Cleveland State University

Amanda Ifft, a PhD candidate in clinical chemistry at Cleveland State University, first discovered the power of public policy as a lab technician in microbiology and transfusion medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working amid emergency lab-developed testing and rapidly shifting pathology lab guidelines, she was able to see how scientists can shape public policy and in turn, how policy can better research. Today, Ifft looks to affect this type of change in and outside of the lab. In the lab of Sarah Schumacher Bass, PhD, she investigates how high-fat diets affect heart failure, with an emphasis on sex-based differences. “Women and other groups have historically been excluded from cardiovascular studies,” Ifft explains. “I want to change that, to make sure those people are seen and treated equally.” Encouraged by Dr. Schumacher Bass, Ifft applied and was accepted to the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) Washington Fellows Program in 2024. There, she learned how science moves through government, as well as how to communicate with policymakers and advocate for research funding. Through this program, Ifft had the opportunity to meet with representatives from Ohio and Michigan at Capitol Hill, advocating for continued National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding of $53 billion in October 2025. “The program taught me how to interact with everyone on the Hill, from staffers to senior members,” Ifft says. “It demystified the process and showed me where scientists can add value.” When she returned home, Ifft had a new vision. She wanted to start at the local level, build trust, collect better data and design policy informed by evidence. Ifft contacted Cleveland City Council and connected with research policy analyst Ibukun Ode-Martins. She proposed using community development block grants to fund health data collection and outreach. She hoped a small percentage of the funds could be used to gather demographic information and pilot mobile health clinics in neighborhoods most affected by heart failure. The plan would provide care and education for the community, while collecting de-identified data to inform research and guide public decisions. “It’s about building trust and meeting people where they are,” Ifft says. “When communities see you show up, consistently and respectfully, they’re more willing to engage. That’s how better data starts.” Ifft recently received the Dr. Sylvain Brunet Award for Outstanding Accomplishment by a Junior Graduate Student during the 2025 Cleveland Clinic Research Awards for Excellence. Since returning from ASPET, she has been asked to share her experience with fellow students and encourages them to see advocacy as part of their scientific toolkit. Ifft credits Cleveland Clinic’s collaborative ecosystem with making her path possible. She speaks highly of her mentor’s supportive approach and the unique advantages offered by working hand in hand with clinicians. “Dr. Schumacher Bass comes to the lab every day to touch base and gives us the opportunity to ask questions,” Ifft explains. “Having that type of mentor and being in that kind of environment lets creativity flourish, which is essential for both research and public engagement.”

D. Geoffrey Vince, PhD has been appointed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine onto the Cleveland State University (CSU) Board of Trustees. Dr. Vince is Chief of Cleveland Clinic Innovations and holds the Virginia Lois Kennedy Chair of Biomedical Engineering and Applied Therapeutics. “In my role at Cleveland Clinic, I see daily how our region’s talented people contribute to the future of healthcare,” Dr. Vince says. “Education is a foundation for the future of healthcare research and our region’s economic development. I am so honored to be able to contribute to that first-hand as a member of the Board of Trustees.” Since 2021, Dr. Vince has led Cleveland Clinic Innovations to significant milestones in healthcare innovation and commercialization and international expansion. His own innovations, particularly in the field of cardiovascular imaging, have improved patient care worldwide. He is an inventor on more than 60 patents or patent applications. His virtual histology technology was licensed by Volcano Corp., which later sold to Philips. Dr. Vince serves as chair for Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, where he runs his own lab. His team’s research interests include vascular imaging, image and signal processing and atherosclerotic plaque characteristics, which are pertinent to heart disease and stroke. Dr. Vince's leadership extends beyond his research contributions.  For the past five years, he has served on Cleveland Clinic's Board of Governors, playing a crucial role in shaping the institution’s mission and vision.  His expertise and leadership in healthcare innovation have been consistently recognized — he has been named to Becker's Healthcare's prestigious list of "Top 35 Hospital and Health System Chief Innovation Officers to Know" for the last three consecutive years. Originally from northern England, Dr. Vince earned his undergraduate degree in medical sciences and chemistry at DeMontford University in Leicester, England, and began his research career at the University of Liverpool, where he earned his PhD in biomedical engineering.

STAUNTON, Va., Sept. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cadence, Inc., a leading provider of vertically integrated contract manufacturing solutions to the MedTech and Pharma markets, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob White to its Board of Directors. Mr. White brings over 25 years of business leadership experience and a proven track record in operational excellence, technological innovation, and strategic growth to Cadence. Continue Reading Cadence Welcomes Bob White to its Board of Directors, September 2024. Mr. White has demonstrated exceptional skills in managing global locations, having held senior positions at Medtronic, GE Healthcare, and IBM. He recently served as Executive Vice President and Group President for Medtronic, where he led five global businesses with 25,000 employees across 70 countries and 13 manufacturing facilities, achieving consistent above-market growth. During his tenure, he also successfully completed seven acquisitions, a joint venture, and a multi-billion-dollar divestiture. "Bob will be an excellent addition to our Board," stated Matt Jennings, Cadence's Chairman of the Board. "His impressive track record in global business leadership and his commitment to innovation and growth will be instrumental as Cadence continues to advance its strategic goals and drive success, and he will be valuable to both the Board and Cadence's leadership team with their go-to market approach." In addition, Mr. White currently serves as an Independent Director for Smith & Nephew (NYSE: SNN) and formerly held board positions at Mozarc Medical and CARE Hospitals, a multi-specialty healthcare provider with 14 hospitals in six cities across five states of India. He holds an MBA from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Cleveland State University. His extensive medical device manufacturing experience and strategic vision make him a valuable addition to Cadence's Board of Directors. About Cadence, Inc. – Cadence is a vertically integrated, medical device contract manufacturing organization serving the medical device, diagnostics, and drug delivery markets, providing best-in-class product design and development support through complete manufacturing of finished devices. Cadence employs approximately 800 people worldwide with its corporate headquarters in Staunton, Virginia and additional locations in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Florida, and Costa Rica. For more information on Cadence, please visit our website at cadenceinc.com. SOURCE Cadence, Inc. WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED