<![CDATA[Outstanding Employees Honored at Annual Luncheon]]>27469 The following members of the Tech community were honored at the 2026 Faculty and Staff Honors Luncheon on Friday, April 24, in the Exhibition Hall.
Matt T. McDowell Professor and Carter N. Paden Jr. Distinguished Chair College of Engineering
Jiang Zhigang Professor College of Sciences
Young Faculty Award
Cong “Callie” Hao Assistant Professor and ON Semiconductor Junior Professor College of Engineering
Omobolanle Ogunseiju Assistant Professor College of Design
Sustained Research Award
Kostas T. Konstantinidis Richard C. Tucker Professor College of Engineering
Institute Research Awards
Outstanding Achievement in Research Enterprise Enhancement
Anna Osterholm Principal Research Scientist College of Sciences
Outstanding Achievement in Research Innovation Award
Lakshmi “Prasad” Dasi Rozelle Vanda Wesley Professor College of Engineering
Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Advisor Award
Shimeng Yu Professor College of Engineering
Outstanding Achievement in Research Engagement and Outreach Award
Edward Botchwey Professor College of Engineering
Outstanding Achievement in Research Program Development Award
Human Space Exploration Team
Phillip First Professor College of Sciences
Masatoshi Hirabayashi Associate Professor College of Engineering
Brant Jones Senior Research Scientist College of Sciences
Julie Linsey Professor College of Engineering
Peter Loutzenhiser Associate Professor College of Engineering
Thomas Orlando — Team Leader Regents’ Professor College of Sciences
Frances Rivera-Hernandez Assistant Professor College of Sciences
Alvaro Romero-Calvo Assistant Professor College of Engineering
Meisha Shofner Professor College of Engineering
Jiang Zhigang Professor College of Sciences
Outstanding Achievement in Research Program Impact Award
Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (AIM)
Clarence Anthony Workforce Development Manager Enterprise Innovation Institute
John Avery Director Advanced Technology Development Center
Justin Biddle Associate Professor Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
David Bridges Vice President Enterprise Innovation Institute
Zach Brunson Research Engineer I College of Engineering
Matt Carroll Research Coordinator I Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute
Camille Cowans Senior Project Manager Georgia AIM
Donna Ennis Vice President Enterprise Innovation Institute
Steven Ferguson Principal Research Scientist Enterprise Innovation Institute
Chris Gaffney Professor of the Practice College of Engineering
Tasheé Hawkins Program Support Coordinator Enterprise Innovation Institute
Leigh Hopkins Assistant Director Center for Economic Development Research
Paul Joseph Principal Research Scientist Office of Commercialization
Andrew Krejci Project Manager Enterprise Innovation Institute
Thomas Kurfess Executive Director, Agustin A. Ramirez/HUSCO International Distinguished Chair in Fluid Power Systems Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute
Danyelle Larkin Program Director Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing
Kristen Morales Marketing Strategist Georgia AIM
Jennifer Pasley Senior Project Manager Enterprise Innovation Institute
Kyle Saleeby Research Engineer II Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute
Ryan Scott Community Engagement Manager Georgia AIM
Steven Sheffield Senior Assistant Director of Research Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute
Aaron Stebner — Team Leader Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. Chair in Manufacturing College of Engineering
Weston Straka Research Scientist II Institute for Matter and Systems
Stephan Turano Senior Research Engineer Institute for Matter and Systems
Eric Vogel Executive Director, Institute for Materials, and Hightower Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Institute for Matter and Systems
Jarod Weber Research Program Manager Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute
ANAK Awards
Outstanding Staff ANAK Award
Steve Place Campus Sustainability Project Manager Office of Sustainability
Outstanding Faculty ANAK Award
Rebecca Watts Hull Assistant Director, Faculty Development for Sustainability Education Initiatives Center for Teaching and Learning
Staff Awards
Leadership in Action Award
Sirocus Barnes Director of Expanded Learning Programs Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing
One Giant Leap Award
Jason Gregory Institute Landscape Architect Infrastructure and Sustainability
Putting Students First Award
Jake Tompkins Mechanical Engineer III College of Engineering
Service to the Community Award
Mariabelen Romero Traffic, Production, and Analytics Coordinator Institute Communications
Spirit of Georgia Tech Award
Robyn Crutchfield Project Support Specialist Senior Housing and Residence Life
Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans Gender Equity Award
Susan Lozier Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Dean’s Chair College of Sciences
Undergraduate Education Awards
Outstanding Undergraduate Academic Advisor – Primary Role
Kathryn Wilkinson Academic Advisor College of Engineering
Haley Steele Director of Communication, Undergraduate Degree Program in Neuroscience College of Sciences
Complete College Georgia Champion
Beatriz Rodriguez Assistant Dean, Director of Engagement and Operations Ernest Scheller Jr. College of Business
Excellence in High-Impact Practices and Experiential Learning Departmental Award
Gregory D. Durgin Professor College of Engineering
Shanthi Rajaraman Senior Academic Professional Opportunity Research Scholars’ Program
Steven A. Denning Awards for Global Engagement
Denning Faculty Award for Global Engagement
Stéphanie Boulard Director of French Program, Professor of French Literature and Visual Arts Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
Denning Staff Award for Global Engagement
Tara Berry Academic Program Coordinator II College of Computing
Center for Teaching and Learning Awards
Junior Faculty Teaching Excellence Award
Ebenezer Fanijo Assistant Professor College of Design
Lily Turaski Lecturer College of Engineering
Curriculum Innovation Award
Mary Peek Principal Academic Professional College of Sciences
Innovation in Co-Curricular Education Award
Zerrin Ondin-Fraser Research Scientist II College of Design
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award
Kyoko Masuda Professor Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
Teaching Excellence Award in Online Teaching
Danielle Geary Senior Lecturer Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
Undergraduate Educator Award
Tiffiny Hughes-Troutman Professor of the Practice College of Sciences
Faculty Award for Academic Outreach
Shalu Suri Senior Academic Professional College of Engineering
Faculty Honors Committee Awards
Junior Faculty Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award
Farzaneh Najafi Assistant Professor College of Sciences
Senior Faculty Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award
Brian Gunter Associate Professor College of Engineering
Outstanding Lifetime Learning Award
Joel Sokol Director, Master of Science in Analytics, and Harold E. Smalley Professor College of Engineering
Class of 1934 Outstanding Service Award
Dima Nazzal Associate Chair for Academic Administration College of Engineering
Class of 1934 Outstanding Interdisciplinary Activities Award
Jennifer Singh Associate Chair and Associate Professor Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
Class of 1934 Outstanding Innovative Use of Education Technology Award
Rodrigo Borela Valente Lecturer College of Computing
Nimisha Roy Lecturer College of Computing
Class of 1940 W. Roane Beard Outstanding Teacher Award
Ellen Yi Chen Mazumdar Assistant Professor, Woodruff Faculty Fellow College of Engineering
Class of 1940 W. Howard Ector Outstanding Teacher Award
Pamela Pollet Principal Academic Professional College of Sciences
Class of 1934 Distinguished Professor Award
Mark Prausnitz Regents’ Professor and Regents’ Entrepreneur, J. Erskine Love Jr. Chair in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering College of Engineering
]]> Kristen Bailey117770577902026-04-24 19:09:5017770572832026-04-24 19:01:2300newsThe following members of the Tech community were honored at the 2026 Faculty and Staff Honors Luncheon on Friday, April 24.]]>2026-04-24T00:00:00-04:002026-04-24T00:00:00-04:002026-04-24 00:00:00Kristen Bailey Institute Communications]]>680068680069680068image<![CDATA[Employees celebrate at Faculty and Staff Honors Luncheon 2026. Photo by Allison Carter]]> Employees celebrate at Faculty and Staff Honors Luncheon 2026. Photo by Allison Carter]]> image/jpeg17770569002026-04-24 18:55:0017770569002026-04-24 18:55:00680069image<![CDATA[Mark Prausnitz Receives the Class of 1934 Distinguished Professor Award. Photo by Allison Carter]]> Mark Prausnitz Receives the Class of 1934 Distinguished Professor Award. Photo by Allison Carter]]> image/jpeg17770569352026-04-24 18:55:3517770569352026-04-24 18:55:35<![CDATA[Mark Prausnitz Receives Class of 1934 Distinguished Professor Award]]><![CDATA[View More Photos From the Event]]><![CDATA[Student Excellence Celebrated at Honors Event]]>27469 As the academic year nears its end, a season of celebration begins. Several students were recognized for excellence this year at the annual Student Honors Celebration on Thursday, April 23.
