SUMMER 2019 1 The Ledger CLUB SPORTS TOP GUN It has been a good year for the Drexel Paintball Club, which in April became the No. 1 team in the country after winning the 2019 National Collegiate Paintball Association College National Championships. In addition to paintball, there are 32 other club sports teams offered to students at Drexel. And while you can probably guess some of the sports available, like soccer, basketball or volleyball, you might be surprised by some of the others. Nowadays, there are Dragons working up a sweat playing cricket, badminton and Quidditch, too. Number of participants involved in Drexel recreation 962 sports. , 1Average number 030of hours practiced per term by club sports teams. Members in men’s soccer, the largest 85 club team. Number of teams that played in a national competition this year. Average number of practices a week. COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL COLLEGIATE PAINTBALL ASSOCIATION PAINTBALL COLLEGIATE NATIONAL THE OF COURTESY 8 2 Drexel Magazine 50SUMMER 2019 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS UP FRONT FEATURES THE VIEW FROM MAIN The news that Drexel has joined the top-tier research 22 institutions in the Carnegie Classification of Insti- 42 Not Your Average Startup Incubator tutions of Higher Education marked an important milestone for the University. With $21.7 million raised The Drexel campus incubator ic@3401 mingles Being known as a major hub for research activity and 65 employees hired, entrepreneurs and researchers from campus is an exciting development for your alma mater, and LeBow grad Stefan and city, and acts as concierge to Drexel’s mul- our new designation as an R1 Doctoral University by Seltz-Axmacher '12 has tiple tech-transfer resources. Small wonder its Carnegie is a coveted distinction. It is reserved for put his driverless long-haul tenants have achieved so much. universities with the highest level of research activi- trucking concept on the ty, and Drexel was one of just 34 private institutions road to success. making the list. I view this not only as the latest indication of the impact of Drexel’s research, but as recognition of 30 the talent and commitment of our faculty. Drexel researchers are making their mark in so many ways, What Is an Entrepreneur? buoyed by an impressive, 15 percent increase in It's deeper than the ink on your business cards. sponsored research awards last year, to nearly $124 million. It’s at times like these that we can step back and look at the big picture showing the outpouring of entrepreneurial ideas and inspiration from Drex- 34 el researchers. We rightly take note of exceptional achievements, like the invention of the iBreastExam The Making of a CEO cancer detection device, or the progress made toward Mihir Shah calls himself creating a unique type of atoms-thin MXene material a product of Drexel. that may make possible portable dialysis. Certainly, he used every Our Office of Research reports that, all told, Drexel University resource at researchers currently have received more than 600 his disposal to bring grants in support of their work, while securing 46 U.S. to market a life-saving patents last year. Annually, the University's research device built on faculty activities regularly result in more than 100 invention research. disclosures. In support of our research enterprise, we just named the first director of the Human Research Protection Program within the Office of Research. In her new post, Gabrielle Rebillard will ensure that we uphold the highest ethical standards in the conduct of DEPARTMENTS research with human subjects. Drexel’s strong record of success in driving ideas 1 Ledger 4 Editor’s Letter 6 Crosswalk 18 From the DAC 46 Cross Roads 56 Crossword from the research stage to real-world application tells A numerical and Chengdu Famous Food, research ranking, Aca- News from Drexel Athletics. Is it too soon to reminisce This puzzle is ded- faculty and student innovators that the University illustrated tour demic Bistro, opioid grant, Dragon art, blockchain about Alumni Weekend 2019? icated to everyone is the right place for them to connect to the entre- of Drexel. club, Calhoun Hall expansion, new dean, Saint Sights Set on the Ice Nah! who ever took the preneurial ecosystem. For our alumni, I hope it also Katherine Drexel, Vidas scoreboard, Richard Flor- The men's ice hockey team are plunge into entre- builds upon your own sense of pride. ida, Act 93, commencement, WKDU fundraiser, on track to achieve their goals. 48 Class Notes preneurship. new med campus, violence awareness, Drexel Keep up with fellow alumni’s Sincerely, Dragons, lawyering clinic. A Nice Get careers, weddings, families The squash team that didn't and traditions. 