Defense and Security

�鶹��Ƶ engineering professor awarded Office of Naval Research grant to launch 'NEXT' mechatronics workforce program

Martha Bushong — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:45:35 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ engineering professor awarded Office of Naval Research grant to launch 'NEXT' mechatronics workforce program Martha Bushong Fri, 03/20/2026 - 08:45

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Ningshi Yao

�鶹��Ƶ faculty member Ningshi Yao received a $750k grant from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to establish a hands-on mechatronics training program aimed at building the next generation of high-tech engineering technologists.

The three-year funding will support the creation of the Natural EXTension (NEXT) program. As emerging technologies like autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing continue to expand, the NEXT program will serve the national interest by providing students with rigorous, experiential learning opportunities directly aligned with defense and industry workforce needs.

Ningshi Yao. Photo provided.

"Traditional classroom learning is essential, but engineering is ultimately about building systems that work reliably in the real world," said Yao, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, director of the Control, Intelligent Autonomy, and Optimization Lab, and the sole principal investigator on the project. "With the NEXT program, we are implementing a 'flipped classroom' model. Students will review video lectures and technical instructions as their homework, allowing us to dedicate our entire class time to building and testing the mechatronic vehicles. This highly dynamic 'learning-by-doing' approach prepares students for the complex problem-solving required in today's high-tech workforce."

The program, which will welcome its pilot class in fall 2026, moves beyond standard laboratory exercises. A centerpiece of the NEXT curriculum is a high-stakes endurance mechatronics competition. Student teams will be challenged to design, build, and deploy autonomous mechatronic vehicles during a 72-hour rapid prototyping sprint, followed by a live, 90-minute competitive match on an outdoor field.

This intense environment forces participants to manage limited resources, modify hardware, program the systems on the fly, and ensure their systems can handle unpredictable real-world elements like uneven terrain and weather.

"We want to push students' engineering creativity and strategic thinking to the absolute limit," said Yao. "By bridging the gap between academic theory and rigorous physical deployment, we are ensuring our graduates are job-ready for defense and tech industry roles from day one."

George �鶹��Ƶ is already known as one of the commonwealth's largest producers of tech talent. The NEXT program will further support the university’s efforts in building Virginia’s high-tech workforce by creating a regional talent pipeline.

"Relationships between universities and industry are common, but integrating direct, hands-on challenges that mirror the complexities of defense operations makes this initiative unique," Yao added.

This project is sponsored by the Office of Naval Research under award number N00014-26-1-2153.

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George �鶹��Ƶ establishes C5I Center Korea: Leading the AI-driven defense transformation

Katarina Benson — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 20:21:45 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ establishes C5I Center Korea: Leading the AI-driven defense transformation Katarina Benson Mon, 03/16/2026 - 16:21

New C51 center will spearhead South Korea's defense AI transformation and bolster the Republic of Korea-U.S. tech alliance.

It began in 1989 with a small but ambitious research center founded by Harry L. Van Trees at �鶹��Ƶ in Fairfax, Virginia. A West Point valedictorian and former principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for C3I, Van Trees built what would become one of the most consequential defense research institutions in the United States. More than three decades later, that legacy has crossed the Pacific.

What started as the C3I Center has since evolved into a C5I powerhouse, steering mission-critical research and development (R&D) for the U.S. Department of War and NATO, including NORAD early warning systems and MILSTAR satellite programs. Now, that same expertise is being brought to bear on Korea's emerging command and control architecture.

This March, George �鶹��Ƶ's Center of Excellence in Command, Control, Communications, Computing, Cyber and Intelligence (the C5I Center) officially inaugurated the C5I Center Korea at its Songdo campus in Incheon. The expansion is more than a geographical footprint. It is a deliberate strategic alignment between the U.S. and Korea campuses, aimed at driving artificial intelligence (AI) transformation across increasingly volatile and complex modern battlefield environments.

From left, Soyoung Kwon, director of the Industry-University Collaboration Foundation at �鶹��Ƶ Korea; Insub Shin, director of C5I Center Korea; Vice Provost Janette Muir; and Dean Joshua Park. Photo provided

Paulo Costa, director of the C5I Center in Fairfax, framed it plainly: "Integrating South Korea's premier IT infrastructure with George �鶹��Ƶ's systems engineering expertise creates a transformative synergy, one poised to redefine the future of intelligent defense capabilities."