The following students were recognized at this year's event:
College of Computing
Donald V. Jackson Fellowship Andrew Flaherty, Grace Kim, Sri Ranganathan Palaniappan
Marshall D. Williamson Fellowship Ansel Erol, Madison Steinau, Ethan Yang
Outstanding Graduate Head Teaching Assistant Award Ghazal Mirzazadeh
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award Nawal Reza
Outstanding Undergraduate Head Teaching Assistant Award Elias Lind
Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Award Joseph Thomas
Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
Academic Excellence Award for Graduating Students – Economics Nidhi Reddy
Academic Excellence Award for Graduating Students – History and Sociology Cate Gemmell
Academic Excellence Award for Graduating Students – International Affairs Iris Allgrove
Academic Excellence Award for Graduating Students – Literature, Media, and Communication Sanika Tank
Academic Excellence Award for Graduating Students – Modern Languages Wesley Lanter
Academic Excellence Award for Graduating Students – Public Policy Alison Eltz
College of Design
School of Architecture
AIA Medal for Academic Excellence Elisabeth Walker
Alpha Rho Chi Medal Nour Khalifa
School of City and Regional Planning
AICP Outstanding Student Award Nick Albrinck
School of Industrial Design
Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) Student Merit Award Ebube Maduka-Ugwu (Graduate), Adam Saint-Jacques (Undergraduate)
Scheller College of Business
Dow Chemical-P.C. McCutcheon Prize for Outstanding Student Achievement in Business John “Ryan” Halligan
Jennifer R. and Charles B. Rewis Award for Student Excellence in Accounting Jorge Castaneda Perez, Mallory Maples
John R. Battle Award for Student Excellence Victor Huang, Kai Lewis
College of Sciences
The School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Quarter Century Award Sophia Buettner, Daniel Lamprea, Rowan Ray, Claire Riggs
The School of Chemistry and Biochemistry Arduengo Award Arya Akbarshahi, Ryan Wiebold
The School of Psychology Moll Davenport Award Kate Cole
Metha Phingbodhipakkiya Memorial Scholarship Nick Elidor
A. Joyce Nickelson and John C. Sutherland Prize Carlos Marcio De Oliveira E Silva Filho
Roger M. Wartell and Stephen E. Brossette Award Sara Dixon, Nikhita Subramaniarao
Robert A. Pierotti Memorial Scholarship Zachary Beddingfield, Kate Cole, Kathleen “Katie” Griffin
College of Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace Engineering Outstanding Senior Scholar Award Alexander Payne
Donnell W. Dutton Outstanding Senior in Aerospace Engineering Award Isabel Botelho
Biomedical Engineering
G.D. Jain Outstanding Senior in Biomedical Engineering Award Neha Shahrawat
Outstanding Academic Achievement in Biomedical Engineering Award Inho Lee
S.K. Jain Outstanding Research Award in Biomedical Engineering Saif Khan
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Chair’s Award — Outstanding Chemical and Biomolecular Junior Hannah Reynolds
Chair’s Award — Outstanding Chemical and Biomolecular Senior Rohan Datta
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Buck Stith Outstanding Junior Award in Civil Engineering Juliette Bolte
Buck Stith Outstanding Junior Award in Environmental Engineering Sarah Moreno Amezquita
Buck Stith Outstanding Senior Award in Civil and Environmental Engineering Phoebe Ellis
School Chair’s Outstanding Senior Award in Civil Engineering Sean Kirby
School Chair’s Outstanding Senior Award in Environmental Engineering Bahar Banihashemi
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering Undergraduate Research Award Aparupa Brahma
Electrical Engineering Undergraduate Research Award Carlton Cort
Outstanding Computer Engineering Senior Award Aparupa Brahma
Outstanding Electrical Engineering Senior Award Carlton Cort
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Alpha Pi Mu Academic Excellence Award Yubin Kim
Evelyn Pennington Outstanding Service Award Phong Nguyen
Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers Excellence in Leadership Award Sujan Ganesh Kumar
Materials Science and Engineering
Polymer, Fiber, and Textile Materials (AATCC) Distinguished Senior Award Vikas Muralidharan
School of Materials Science and Engineering Outstanding Senior Award Jeremy Knight, Marissa Reichelscheimer
Mechanical Engineering
George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Scholar Award Aleksandar Bošković
George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering School Chair’s Award Vijay Sreenivasan
Richard K. Whitehead Jr. Memorial Awards Owen Gil, Massimiliano Iaschi, Aastha Singh, Olivia Trask, Tarun Vinodkumar
Nuclear and Radiological Engineering
George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering Chair’s Award in Nuclear and Radiological Engineering Colin Gold
College-Wide Awards
College of Engineering Honors Day Awards William “Alex” Abraham, Ansley Cheng, Sierra Czubaj, Martin Jaramillo Feijoo, Kate Hennigan, Felipe Martins, Advaith Menon, Paul Pelkowski, Khue Phan, Jackson Stahl, Jared Weitkamp
Helen Grenga Outstanding Engineer Award Haasa Gaddipati
Davidson Family Tau Beta Pi Senior Engineering Award Michael Silas
Institute Awards
Alvin M. Ferst Leadership and Entrepreneur Scholarship Award Samantha Bolton, Atharva Amit Lele
Communication Center Assistant of the Year Award Lillian Ayala
Jordan Lockwood Peer Tutor of the Year Award Julia Artigue
John H. Martinson Honors Program Outstanding Student Award Jessica Dasilva Bonet, Esha Venkat
Georgia Tech Women’s Club Scholarships Charlotte Marie Cooper, Sania Ali Chaudhary, Jailyn Davila, Makaylah Deshield, Clear Holley, Isabel O’Connell
Outstanding Tutor Award Javanith Wangsiriwech
Outstanding PLUS Leader Award Marin Alter
Outstanding Learning Assistant Award Egan Mejia
The University System of Georgia (USG) Academic Recognition Award Elliot Huang
Provost’s Academic Excellence Award Carlton Cort, Elliot Huang, Nour Khalifa, Margaret Wei
Love Family Foundation Award Caleb Adams, Marielle Frooman
]]> Kristen Bailey117769918122026-04-24 00:50:1217770567942026-04-24 18:53:1400newsAs the academic year nears its end, a season of celebration begins. Several students were recognized for excellence this year at the annual Student Honors Celebration on Thursday, April 23. ]]>2026-04-23T00:00:00-04:002026-04-23T00:00:00-04:002026-04-23 00:00:00Kristen Bailey
Institute Communications
]]>680067680065680066680052680067image<![CDATA[Student Honors Celebration 2026. Photo by Joya Chapman.]]> Student Honors Celebration 2026. Photo by Joya Chapman.]]> image/jpeg17770567362026-04-24 18:52:1617770567362026-04-24 18:52:16680065image<![CDATA[Student Honors Celebration 2026. Caleb Adams Received Love Award. Photo by Joya Chapman.]]> Student Honors Celebration 2026. Caleb Adams Received Love Family Foundation Award. Photo by Joya Chapman.]]> image/jpeg17770565972026-04-24 18:49:5717770565972026-04-24 18:49:57680066image<![CDATA[Student Honors Celebration 2026. Marielle Frooman Received Love Family Foundation Award. Photo by Joya Chapman.]]> Student Honors Celebration 2026. Marielle Frooman Received Love Family Foundation Award. Photo by Joya Chapman.]]> image/jpeg17770566852026-04-24 18:51:2517770566852026-04-24 18:51:25680052image<![CDATA[Student Honors Celebration 2026]]> Student Honors Celebration 2026]]> image/jpeg17770367852026-04-24 13:19:4517770367852026-04-24 13:19:45<![CDATA[Two Paths, One Honor: Meet the 2026 Love Family Foundation Award Winners]]><![CDATA[What’s the Shape of the Universe? Mathematicians Use Topology to Study the Shape of the World and Everything in it]]>27469
When you look at your surrounding environment, it might seem like you’re living on a flat plane. After all, this is why you can navigate a new city using a map: a flat piece of paper that represents all the places around you. This is likely why some people in the past believed the earth to be flat. But most people now know that is far from the truth.
You live on the surface of a giant sphere, like a beach ball the size of the Earth with a few bumps added. The surface of the sphere and the plane are two possible 2D spaces, meaning you can walk in two directions: north and south or east and west.
What other possible spaces might you be living on? That is, what other spaces around you are 2D? For example, the surface of a giant doughnut is another 2D space.
