National Science Foundation

New Smithsonian-�鶹��Ƶ opportunity offers students a pathway to conservation science

Colleen Rich — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:43:54 +0000

New Smithsonian-�鶹��Ƶ opportunity offers students a pathway to conservation science Colleen Rich Wed, 10/29/2025 - 14:43

From cloning endangered black-footed ferrets to using drone technology to track wildlife to caring for red pandas up close, researchers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute are working at the forefront of conservation science. As a global leader in conservation research, the Smithsonian-�鶹��Ƶ School of Conservation (SMSC), which is a partnership between �鶹��Ƶ and the Smithsonian, offers hands-on experiences to undergraduate students that few other institutions can match.

Photo by Cristian Torres/Office of University Branding

Now, students across the country can apply to take part in this kind of hands-on opportunity thanks to a ten-week summer research experience at SMSC through the National Science Foundation-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program.

The 2025 REU Saving Critically Endangered Species and Habitats: Next-Generation Education, Research, and Training for Conservation Biologists is only the second REU awarded to George �鶹��Ƶ. The program is led by College of Science dean and principal investigator Cody W. Edwards, alongside biology professor and co-principal investigator David Luther.

At the Smithsonian’s Front Royal, Virginia, site, 10 participants will take part in field-based conservation projects. These students will work on developing strategies to preserve endangered species and acquire skills applicable to careers in conservation biology.

“One of the best things about George �鶹��Ƶ is the wide range of backgrounds and experiences our students bring, along with the access we provide to top-tier research thanks to our location and partnerships with leading institutions like the Smithsonian,” said Edwards. “Hosting an REU allows us to expand that access nationwide, reaching students who are passionate about conservation and eager to make an impact, but who may not yet be aware of the opportunities available at George �鶹��Ƶ.”

Edwards said the REU will act as an “amplifier,” offering a launchpad for students who have the passion and potential but lack exposure to advanced training in the field.

“This learning opportunity is incredibly difficult to replicate as you get both a world-class education, along with an expanded network of top industry professionals,” said Edwards. “Many students apply to work with Smithsonian scientists and researchers at George �鶹��Ƶ, and now this REU provides a broader pathway to do that.”

Participants will engage with researchers and mentors like Edwards and Luther in a collaborative setting that blends fieldwork and lab-based research. Through these collaborations, students will deepen their research experience, gain critical career skills, grow professional networks, and generate findings with potential to impact conservation efforts globally.

“Everyone I’ve met got their start with the help of a good mentor,” said Luther. “People can do a lot of good work on their own, but having someone to guide you early on, someone who helps shape how you approach problems, work through challenges, and make sound decisions is invaluable. That’s why I think this grant and the research experience it offers undergraduates is so special.”

Students will focus their work in one of three core areas aligned with the school’s expertise: assessing and monitoring wild populations, studying ecological resilience in the face of environmental threats, or improving the care and management of species in human care.

The SMSC is distinguished by its rich history of renowned experts and visionary faculty dedicated to educating and inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders. Over the years, the school has welcomed some of the most influential figures in environmental science. The late Jane Goodall, a global icon of wildlife conservation, visited the campus in 2017, 2018, and 2019 to share her insights and engage with students. George �鶹��Ƶ’s Department of Environmental Science and Policy was also home to the legendary Thomas Lovejoy, often referred to as the “Godfather of Biodiversity,” who mentored some of SMSC’s current faculty.

“What excites me most about the REU is the opportunity it creates, not just for the individual students, but for the broader conservation community,” Edwards said. “Their work can spark new ideas and help drive forward conservation initiatives beyond their own project, and builds networks of individuals who can collaborate to drive big changes.”