On the ground in Songdo, the director of C5I Center Korea, Insub Shin, sees the urgency firsthand. Hyper-connected intelligence, he noted, has emerged as the definitive edge in contemporary warfare, a trend underscored by recent global operations.

"C5I Center Korea is currently anchoring a robust collaborative framework across military, industrial, and academic sectors to ensure tactical needs," Shin said. "Furthermore, the center intends to establish a flexible R&D model that recognizes the evaporating boundaries between civil and military applications in AI and cyber technology.”

Janette Muir, George �鶹��Ƶ’s vice provost for academic affairs, underscored the center's significance. “The C5I Center Korea serves as a cornerstone of the ROK–U.S. defense R&D partnership,” she said. “Expanded technical collaboration with NATO and regional partners supports the university’s vision of �鶹��Ƶ Korea as a hub for impactful research and teaching in Asia, and this center positions George �鶹��Ƶ at the forefront of next-generation C5I innovation.”

The C5I Center Korea is designed to function as the "core engine" driving the practical implementation of South Korea's Defense AX. Researchers are focusing on AI-integrated command architectures and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), where physical assets and digital networks operate as a single, organic entity, ensuring disparate weapon systems achieve peak effectiveness.

By adapting the Fairfax center's proven research milestones, including multisensor data fusion and ontology-based methodologies, for the Korean security environment, the center provides substantial technical backing for major national defense programs.

The impact, however, is not confined to the battlefield. Dual-use R&D initiatives are designed to transfer military innovations, from situational awareness systems to unmanned platform controls, into the civilian sector. This could include smart city disaster management, autonomous drones, and maritime traffic control. Defense research, in this vision, becomes a catalyst for national industrial competitiveness.

To sustain this momentum, C5I Center Korea is investing in the next generation of defense leaders. An executive program tailored for military leadership and defense researchers will leverage George �鶹��Ƶ's academic rigor to cultivate the talent essential for South Korea's rise as an AI powerhouse.

Looking ahead, C5I Center Korea will make its international debut at KADEX 2026, anchoring a dedicated Defense C5I·AI Convergence Pavilion alongside a high-level international seminar, and begin propelling domestic information and computer technology and cybersecurity firms onto the global stage.

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�鶹��Ƶ will build an accounting and financial management academy for the U.S. Navy

Katarina Benson — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 20:37:19 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ will build an accounting and financial management academy for the U.S. Navy Katarina Benson Fri, 02/20/2026 - 15:37

�鶹��Ƶ’s Learning Initiatives Network (LINK), through the Office of Continuing and Professional Education, will lead the creation and delivery of a new financial management academy for the U.S. Navy, drawing on expertise from the Costello College of Business.

The academy will deliver targeted, tailored training to strengthen financial management capabilities across the service and support the Navy’s goal of full audit readiness by 2028, a strategic priority of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

As one of the few universities in the country with a federal accounting focus and located in the National Capital Region, George �鶹��Ƶ is uniquely positioned for this work. Through a five-year $48.7-million ceiling IDIQ contract ($53.5 million with options), the academy will equip 10,000 Navy financial management personnel worldwide with the skills needed to manage budgets, support audit requirements, and operate effectively within the Navy’s financial enterprise. The training will emphasize workforce readiness, helping professionals apply financial concepts within the Navy’s real systems, processes, and mission needs.

The effort also creates a pathway to degree completion for undergraduate and graduate programs at George �鶹��Ƶ. In addition to workforce training, Navy students will be able to pursue degrees such as a BS in Business with an accounting concentration, an MS in Accounting, or a Master of Business Administration, and even earn a Graduate Certificate in Government Accounting as they progress through their graduate studies—helping fulfill an Office of Management and Budget requirement that financial management personnel complete 24 credit hours of accounting coursework.

“Our support of this effort is another example of how Costello is working to expand academic programs and lifelong learning opportunities for members of our military through workforce development programs and innovative collaborations with the U.S. Navy and the Office of Continuing and Professional Education,” said Cheryl Druehl, interim dean of the Costello College of Business.

Brett Josephson, associate provost of learning initiatives and associate professor. Photo provided

“It is an opportunity for us to come in and really help the Navy fulfill a major workforce training need,” said project lead Brett Josephson, associate provost of learning initiatives for the university and associate professor of marketing in the Costello College of Business. “They identified a gap that needs to be filled to meet the department’s strategic priorities, and we are well-qualified to help them meet that need.”