When you look around the universe you live in, it looks like a 3D space, just like the surface of the Earth looks like a 2D space. However, just like the Earth, if you were to look at the universe as a whole, it could be a more complicated space, like a giant 3D version of the 2D beach ball surface or something even more exotic than that.
While you don’t need topology to determine that you are living on something like a giant beach ball, knowing all the possible 2D spaces can be useful. Over a century ago, mathematicians figured out all the possible 2D spaces and many of their properties.
In the past several decades, mathematicians have learned a lot about all of the possible 3D spaces. While we do not have a complete understanding like we do for 2D spaces, we do know a lot. With this knowledge, physicists and astronomers can try to determine what 3D space people actually live in.
While the answer is not completely known, there are many intriguing and surprising possibilities. The options become even more complicated if you consider time as a dimension.
To see how this might work, note that to describe the location of something in space – say a comet – you need four numbers: three to describe its position and one to describe the time it is in that position. These four numbers are what make up a 4D space.
Now, you can consider what 4D spaces are possible and in which of those spaces do you live.
Topology in Higher Dimensions
At this point, it may seem like there is no reason to consider spaces that have dimensions larger than four, since that is the highest imaginable dimension that might describe our universe. But a branch of physics called string theory suggests that the universe has many more dimensions than four.
There are also practical applications of thinking about higher dimensional spaces, such as robot motion planning. Suppose you are trying to understand the motion of three robots moving around a factory floor in a warehouse. You can put a grid on the floor and describe the position of each robot by their x and y coordinates on the grid. Since each of the three robots requires two coordinates, you will need six numbers to describe all of the possible positions of the robots. You can interpret the possible positions of the robots as a 6D space.
As the number of robots increases, the dimension of the space increases. Factoring in other useful information, such as the locations of obstacles, makes the space even more complicated. In order to study this problem, you need to study high-dimensional spaces.
Another type of problem topologists study is how one space can sit inside another.
For example, if you hold a knotted loop of string, then we have a 1D space (the loop of string) inside a 3D space (your room). Such loops are called mathematical knots.
The study of knots first grew out of physics but has become a central area of topology. They are essential to how scientists understand 3D and 4D spaces and have a delightful and subtle structure that researchers are still trying to understand.
Topology is currently useful in science and engineering. Unraveling more mysteries of spaces in all dimensions will be invaluable to understanding the world in which we live and solving real-world problems.
]]> Kristen Bailey117407525552025-02-28 14:22:3517770558522026-04-24 18:37:3200newsWhether trying to design secure sensor networks, mine data or use origami to deploy satellites, the underlying language and ideas are likely to be that of topology.]]>2025-02-28T00:00:00-05:002025-02-28T00:00:00-05:002025-02-28 00:00:00Author:
John Etnyre, Professor of Mathematics, Georgia Institute of Technology
]]>676431676431image<![CDATA[You can describe the shape you live on in multiple dimensions. vkulieva/iStock via Getty Images Plus]]> You can describe the shape you live on in multiple dimensions. vkulieva/iStock via Getty Images Plus]]> image/jpeg17407705322025-02-28 19:22:1217407705322025-02-28 19:22:12<![CDATA[Read This Article on The Conversation]]><![CDATA[Georgia Tech Researchers Use Statistics and Math to Understand How The Brain Works]]>35575 Nothing rivals the human brain’s complexity. Its 86 billion neurons and 85 billion other cells make an estimated 100 trillion connections. If the brain were a computer, it would perform an exaflop (a billion-billion) mathematical calculations every second and use the equivalent of only 20 watts of power. As impressive as the brain is, neurologists can’t fully explain how neurons work together.
To help find answers, researchers at the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS) are using math, data, and AI to unlock the secrets of thought. Together they are helping turn the brain’s raw electrical “noise” into real insights about how people think, move, and perceive the world.
Fair warning: Prepare your neurons for the complexity of this brain research ahead.
Building AI Like a Brain
What if artificial neurons in AI programs were arranged as they are in the brain?
AI programs would then help us understand why the brain is organized the way it is. This neuro-AI synthesis would also work faster, use less energy, and be easier to interpret. Creating such systems is the goal of Apurva Ratan Murty, an assistant professor of Psychology who is creating topographic AI models like the one above of three domains — vision, audition, and language inspired by the brain. In the near future, he predicts doctors might be able to use these patterns to predict the effects of brain lesions and other disorders. “We’re not there yet,” he says. “But our work brings us significantly closer to that future than ever before.”
Computing Thought and Movement
How cats walk keeps Chethan Pandarinath on his toes. This biomedical engineer uses sensors to analyze how two sets of feline leg muscles — flexors and extensors — are controlled by the spinal cord. Understanding how that happens could help patients partially paralyzed from spinal cord injuries, strokes, or progressive neuro-degenerative diseases get back on their feet again. “My lab is using AI tools that allow us to turn complex spinal cord activity data into something we can interpret. It tells us there’s a simple underlying structure behind the complex activity patterns,” says the associate professor.
Revealing the Brain’s Spike Patterns
“The brain is like a symphony conductor,” says Simon Sponberg. “Individual instruments have some independent control, but most of the music comes from the brain’s precise coordination of notes among the different players in the body.” This physics professor studies the fantastically fast-beating wings of the hummingbird-sized hawk moth (Manduca sexta). Its agile flight movement comes as a result of spikes in electrical activity in 10 muscles. Sponberg found something that surprised him — the brain focuses less on creating the number of spikes than in orchestrating their precise patterns over time. To Sponberg, every millisecond matters. “We are just beginning to understand how the nervous system first acquires precisely timed spiking patterns during development,” he says.
Predicting Decisions Through Statistics
Put a mouse in a maze with food far away, and it will learn to find it. But life for mice — and people — isn’t so simple. Sometimes they want to explore, only want water, or just want to go home. What’s more, animals make decisions based on their history, not just on how they feel at the moment. To dig deeper into the decision-making process, Anqi Wu, an assistant professor in the School of Computational Science and Engineering, is giving mice more options. By using a new computational framework called SWIRL (Switching Inverse Reinforcement Learning), her findings have outperformed models that fail to take historical behavior into account. “We’re seeking to understand not only animal behavior but also human behavior to gain insight into the human decision-making process over a long period of time,” she says.
Modeling the Mind’s Wiring With Math
Connectivity shapes cognition in the cerebral cortex, a layered structure in the brain. The visual cortex, in particular, processes visual data from the retina relayed through the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (LGN) in the thalamus, and directs it to the correct cognitive domain in the brain. How it does this is the mystery that computational neuroscientist Hannah Choi wants to solve. “The big question I’m interested in is how network connectivity patterns in the architecture of the LGN are related to computations,” says this assistant math professor. To find answers, she shows mice repeated image patterns such as flower-cat-dog-house and then disrupts the pattern. The goal? To grasp how the thalamus’s nonlinear dynamical system works. If scientists and doctors better understand how brain regions are wired together, such knowledge could lead to better disease treatment.
This story was originally published through the Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine. Read the original publication here.
]]> adavidson38117757462602026-04-09 14:51:0017770557032026-04-24 18:35:0300newsResearchers at Georgia Tech are using math, science, and artificial intelligence to better understand how people think, move, and perceive the world.]]>2026-04-09T00:00:00-04:002026-04-09T00:00:00-04:002026-04-09 00:00:00Writer: George Spencer
]]>679908679903679904679906679905679907679908image<![CDATA[AdobeStock_506880018.jpeg]]> Researchers at Georgia Tech are using math, science, and artificial intelligence to better understand how people think, move, and perceive the world.]]> image/jpeg17757479102026-04-09 15:18:3017757479102026-04-09 15:18:30679903image<![CDATA[Brain-Data-New-480x3301.jpg]]>Caption: This image shows a topographic vision model trained to have a brain-like organization.]]> image/jpeg17757463942026-04-09 14:53:1417757463942026-04-09 14:53:14679904image<![CDATA[Chethan-480x330.jpg]]>Caption: This shows how spinal cord activity guides transitions in muscle output for extensor muscles.]]> image/jpeg17757464652026-04-09 14:54:2517757464652026-04-09 14:54:25679906image<![CDATA[new_figure-480x330.jpg]]>Caption: This shows how mice behave differently when they are pursuing different goals. ]]> image/jpeg17757465632026-04-09 14:56:0317757465632026-04-09 14:56:03679905image<![CDATA[Brain-Data-Sponberg-480x330.jpg]]>Caption: This shows the spike patterns of a hawk moth. Motor systems use spike codes to control motor output.]]> image/jpeg17757465082026-04-09 14:55:0817757465082026-04-09 14:55:08679907image<![CDATA[GaTech_Brain-Data_Hannanh-Choi_480x330.jpg]]>Caption: This shows how visual data from the retina is directed to the correct cognitive domain in the brain through a region of the visual cortex.]]> image/jpeg17757466052026-04-09 14:56:4517757466052026-04-09 14:56:45<![CDATA[Georgia Tech Uses Computing and Engineering Methods to Shift Neuroscience Paradigms]]><![CDATA[Head to Toe: Georgia Tech Researchers Treat the Entire Human Body Through Neuroscience Research]]><![CDATA[Better Brain-Machine Interfaces Could Allow the Paralyzed to Communicate Again]]><![CDATA[Taylor Witte Named Georgia Tech’s First Truman Scholar in 17 Years ]]>36773 Georgia Tech student Taylor Witte has been named a 2026 Harry S. Truman Scholar, earning the nation’s premier fellowship for undergraduates pursuing careers as public service leaders. A third-year economics and mathematics major and Stamps President’s Scholar, she is Georgia Tech’s first Truman Scholar in 17 years.
