Latest news with #CMU
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
PECA Labs' Dr. Arush Kalra Named to Pittsburgh's 40 Under 40 List
PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PECA Labs, a medical device company redefining the field of vascular grafts and valves with durable, polymeric cardiovascular devices designed to fit, grow, and last, today announced that Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Arush Kalra has been named to the Pittsburgh 40 Under 40 list by Pittsburgh Magazine and PUMP. "It is an honor to be recognized alongside so many talented individuals who are making a meaningful impact in the Pittsburgh community—a place that has given so much to us at PECA Labs and continues to inspire our work.' The Pittsburgh 40 Under 40 awards honor high-performing, high-impact professionals who are driving innovation and strengthening the Pittsburgh community through leadership, professional excellence, and service. Dr. Kalra leads PECA Labs' scientific and engineering programs, overseeing clinical research and the development of its proprietary tunable polymeric material platform for cardiovascular implants. Inspired by his mother's battle with cardiovascular disease, he began his career in medicine before pivoting to medical device innovation at the encouragement of a mentor. While pursuing his Master of Science in Biomedical and Medical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), he co-founded PECA Labs with fellow CMU Tartans Doug Bernstein and Jamie Quinterno—without whom, he notes, the venture would not have been possible—to advance the field of cardiothoracic surgery. Since 2018, Dr. Kalra has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh. 'This recognition carries profound meaning, as it brings much-needed attention to the challenges faced by families confronting congenital cardiac defects and chronic adult cardiovascular diseases,' said Dr. Kalra. 'Our mission is simple yet powerful: to develop innovative cardiovascular devices that provide patients with an improved quality of life and the chance to grow, thrive, and avoid repeat surgeries. It is an honor to be recognized alongside so many talented individuals who are making a meaningful impact in the Pittsburgh community—a place that has given so much to us at PECA Labs and continues to inspire our work.' In 2024, PECA Labs opened a new polymeric processing facility near its headquarters in Pittsburgh's Bloomfield neighborhood, adjacent to UPMC Children's Hospital. This expansion brings critical manufacturing in-house, giving the company greater control over production, faster scalability, and the ability to meet growing demand. About PECA Labs PECA Labs is reimagining the field of vascular grafts and valves with durable polymeric cardiovascular devices designed to fit, grow, and last—helping patients avoid repeat surgeries while reducing morbidity and mortality. The company's proprietary technologies, including a controllably expandable graft and low-thrombosis polymeric membrane, are built on a tunable polymer platform that delivers greater durability, customization, and biocompatibility than current cardiovascular implants. PECA's devices resist thrombosis, calcification, and immune response, while offering growth potential, customization, and noninvasive visualization. For more information, visit
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Connor Stalions scouted MSU for Central Michigan, not Wolverines, per report
One of the big sticking points in the Connor Stalions advanced scouting saga was whether or not he was on the sidelines in East Lansing for the Central Michigan at Michigan State game. Unconfirmed that it was indeed Stalions until the NCAA COI release on Friday, the narrative had long been that Stalions was there to advanced scout Michigan football's in-state rival, the Spartans. Here is what the NCAA noted in its 74-page report: On one occasion in 2023, Stalions personally engaged in-person scouting when he stood on CentralMichigan University's sideline wearing a bench pass and disguised in Central Michigan-issuedcoaching gear during the institution's contest against Michigan State. According to interviewstatements by a former football staff member, Stalions attended that game in part to decipherMichigan State's signals, but also to help a Central Michigan staff member with play calling. (...) With regard to Bylaw 11.6.1, Michigan and Stalions argued that the scope of the scouting bylawis narrow. Based on the text of the bylaw, both parties claimed that an institutional employee mustattend the contest in-person to commit a violation. Thus, they both agreed that Stalions' in-personattendance at the Central Michigan game constituted a violation. However, according to CBS Detroit, there was more to the story. Crime reporter Gino Vicci confirmed that Stalions was contacted directly by the Chippewas in order to help CMU live, in-game, with its contest against the Spartans -- meaning he wasn't there for Michigan. A Central Michigan University source has confirmed that CMU football coaching staff requested former University of Michigan football staffer Connor Stalions to assist its staff during CMU's 2023 season opener against Michigan State University on Sept. 1, 2023. (...) Two sources with direct knowledge of the incident confirmed to CBS News Detroit that a CMU coach initiated contact with Stalions and that then-head coach Jim McElwain was likely aware of and approved of the arrangement to secure Stalions a sideline credential and outfit him in CMU-issued gear. However, it certainly wouldn't have much material difference as Stalions was a Wolverines staffer at the time, and, as noted above, both the NCAA and Michigan acknowledged the breach of 11.6.1 with his attendance at Spartan Stadium. At the same time, given CMU's complicity in the matter, it does affect the spirit of the rule. According to the NCAA, Stalions argued that his attendance in East Lansing should constitute as a Level III violation, while the COI responded: 'The panel disagrees.' Central Michigan is under NCAA investigation for its role in Stalions attending the game. Since, then-head coach Jim McElwain and former offensive coordinator Jake Kostner -- both of whom were previously on Michigan's staff -- have lost their roles in Mount Pleasant.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Central Michigan staff arranged for Connor Stalions to assist during 2023 MSU game, sources say
A Central Michigan University source has confirmed that CMU football coaching staff requested former University of Michigan football staffer Connor Stalions to assist its staff during CMU's 2023 season opener against Michigan State University on Sept. 1, 2023. Stalions was at the center of Michigan's alleged sign-stealing scheme, which sparked an NCAA investigation and resulted in hefty fines and suspensions for the university's football program and for Stalions, who was given an eight-year show-cause order, restricting him from all athletically related activities during the show-cause period. Two sources with direct knowledge of the incident confirmed to CBS News Detroit that a CMU coach initiated contact with Stalions and that then-head coach Jim McElwain was likely aware of and approved of the arrangement to secure Stalions a sideline credential and outfit him in CMU-issued gear. Stalions' presence on CMU's sidelines has fueled a wave of speculation and theories, largely because it unfolded in the middle of the NCAA's broader investigation into Michigan football for advanced scouting and sign stealing. There has been a question whether or not Stalions somehow snuck onto the sidelines on his own accord. According to the CMU source, Stalions' role during CMU's game against MSU was the result of a direct request from CMU's staff, with the sole purpose of assisting their program for that game. The situation has also drawn increased attention due to the 2024 resignation of Jake Kostner, who served as CMU's quarterbacks coach, while McElwain retired after the 2024 season and is currently serving in an off-field role as special assistant to the director of athletics. A third CMU coach has also disappeared from the coaches' list amidst this controversy. Mike Zordich was the defensive backs coach for the Chippewas from 2021 to 2024. Zordich served in the same capacity at Michigan from 2015 to 2020. Kostner graduated from Michigan in 2018 and was a four-year student assistant under then-coach Jim Harbaugh. McElwain was Michigan's wide receivers coach in 2018. CMU is currently under an NCAA investigation regarding Stalions' sideline presence during that game, and McElwain himself is the subject of that investigation. CBS News Detroit reached out to McElwain, Kostner and Stalions for comment, but none responded. McElwain's email is not listed on CMU's athletic website, and the number listed under CMU's 2024 football coaching staff page, as of Aug. 17, was not a working number. CBS News Detroit also sent a request for comment and attempted to contact McElwain via CMU's Director of Athletics, Amy Folan, on Aug. 15, but our emails were not returned. On Aug. 15, Stalions' attorney, Brad Beckworth of Nix Patterson, LLP, released the following statement regarding the NCAA's decision, saying in part: "We are not surprised by the NCAA's ruling because the NCAA did, as it has always done, the wrong thing. Based on the penalties laid down today, it is obvious that this whole ordeal was just another, last-ditch effort by the NCAA in its perpetual, petty witch hunt of Coach Harbaugh. Connor was just the vehicle through which the NCAA could give itself the last word in this vendetta." "Connor will be fine. He is a wonderful person. He's smart. He's loyal, dedicated, and determined—traits he carries with him onto the football field from his days serving his country to protect all of us. He loves helping young people learn about life and football. And, regardless of what the NCAA says today, he plans to continue learning about and contributing to the game of football at is highest levels." CBS News Detroit reached out to the NCAA for comment. An NCAA spokesperson said the NCAA does not comment on current, pending or potential investigations. This is a developing story that will be updated. Stay with CBS News Detroit for the latest.
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Universities hope to lower farmers' carbon footprint
The Agricultural Research Development Agency (Arda) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five universities to promote low-carbon agriculture across key crops and livestock. The agreement, signed in Bangkok on Aug 8, brings together Arda and Chiang Mai University (CMU), Khon Kaen University (KKU), Silpakorn University (SU), Ubon Ratchathani University (UBU) and King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT). The Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation (TGO) also joined the initiative, providing technical guidance on greenhouse gas measurement, verification and carbon reduction standards aligned with Thailand's climate strategy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thanyanupap Anantana, CMU vice president and programme director, said the initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector by at least 10% by 2027. "This programme will enhance Thailand's global competitiveness, meet international environmental standards, and serve as a model for other agricultural products," he said. Arda director Vicharn Ingsrisawang emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration. "This partnership integrates knowledge, technology and resources from government, academia and the private sector. Farming communities are also a key focus," he said. "Better integration will reduce costs, improve efficiency and strengthen climate resilience at the grassroots level." CMU president Pongruk Sribanditmongkol highlighted the university's role in transferring research and innovation from classrooms to fields. CMU is conducting studies on sticky rice and upland rice with biochar, maize–bean intercropping, dairy cow feed quality and water recycling in Nile tilapia farming.
Toronto Star
4 days ago
- General
- Toronto Star
Operation begins to free ship run aground in St. Lawrence River near Montreal
The bulk carrier Morning Orchid is seen on the St. Lawrence River at Sorel-Tracy, Que., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi CMU flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
