Research at Wayne State University

A team of scientists from the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, and institutions across the U.S., have published a landmark paper on the role of TGFBR1*6A, a naturally occurring genetic mutation in the TGFBR1 gene found in approximately 14 percent of the general population.
The study, "TGFBR1*6A and risk for colorectal cancer," published online June 9, 2026 in Cancer Communications, a Science Partner Journal with an impact factor of 24.9, focuses on TGFBR1*6A and how it influences a person’s risk of developing colorectal cancer. Dr. Boris Pasche, president and CEO of the Karmanos Cancer Institute and chair of the Wayne State University Department of Oncology, was the first to discover TGFBR1*6A as a cancer risk allele. Learn more at

Scientists uncover a genetic "shield" that lowers the risk of colorectal cancer Scientists at Wayne State University and the Karmanos Cancer Institute have published a landmark paper on the role of a naturally occurring genetic mutation

Dr. Abhilash K. Pandya, professor of electrical and computer engineering in the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering, has received a new patent that protects his pioneering research that aims to address intraoperative bleeding, a major complication that negatively impacts surgical outcomes. Read more about his research at the link below.

Wayne State University secures new U.S. patent for breakthrough surgical technology innovation Dr. Abhilash K. Pandya, professor of electrical and computer engineering, secured a patent for his surgical technology that addresses intraoperative bleeding.

The Division of Research & Innovation hosted their inaugural Excellence in Research & Innovation celebration on May 14, 2026 at St. Andrew's Hall on Wayne State's main campus. The event recognized Wayne State faculty who have had great achievements in calendar year 2025 including major honorifics, research awards over $1 million, U.S. patents issued, patent milestones, license agreements, disclosures, books published, and significant fine, performing and communication arts honorifics. Nearly 150 faculty were honored for their impressive accomplishments. For more information and to view the honorees, visit:

Celebrating Excellence in Research & Innovation Wayne State's Division of Research & Innovation hosted their inaugural Excellence in Research & Innovation celebration on May 14, 2026 at St. Andrew's Hall.

Congratulations to Dr. Rhongho Jang, assistant professor of computer science, on receiving a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER award for the project, In-network GPU Integration for Vision-inspired Generative Inference. Dr. Jang's project aims to transform the capabilities of modern internet infrastructure by exploring how to embed Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) directly into routers, allowing the network to analyze information in real time as data passes through, ultimately helping to overcome traditional computing limitations.

NSF CAREER award to Wayne State University to create next generation network infrastructure Dr. Rhongho Jang, assistant professor of computer science, to do research to transform the capabilities of modern internet infrastructure.

Congratulations to the Wayne State University/Karmanos Cancer Institute research team of Dr. Lauren Hamel, Dr. Theresa Hastert, Dr. Hayley Thompson, and Dr. Eliza Beal, on their recent award from the American Cancer Society. They are the key initial investigators of the new Digital Engagement and Cancer Outcomes Center, established to better understand the impact of the digital environment and inclusion on outcomes and disparities among Black cancer patients, survivors and caregivers, and advance interventions that integrate and impact hospital and community resources to improve outcomes.

Wayne State University and Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute researchers establish new Digital Engagement and Cancer Outcomes Center with ACS grant Wayne State University and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute researchers establish the Digital Engagement and Cancer Outcomes (DECO) Center

A collaborative team of researchers from Wayne State University and Washington State University recently published an article in the journal, Theranostics, that describes a major breakthrough in treating eye diseases that cause blindness, such as retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.

Dr. Nikhlesh K. Singh, corresponding author of the paper and associate professor of ophthalmology, visual and anatomical sciences at the Wayne State School of Medicine, is a part of this team that is creating this less painful treatment option for those suffering with these eye diseases.

Collaborative research team develop nanocarrier that may offer new, less invasive treatment option for retinopathies of the eye Major breakthrough in treating eye diseases that cause blindness using a smart delivery system to administer medicine through a simple injection into the body.

Wayne State University was recently named among the top 100 universities patenting technologies by the National Academy of Inventors. Congratulations to all of our faculty and research staff who are the important innovators supporting this success!

Wayne State named among the top 100 universities patenting technologies by the National Academy of Inventors Wayne State University named among the top 100 universities patenting technologies by the National Academy of Inventors