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Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

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Arctic Resilience: NSF, �鶹��Ƶ, and collaborators seek solutions for the future

Martha Bushong — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 11:07:26 +0000

Arctic Resilience: NSF, �鶹��Ƶ, and collaborators seek solutions for the future Martha Bushong Wed, 10/08/2025 - 07:07

In 1967, Alaska adopted the slogan "North to the Future" for its centennial. Now, as researchers at �鶹��Ƶ collaborate on an National Science Foundation planning grant, they look north to Alaska and the future. The planning grant lays the groundwork for the development of an Alaska Innovation Incubator (AI²) for Resilient and Smart Infrastructure in Extreme and Changing Environments.

“The Arctic presents both challenges and opportunities, demanding strategic planning and robust infrastructure support," said Professor Elise Miller-Hooks, who is spearheading the team for George �鶹��Ƶ. "With AI², we're not only responding to environmental changes; we're proactively shaping a resilient future for the region. We’re hoping to create forward-thinking solutions for maritime development, performance of civil infrastructure, climate hazards, and workforce development.”

Professors Elise Miller-Hooks and Celso Ferreira on the Alaska's North Slope. They will return later this year to meet with planning grant collaborators. Photo provided.

Though still in its early stages, the planning grant outlines five interrelated thrusts. These thrusts will develop smart sensing technologies for the changing Arctic environments; new technologies that lead to innovative, economical, and resilient infrastructure; adaptive and economical solutions and system-level decision-making tools for securing Arctic coasts; a prototype for an automated digital twin of community-scale coastal infrastructure and permafrost systems; and a pipeline for workforce development of future scientists, engineers, and skilled workers with expertise in U.S. Arctic environments.

The George �鶹��Ƶ researchers are part of a larger effort to develop resilience solutions and technologies through close collaboration with Indigenous communities, industry partners, government agencies, and six academic institutions. The societal impacts of this initiative could be far-reaching, promising enhanced well-being and resilience for U.S. Arctic communities, increased economic competitiveness, improved national security, and greater public engagement with science and technology.

To achieve this, through AI², the team aims to deliver a suite of transformative solutions. One example is the development of Arctic coastal hazard early warning tools, designed to provide timely alerts to communities facing environmental threats. The project will also pioneer innovative foundation insulation technologies and thermosyphon systems, specifically tailored for permafrost regions, alongside economical pre-thawing techniques for construction in warmer permafrost areas.

The researchers hope to create adaptive solutions and system-level decision-making tools to ensure the security of Arctic coasts for the future. With the potential of new shipping lanes opening, Alaskans see opportunities for new ports, and the team will explore both the opportunities and challenges. A prototype for an automated digital twin of community-scale coastal infrastructure and permafrost systems will be developed, offering a cutting-edge approach to monitoring and managing the environments.

Finally, the initiative led by Penn State University, a long-time research partner, will focus on workforce development, nurturing future scientists, engineers, and skilled workers with expertise in the unique challenges of U.S. Arctic environments. “Through the envisioned AI², it will be possible to generate new insights into the interactions between the natural and the built environment—including regional weather dynamics, permafrost, and coast-land interfaces—and the built and sociocultural systems, laying the groundwork for effective solutions,” said Miller-Hooks.

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Helping older adults embrace AI and emerging technologies with a National Science Foundation grant

Taylor Thomas — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 16:08:43 +0000

Helping older adults embrace AI and emerging technologies with a National Science Foundation grant Taylor Thomas Fri, 09/26/2025 - 12:08

In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more integrated into our lives, older adults are being left behind. Poor digital literacy is more than being unable to use social media. It increases the risk of poor health outcomes as it may exclude anyone, especially older adults, from finding and using information that sustains and promotes health. With a highly competitive grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), digital technologies researcher, Y. Alicia Hong, is helping older adults keep pace with evolving technology and setting them up for success in the future.

Y. Alicia Hong. Photo provided

“Our project equips older adults to adapt to emerging technologies, such as AI, and become more resilient in a rapidly changing digital landscape,” said Hong, professor in �鶹��Ƶ’s Department of Health Administration and Policy.

From online banking to electronic health records like MyChart, people need to interact with digital technology on a daily basis. Hong’s project will incorporate youth, who are more adept with technology, to aid older adults’ skill-building. At senior centers, a youth and an older adult will walk through scenes where they may encounter AI technology. A web platform will guide them to collaboratively develop a digital life story with realistic scenarios with support from AI tools.

"The project seeks to strengthen AI literacy, social connectedness, and resilience among older adults while cultivating responsible AI awareness in youth," Hong said.

Hong will co-design the web-based platform that facilitates intergenerational engagement between youth and older adults in narrative-style storytelling to improve their understanding of digital technologies and AI. They will use multiple AI-based tools, including ChatGPT for script generation, Runway ML for image creation, Eleven Labs for audio, and Descript for editing.

Hong will work alongside the project’s PI, Dr. Yixuan (Janice) Zhang, assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at College of William & Mary. Collaboration with a computer scientist will ensure refined evaluations of usability, accessibility, and participants’ ability to use the web-based platform independently, while also taking into consideration cultural sensitivity. Their interprofessional, intercollegiate partnership will optimize resource allocation and program performance.

“We aim to deliver a community-based model for AI literacy that helps older adults confidently and safely use AI, strengthens intergenerational bonds by positioning youth as tech partners, and gives community-based organizations a practical toolkit they can sustain after the grant,” said Zhang, co-PI with Hong. “The award converts a co-designed concept into a tested, transferable, and sustainable platform and program to enhance AI literacy among older adults.”

“The project will inform future programs aimed at underserved groups and foster more inclusive, accessible, and meaningful engagement with emerging technologies,” said Hong.

NSF grants are awarded to researchers whose projects have demonstrated the capacity for advancing research and education across science and engineering. The project entitled “Enhancing AI Literacy and Resilience through Intergenerational Digital Storytelling among Older Adults” is a three-year, $661,478 grant.

As a digital health behavioral interventionist, Hong studies the intersection of health services delivery and consumer informatics. Her work explores chronic care and self-care solutions through innovative digital technologies to improve patient-centered outcomes and enhance health care accessibility. Hong’s research focuses on implementation and dissemination science and leveraging digital technologies to enhance health services delivery.

Powering Artificial Intelligence at George �鶹��Ƶ

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NSF grant supports nanofabrication workforce training

Nathan Kahl — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 22:43:45 +0000

NSF grant supports nanofabrication workforce training Nathan Kahl Sat, 09/13/2025 - 18:43

�鶹��Ƶ faculty members received nearly $1 million in a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a program providing hands-on nanofabrication training and education to people seeking a career change.

The funding comes under NSF’s ExLENT Pivots track and will serve the national interest by expanding experiential learning pathways in emerging hardware technologies driven by nanofabrication. It focuses on increasing workforce opportunities in Northern Virginia, a region positioned for growth in emerging technology sectors, such as artificial intelligence hardware, quantum information science, data center engineering, and sustainable manufacturing.

Ahn's research focus is nanofabrication. Photo by Office of University Branding

“The most important term is ‘experiential,' and it’s rare for NSF to provide this kind of funding," said Ethan Ahn, an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and a founding director of �鶹��Ƶ Nanoelectronics Laboratory, who is the lead principal investigator (PI) on the project. "The idea here is to produce this workforce for very high tech-focused areas by applying the learning-by-doing model.”

George �鶹��Ƶ is already known as one of the commonwealth's largest producers of tech talent.

The program provides an opportunity for working professionals who are looking to change careers; even those with no STEM background are encouraged to apply, as suggested by the “pivot” track from NSF.

“We’ll take people regardless of their background, education, or readiness," said Ahn. "We’ll provide everything they need to be job-ready by training participants with both lab and soft skills, providing connections with industry, and, if hired, paying them during their summer employment."

Co-PI Jessica Rosenberg, professor of physics and director of education at George �鶹��Ƶ’s Quantum Science and Engineering Center, said, “Nanofabrication is important for a range of high-tech industries, including semiconductors, biomedical, and energy. We’re creating a program to provide the support, education, and training needed for individuals to get a job in this growing sector. It will help them meet their goals while also supporting a regional talent pipeline.”

The program will run for three years, with approximately 20 participants every year. A key component of the initial phase of the program is access to a mobile app used for virtual training. The team is developing the app because they recognize that participants may have existing responsibilities that make coming to campus a challenge. After participants complete this first phase on their own schedule, they will then go to campus to participate in a research lab for the hands-on portions of the program.

Jessica Rosenberg is director of education at George �鶹��Ƶ's Quantum Science and Engineering Center. Photo by Office of University Branding

Ahn said a particularly interesting element of the program is a guaranteed interview in the industry. They are already working with BAE Systems, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman and expect this number of companies participating to grow through a collaboration with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. "The hope is that the participants will be able to turn the opportunity into a full-time position,” he said.

George �鶹��Ƶ will give program participants microcredentials, competency-based qualifications indicating a mastery of a subject, as they complete each phase of the program. This opportunity’s timing is ideal for Virginians looking to make a career change and supports the university’s efforts in building Virginia’s high-tech workforce.

Ahn was inspired to apply for the funding in part by the fact that the new Innovation District, led jointly by �鶹��Ƶ, Prince William County, and the City of Manassas, and anchored by George �鶹��Ƶ’s Science and Technology Campus, co-locates the university with industry and government to create a dynamic collaboration model.

“Relationships between university and industry are common, but this also includes government,” said Ahn. “We already have this established network via the Innovation District and in my proposal I said we are going to focus on nanofabrication, which is my area of expertise. I think those things made it appealing to NSF.”

Jill Nelson, professor and associate dean for undergraduate programs, and Nathalia Peixoto, associate professor, both in the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, are also PI's on the grant.

The program will welcome its first cohort in spring 2026.

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Engineering better vision: George �鶹��Ƶ professors lead $1.17M NIH project

Martha Bushong — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 19:12:10 +0000

Engineering better vision: George �鶹��Ƶ professors lead $1.17M NIH project Martha Bushong Wed, 07/30/2025 - 15:12

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Ningshi Yao

Quentin Sanders

Qi Wei

Understanding and treating complex eye movement disorders like strabismus has long been a challenge for clinicians. Now, researchers at �鶹��Ƶ are pioneering a new approach using robotics and artificial intelligence to engineer a better future for vision care.

Ningshi Yao, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been awarded a prestigious $1.17 million R01 grant to lead a groundbreaking four-year project. The award comes from the joint National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) "Smart Health and Biomedical Research in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Data Science (SCH)" program.

The funded project, "Study Coordinated Human Eye Movement and Strabismus Using a Novel Artificial Muscle-Driven Robotic Eyes," will be conducted in collaboration with co-investigators Qi Wei and Quentin Sanders from George �鶹��Ƶ’s Department of Bioengineering and consultant Joseph Demer in the Stein Eye Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles.

From left: Qi Wei (Bioengineering Department), Ningshi Yao (Electrical and Computer Engineering Department), and Quentin Sanders (Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering Departments). Photo provided

At the core of the research is the creation of robotic eyes powered by artificial muscles that replicate the precise, coordinated movements of human eyes. “Strabismus affects more than 18 million Americans, yet current treatments often fall short, with success rates ranging from 30 to 80%,” said Yao. “Our goal is to use robotic systems and artificial intelligence to better understand how the eyes work—and ultimately improve how we diagnose and treat these disorders.”

The research team will build robotic eyes that closely mimic human biomechanics and use them as tools to study the underlying causes of strabismus. These systems will allow for a level of control and repeatability not possible in human subjects, offering a unique window into how eye muscles and connective tissues—especially the so-called “pulleys”—work together to guide vision.

To make the robotic system truly intelligent, the project will also apply reinforcement learning, a type of artificial intelligence, to discover how humans naturally control eye movements. By training the robots with real patient data and expert-informed objectives, the team hopes to reverse-engineer the strategies humans use—leading to better understanding and new treatment pathways.

