NYIT Magazine

Three students from the College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) and one from the School of Health Professions, along with Associate Professor of Family Medicine Matthew Heller (B.S. ’08, D.O. ’11), provided lifesaving medical care at The Beat Down 15, a mixed martial arts (MMA) and kickboxing event hosted in Wantagh, N.Y. Pictured from left: Sabrina Paolo, Nicholette Benke, College of Osteopathic Medicine Associate Professor of Family Medicine Matthew Heller, Michael Akhavan, and Rohan...

As part of its strategy to reintroduce competitive sports, New York Institute of Technology has named Aldo Spano, a 20-year teaching and coaching veteran, as director of recreation and head sprint football coach, effective September 28. Aldo Spano In this newly created role, Spano will direct the university’s growing student-focused intramural and club sports activities and lead the sprint football team in its inaugural season next year.

Jonathan Ezra Goldman, Ph.D., was named Distinguished Professor at New York Tech as of September 1, and while he is proud of the accomplishment, he is even prouder of what it says about the Department of Humanities. Jonathan Goldman “I connect history and literature with important issues in today’s culture and social world, showing how humanities studies address matters of general concern.

As the 2026–2027 academic year begins, life sciences/osteopathic medicine (B.S./D.O.) student Yashvi Patel and electrical and computer engineering technology student Best Justus have something extra to look forward to. Each will be a voice for their respective campus student body as they have been elected to serve as Student Government Association (SGA) president.

Kevin O’Sullivan, D.Sc., associate professor of management in the School of Management, considers himself an explorer, both at New York Tech and beyond. Kevin O’Sullivan As a member of the highly exclusive Explorers Club and an avid scuba diver, O’Sullivan conducts research studies about the ocean environment all over the world. Additionally, as a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, he conducts research in the national British archives.

“To my parents’ annoyance, I would disassemble and reassemble most of the technological devices around the house,” architecture student Satish Doobay recalls of his childhood.

With the start of autumn, it is once again time to prepare for flu season. To help inform the university community about the flu and to educate members about the importance of the flu vaccine, New York Tech News tapped the expertise of Matthew Heller (B.S. ’08, D.O. ’11), an associate professor of family medicine at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. What is the flu, and when does flu season typically occur?

For people at high risk for lung cancer, annual screening with CT (computed tomography) can help reveal areas of abnormal growth, or nodules, before they become cancerous or in early stage of disease when they are easier to treat. Research by Assistant Professor Robert Alexander, Ph.D., and student Talia Lilikakis assesses how AI tools can most effectively alert radiologists of the possible presence of a nodule.

On September 3, the New York Tech community celebrated the start of the 2026-2027 academic year at the university’s annual faculty and staff convocation, as well as the presentation of the Presidential Excellence Awards. President Jerry Balentine addresses faculty and staff. In his remarks, President Jerry Balentine, D.O., welcomed new and returning faculty and staff.

Over the last 10 years, New York Institute of Technology has made significant strides in developing its research programs, with the goal of becoming one of the top research institutions in the United States. Recent signs of this transformation include the school’s new Ph.D. program in chemistry that launched in the fall of 2025, an anatomy program coming online in the next year, as well as new lab spaces and cutting-edge equipment and facilities.