At its core, the academy delivers customized instruction that aligns with the actual processes, challenges, and software used by the Navy, ensuring that learning is directly relevant and immediately applicable. Much of the instruction is delivered virtually, allowing personnel stationed internationally, from ship deployments to shore commands, to participate without interrupting their operational duties.

George �鶹��Ƶ is also partnering with leading firms in the government accounting space, including Deloitte and Kearney & Company, to strengthen course design, instructional delivery, and applied learning components of the program.

The Navy’s selection of George �鶹��Ƶ reflects the university’s established reputation for translating academic rigor into mission-focused training and for collaborating closely with federal partners to develop solutions that matter. The Navy had a need for a partner who could meet stringent technical requirements while bringing insight into adult learning and workforce development, strengths that the university has demonstrated across both public and private sectors.

“What they need isn’t just information. It is structured, applicable training that can be integrated with what their teams are already doing every day,” Josephson explained. “We are ready to meet them there and help build something impactful.”

Financial transparency and accountability are at the heart of institutional credibility, especially for an organization as large as the Navy. As financial systems grow in complexity, the ability to analyze, report, and defend fiscal decisions becomes more critical. The training delivered by George �鶹��Ƶ aims to make those capabilities standard across the Navy workforce.

Participants in the program will leave with a deeper understanding of financial reporting standards, budgeting procedures, audit frameworks, and data interpretation techniques, all grounded in real scenarios reflective of Navy operations. This approach enhances individual competence and strengthens collective readiness, enabling the Navy to achieve its audit goals while fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

The partnership between George �鶹��Ƶ and the Navy serves as a compelling example of how universities can support government missions beyond traditional research contracts. By focusing on customized education that yields practical benefits, the university is expanding the role of academic institutions as strategic partners, shaping skilled workforces capable of navigating 21st-century challenges.

This initiative highlights a broader trend in George �鶹��Ƶ’s engagement with government and industry, leveraging university expertise to solve complex operational problems, particularly where knowledge gaps intersect with national priorities. In doing so, George �鶹��Ƶ continues to embody its mission of advancing solutions for a changing world, aligning academic resources with the urgent needs of communities, organizations, and government partners.

“We have a long history of partnering with the Navy to support their workforce needs, including a custom internship program we launched in 2022 that brought cohorts of Costello students onto real Navy projects,” Josephson said. “We built that program as a service to the nation and to our students, and we’ve been honored to see this partnership deepen as we work together to support national security and help the Navy become more effective and efficient.”

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�鶹��Ƶ Korea partners with defense organizations to advance military technology

Katarina Benson — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 22:15:50 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ Korea partners with defense organizations to advance military technology Katarina Benson Mon, 02/16/2026 - 17:15

�鶹��Ƶ Korea's Industry–University Collaboration Foundation is taking its defense capabilities to the next level. They recently signed a memorandum of understanding with two major Korean players, the Association of the Republic of Korea Army and the Defense Information and Communication Association. Together, they'll work on developing advanced defense information and communications technology (ICT) and command, control, communications, computing, cyber, and intelligence (C5I) systems.

"Aligned with Korea's national objective of becoming a leading AI power by 2026, this collaboration will leverage the C5I Korea Center's strengths with the operational expertise of the Defense Information and Communication Association and the military practitioners of the Association of the Republic of Korea Army," said Insub Shin, who directs the C5I Korea Center and leads the Defense Information Communication Association.

At the heart of this collaboration is the C5I Korea Center, a local extension of George �鶹��Ƶ's C5I Center in Virginia. The center will serve as ground zero for joint research, education, and industry partnerships focused on ICT, cyber capabilities, and artificial intelligence.

�鶹��Ƶ Korea signed an MOU with the Association of the Republic of Korea Army and the Defense Information and Communication Association. Photo provided

The partnership's roadmap is packed: collaborative research on C5I systems tailored for Korea, a "C5I-AI Convergence" exhibit at next year's Korea Army International Defense Industry Exhibition, and building bridges between the military, industry, academia, and civilian sectors through professional education programs and workshops.

For �鶹��Ƶ Campus Dean Joshua Park, the partnership represents a chance to blend the campus' strengths in data science and AI with real-world defense applications.