In the final phase of the project, the team will integrate patient-specific data into the robotic system to simulate different surgical outcomes. This will allow ophthalmologists to test and refine treatment strategies before operating, increasing precision and improving long-term results.

The project’s impact extends beyond eye health. The robotic muscle actuators and control models developed here could advance robotics, AI, biomechanics, and even the design of soft, adaptive machines.

In addition to scientific discoveries, the research team will build educational tools and training platforms using the robotic eyes, helping to prepare the next generation of vision specialists.

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Bioengineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering

National Science Foundation

National Institutes of Health

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I-Corps in 3D: Streaming toward better telehealth

Nathan Kahl — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:19:57 +0000

I-Corps in 3D: Streaming toward better telehealth Nathan Kahl Thu, 07/17/2025 - 10:19

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Bo Han

A team in �鶹��Ƶ’s Computer Science Department is taking part in the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) I-Corps program to study the effectiveness of 3D streaming in telehealth environments.

Bo Han, an associate professor of computer science and expert in computer networks and security and privacy, received $50,000 for his project, Translation Potential of Next Generation Telepresence Enriched by Immersive Technologies. Nan Wu, the entrepreneurial lead on the team, said, “The idea is to build a system for immersive telepresence over the internet. It’s essentially a 3D video stream but the technical improvement is how it saves bandwidth by using user-motion prediction and content sampling, improving the quality of the experience.”

3D telehealth services may help remote patients in urgent need of care. iStock photo.

Wu explained that the technical adjustment is made based on the receiver’s movements. “Since I’m looking at the front side of you, the streaming only needs to send me the front side, not the back. I don’t need to see all around you, even though it’s 3D. Moreover, when you’re farther away, a lower-resolution stream is enough since I won’t notice the difference. And if you’re hidden behind other content, there’s no need in sending what I can’t see.”

I-Corps is, according to the NSF website, “an immersive, entrepreneurial training program that facilitates the transformation of invention to impact. This seven-week experiential training program prepares scientists and engineers to extend their focus beyond the university laboratory—accelerating the economic and societal benefits of NSF-funded and other basic research projects that are ready to move toward commercialization.”

Since the program began in 2012, I-Corps has ushered 2,500 teams, and nearly 1,400 of them launched startups that cumulatively raised $3.16 billion in subsequent funding.

A portion of the I-Corps mentoring is devoted to customer discovery. Teams must interview at least 100 potential customers to determine market interest. According to Wu, the team didn’t find a robust market for using the technology the way they initially envisioned because staff shortages is the biggest pain point in the field, not technical shortcomings. “We thought nurses could monitor patients in 3D and save time, but there are many AI tools already doing that, monitoring 40 patients at once,” he said.

Wu said they’ve shifted to using the technology emergency situations, believing the tools will be useful in high-pressure trauma care or emergency cases. “We are thinking of a situation where there is a remote expert connected to a patient in a rural area, for example, where there is no expert on site.” Wu said that more interviews are needed to determine the market demand for such use.

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I-Corps

National Science Foundation

immersive technologies

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Trial by virtual fire: Augmented reality project tailors training for firefighters

Sarah Holland — Thu, 22 May 2025 17:18:32 +0000

Trial by virtual fire: Augmented reality project tailors training for firefighters Sarah Holland Thu, 05/22/2025 - 13:18

For firefighters, even training is a risk. According to the United States Fire Administration, 16.6% of all firefighter fatalities in 2024 took place during training exercises. �鶹��Ƶ researcher Craig Yu is hoping to change that statistic.

Yu, associate professor of computer science, has been developing augmented and virtual reality training for most of his career, and he has a particular interest in exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies could help research on human development and sports science. Through National Science Foundation’s EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) program, Yu and Joel Martin, associate professor of kinesiology, are developing just that: an augmented reality program that could help train firefighters while minimizing risk.

“Firefighters have high rates of injuries and many injuries happen during training. There is a need for training technology that can replicate aspects of emergencies while minimizing the injury risk and physical burn,” said Martin. Martin has spent the past few years working with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue to determine how they can reduce physical strain to firefighters during training exercises. “I think that technology such as immersive reality training can help to meet training needs while minimizing the physical risks of performing certain drills."