The Truman Scholarship is awarded annually to a select group of students nationwide who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential, academic excellence, and an enduring commitment to making a difference. Named after President Harry S. Truman, the scholarship supports students in their graduate education and careers addressing society’s most pressing challenges.
“Taylor exemplifies the kind of leader we strive to develop,” said Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera. “Her commitment to strengthening public institutions reflects our motto of Progress and Service. Her selection as a Truman Scholar, one of the nation’s most prestigious fellowships for public service, is an exceptional achievement, and we are incredibly proud of her.”
A Commitment to Rebuilding Trust in Public Institutions
Witte, who hails from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, is pursuing dual bachelor’s degrees while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She balances an ambitious academic load with dedicated involvement in campus leadership, undergraduate research, and national public service experiences.
Motivated by the erosion of trust in American public institutions, Witte aims to strengthen government decision-making through rigorous economic analysis, transparent data practices, and effective regulation. Instead of viewing public trust as just another policy area, Witte sees it as the very foundation upon which all governance rests.
“While several social issues, from the climate crisis to criminal justice, demand our attention,” she explains, “our ability to tackle these challenges is only as strong as our collective faith in the institutions meant to do so. Responsible data stewardship is the first step to ensuring that communities see themselves represented in the policies that shape their lives.”
That philosophy was shaped in part by her work at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, where she served as a statistics and data management intern in 2025. The experience reinforced her belief that sound regulation, grounded in high-quality evidence and community realities, is essential to restoring confidence in government.
It’s a perspective that also guides her long-term goals. As a Truman Scholar, Witte plans to pursue a joint J.D. and Ph.D. in economics. She hopes to work in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, specifically the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, where economic analysis and regulatory oversight intersect.
Leadership at Georgia Tech and Beyond
Witte’s leadership record at Georgia Tech is extensive. She has served as an advisor for the Seek Discomfort First-Year Leadership Organization and is currently a justice on the Undergraduate Judiciary Committee within Georgia Tech’s Student Government Association.
She has also played a key role in institutional service and advocacy. As an ambassador for the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, Witte helps lead Shadow Day, the College’s largest outreach event for prospective students. Previously, she sat on the Ivan Allen College Advisory Board and is now the sole undergraduate member of the School of Economics Chair Search Committee.
In addition, Witte has helped oversee the Georgia Tech Stamps Summit as conference chair, building intellectual community among fellow scholars committed to leadership and service.
Chaffee Viets, executive director of the Office of Scholar Programs, notes that Witte’s leadership is defined as much by reflection as ambition.
“Taylor is a thinker,” Viets said. "Someone who asks the same questions of herself that she might ask of society: How is this path I am on going to lead to real impact? In her answers, I see deliberative leadership and extraordinary potential.”
Bridging Liberal Arts and Technical Education
As a liberal arts student at a leading technical institute, Witte has made it a personal mission to demonstrate the essential role of economics, public policy, and the humanities in shaping technological innovation and governance. She currently serves as a teaching assistant in the School of Mathematics, one of only a handful of liberal arts majors among a large cohort, where she works to make complex mathematical concepts accessible and applicable for all her students.
“In everything I do on campus, I want to show that liberal arts majors can learn alongside STEM-focused students, and also lead among them and contribute meaningfully to the Institute’s mission of advancing technology and improving the human condition,” she said. “My experiences at Tech have left me better prepared to navigate a public-sector career in an increasingly technical world.”
Looking ahead, Witte remains focused on the long-term work of strengthening democratic institutions.
“To say we are navigating difficult and uncertain times would be an understatement,” she says. “But the most powerful force in this moment is one within our control: our collective decision to believe in the institutions we build, and to demand that they rise to meet us. It’s our choice to make.”
]]> choward85117770357002026-04-24 13:01:4017770553402026-04-24 18:29:0000newsA third-year economics and mathematics major and Stamps President’s Scholar, Taylor Witte has earned one of the nation's top honors for emerging public service leaders.]]>2026-04-24T00:00:00-04:002026-04-24T00:00:00-04:002026-04-24 00:00:00Prestigious Fellowships Advising fellowshipsadvising@gatech.edu]]>680050680051680050image<![CDATA[2026 Truman Scholar with Georgia Tech's President and Provost]]>image/jpeg17770357922026-04-24 13:03:1217770357922026-04-24 13:03:12680051image<![CDATA[Truman Scholar with Assistant Director, Prestigious Fellowships]]> Assistant Director of Prestigious Fellowships Georgia Brunner (left) and 2026 Truman Scholar Taylor Witte.]]> image/jpeg17770357922026-04-24 13:03:1217770357922026-04-24 13:03:12<![CDATA[Prestigious Fellowships Advising]]><![CDATA[Office of Undergraduate Education & Student Success]]><![CDATA[What Not to Wear: Commencement Edition … and Other Tips for Your Graduation Day]]>27469 With Commencement right around the corner, many of you already know what you’re going to wear. Some of you may have planned your outfits months ago. Hopefully you've at least taken your regalia out of the plastic to let the wrinkles fall out.
There is no official Commencement dress code, but for those who are still scrambling for picture-perfect attire, here are some practical tips to help dress and prep for the big day.
Spring 2026 Commencement is a rain or shine event. Graduates and guests are advised to monitor the weather forecast and dress as needed. Each ceremony is expected to last between one to two and a half hours. For directions between venues throughout the weekend, visit the Georgia Tech map.
Leave bags at home. If you must have a bag, make it clear. Commencement events at both Bobby Dodd Stadium and McCamish Pavilion are subject to the venue’s clear bag policy. See the full policy at ramblinwreck.com/clearbag.
Travel light. This will save you the hassle of carrying a bag at all or leaving your bag at bag valet. If you’re wearing a dress or skirt, try to find one with pockets to carry small items such as keys or your phone.
Dress comfortably. You may be at the event for up to three and a half hours. The event will be a combination of standing and sitting, so make sure you’re dressed comfortably enough for both. Consider light layers depending on the weather.
Bachelor’s and Ph.D. graduates will process in front of the stage as their names are called, so be sure you can walk in your shoes. If you’re wearing pants, consider lighter colors to contrast with your regalia. If you’re planning to wear heels, consult the “Don’t wear new shoes” section, and consider a low heel (and that you’ll be walking on uneven turf or flooring).
Suggest that your guests dress business casual. Although there is no dress code, many guests like to dress up for this special day. Parents and alumni can often be seen donning Tech colors and gear, and sometimes international guests wear their country’s traditional dress clothes. Tell them about the clear bag entry policy so they, too, can plan accordingly.
Whatever you choose to wear, the photos you take will be around for a while, so pick something you won’t mind seeing a few years down the road. When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with white and gold.
Commencement Dress DON’Ts:
Don’t think that because you’re wearing a robe, it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing underneath. Throughout the day, you’ll be taking numerous photos, and you may at some point want to take off your regalia.
Don’t wear new shoes. Commencement is not the day to break in new shoes. Another tip: Don’t wear high heels if you are not used to walking in them. On your walk across the stage, you should be focusing on the moment you’ve been waiting for during the past four (or five) years, not worrying about tripping.
Don’t spend too much time styling your hair. Keep in mind you’ll be wearing a graduation cap for a few hours. If you’re planning an elaborate hairstyle, try it out with your cap before graduation day to make sure that the cap still sits properly. Bobby pins can help to secure your cap if it feels loose.