"Through practical training and partnerships across military, academic, and industry sectors, we aim to cultivate professionals who can support digital transformation and AI-enabled missions," Park said.

The opening ceremony for the new center will take place during �鶹��Ƶ Korea’s spring semester, which begins March 3.

Learn more about �鶹��Ƶ Korea

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Taiwan Security Monitor: Research Project Turns into a Vital Communication Platform for a Threatened Part of the World

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 15:44:27 +0000

Taiwan Security Monitor: Research Project Turns into a Vital Communication Platform for a Threatened Part of the World Andrew J Schappert Mon, 10/27/2025 - 11:44

Taiwan lacks its own cable repair vessels, meaning damage to underwater cables crucial to the island nation’s international communications and internet connectivity can take six to eight weeks or more to repair. The lack of repair capabilities is a serious resilience risk and a dire national security concern for a county that is in the crosshairs of China.

From left, Noah Reed, Michael Hunzeker, and Joe O'Connor. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

That unsettling discovery was made by student researchers at the Taiwan Security Monitor (TSM), a student-driven online research initiative housed at the Schar School of Policy and Government at �鶹��Ƶ.

Directed by founder Michael Hunzeker, a Schar School associate professor and associate director of the Center for Security Policy Studies, TSM operates with a staff of 18 undergraduate and graduate students who learn to use sophisticated mapping and analytic tools to research Taiwan’s vulnerabilities and strengths.

Hunzeker said the web platform began in 2021 as “an informal research project to create an open-source intelligence map of the Indo-Pacific.” The first iteration was created with the help of then-graduate student Sophia Lutz, BA Global Affairs '20, MA International Security '22, and several volunteer undergraduates.

The project “has evolved exponentially in ways I could not have possibly envisioned when I set off down this path," Hunzeker said.

In 2024, TSM relaunched with the help of the newly recruited researchers—including PhD, masters, and undergraduate students working collaboratively—and a higher profile and a social media presence boasting some 25,000 followers on X in just a few months.

“We have had at least two tweets with over a million views,” Hunzeker said, an indication that the platform is being recognized—and taken seriously.

A recent map created by Schar School students for the Taiwan Security Monitor: The research platform ‘has evolved exponentially in ways I could not have possibly envisioned when I set off down this path,’ said Michael Hunzeker.

“We’ve grown from a small team with limited scope to something that compares to think tanks in terms of insight and contributions to discourse on Taiwan,” said Schar School senior Noah Reed, a government and international politics major.

Reed, who is TSM’s research director, has been with the project since coming to George �鶹��Ƶ as a freshman. He was intrigued not only by the research but by the tools that the TSM employs.

TSM uses open-source intelligence (OSINT) to generate data, visualizations, maps, thematic case studies, and other resources for scholars and policy communities. Its updates on arms sales and deliveries, military movements, and maritime and air activity provide accessible information that supports public discourse and informs decision-makers charged with protecting the country from adversaries.

“We also provide tailored data and imagery analysis for private sector companies,” Hunzeker added. “Our work and our researchers have been cited by the Wall Street Journal, Taiwan Plus, CNA/Focus Taiwan, Le Monde, Newsweek, and Taiwan News.”

“We’ve attracted some attention,” said TSM research team lead Joe O’Connor. As a freshman, the international security and law senior discovered the opportunity to work with Hunzeker on the TSM project through the Schar School’s Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP). URAP places students interested in learning research methods with faculty mentors who share the same interests.

Monitoring destroyers as they move through the Taiwan Strait and tracking arms sales backlogs for four to six hours a week has inspired O’Connor to pursue intelligence as a post-graduate career, perhaps, “in the public service, in the Pentagon, auditing, something in the policy-making field,” he said.

Noah Reed: ‘Not only do we learn and teach how to bridge the language barrier while doing research, but also we get hands-on experience with things like satellite imagery, geolocation, data visualization, and more.’

Reed said TSM teaches its researchers a unique set of skills not found elsewhere at George �鶹��Ƶ. “Not only do we learn and teach how to bridge the language barrier while doing research, but also we get hands-on experience with things like satellite imagery, geolocation, data visualization, and more,” he said. "That helps in pretty much all your research outside of the project but also gives you experience to do anything, from open-source human rights and arms control verification to supply chain risk management.”