9 Research Brain stimulation, sepsis, Medic- even exist eight years ago just aid expansion, career award, shower germs. finished its best season ever. 54 Friends We’ll Miss John Fry / President 13 Rad Grad Mona Elgohail ’19 helped Syrians displaced by war by volunteering at a clinic in Jordan. 16 Show and Tell Chris Siracusa ’19 was a photographer on the set of Saturday Night Live. 2 Drexel Magazine SUMMER 2019 3 UP FRONT EDITOR’S LETTER MAGAZINE Don't Forget to Write EDITORIAL STAFF EDITOR It’s graduation time and thousands of new alumni will now reap the greatest gift of a Sonja Sherwood Drexel degree: a lifetime subscription to Drexel Magazine. Smile emoji. STAFF CONTRIBUTORS I’m not too proud to face the fact that most alumni are not close readers. I mean, there’s Beth Ann Downey too much to do and not enough bandwidth. But for those who make a point of checking Alissa Falcone out every issue, I think it’s safe to say that you do so because, even years after graduation, Britt Faulstick you feel attached to your alma mater. (Also: Hi! And thanks!) Lara Geragi This letter is for you, and for everyone who left Drexel but stayed close. Having been Niki Gianakaris this editor for six years, I’ve seen that many of Drexel’s alumni have attachments that go WHAT’S YOUR STORY? Annie Korp Greg Richter beyond the usual college connection. Many, many alumni were not only students of Drex- What does it take to be named Emily Storz el, they were also its employees, its researchers or its teachers. They launched careers that one of Drexel’s 40 Under 40? began directly with their experiences here, formed companies with ties to Drexel, or took DESIGN inspiration from some campus hobby. Similar things happen at every university, but I like Pentagram to think that Drexel’s experiential model dials it up to 11. Past honorees include authors, ADMINISTRATION Page 34 of this edition, “The Making of a Biomed CEO,” features a living example of fi lmmakers, fashion designers, PRESIDENT how someone can embed themselves deeply in the spirit of Drexel and ride it to stunning and founders of companies and John Fry success. Mihir Shah ’00 came to Drexel as an international student, knowing no one, with nonprofi ts. They are leaders, in- only an idea in his mind that he would make the most of what the school had to offer. Today, ventors, scientists and athletes. SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS he’s the founder and CEO of UE Life Sciences, a young biomedical company that is provid- We’re incredibly proud of their Lori Doyle ing life-saving breast cancer screenings to women in the developing world, using incredible stories, because they show how Drexel technology that he commercialized. He did it by staying engaged in the University for far a person can go with a great Drexel Magazine, Vol. 29, Edition 2 decades after he graduated, lasting to this day. While an undergraduate, he took inspiring mind and a solid education. Drexel Magazine is published classes, he attended networking events, he allied with like-minded students, he got to know We’re looking for our next three times yearly by the Office of University Communications, A name you know, influential faculty, he learned how Drexel tech-transfer works, he tried to start a business group of accomplished young 3141 Chestnut St., Suite 309 and failed, and tried again, then again. He was the first tenant in the Close School’s new alumni. If that’s you, or some- Philadelphia, PA 19104. Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship, and he used everything he knew, everyone he met one you know, we want to hear care you can trust. and all of the resources available at Drexel to bring something meaningful to market. I hope from you. CHANGE OF ADDRESS that you’ll read about his journey and come away impressed with what he accomplished. I’m Drexel University Records, not sure if his story would have ended the same at any other university. ELIGIBILITY Gifts and Stewardship For the health care needs of you and your And while you’re at it, read about 2012 LeBow grad Stefan Seltz-Axmacher, who is • Must be 39 years or younger 3141 Chestnut St., Room 310 Philadelphia, PA 19104 going head to head with Tesla, Google and General Motors to be the first to build a viable family, go to the name you trust — Drexel as of March 15, 2020. Tel: 215.895.1694 business around driverless vehicles. Rounding out the entrepreneurship theme, this edi- • Must have received a degree. Fax: 215.895.4966 Medicine. By providing compassionate, tion goes inside ic@3401, the young startup incubator that Drexel opened in 2014 in West • Should have achieved demon- Email: [email protected] Philadelphia. In just the past two years, 52 member companies have raised $54 million strated success in business, personalized care from a renowned network and a dozen have successfully exited.