Don’t make your mortarboard too epic. Remember that someone has to sit behind you, and if you adorn your cap with anything 3D, try to keep it no more than an inch or two off the board.
Don’t forget your regalia. Make sure you have your cap, gown, tassel, cords, and stole (and hood, for graduate students). There will not be extras at the venue, and regalia is required for participating in Commencement. And, don’t wait until Commencement day to unwrap it. Take it out of the plastic, make sure you have it all, and hang it up to let some of the wrinkles fall out. If you’re feeling ambitious, give it a steam.
Other Commencement Tips:
Set an alarm, especially for morning ceremonies. Doors will open one hour before the start of the ceremony. Graduates should report to the venue 45 minutes before the ceremony starts. Set your alarm and have a buddy system to make sure you wake up. (See the full Commencement schedule.)
Charge your phone. Bachelor’s and Ph.D. graduates will scan a virtual name card (StagePass) as they walk to the stage to have their names called, and you will want to find family members after the ceremony. Master’s graduates will scan their StagePass during their college ceremony. Bring a phone with a full charge. Pro tip: Take a screenshot of your StagePass before you arrive. Better yet, print your StagePass and never worry about your phone’s battery life.
Stay hydrated and take a bathroom break before you arrive. Try to be well-rested, fed, hydrated, and prepared to sit through the ceremony.
Plan where to meet your guests after the ceremony. For bachelor’s and master’s graduates, there is no formal procession in or out of the venue. Suggest a specific meeting spot beforehand, ideally a bit away from the venue, to ensure you are not lost in the crowd and can find family members to reunite easily.
Most importantly, remember to enjoy the day and reflect on all that you’ve achieved at Georgia Tech. Congratulations, graduates!
]]> Kristen Bailey114931441702017-04-25 18:16:1017770549072026-04-24 18:21:4700newsFor those still scrambling for the picture-perfect Commencement attire, here are some helpful tips.]]>2026-04-13T00:00:00-04:002026-04-13T00:00:00-04:002026-04-13 00:00:00For more information about Commencement, including parking, maps, and ticket instructions, visit commencement.gatech.edu.]]>Kristen Bailey Institute Communications
]]><![CDATA[Commencement Website]]><![CDATA[Venue Information]]><![CDATA[Deadline Extended for Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act ]]>27164
The U.S. Department of Justice recently extended the compliance deadline for Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) digital accessibility requirements by one year. The new deadline to meet the WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements is April 26, 2027.
“While this provides additional time, it does not change the Institute’s commitment to ensuring that Georgia Tech’s digital environment is accessible to everyone and aligned with federal requirements,” said Jarmon DeSadier, vice president for Equal Opportunity, Compliance, and Conflict Management. “The Institute will continue to move forward in advancing accessibility as a core principle of how we design, build, and manage our digital presence.”
Over the past several months, teams across Georgia Tech have made meaningful progress in laying the groundwork for sustainable compliance. This includes launching a centralized digital accessibility website with guidance and resources, delivering training to build campus capability, establishing a comprehensive inventory of web assets to clarify ownership and accountability, and implementing enterprise tools to identify and address accessibility issues. Work is also underway to expand document remediation capabilities to support improvements across instructional and web content.
In addition, Georgia Tech is advancing a new web governance framework to provide the structure and standards needed to sustain this work over time. Together, these efforts ensure that accessibility is not a one-time initiative, but an integrated, ongoing responsibility shared by all community members.
Looking ahead, the Institute will continue to build on this foundation — expanding services, strengthening support, and accelerating remediation across websites, applications, and learning materials. The goal is long-term, sustainable compliance and a digital environment that works for everyone.
]]> Rachael Pocklington117769673212026-04-23 18:02:0117769687022026-04-23 18:25:0200newsThe U.S. Department of Justice recently extended the compliance deadline for Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) digital accessibility requirements by one year. The new deadline to meet the WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements is April 26, 2027. ]]>2026-04-23T00:00:00-04:002026-04-23T00:00:00-04:002026-04-23 00:00:00Rachael Pocklington Institute Communications]]>680048680048image<![CDATA[Digital-Accessibility-Keyboard.jpg]]>image/jpeg17769686232026-04-23 18:23:4317769686232026-04-23 18:23:43<![CDATA[Digital Accessibility at Georgia Tech]]><![CDATA[Andrés García Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences]]>36479 Georgia Tech researcher Andrés García has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, joining an honorary society that includes Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Albert Einstein, and Martin Luther King Jr.
The Academy recognizes leaders across fields of study who have addressed humanity’s greatest challenges while also gathering knowledge to advance learning and the public good. This year’s class of 252 honorees was elected in academia, the arts, industry, journalism, philanthropy, policy, research, and science.
“I am inspired to find engineering solutions to serious health conditions to help people,” he said. “As a kid, I developed a musculoskeletal condition that required biomaterial devices to treat. Although imperfect, this treatment allowed me to lead a normal life.”
Moved by his personal experience, García’s research centers on cellular and tissue engineering, which integrate biological and engineering principles to restore organ function lost to injury or disease. By studying how cells interact with the materials around them, he and his team have engineered biomaterials for the controlled delivery of therapeutic proteins and cells that enhance tissue regeneration, which could speed the healing process for patients.
His future work will integrate biomaterials with lab‑grown replicas of human organs, known as organoids, that can be used to identify new therapies for a variety of human diseases. These organoids, though smaller and simpler than true organs, can mimic key functions that may help García and his team to find better ways to repair damaged tissues.
García has spent the past 27 years at Georgia Tech and carries on the legacy of another Academy member — the Petit Institute’s founding executive director Robert Nerem, who was inducted in 1998. García credits his success to the support of his loved ones and the Yellow Jacket community.
“I am deeply honored and humbled,” he said. “This award is only possible by the unending love and support of family, friends and mentors, my phenomenal past and present trainees, fantastic collaborators, and awesome ecosystem at Georgia Tech.”
The Academy was chartered in 1780 during the American Revolution by a group that included John Adams and John Hancock. It was established to recognize accomplished individuals and engage them in addressing the greatest challenges facing the young republic.
García and the rest of this year’s class, which includes actor Jodie Foster, will be inducted in October.
]]> abowman41117768829452026-04-22 18:35:4517769578272026-04-23 15:23:4700newsGeorgia Tech researcher Andrés García has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, joining an honorary society that includes Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Albert Einstein, and Martin Luther King Jr. ]]>2026-04-22T00:00:00-04:002026-04-22T00:00:00-04:002026-04-22 00:00:00Ashlie Bowman Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience Georgia Tech
]]>680035680035image<![CDATA[Andrés J. García]]> Andrés J. García]]> image/jpeg17768829542026-04-22 18:35:5417769481692026-04-23 12:42:49<![CDATA[Georgia Tech Graduate Brings Culinary Flair to ‘MasterChef’ ]]>36418
Daniel Meng, BA 2025, was 8 years old when he started cooking. His fried rice recipe was simple — rice and eggs — but it was enough to fill him up while his parents were at work, and it lit a fire in him that would eventually lead him to the MasterChef kitchen to compete among the best home cooks in the country.
What began as a necessity for the Johns Creek, Georgia, native became a passion that he wanted to share with others. As he honed his skills in the kitchen, Daniel hosted dinner parties for friends and started a culinary club at his high school. When he arrived at Georgia Tech, he wanted to continue sharing his expertise, so he created CHEFS at Tech, a student organization that hosts cooking workshops, grocery trips, and restaurant outings.
“Cooking is one of the most important skills you can have, and that’s not something they teach you in school, so I wanted to fill that gap. Then, I started creating content on social media because I wanted to share my love for food and teach the world how to cook,” he said.
Embracing the “global gauntlet” theme of the 16th season of Fox’s culinary reality show, Daniel showcased his Asian fusion cooking style, impressing the judges — Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich, and Tiffany Derry — with his take on Mapo tofu, a Sichuan-spiced dish that he fused with ravioli.
“That was better than some of the pasta I’ve had in Italy,” Ramsay said after tasting Meng’s dish.
Like preparing for a final exam at Tech, Daniel prepared extensively for his audition, helping him stay composed under the bright lights.
“Tech taught me to work under heavy pressure because you’re surrounded by so many hardworking students,” he said. “When you're in that kitchen, not only is the audience watching you, but the whole world's going to be watching you, so there's a lot of weight on your shoulders. But I knew I was ready because I was so focused, and this moment meant everything to me.”