Most of the TSM team is made up of volunteers, he said, while other receive a course credit as they acquire research skills.

“We do it because we enjoy the work and think we’re positively contributing to the research environment on Taiwan’s security,” he added.

If any of this sounds interesting, said Reed, “and you have prior experience researching OSINT or Taiwan, you should consider applying to the project.”

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A one-woman team puts many eyes in the skies

Nathan Kahl — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 19:37:27 +0000

A one-woman team puts many eyes in the skies Nathan Kahl Wed, 10/01/2025 - 15:37

Fatima Majid, a �鶹��Ƶ senior majoring in cyber security engineering, was not just the only one-person team in the top 10 award winners at a recent National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) cyber competition, she was the only student team. Majid placed ninth out of 51 teams, most of them comprising industry experts.

“I went in, and they were all professional teams, like from Lockheed Martin. I thought, ‘I want to go home,’” said Majid with a laugh, describing her initial cold feet. “But I told myself I could do it. It helped that it was hosted at George �鶹��Ƶ, and I had professors there giving me support.”

Her project focused on how the Department of Defense (DoD) can protect critical U.S. infrastructure against low-cost drone attacks at scale, informed by Ukraine’s “Operation Spiderweb,” which used 117 drones to attack Russian air bases in June 2025.

Majid spent the summer in Richmond during a public policy internship. Photo provided

Majid’s lightbulb moment came with a flash as bright as a Virginia speed camera catching a lead-footed driver. Considering the significant network of traffic cameras in the commonwealth, she conceived SkyEyes. This applies an artificial intelligence (AI) model to the live feed of the Virginia 511 camera network, which provides real-time traffic information to citizens and transportation officials. SkyEyes demonstrated how a low-cost, AI-enabled surveillance layer could differentiate threats from non-threats, employing geofencing logic to define safe versus threat zones around sensitive sites.

“I understand how drones work because of what I’ve done at George �鶹��Ƶ’s MIX lab—and since I know how to build it, I also know how to jam it. I trained the AI model on a data set provided from a contest sponsor, and that data set had drone imaging and drone prototyping,” she said. “The camera feeds can find objects flying, but what if it’s an Amazon drone, for example? Then I added geofencing and threat analysis to observe the behavior of the drone—if it's a drone at 2 a.m., for example, maybe that's sketchy. So, the model gets smarter.”

Majid said that to access the cameras, all she had to do was make a phone call to the right person and explain her project. She cited time spent this summer at the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine in the Undergraduate Policy Program (VASEM UPP) in Richmond as giving her confidence and exposure to how government works.

K. L. Akerlof, an associate professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy at George �鶹��Ƶ, said, “The VASEM UPP is a unique opportunity for undergraduates to learn about opportunities in science policy at the state level. The immersive experience of spending a week in Richmond visiting the General Assembly and state agencies, while getting a crash course in how research evidence relates to public policy, can open new doors and career pathways.”

Majid said the strong showing gave her tremendous exposure to influential professional contacts. She fielded several questions about her simulation and future professional plans from a man she only later realized was Retired Brigadier General and NDIA Executive Vice President Guy Walsh.

“Because he showed interest, after he walked away, a crowd of people gathered around to ask me questions. It was very validating.”

She also had a long conversation about her project with Harley Stout, acting chief digital and AI officer at the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Majid is still pleasantly shocked by her top-10 finish. She is working with Mohamed Gebril, an associate professor in Cyber Security Engineering, on expanding the research. She is confident that such a cost-efficient solution for critical infrastructure protection against drone attacks will attract more funding opportunities.

She credited the supportive culture at �鶹��Ƶ—and her family—for keeping her grounded and encouraging her throughout, saying their support made the accomplishment even more meaningful.

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George �鶹��Ƶ faculty drive national momentum in defense and security research

ckearney — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 16:54:55 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ faculty drive national momentum in defense and security research ckearney Fri, 09/26/2025 - 12:54

�鶹��Ƶ faculty are leading groundbreaking work in defense and security research, bringing deep expertise from across the university’s colleges, schools, and specialized centers to address some of the nation’s most pressing security challenges. Faculty leaders in the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC), College of Science, Antonin Scalia Law School, and the Schar School of Policy and Government—together with researchers in the Center for Secure Information Systems and the C4I and Cyber Center—are advancing capabilities in integrated sensing, advanced communications, cybersecurity, space, and artificial intelligence.

FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty was the keynote on day 2 of the ISAC Strategy Summit. Photo by Jon Fleming Photography

These efforts position George �鶹��Ƶ as a vital partner to the Department of War and the broader national security community with George �鶹��Ƶ faculty are emerging as national leaders in defense and security research. Their work is supported by administrative enhancements in secure computing, facilities, and infrastructure at Fuse at �鶹��Ƶ Square, creating an ecosystem where innovation thrives.

Supporting and amplifying this faculty-driven innovation is Sarah Campbell, associate vice president of research for defense and security initiatives. Campbell serves as the connector who ensures George �鶹��Ƶ faculty expertise is linked to the right national partners, guiding collaborations and forging relationships with influential organizations such as the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, MITRE, NGA, DARPA, and the Office of the Secretary of War, Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD R&E).

“George �鶹��Ƶ has the talent, the technology, and the partnerships to be a driving force in advancing our nation’s defense capabilities,” Campbell said. “By working at the intersection of research, innovation, and application, we are paving the way as pioneers in the academic space by working with the government and industry to build solutions that matter.”

Faculty contributions are already shaping national strategy. Last year, George �鶹��Ƶ secured an inaugural Department of War contract to convene the first-ever academic workshop on Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC), a transformative field that merges advanced sensing technologies with next-generation communications. Led by Campbell, faculty from CEC, the Rapid Prototyping Research Center, and the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative worked alongside government and industry experts to identify national research priorities, producing a report that is featured on the USD R&E website and is informing current federal strategy.

First-ever academic workshop on Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) was held at �鶹��Ƶ Square in August 2025. Photo provided

That momentum carried into 2025, when the university hosted a 300-person ISAC Strategy Summit. Faculty from across disciplines showcased expertise that aligned with the Pentagon’s Future G and Golden Dome initiatives, which aim to integrate sensing, communications, and defense systems into a unified protective architecture.

The event—supported by corporate partners such as Nokia, AT&T, Ericsson, and Lockheed Martin—underscored George �鶹��Ƶ’s ability to convene thought leaders and highlight faculty capabilities. In her keynote, FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty emphasized the importance of access to the full spectrum of wireless frequencies and ISAC in securing U.S. technological leadership.

“There is a serious gap in the ISAC talent pipeline—not only is there no dedicated curriculum or formal field of study, but the knowledge base is scattered across separate disciplines that need to be integrated,” Campbell said. “This creates an opportunity for George �鶹��Ƶ to build an interdisciplinary program that develops the next generation of ISAC experts creating a community for this nascent technology. Our partnership with the War Department and the work that follows highlight the university’s strength across the full spectrum of sensing capabilities.”

As for the future, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact Andre Marshall emphasized the importance of George �鶹��Ƶ’s commitment to investing in faculty-led research in integrated sensing, advanced communications, artificial intelligence, space, and cybersecurity and positioning faculty as national thought leaders. He noted that by deepening collaborations with federal laboratories, strengthening partnerships with defense contractors, and pursuing major research investments, the university will remain both a pioneer and a leader in advancing critical defense priorities.

“George �鶹��Ƶ’s Defense and Security Program exemplifies the university’s ability to align world-class research with national priorities,” Marshall said. “These initiatives not only expand our impact in defense and security but also elevate the university’s reputation as a premier research institution delivering solutions that matter.”

Marshall said what sets George �鶹��Ƶ apart is its ability to bring interdisciplinary teams together—engineers, data scientists, policy experts, and security specialists—to tackle the complex challenges facing our nation. “As we engage with initiatives like ISAC and the Golden Dome, we are preparing to shape the next generation of defense technologies, while also training the workforce that will carry them forward,” he said. “This is the type of innovation ecosystem that ensures George �鶹��Ƶ remains a trusted partner to the War Department for years to come.”

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Sit! Stay! Buzz?

Jennifer Pocock — Thu, 29 May 2025 14:56:51 +0000

Sit! Stay! Buzz? Jennifer Pocock Thu, 05/29/2025 - 10:56

These �鶹��Ƶ students are short-circuiting voice commands, dog whistles, and clickers.