A prototype of the virtual training space from their proposal. Image provided.

Augmented—or mixed—reality uses devices such as phones or a headset to overlay 3D computer-generated content onto the real world. An increasingly accessible tool, you can find augmented reality in applications like Ikea furniture previews in your house, dinosaur encounters in the Smithsonian, and catching Pokémon in your neighborhood.

As described in their project proposal, “Adapting Mixed Reality Training Programs to Real-World Scenes to Enhance Human-AI Teaming in Emergency Responses,” the new training would utilize augmented reality to create realistic training scenarios for firefighters.

Based on a 3D digital twin of the room, the program will use AI to analyze what's in the room and create a realistic outbreak of fire: where it is most likely to start and spread, and where civilians are most likely to be.

“The program understands the environment, and it will be refined with additional input from professional firefighters,” said Yu.

Yu also notes that the scenario can be adapted for different experience levels. Simpler scenarios can be developed for new firefighters, which can then be adjusted for increasing sophistication and complexity as the trainees learn and improve. It also allows them to practice scenarios that would be difficult or impossible to replicate in a live burn, such as how to best evacuate and rescue civilians.

Most importantly, it prevents firefighters from being exposed to hazardous conditions while in training.

“I don’t ever see us replacing real fire training,” said Yu, “but this is a means to augment the training to improve the health and safety of the firefighters, as well as make training easier to deploy in a variety of buildings and circumstances. AI allows us to rapidly analyze human performance and then adaptively synthesize training programs to address weakness we observe.”

Martin and Yu are in the early phases of development but hope to deploy their initial training designs with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue soon. They both have hopes for further incorporation of AI and augmented reality technology in firefighting tools, such as headsets that can scan the environment and offer real-time feedback about potential dangers, exit strategies, and health metrics as firefighters enter hazardous zones.

“More and more virtual and immersive reality training is being used [in kinesiology],” said Martin. “I think this project demonstrates the importance of collaboration and interdisciplinary teams to solve challenges in the field.”

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George �鶹��Ƶ’s ROARS lab retains its ranking as a leader in AI safety at the 2024 International Neural Network Verification Competition

Jennifer Pocock — Mon, 19 May 2025 20:47:30 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ’s ROARS lab retains its ranking as a leader in AI safety at the 2024 International Neural Network Verification Competition Jennifer Pocock Mon, 05/19/2025 - 16:47

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ThanhVu Nguyen

The team’s NeuralSAT advanced the frontiers of trustworthy artificial intelligence, earning second place in a highly competitive field of international teams advancing the formal verification of AI systems.

Associate Professor ThanhVu Nguyen

NeuralSAT is an open-source verification tool developed by experts in Formal Methods/AI Hai Duong and ThanhVu Nguyen, both of �鶹��Ƶ. It analyzes whether deep neural networks behave as intended, even under adversarial or uncertain conditions. The International Neural Network Verification Competition (VNN-COMP) gathers international research teams working on formal methods for AI safety—methods that are increasingly important as neural networks are deployed in autonomous systems, healthcare, finance, and other mission-critical systems.

"Our goal with NeuralSAT is to bring precision and robustness to AI systems,” said Nguyen, an associate professor in computer science, “especially as they are increasingly used in safety-critical settings."

Hai Duong is a third-year PhD candidate

Each year, the participating VNN-COMP tools are evaluated across a wide set of benchmarks that test scalability, correctness, and performance. The 2024 competition’s results were recently released.

"This year’s benchmarks pushed the boundaries of what verification tools could handle—both in terms of scale and complexity," said Duong, a third-year computer science PhD candidate. "We’re proud that NeuralSAT remained among the top performers, showing strong results across both safety and robustness categories."