Able to execute his vision for the dish and take on Ramsay’s challenge of doing pushups in the kitchen, Daniel earned an apron to secure his spot in the competition. The feedback from the three culinary experts gave Daniel the added confidence of knowing he can compete with the best, but it’s the memories of cooking alongside his mother and sharing his food with friends and family that continue to push him.
"From when I was a kid up until now, watching my parents enjoy my food means everything to me. In the MasterChef kitchen, the stage got bigger, but that feeling never changed. Cooking has always been how I show people I care. That doesn’t go away, whether I’m cooking for my parents or Gordon Ramsay,” he said.
When he’s not competing, Daniel shares dishes on his social channels as a food content creator. From his Hainanese chicken and rice recipe to showing how he cooked for 70 of his fraternity brothers at Tech, Daniel wants his channel (@mengseats) to be a source of entertainment, education, and inspiration for those looking to elevate their skills in the kitchen.
While his dishes vary in complexity, his favorites are those that remind him of his childhood, and he continues to iterate on his fried rice — both in technique and ingredients. A message he shares, particularly with college students, is that adding simple proteins and fresh vegetables to dishes like rice or ramen noodles can significantly boost nutritional value, enhance satiety, and broaden their palate.
Follow Daniel’s MasterChef journey on Fox every Wednesday at 8 p.m. EDT and stream the next day on Hulu.
]]> sgagliano3117769063742026-04-23 01:06:1417769070552026-04-23 01:17:3500newsContent creatorDaniel Meng has been cooking since he was eight years old, and he’s ready to share his skills in one of television's biggest culinary competitions. ]]>2026-04-22T00:00:00-04:002026-04-22T00:00:00-04:002026-04-22 00:00:00Steven Gagliano Institute Communications ]]>680037680037image<![CDATA[Daniel Meng]]> Georgia Tech graduate Daniel Meng competing in the MasterChef kitchen. Photo courtesy Fox/MasterChef.]]> image/png17769068372026-04-23 01:13:5717769068372026-04-23 01:13:57<![CDATA[Traffic to Increase During Weekend Concerts ]]>27469 Georgia Tech community members should plan for increased traffic near Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field later this week as the Institute prepares to host two Bruno Mars concerts.
Event load-in will take place throughout the week. Intermittent delays and closures are expected along Bobby Dodd Way (between Techwood Drive and Fowler Street) and Fowler Street (between Bobby Dodd Way and Fourth Street).
Beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, April 24, more significant closures will be in effect through the weekend. Techwood Drive will be closed from Bobby Dodd Way to North Avenue through Sunday following the concert.
Additionally, North Avenue will be closed between Techwood Drive and Luckie Street from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26. Fowler Street between Fourth and Fifth streets will be limited to parking pass holders accessing Peters Parking Deck.
Be sure to allow extra travel time, use alternate routes, and remain alert to changing traffic patterns in the area.
Transportation Changes
Friday, April 24
Red Route Stinger will detour beginning at 5:30 p.m. (see map).
Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26
Weekend Atlantic and Midtown Stinger routes will operate from 8 a.m. to noon. Buses will be labeled “charter” in the TransLoc app.
Weekend Gold, Red, and Blue Stinger routes will not operate.
Stingerette Nighttime Safety Service will not operate during the concerts and will resume once roads reopen.
The following parking areas will be closed to permit holders to accommodate concert parking:
Thursday, April 23, at 5 p.m., through Monday, April 27, at 8 a.m.
E44: Lyman Hall Lot
ER51: Fowler Street from Fourth Street to Bobby Dodd Way
Saturday, April 25, at 8 a.m., through Monday, April 27, at 8 a.m.
ER51: Fowler Street from Fifth Street to Fourth Street
ER51: Techwood Drive from Fourth Street to Bobby Dodd Way
E45: Tech Tower
E46: Burge Deck
E48: Wardlaw Center
E49: Alumni Lot
E52: Peters Deck
E63: O’Keefe Lot
E65: McCamish Pavilion
ER55: Sixth Street to Fifth Street
W01: Tech Parkway
Alternative parking will be available to permit holders beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, April 24, at the following locations:
E70: GTRI Deck
ER66: Family Housing Deck
W06: Tech Parkway
W21: Physics/Boggs/Mason
W31: IPST
WR29: West Campus Residential
]]> Kristen Bailey117768196722026-04-22 01:01:1217768885422026-04-22 20:09:0200newsExpect delays, intermittent closures, and restricted access around Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field this weekend. ]]>2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:002026-04-21T00:00:00-04:002026-04-21 00:00:00specialevents@police.gatech.edu
]]>680024680025680024image<![CDATA[Bobby Dodd Stadium has played host to several concerts in the past.]]> Bobby Dodd Stadium has played host to several concerts in the past.]]> image/jpeg17768631772026-04-22 13:06:1717768631772026-04-22 13:06:17680025image<![CDATA[Parking Map for Bruno Mars Concert at Bobby Dodd Stadium]]> Parking Map for Bruno Mars Concert at Bobby Dodd Stadium]]> image/png17768632222026-04-22 13:07:0217768632222026-04-22 13:07:02<![CDATA[Modified Parking and Transit Operations for Concert]]><![CDATA[Meet the Interior Designers Elevating the Georgia Tech Experience ]]>35028
Interior design in higher education goes far beyond aesthetics. At Georgia Tech, it plays a critical role in shaping how students learn, collaborate, live, and feel on campus. From classrooms and labs to student centers, offices, and shared spaces, thoughtfully designed interiors quietly support the Institute’s mission every day.
That impact is driven by a talented team of interior designers — Christie Berkowitz , Reagan Donley, Alexandra Gutierrez, Stacy Laux , Polly Patton, Sarah Vaillancourt, and Becky Williams — whose combined experience spans decades and whose work touches nearly every corner of campus. While their backgrounds and approaches vary, they are united by a shared commitment to people, collaboration, and meaningful design in higher education.
Designing With Purpose
Across campus, interior design is often shaped by historic buildings, fixed timelines, tight budgets, or sometimes, small footprints. Rather than limiting creativity, these constraints often elevate it.
For Sarah Vaillancourt, those challenges sharpen her design thinking. One of her favorite projects, a graduate student space designed to foster creativity and collaboration, used flexible seating, modular furniture, bright accents, and natural elements to support multiple ways of working. “The offices and spaces can sometimes be a constraint,” she said. “That pushes creativity.” More importantly, the project reinforced her belief in design’s influence on mindset and behavior. “I wanted to design a space that not only looked appealing but also supported students’ creativity and productivity.”
That focus on everyday impact resonates with Christie Berkowitz, who joined the Institute in 2023. Her favorite projects have been classroom renovations — spaces that may not stand out visually but make an immediate difference. “While they might not be the flashiest spaces on campus, they have an immediate, profound impact on the student experience,” she said. Transforming older classrooms into modern, active‑learning environments embodies her belief that good design is grounded in function.
Reagan Donley, who has been at Georgia Tech for more than 11 years, approaches every project with the same philosophy. “When I’m designing or managing the design of a project, I always try to make sure a space functions like the users need it to and is the best design solution to meet those needs,” she said. Her work balances form, function, long-term institutional goals, maintenance considerations, and historic preservation, often simultaneously.
Collaboration at the Core
Interior design in higher education is inherently collaborative, and every designer emphasizes the importance of teamwork, communication, and trust.
For Alexandra Gutierrez, communication is foundational. “Starting conversations with the right stakeholders and understanding the scope and budget early on helps keep the project moving smoothly,” she said. That approach guided her favorite projects, the Skiles and A. French breakrooms, where she was able to design the spaces from start to finish.
Becky Williams, who previously worked at a design firm with Georgia Tech as her client for almost a decade, enjoys being on the other side of the table. She views design as a collective effort. “I’ve always viewed a project as a ‘we’ effort, we’re all working toward the same goal, and we get there faster and better when we support each other,” she said. Her favorite project,Tech Square 3 (George Tower | Scheller Tower), stood out for its scale and complexity and for the opportunity to help guide the project from the owner’s side.
That spirit of coordination defined one of Donley’s most meaningful projects, a renovation for the Office of Undergraduate Education in the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons. With rigid funding and scheduling constraints, success depended on collaboration across campus. “We had to pull all the strings to get the project finished in time,” she said. “It was a privilege to help them meet their goals.”
Spaces That Reflect the People Who Use Them
While collaboration shapes the process, people remain at the center of every design decision.
For Stacy Laux, design begins with listening. “A workspace should feel like the person who uses it—not the designer behind it,” she said. Her favorite project, Science Square, stood out because “everything clicked.” The success of the project came not just from the outcome, but from a team aligned around a shared vision.