Covert Dog Comms Team Leader Paul J. Wyche displays their finished prototype at the Office of Student Creative Activities and Research (OSCAR) Celebration. Photo by John Boal

If you’ve had a puppy, you probably know the patience it takes to train them in basic commands, and it can be a noisy affair involving begging, pleading, and some yelling. Working dogs like those in police and military K9 units need to learn so much more.

Sometimes, they need to obey without hearing a word.

Rescue situations can be chaotic, with so much going on that a command gets lost in the noise. Sometimes, a team of dogs need to hear many different commands, and competing voices are confusing. Other times, operation teams need to go radio silent and any noise at all will give their positions away.

Enter Team Covert Dog Comms. This pack of cybersecurity seniors at George �鶹��Ƶ, all of whom graduated in May, sniffed out a way to direct dogs without barking commands.

Together, they became the dream team that was the envy of anyone who has ever worked on a bad group project—and proof that great leadership combined with a passionate team yields amazing results.

“Working with this team has been a very positive experience. One key factor that made it successful was the balance of specialized skill sets,” said team leader Paul J. Wyche, who also recently spoke at his College of Engineering and Computing graduation. “While some of our backgrounds overlapped, each team member had a distinct area of expertise, allowing us to overcome any obstacle and collaborate effectively.”

Those members were Maxime Bonnaud, who specialized in the vest’s wireless and cryptographic security; Jonathan Perry, who designed the hardware; and AJ Hoepfner, who set up testing standards and regulations, along with assisting Wyche with project management.

“Mostly, what made this team great was good execution on the fundamentals,” said Bonnaud. “Everyone showed up, communicated well, and looked for areas they could work on instead of having to be assigned work.”

The end result was a securely encrypted working prototype of a vest that can be programmed with three different vibrating pattern commands that a dog can be trained to obey. While they were unable to find a working dog to test on, the team tested the vest on themselves and found it to work as intended.

When asked whether the team planned to patent or commercialize the vest, Wyche said that they wouldn’t rule it out. “We haven’t formally discussed commercializing the project. However, if the opportunity arises and we receive the necessary support, we may explore those possibilities.”

Until then, they achieved their goal of making “a fully operational haptic vest that could be refined for real-world use in special operations.”

And that is something to howl about.

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AI4Defense develops DoD-driven smart solutions

Nathan Kahl — Fri, 23 May 2025 11:20:18 +0000

AI4Defense develops DoD-driven smart solutions Nathan Kahl Fri, 05/23/2025 - 07:20

Kammy Sanghera, executive director of global engagements and tech talent development and a professor in the Department of Information Sciences and Technology at �鶹��Ƶ, received a grant from the Griffiss Institute to lead the AI4Defense program—an innovative incubator that empowers high school and early undergraduate students to explore artificial intelligence (AI) applications in national defense.

Funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the grant supports AI4Defense, a month-long, hands-on experience designed to immerse students in real-world problem-solving. Participants collaborate with mission partners—including the Department of Defense (DoD) and agencies such as the Space Force and the Defense Digital Service—to develop AI-driven solutions to national security challenges.

The Griffiss Institute, a leading STEM accelerator for the DoD and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), help expand the program's reach and impact. “A very important element happened last year,” said Sanghera. “DIU joined forces with the same mindset—build the talent pipeline, engage mission partners to solve real-world problems, and use AI to create efficient and secure solutions. These three elements were perfect for the design of the program.”'

Students at the 2024 AI4Defense event. Photo provided.

With support from academic and industry mentors, the program has grown into a public–private partnership that Sanghera and her team aim to scale further this summer. Students not only gain technical and communication skills but also engage in customer discovery—working directly with mission partners to define problems and tailor AI solutions accordingly.

In 2024, one student team developed a proof-of-concept AI agent for the U.S. Air Force to automate the creation of Self-Assessment Checklists (SACs). Traditionally a manual and time-intensive process due to regulatory complexity and frequent updates, the AI solution was able to extract key phrases from regulations and generate relevant questions, significantly improving the speed, accuracy, and consistency of SAC creation.

Sanghera emphasized the program’s multilevel impact: George �鶹��Ƶ undergraduate and graduate students served as mentors to high school participants, gaining leadership experience and exposure to the defense innovation ecosystem.

“Many of our graduate students are international students, so it was also a valuable opportunity to work alongside early undergraduate students and with unclassified data and explore career pathways in the defense sector,” Sanghera said.

