Their work preserves vision, forecasts floods and drives a research enterprise that is reshaping the state's innovation economy
Edmund Synakowski, Vice Provost for Research and Innovation; Jennifer Kang-Mieler, George Meade Bond Endowed Professor, Chair of Biomedical Engineering and Director of the Semcer Center for Healthcare Innovation; and Marouane Temimi, Gallaher Chair Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering — three Stevens leaders whose work touches everything from a patient's ability to see to a community's ability to survive a storm — will be among the honorees recognized in the Academia category at the third annual INNOVATE100 celebration on May 13, 2026. Also to be honored is Anand Rai, an adjunct instructor in the School of Business and principal AI product engineer at Verizon, recognized in the Technology category for his work connecting students with real-world AI challenges.
INNOVATE100, an initiative spearheaded by Innovation+ founder James Barrood, recognizes the leaders driving New Jersey's innovation economy across every sector, from startups and corporations to universities, nonprofits and government. The program reflects a conviction that the state's strength as an innovation hub depends not just on those at the top of organizations, but on the researchers, educators and institution-builders working throughout them. New Jersey has long staked its identity on that legacy, and INNOVATE100 exists to make it visible.
"New Jersey has one of the most dynamic innovation ecosystems in the country, and Stevens has always seen itself as an active partner in building it — not just through the research we produce, but through the people who lead that work” said Greg Townsend, Assistant Vice President for Corporate, Government and Community Relations. “Ed, Jennifer and Marouane each represent what it looks like when academic excellence translates into genuine community benefit."
Stevens has been a consistent presence in that ecosystem. Under the Stevens 2032 strategic plan, the university's research enterprise has grown to record levels, with fiscal year 2025 bringing in $77.4 million in external awards — funding that is producing tangible results for the region and beyond. Synakowski has led the research enterprise through that period of growth, building the partnerships with federal agencies, industry and peer institutions that are turning Stevens science into real-world solutions.
"It is my honor to support my Stevens colleagues and students in advancing a core university commitment: innovating to generate impact that benefits humankind," said Synakowski.
Kang-Mieler's work begins with a question that matters to millions of patients: Can we catch the diseases that steal vision before it's too late? As chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and director of the Semcer Center for Healthcare Innovation, she brings engineers, clinicians and industry partners together to develop better tools for diagnosing and treating conditions including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity. Her lab and a collaborator recently secured $2.2 million from the National Institutes of Health to apply generative AI to the rapid diagnosis of infant eye diseases.
"To me, innovation means creating technologies that help clinicians detect retinal diseases earlier and treat them more effectively," said Kang-Mieler. "By advancing imaging for early diagnosis and targeted drug delivery for treatment, our goal is to preserve sight for patients with diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity."
Temimi's research plays out in real time, storm by storm. When Hurricane Ida's remnants flooded the New York metropolitan area in 2021, the need for faster, more precise local forecasting became tragically clear. This year, Temimi and his PhD student Ismail Gul installed a state-of-the-art X-band weather radar system on Stevens' Hoboken campus — providing the kind of high-resolution, block-by-block precipitation data that gives emergency managers and communities the lead time they need when flash flooding strikes.
"It is a genuine honor to be included among such accomplished innovators across New Jersey," said Temimi. "This recognition underscores how institutions like Stevens transform scientific research into innovative applications that benefit society."
Also among the 2026 INNOVATE100 honorees is Anand Rai, an adjunct instructor in Stevens' School of Business and principal AI product engineer at Verizon, recognized in the Technology category. Through his Practicum and Analytics course, Rai has built a model for experiential learning that connects graduate students with real companies tackling real problems — bridging industry, academia and startups to develop AI-ready talent. "This recognition reflects the work we've been doing at Stevens to apply AI to real-world challenges," said Rai, "bridging industry, academia and startups through experiential learning to build local AI talent and drive economic mobility."
The INNOVATE100 ceremony will take place at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center on May 13. A full list of 2026 honorees is available through New Jersey Business Magazine. For more information, visit innovatenewjersey.com.
