Newman University is known for its top-notch programs in the fields of science and health, and is thrilled to welcome new faculty members to its newly named School of Arts and Sciences.
Tomo Bell, Ph.D., is the assistant professor of biology, and Suma Ehsan, Ph.D., is the assistant professor of chemistry.
Read on to learn more about Newman’s newest experts, both of whom joined the Jet Family on Aug. 8.
Meet Tomo Bell
Where are you from? What are your hobbies and interests?
I am originally from Tokyo, Japan, where I received my Ph.D. in earth science with a concentration in biology from the University of Tokyo. I have a very curious personality and I like to see the world through the lens of science.
We hear you are leading “Open Science” and served as a subject matter expert for NASA’s open science curriculum development. Would you like to speak to that experience?
“Open Science” connects the public to science and makes science as inclusive and diverse as possible. The curriculum will launch this fall, and I hope this movement will bring more equity in science and transform our society positively.
What is your educational background and professional working background?
I have a broad interest in biology. Some of my interests are; extremophiles (organisms thriving in extreme environments) on Earth and their application for medical research, cosmic radiation impacts on virus mutation and human health, and possible life search on other planets. Additionally, anything related to the oceans and marine biology fascinates me.
As a postdoctoral fellow awarded by the Japanese government, I also conducted various science projects in the beautiful island of Guam for the past two and half years. I was selected for a three-month internship at NASA JPL in 2021 to expand my expertise to planetary science.
What inspired you to go into a scientific career? Why is it your passion?
I love helping others and assisting my students to make their dreams come true. My passion is empowering everybody through the excitement of science!
What are you most excited about going into your role of assistant professor of biology?
I am honored to be a part of the Newman family. Newman University has an absolutely perfect environment for professors to establish close and lifelong relationships with our students and assist each student’s personal career aspiration. I am very thrilled to get to know my students more and conduct creative research together that can contribute to society.
Meet Suma Ehsan
Where are you from? What are your hobbies and interests?
I am originally from Pakistan. I am the oldest of 8 siblings. My hobbies are cooking, painting, and drawing. I also like to spend my free time watching movies.
What is your educational background and professional working background?
I got my Bachelor of Science in chemistry degree from Pakistan in 2016 and then came to the U.S. for higher education. I completed my master’s in chemistry from Western Illinois University in 2018.
Afterwards, I started my Ph.D. at Kansas State University and finished my doctorate in 2022. During my graduate studies, I got the opportunity to serve as teaching and research assistant at Western Illinois University and Kansas State University.
Can you tell us a little about the research activities you’ve gotten to be a part of?
The focus of my graduate school research was to develop detection and drug delivery platforms for different pathological conditions. Considering cancer and COVID-19 disease as the two main ongoing battles that the world is facing, my research interests are to work in the field of detection and treatment of (different types of) cancer and COVID-19 disease.
I have several research articles and a book chapter published in journals and hold a few patents. I have previously worked on multiple projects for the detection of different types of cancers such as lung cancer, breast cancer and pancreatic cancers using a protease-based approach. The detection system for lung cancer has the ability to quantitatively give the extent of tumor spread and can differentiate between different stages of lung cancer. The project is in collaboration with a California-based biotech company that is currently testing the system in clinical trials. Not only the detection but my work also includes targeted drug delivery projects to better treat cancers which is of greater significance as it is the only way to overcome the side effects associated with traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy.
My research work also includes working on the ongoing pandemic, the COVID-19 disease. I have extensively worked on developing the peptide-based detection systems for fast and efficient diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, which will not only enable a fast and easy diagnosis but also has the potential to distinguish between the previous infection versus the new infection, the aspect which all the traditional and current detection systems lack. Another important aspect is that the system can be utilized to monitor the progress of the treatment hence, the efficiency of a drug or treatment can be monitored to better prepare for potential future scenarios.
What inspired you to go into a scientific career? Why is it your passion?
I have always been fascinated by Marie Curie who was the first ever woman in the field of science to be awarded a Nobel prize, not only once but twice. I chose sciences because I want to explore the scientific problems in depth and find the solutions.
What are you most excited about going into your role of assistant professor of chemistry?
I love to teach. Being the oldest child, I have been a teacher to my siblings since my childhood. During my own educational time, I learned a lot of new skills and techniques that I am applying to my own teaching classes now. As it was well said by J. M. Cornwell, “Knowledge is wasted when it isn’t shared.” I want to share my knowledge with my students. I believe that my teaching skills are to be used for the betterment of our new generation in the field of science and technology.
What advice do you have for students to get the most out of their studies?
Always ask questions! Questions are your good friends and you should not be scared or shy of asking any type of questions.
Apply to Newman University
The superior quality of Newman University’s internationally recognized programs are the direct result of the faculty’s commitment to our students.