The Defense Department strategy for AI adoption. Photo credit Department of Defense.

The program was promoted across Fairfax County, Arlington County, and Loudoun County public schools and culminated in a final symposium. Students pitched their AI solutions to a panel of judges, received feedback, and were recognized with awards. Several teams chose to continue collaborating with their mission partners beyond the summer program.

This year's program began in June, and Sanghera is enthusiastic about the possibilities. “We’re excited to see what creative, impactful solutions students bring forward.”

Associate Professor Mihai Boicu—Co-PI with Sanghera on the AI4Defense initiative—lead efforts to guide students in presenting their work through a continuing research lens. He also oversees the development of peer-reviewed publications based on students’ projects, which will be cataloged as part of the program’s scholarly output and shared broadly to promote AI learning and innovation in future cohorts.

Sanghera and Boicu will continue collaborating with Caitlin Bowers, a Defense Innovation Faculty Fellow at George �鶹��Ƶ. Together, Sanghera’s strategic vision, Boicu’s research expertise, and Bowers’ experience in defense innovation projects form a strong team that will provide students with the opportunity to gain practical skills and apply them to real-world challenges relevant to the defense sector.

In This Story

Kamaljeet Sanghera

Mihai Boicu

Learn more about Research at George �鶹��Ƶ

Topics

U.S. Department of Defense

Research

Artificial Intelligence

K-12 Partnerships

Defense and Security

Chemistry PhD receives U.S. Department of Defense SMART Scholarship

Katarina Benson — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 16:23:09 +0000

Chemistry PhD receives U.S. Department of Defense SMART Scholarship Katarina Benson Mon, 04/14/2025 - 12:23

A'Laura C. Hines, a physical chemistry PhD candidate at �鶹��Ƶ, has been awarded the prestigious U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) SMART Scholarship. The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program provides full tuition, an annual stipend, and a summer internship at a DoD facility.

The program emphasizes hands-on learning and mentorship to prepare scholars for careers in defense technologies after graduation, supporting them with financial resources while they study and gain practical experience.

"It is incredibly humbling to be recognized for my hard work," said Hines, reflecting on the honor. “The offer for full funding allows me to focus on accelerating my research progress.”

For Hines, the comprehensive support offered by the DoD SMART Scholarship was a major draw. In addition to funding her graduate degree, the scholarship guarantees a government civil servant job upon graduation, providing both job security and an exciting career path in the defense sector.

Hines's journey in science began at George �鶹��Ƶ, where she earned her BA in chemistry in 2013. As an undergraduate, Hines spent time researching synthesized cooking oils as an alternative to diesel fuel using mass spectroscopy. She also studied the mechanism of methanol ice formation using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to simulate ice formation in interstellar environments.

Hines in the lab. Photo provided

Currently, as a PhD candidate, Hines is actively involved in George �鶹��Ƶ’s Clayborne Research Group where her graduate research initially focused on nanoscale aluminum clusters using density functional theory (DFT). Inspired by her participation in NASA’s Dragonfly Guest Investigator Program, her current work explores computational studies of molecular co-crystals in astrophysics and astrochemistry.

The Dragonfly Guest Investigator Program facilitated Hines's collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where she participated in a Planetary Science Summer Internship. This program pairs students with NASA scientists to bolster early career opportunities in STEM fields. During her internship, Hines investigated the behavior of complex mixtures of organic and aqueous ices pertinent to Titan's conditions, directly contributing to NASA's exploration objectives.

"The program has been transformative, providing me with hands-on experience and expanding my scientific horizons," said Hines.

Hines said that her George �鶹��Ƶ mentors, including Gerald Weatherspoon, College of Science’s associate dean for undergraduate and graduate student affairs, have been a source of encouragement and inspiration. Her research advisor, acting associate dean of faculty affairs in the college and chemistry professor Andre Clayborne, introduced her to computational chemistry and has been instrumental in helping her understand and explore new areas of research.

Hines offers this advice to aspiring STEM students: "Believe in yourself and follow your dreams. Build connections and seek research opportunities early." She encourages all eligible students to consider applying for the DoD SMART Scholarship.

Looking ahead, she envisions a career as a research scientist, leveraging her experience to continue making discoveries and collaborating with top scientists in her field.

Explore more from George �鶹��Ƶ's College of Science