NeuralSAT was developed in close collaboration with researchers across multiple institutions, including the University of Virginia’s Matt Dwyer. It builds on recent advances in symbolic reasoning, SAT solving, and abstraction. In its inaugural appearance at VNN-COMP in 2023, NeuralSAT placed fourth overall and received the New Participant Award. In addition to competitions, the tool has been featured at top-tier conferences such as the Symposium on the Foundations of Software Engineering and Computer Aided Verification.

Nguyen, who serves as an organizer and program chair of VNN-COMP 2025, emphasized the significance of the competition in shaping the research landscape.

"The field of neural network verification is rapidly maturing, and VNN-COMP has become the standard for evaluating progress," he said. "Many research papers now compare their tools against VNN-COMP results or use its benchmarks for evaluation. It's exciting to be involved in shaping the competition while also contributing a tool that pushes the research frontier."

David Rosenblum, chair of the Department of Computer Science, was thrilled with ROARS Lab’s achievement. "ThanhVu Nguyen is an established research leader on problems at the intersection of formal methods and deep learning. This team’s outstanding achievement has demonstrated the great potential impact of verification technologies for AI safety," he said.

The long-term goal of NeuralSAT, supported in part by Nguyen’s NSF CAREER Award and Amazon Research Award, is to remain at the forefront of AI verification research while evolving into a practical, scalable, and potentially commercial-grade solution for industry use.

George �鶹��Ƶ is advancing a bold vision for the future of safe and robust AI and is further expanding its leadership with the launch of Virginia's first master’s program in artificial intelligence in fall 2025. This program reflects the university’s deep commitment to cutting-edge education and the development of trustworthy, high-impact AI technologies.

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Artificial Intelligence

National Science Foundation

Computer science; computing; Amazon

computer science

Research

George �鶹��Ƶ scientist leads $1.8M NSF grant to address mobility challenges from urban flooding

Katarina Benson — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:36:52 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ scientist leads $1.8M NSF grant to address mobility challenges from urban flooding Katarina Benson Fri, 02/21/2025 - 14:36

�鶹��Ƶ researcher Alireza Ermagun has been awarded a $1.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to address mobility challenges caused by nuisance flooding. The project, a collaboration with Villanova University and the University of South Carolina, centers on understanding how frequent, low-level flooding disrupts daily transportation systems and devising equitable solutions.

Alireza Ermagun. Photo provided

Nuisance flooding frequently inundates roads and overwhelms stormwater systems, creating widespread transportation challenges. Ermagun emphasizes that such flooding disproportionately affects vulnerable populations who depend on public transit, walking, or biking. “These frequent but seemingly minor floods accumulate to create major disruptions, particularly for those already facing socioeconomic and mobility barriers,” said Ermagun, the director of Mobility Observatory and Data Analytics Lab and an assistant professor in the Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science. “This project aims to ensure that every resident has access to reliable transportation, regardless of the challenges posed by flooding.”

The research focuses on three neighborhoods in Philadelphia—Kensington, Manayunk, and Germantown—and involves close partnerships with the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), the Delaware Valley River Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), and the Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA). The team will examine the spatial and temporal extent of flooding in these areas and develop strategic green infrastructure solutions to address mobility barriers.

“Nuisance flooding is common but difficult to assess,” said Virginia Smith, a water resource scientist at Villanova University. “These events, however, disrupt people’s lives and their ability to move around their communities. By identifying where flooding occurs and its impact, we can develop meaningful solutions to improve daily life and beyond.”

The project places a strong emphasis on engaging communities directly impacted by nuisance flooding. Peleg Kremer, a social-ecological systems scientist at Villanova University, explained, “this project brings community voices into planning, translating their lived experiences into equitable, actionable solutions.”

“Many individuals rely on stable, predictable transportation patterns in their daily lives, and disruptions can be especially harmful for the most residents. Understanding the roots of these

impacts is key to creating effective solutions,” said Brian Levy, a social scientist at the University of South Carolina.

The project also aims to innovate in green infrastructure and mobility planning, ensuring that proposed solutions are not just functional but equitable. “By reducing mobility barriers through strategic infrastructure planning, we can promote resilience in urban transportation,” said Chenfeng Xiong, a transportation scientist at Villanova University.