Her greatest inspiration comes from witnessing user connections firsthand. She tries to understand how the user moves through their day, what gives them energy, and what helps them unwind. She observes little habits and routines, which then inform her design process. “There’s nothing better than seeing someone walk into a finished space and instantly feel like, ‘Yep ... this is me,’” she said. That moment, she explained, is why design matters.
Polly Patton’s nearly 19 years at Georgia Tech make her one of the team’s longest-tenured designers. For her, that user connection begins face‑to‑face. “I like to meet in person with my end‑user clients and listen to their needs before starting to formulate a design,” she said. Her favorite project, the John Lewis Student Center renovation, reflects that philosophy at the largest scale. “It’s the heart of the campus and is used by all students,” she noted, making it especially meaningful.
Where Inspiration Begins
For these designers, inspiration comes from many places: the campus community, the design process itself, and sometimes it’s personal.
“First and foremost, the students,” Patton said. “Designing spaces to make their time here at Georgia Tech more enjoyable inspires me to work harder.”
Donley finds inspiration in color and in helping users solve challenges—whether through furniture, layout, or budgets. She enjoyed the Clough project because of the challenge of it being a significant change to the organization of the space.
Berkowitz is “driven by building the strong structural foundations that allow us to execute our jobs at a higher level,” finding inspiration in systems and processes, building tools, and standards that allow the team to work more effectively.
For Gutierrez, inspiration is personal. “My dad inspires me not to give up, and my faith pushes me to be better in everything I do.”
Growing up in a family of educators, Williams also draws creative energy from her family. She realized at a young age that drawing floor plans and rearranging her room was more fun than lesson plans. Additionally, the variety of work appeals to her. One week she could be designing a lab, the next, a collaborative space, then followed by something that feels more like a corporate office.
Higher Education Design Matters
Thoughtful design fosters a sense of community and creates engaging learning and work environments.
“Higher ed allows me to turn ideas into environments that support creativity, productivity, and well-being,” Vaillancourt said.
For Berkowitz, it’s about shared purpose. “Being able to tangibly support the day-to-day success of the campus community is what makes higher education special.”
Donley points to how campuses have evolved. “Now campuses are about the whole experience of the students,” she said. “Furniture and AV components have become the main characters of these experiences.”
Patton echoed that variety and impact. “Higher education is a great mix of lots of different types of design,” she said — from housing to learning to dining, plus athletics, and even retail — offering endless opportunities to shape experience.
“When a team is this strong, it becomes its own creative ecosystem,” Laux said. “You’re not just designing spaces anymore. You’re shaping experiences together. And when you’re surrounded by people who lift your ideas higher, challenge you in the best possible ways, and celebrate every win right alongside you, your own creativity just expands. It’s the kind of environment that keeps you energized and excited to show up every day.”
At Georgia Tech, that ecosystem is one built on collaboration, purpose, and a shared belief that design has the power to elevate the entire campus experience.
]]> cbrim3117767948182026-04-21 18:06:5817767989592026-04-21 19:15:5900newsThere's a whole team of experts designing our campus interior environments.]]>2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:002026-04-21T00:00:00-04:002026-04-21 00:00:00Cathy Brim
Institute Communications
Infrastructure and Sustainability
]]>680017680018680019680020680021680017image<![CDATA[Interior-Design-Women-004--1-.JPG]]> The interior designers shaping the campus experience. (L-R) Alexandra Gutierrez, Stacy Laux, Becky Williams, Sarah Vaillancourt, Christie Berkowitz, Polly Patton, Reagan Donley. Photographed on the third floor of the George | Scheller Tower by Allison Carter. March 2026.]]> image/jpeg17767948692026-04-21 18:07:4917767999322026-04-21 19:32:12680018image<![CDATA[Image--63-.jpg]]> Photo of the interior design of a Skiles Classroom Building breakroom.]]> image/jpeg17767954892026-04-21 18:18:0917767954892026-04-21 18:18:09680019image<![CDATA[1000006067.jpg]]> Image of the light-filled main floor of the George Tower | Scheller Tower Building.]]> image/jpeg17767974512026-04-21 18:50:5117767974512026-04-21 18:50:51680020image<![CDATA[acoustical-panels.jpg]]> Image of the design of the acoustical panels in the John Lewis Student Center.]]> image/jpeg17767976702026-04-21 18:54:3017767976702026-04-21 18:54:30680021image<![CDATA[ASDSKY_GaTech_VPUE-VRC-Web-04.jpg]]> Image of the Office of Undergraduate Education in Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons.]]> image/jpeg17767979632026-04-21 18:59:2317767979632026-04-21 18:59:23<![CDATA[Ride Out in Style Program Gives Graduates a Bucket List Opportunity]]>36837
For many Georgia Tech students, a ride in the Ramblin’ Wreck is a bucket-list item before graduation.
Tech’s mechanical mascot, a 1930 Ford Model A Sports Coupe, has been a fixture on campus and in the hearts of Yellow Jackets alike since 1961, and with the Ramblin’ Reck Club’s Ride Out in Style program, more students will have an opportunity to cruise through campus in the iconic car before Commencement.
The club, which is charged with maintaining the vehicle and sharing its history with the Tech community, will facilitate the program. Through a Sign-Up Genius form, graduating students get an exclusive chance to ride through campus, cruising from the Reck Garage to the Campus Recreation Center before swinging by another staple of campus, Tech Tower.
Sof Zambrano Molina, the current student driver, is behind the wheel wearing a silver heart-shaped locket with a photo of the vehicle inside. She relishes her role in turning a student’s wish into reality.
“It’s always been said by drivers that the Wreck is owned by the student body, and we’re just the ones who get the car from point A to point B,” Molina said. “Since the Wreck is a symbol of Georgia Tech, students deserve the chance to be able to interact with it in that way.”
In addition to Ride Out in Style, this semester also saw the launch of the new Bucket List Ride program. Before Ride Out in Style begins toward the semester’s end, bucket list rides are open to all students, staff, and faculty members — along with up to two of their friends — and give the community a chance to take a ride and learn more about the car.
“I think interacting with the Wreck should be a formative part of every Tech student's journey,” Molina said. “From my experience — from watching people inside the car and seeing how happy they are, or even just seeing how happy students are whenever you drive past them — it's like the car inherently spreads joy.”
For some, seeing the car on campus is the memory they hold onto, Molina says, but for others, it’s a sound they’ll never forget.
“I had someone ask me today, ‘Hey, can I blow the horn?’ and she was soexcited. And that’s the part a lot of people recognize,” she said.
As Commencement nears, for any students who find a Wreck-shaped hole in their heart, don’t miss your chance to cross this ride off your Georgia Tech bucket list.
]]> ejenkins47117764369832026-04-17 14:43:0317767837152026-04-21 15:01:5500newsTheRamblin’ Reck Club is helping graduating students cross a ride in the Wreck off their Georgia Tech bucket list before Commencement.]]>2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:002026-04-21T00:00:00-04:002026-04-21 00:00:00Ellie Jenkins Institute Communications ]]>680011680011image<![CDATA[Ramblin' Wreck]]>image/jpeg17767826742026-04-21 14:44:3417767826742026-04-21 14:44:34<![CDATA[Ramblin' Reck Club]]><![CDATA[Georgia Tech Arboretum Earns ArbNet Recertification]]>35028
For Georgia Tech, the campus arboretum is more than a designated area of trees. It is the entire campus. Walkways, quads, greens, and streetscapes are all part of a curated landscape carefully selected to thrive in an urban environment. It is also a place where memories are made, from everyday gatherings under the canopy to photos that capture an important milestone.
“It would be great if the trees could talk, if our arboretum could tell stories,” Georgia Tech landscape architect Jason Gregory says. With trees on campus that are more than 100 years old, those stories could be history lessons about the Institute.
Tech’s campus arboretum was recently recertified by ArbNet, the global network of tree professionals and tree collections organized for knowledge sharing, resources, and conservation. With more than 15,000 trees and over 130 species across campus — including two palm trees — the arboretum supports research, education, and preservation and provides public enjoyment. Environmental benefits include reducing heat, managing stormwater, improving air quality, increasing soil porosity, sequestering carbon, and supporting campus wildlife.
Georgia Tech’s designation as a Level II Arboretum reflects its commitment to biodiversity and documenting its tree species, offering advanced educational and public programs, and maintaining policies for the inventory and care of its trees. This year marks a decade since Georgia Tech first earned arboretum certification.
