, NCState University, also participatedas judges during their visit,providing invaluable expertiseand guidance. Each team’s presentation wasevaluated on technical andeconomic feasibility, marketpotential, and patentability.First place was awarded toLidoSound, presented by JadeBowers, Landon Ethredge, andSamantha McNabb. Takingsecond place was CO2NNECT,presented by Mohamed Ismail,Nick Kirby, Justin Furgala, KayRussi, and Simon Ciprari. PuddleShuttle, presented by Emmy andJames Korman, earned thirdplace. The challenge offered a vibrantforum for students to showcasetheir research, receive feedback,and gain practical advice fromexperienced judges — making it ahighly successful and engagingevent for all involved. In April, Clemson hosted theBIOE8140 Mock Venture CapitalPitch Competition at the RhodesResearch Center. Master ofEngineering students had theopportunity to present businesscases based on their design classprojects in front of a panel ofseasoned medical devicecompany operators who acted asventure capital investors. The competition providedstudents with an exciting, high-energy opportunity to showcasetheir entrepreneurial skills, receiveexpert feedback, and gain hands-on experience pitching theirinnovations as if they wereseeking real-world investment.This engaging event was botheducational and enjoyable — avaluable experience for allparticipants involved. The 2025 Senior DesignSymposium took place in May atthe Greenville ConventionCenter, where senior engineeringstudents showcased the medicaldevices they developed over twosemesters. Throughout theprocess, teams followed astructured design approach toaddress real-world clinicalneeds, demonstrating bothinnovation and practicalproblem-solving. Awards were presented tooutstanding teams across severalcategories: First Place: MitraFix byCardioForward Students: Jay Goff, ScoutHamrick, Hanna Foster, ToriHorne, Keely Gosnell Second Place: Precision Paceby Pace Line Medical Students: McKenzie Bradley,Jillian Clure, Kade Janikula, KaraLidsey, Michael Long Third Place: REVive ToeImplant by Limitless Students: Sarah Bergantz,Rachel Hillman, Erin Meinecke,Emma Volding People’s Choice: Endura HipSystem by Resilient Orthopedics Students: Samuel Feemster, NoahGriggs, Will Hardy, Leo Blair,Wesley PopeParticipants and judges present at theBIOE8140 Mock Venture Capital PitchCompetition.CECAS SPARKBIOE8140 MOCKVENTURE CAPITALSENIOR DESIGNSYMPOSIUM

STRP FUNDINGThis April, Clemson University’s STRIDE program has revealed the four winners ofthe 2025 Seed Translational Research Project (STRP) awards. These awards arecompetitive grants aimed at transitioning research innovations into impactful,real-world solutions.Page 8STRIDE Newsletter“The STRP program reflects Clemson’s land‑grantmission by transforming cutting‑edge research intosolutions that benefit society… we help ensure thatacademic discoveries lead to meaningful, real‑worldimpact.” – K.C. Wang, STRIDE Executive DirectorMEET THE 2025STRIDEINNOVATORS:Fatemeh Afghah, associate professor in the HolcombeDepartment of Electrical and Computer EngineeringProject: Digital Twin‑Driven UAV Ignition – Using digital twinrobotics to optimize, manage, and improve safety in prescribedburns for wildfire prevention.Kaileigh Byrne, associate professor in the Department ofPsychologyProject: AI‑Driven Virtual Therapeutic Coach – Developing ascalable mental‑health app featuring a customizable AI coach toenhance mental‑wellness access.Jessica Larsen, Carol and John Cromer ’63 Family EndowedAssociate Professor, Drug Delivery, Biomaterials, andNanotechnology in the Department of Chemical andBiomolecular EngineeringProject: StressDetect – Real‑time monitoring of CHO‑cell stressduring biopharma production, aiming to boost quality andefficiency.Christopher Post, professor in the Department of Forestry andEnvironmental Conservation DepartmentProject: Intelligent River® Technology – Enhancing water‑levelmonitoring systems to support improved water resourcemanagement.

SOCIALMEDIAO U T R E A C H-Produced 4 Youtube videos. -Increased our Linkedin impressions by 175%.ENGAGE WITH OUR SOCIALMEDIA PLATFORMS!YOUTUBELINKEDINPage 9STRIDE Newsletter