Reflecting on the broader vision of the project, Ermagun emphasized the importance of combining data-driven approaches with community insight. “Some solutions, like flexible pick-up and drop-off stations or subsidies for ride sharing, show promise,” he said. “But to truly address the scale of the problem, we need to explore more transformative changes, potentially redesigning urban infrastructure, from roads to sewer systems. Our research aims to provide the data and strategies necessary to identify the most effective interventions while centering the voices of those most impacted.”

With a timeline extending through August 2028, this initiative offers unique opportunities for graduate students, researchers, and community members to collaborate on cutting-edge research while contributing to lasting, positive change in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.

“Our ultimate goal is to not only mitigate the impacts of nuisance flooding,” said Ermagun, “but also to empower communities to adapt and thrive in the face of increasing climate challenges.”

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Alireza Ermagun

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George �鶹��Ƶ researcher gets CAREER award for quantum leaps in computing, with the help of AI

Nathan Kahl — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 17:55:11 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ researcher gets CAREER award for quantum leaps in computing, with the help of AI Nathan Kahl Thu, 02/13/2025 - 12:55

Weiwen Jiang, an assistant professor in the �鶹��Ƶ's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is an expert in quantum computing, having recently received nearly $1 million in National Science Foundation (NSF) funding to study “noise” that impacts quantum computing and to work on training the next generation of quantum experts.

Jiang’s research is all about pushing the mysterious world of quantum computing into the mainstream. “We are at the quantum utility era, which means we are going to have computational applications that can be implemented with and utilize the power of quantum computing,” he said. But Jiang knows that researchers need a boost in understanding the full quantum capability.

In January he received an NSF CAREER award for $641,778 for his work on quantum-centric computing cyberinfrastructure (QuCI). A combination of quantum computers, classical computers, and AI accelerators, QuCI is set to revolutionize

Weiwen Jiang. Photo provided

software applications handling everything from geophysics, chemistry, finance, and life sciences, because it can outperform classical computing with its speed, accuracy, and the ability to handle large, data-heavy problems. For example, the success of processing geoscience data on quantum computers can enable real-time decision-making on natural hazards, which leads to cost savings, reduced environmental impacts, and improved safety.

Jiang’s project includes three thrusts. One is using what’s called an AI-powered quantum performance predictor, which leads to an innovative and efficient ability to allocate computing resources in the moment. Jiang said, “When a batch of jobs comes into the system, we need to allocate the jobs into different quantum nodes and we want to distribute the jobs effectively.”

Another focus is bridging a knowledge gap between experts who want to run software applications but are not experts in quantum. “In order to fill this gap we do not want the expert to learn quantum computing from scratch,” he said. “We’ll find opportunities to fine-tune the configuration for quantum control optimization,” helping a non-expert user harness the power of quantum computing by combining classical central-processing unit computing with quantum. Current QuCIs require complicated decision-making to ensure correct computing results are obtained, but this can fall into the hands of users who lack quantum knowledge. Jiang’s project automates QuCI deployment, making decisions and optimizations at different stages without human interference.

A third element is to develop what’s known as fault-tolerant quantum computing, which means allowing quantum computers to operate even when encountering errors. Jiang said, “Before we submit the job, we will add fault-tolerant protocols to ensure the functional correctness and boost performance.”

The NSF CAREER award is reserved for the nation’s most talented up-and-coming researchers. From the NSF website: “The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program offers NSF’s most prestigious award in support of early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.”

Beyond the scientific impact, the project builds an easy-to-understand quantum education program, which includes building a visualization platform to make quantum computations visible. This is significantly important for beginners who easily suffer from the counterintuitive concepts of quantum computing. In addition, Jiang will create workshops, tutorials, and competitions for different research communities, contribute to a George �鶹��Ƶ-led quantum immersion program for K-12 students; and redesign a quantum curriculum at George �鶹��Ƶ with outcomes from this project.

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