In 2023, Tech also received the Professional Grounds Management Society’s Green Star Grand Award with a 23% campus tree canopy. Today, nearly 30% of the campus is covered by tree canopy, creating a greener, cooler, and more welcoming environment while underscoring the Institute’s commitment to responsible landscape stewardship.
“We have an interactive map online that allows users to explore the genus, species, height, and diameter of every tree on campus. The inventory process is a five-year cycle in which one zone of campus is inventoried each year,” says Annabelle Manville, a Living Campus Fellow for the Office of Sustainability. Gregory says the inventory data helps inform campus planning and support sustainability goals.
As Georgia Tech looks to the future, the campus arboretum will serve as both a living laboratory and a shared campus treasure that connects people to place, past to present, and sustainability to daily life. Through thoughtful stewardship, ongoing research, and intentional care, the Institute’s trees will continue to shape the campus environment and the experiences of those who study, work, and gather beneath their canopy. Each tree adds another chapter to Georgia Tech’s story — one rooted in history, resilience, and a long-term commitment to a greener campus.
]]> cbrim3117767812342026-04-21 14:20:3417767831442026-04-21 14:52:2400newsThe entire Georgia Tech campus is a certified arboretum.]]>2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:002026-04-21T00:00:00-04:002026-04-21 00:00:00Elena Domenech
Infrastructure and Sustainability
Communications Student Assistant
Catherine Brim
Institute Communications
Communications Officer II
]]>680010680012680010image<![CDATA[GT-Arboretum--1-.png]]>image/png17767816042026-04-21 14:26:4417767816042026-04-21 14:26:44680012image<![CDATA[TechCampusTreesAtlantaSkyline.jpg]]> Tech Green surrounded by trees with the Midtown skyline in the background.]]> image/jpeg17767829952026-04-21 14:49:5517767829952026-04-21 14:49:55<![CDATA[AI is Reengineering Drug Discovery by Speeding Up Testing and Scanning Petabytes of Data for Connections Between Diseases]]>27469
In December, The Conversation hosted a webinar on AI’s revolutionary role in drug discovery and development.
Science and technology editor Eric Smalley interviewed Jeffrey Skolnick, eminent scholar in computational systems biology at Georgia Institute of Technology, and Benjamin P. Brown, assistant professor of pharmacology at Vanderbilt University.
Skolnick has developed AI-based approaches to predict protein structure and function that may help with drug discovery and finding off-label uses of existing drugs. Brown’s lab works on creating new computer models that make drug discovery faster and more reliable. Below is a condensed and edited version of the interview.
Let’s start with the big picture. How is AI changing biomedical research and drug discovery, and what is the potential we are talking about?
Skolnick: The upside, potentially, is very large. One of the frustrating things about drug discovery is that, in spite of the fact that the people doing it are extraordinarily intelligent and have done an extraordinarily good job, the success rate is very low. About 1 in 5 drugs will have negative health effects that outweigh its benefits. Of the ones that pass, roughly half don’t work.
In drug development, there are several key issues: Can you predict which target is driving a particular disease? Once this target is identified, how can you guarantee the drug is going to work and isn’t simultaneously going to kill you?
These are outstanding problems in drug discovery in which AI can play an important, though not 100% guaranteed, role. Unlike us, AI can look at basically all available knowledge. On a good day it makes strong and true connections called “insights,” and on a bad day it does what is called “hallucinating” and sees things that are weak and probably false.
Eric Smalley interviews Jeffrey Skolnick and Benjamin P. Brown.
At the end of the day, many diseases do not have a cure. Most diseases are maintained, such as high cholesterol or autoimmune conditions. A treatment for cancer might buy you five years, and now you’re in Stage 4 and you’ve exhausted all the standard care drugs. AI can play a role to suggest alternatives where there are none.
Let’s give some basic definitions here. When we use the word drug, we’re talking about a wide range of therapies. Can you explain the range – we’ve got small molecule drugs, biologics, gene therapies, cell therapies.
Brown: We have fairly large molecules in our bodies called proteins. They are like machines that carry out specific functions and interact with one another. Oftentimes, when we’re trying to treat disease, we’re trying to alter functions of specific proteins. Many drugs, like aspirin and Tylenol, are small molecules that can fit into a protein and change its function. Fundamentally, drugs don’t have to just interact with proteins, but this is a major way in which our current repertoire of medications work.
There are also proteins that act like drugs, such as antibodies. When you receive a vaccine for a virus, your body is basically given instructions on how to develop antibodies. These antibodies will target some part of that virus. Your body is creating these big molecules, much bigger than aspirin, to go and interact with foreign proteins in a different way. Gene therapy is a larger step beyond that.
So these modalities – molecule, protein, antibody or gene – are very different types of molecules. They have different scales and rules, so the way you approach designing and discovering them various widely.
Can you briefly explain artificial neural networks, and what the “deep” in deep learning means?
They also created sophisticated neural networks, such as transformers, which do specific things like a special-purpose tool that can learn, and they added a mechanism called “attention,” which amplifies critical details. Super neural networks with transformers is what we call deep learning. These now have literally billions, if not trillions, of parameters.
How is this technology being used in biomedical research to understand molecular dynamics or, essentially, the biological processes involved in health and disease?
Brown: In 2013, there was a Nobel Prize for molecular dynamics simulations, computational tools that help you understand the motions of molecules as they move according to physics. There’s a huge body of scientific research built around those ideas.
AI and deep learning are large right now, but it’s worth mentioning that for the last decade and a half, people have been using much smaller machine learning algorithms to help design drugs. A lot of the ideas, such as [using machine learning for virtual screening], are not new and have been in practice for a while.
With AlphaFold’s technologies to help people design proteins and predict their structure, we’ve changed how we think about a lot of these problems. We have this new repertoire of approaches to build ideas around and to start thinking about drug discovery.
From 20 years ago to now, what has today’s AI technology done in terms of scale of change in this process?
Skolnick: A lot of diseases, like cancers, are caused by a collection of malfunctioning proteins. AI now allows us to start to think conceptually about how these diseases are organized and related to each other.
Relatedly, AI also can help us understand disease trajectories. Diseases that tend to co-occur often present themselves consecutively. You have disease 1, it gives you disease 2, then gives you disease 3. This suggests that if you go back to the root with disease 1, you may be able to stop a whole bunch of stuff. You can’t analyze millions of trajectories and millions of data without a tool, so you couldn’t do this before.
This holds a lot of promise, but one also must be careful not to overpromise. It will help, it will accelerate, but it is not a substitute yet for real experiments, real clinical validation and trials.
]]> Kristen Bailey117764413092026-04-17 15:55:0917767317092026-04-21 00:35:0900newsAI and machine learning provide new tools for scientists to think about drug discovery.]]>2026-04-07T00:00:00-04:002026-04-07T00:00:00-04:002026-04-07 00:00:00
]]>679992679992image<![CDATA[ AI and machine learning provide new tools for scientists to think about drug discovery. gorodenkoff/iStock via Getty Images ]]> AI and machine learning provide new tools for scientists to think about drug discovery. gorodenkoff/iStock via Getty Images ]]> image/jpeg17764423392026-04-17 16:12:1917764423392026-04-17 16:12:19<![CDATA[Read This Article on The Conversation]]><![CDATA[Batteries Not Included, or Required, for These Smart Home Sensors]]>27446 Most smart home devices require power one way or another. You have to plug them in, recharge them, or replace their batteries at some point.
Georgia Tech researchers think they have a better way with small metal tags that can signal when a door or drawer is opened, count reps in the gym, or even track bathroom use for elderly relatives. Their tags are battery-free, quiet, inherently private, and cost only a few cents each. They’re smaller than a penny.
Like other kinds of smart home sensors, the tags are designed to be mounted on a cabinet or doorframe, for example, using a 3D-printed base. A small tab is attached to the corresponding door or drawer. When it’s opened, the tab strikes the metal disk, triggering a brief ultrasonic pulse imperceptible to human ears but detectable by a wearable device that logs the activity.
]]> Joshua Stewart117767045772026-04-20 17:02:5717767046982026-04-20 17:04:5800newsEngineering and computing researchers create simple metal tags with unique ultrasonic fingerprints to detect door openings and other movements.]]>2026-04-20T00:00:00-04:002026-04-20T00:00:00-04:002026-04-20 00:00:00Joshua Stewart College of Engineering]]>680001680001image<![CDATA[SoundOff-smart-home-tags-with-penny-t.jpg]]>image/jpeg17767045922026-04-20 17:03:1217767045922026-04-20 17:03:12
