{"692629":{"#nid":"692629","#data":{"type":"news","title":"BBISS Insights Series #1 Reflection: AI, Digital Twins, and Infrastructure Resilience","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EArtificial intelligence is reshaping how society manages complex systems. Its potential to strengthen critical infrastructure is receiving growing attention. The first Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS) Insights Series event of the fall semester explored how AI, digital twins, and advanced data analytics are being applied to improve the resilience of energy and water systems. The discussion brought together Dan Molzahn, associate professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Clint Loe, senior digital consultant at Trinnex. Together, they highlighted how AI is beginning to help utilities and communities respond to growing pressures on infrastructure.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOpening the event, Ameet Pinto, BBISS faculty director for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration, noted that many critical infrastructure systems are facing unprecedented challenges. Aging assets, climate-related impacts, severe weather events, and growing demands on energy and water systems are testing the resilience of infrastructure that communities depend on. At the same time, infrastructure systems increasingly generate vast amounts of operational data through sensors, meters, and monitoring technologies. The opportunities for AI technologies to transform this data into actionable information and inform policy are just beginning to be explored.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETurning Infrastructure Data into Action\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMolzahn\u0027s presentation focused on the electric grid and the ways AI-enhanced optimization can support smarter infrastructure management. He described the ongoing transition from large, centralized power plants to more distributed systems that incorporate renewable energy, battery storage, electric vehicles, and other distributed energy resources. While these technologies create opportunities for cleaner and more resilient energy systems, they also introduce new layers of complexity for planners and operators.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAmong the examples Molzahn shared was research examining how electric vehicle charging could affect emergency evacuations during disasters such as wildfires. Traditional evacuation planning focuses on optimizing transportation networks for rapidly moving vehicles away from danger. However, with more EVs on the roads, consideration must be given to ensure that EVs will have sufficient charge to travel a safe distance when an evacuation order is given without overloading the electrical grid. By linking transportation and power-system models, researchers are demonstrating how planning strategies can significantly reduce stress on infrastructure while supporting faster evacuations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWildfire mitigation was another major focus. In recent years, several devastating wildfires have been linked to electricity infrastructure, prompting utilities to increasingly rely on Public Safety Power Shutoffs during high-risk conditions. Molzahn discussed how machine learning and optimization tools can help utilities make these difficult decisions more quickly by balancing ignition risk and minimizing customer outages.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe also highlighted emerging cybersecurity concerns associated with the trend towards more distributed energy resources. Decentralized and digitally connected energy infrastructure, such as internet-connected solar and battery systems, can be more vulnerable than legacy centralized energy sources. AI is playing an important role in identifying potential vulnerabilities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPractical Applications in the Water Sector\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELoe offered examples of how AI is already being deployed by water utilities and municipalities. One pressing challenge involves identifying lead service lines. New federal regulations require utilities to locate and replace lead service lines, but many organizations lack complete records identifying pipe materials. Loe described how utilities can combine statistical sampling and machine learning models to estimate which service lines are most likely to contain lead. Rather than excavating thousands of suspect locations, utilities can use AI to narrow the search, reducing costs while still meeting regulatory requirements and maintaining confidence in the results.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELoe also explained the overarching challenges of maintaining aging water infrastructure. Utilities across the country have significant backlogs of aging pipes that need replacement but lack the resources to replace every asset at once. Machine learning models can predict which pipes are most likely to fail, while optimization tools can prioritize and package disparate replacement jobs into efficient and practical construction projects for which funding can more easily be obtained. This approach allows organizations to move beyond simple age-based replacement strategies and incorporate factors such as risk, community priorities, paving schedules, traffic impacts, and equity considerations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Human Element\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough the discussion centered on AI, both speakers repeatedly emphasized that people remain critical to successful implementation. Panelists and audience members also discussed the importance of keeping \u0022humans in the loop\u0022 since utility systems directly affect public safety. AI may generate recommendations, identify risks, or highlight priorities, but engineers, operators, and planners should remain responsible for evaluating those recommendations and making final decisions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWorkforce development emerged as another important theme. Both the water and energy sectors face challenges replacing experienced workers as many long-time professionals approach retirement. AI offers opportunities to preserve and transfer institutional knowledge that could enable smaller workforces, but both speakers stressed that future professionals will need expertise that spans engineering, data science, computing, and domain knowledge.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELooking Ahead\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe discussion demonstrated that infrastructure resilience is increasingly both a physical and digital challenge. From wildfire management and grid reliability to lead service line replacements and predictive maintenance, AI and digital twins are enabling new opportunities to improve how critical systems are planned, operated, and maintained. However, better algorithms alone will not be enough to counter our aging infrastructure, climate impacts, cybersecurity risks, and rising resource demands. The thoughtful integration of advanced tools and human expertise and judgment built on a foundation of public trust offers the most effective solutions for keeping essential systems running.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENext in the Insights Series\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn October 14, BBISS will hold the next Insights Series at the John Lewis Student Center in the Rafael Bras Meeting Room. The topic will be \u201cAI for Climate Resilience.\u201d This session will explore how artificial intelligence is being leveraged to address pressing sustainability challenges and strengthen communities, infrastructure, and environmental systems in a changing climate. The program will open with an update from Jennifer Chirico on the Georgia Tech \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustain.gatech.edu\/climate-action-plan\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClimate Action Plan\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. Presentations from leading researchers will follow, including Suhas Jain, Ali Sarhadi, Abigale Stangl, and Iris Tien, followed by an interactive panel discussion. Breakfast will be served. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/forms.monday.com\/forms\/862ffc67f4bc814b6e29724eb0ca88b8?r=use1\u0022\u003ERegistration is required\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAI, digital twins, and advanced data analytics are emerging as tools for strengthening critical energy and water infrastructure amid aging assets, climate impacts, severe weather, cybersecurity risks, and rising resource demands. This BBISS Insights Series discussion emphasized that translating operational data into actionable decisions can be streamlined by combining advanced technology and human expertise.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"AI, digital twins, and advanced data analytics can be used to translate operational data into useful decisions when combined with human expertise."}],"uid":"27338","created_gmt":"2026-09-16 19:40:37","changed_gmt":"2026-09-16 19:54:33","author":"Brent Verrill","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-09-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-09-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"681180":{"id":"681180","type":"image","title":"Insights_1_Data_Ctr_Resilience","body":null,"created":"1789586878","gmt_created":"2026-09-16 19:27:58","changed":"1789587432","gmt_changed":"2026-09-16 19:37:12","alt":"Panel discussion in a lecture room featuring two seated speakers at the front of the room and a presenter standing beside a lectern. A large display behind the speakers shows an image of the Georgia Tech Library building, while audience members are seated at tables facing the discussion. The room has light wood paneling throughout the space.","file":{"fid":"265545","name":"Insights_1_Data_Ctr_Resilience.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/16\/Insights_1_Data_Ctr_Resilience.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/16\/Insights_1_Data_Ctr_Resilience.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1009837,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/09\/16\/Insights_1_Data_Ctr_Resilience.jpg?itok=MvgPCPUb"}}},"media_ids":["681180"],"groups":[{"id":"244191","name":"Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188360","name":"go-bbiss"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"194655","name":"AI infrastructure"},{"id":"10617","name":"resilience"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EBrent Verrill\u003C\/a\u003E, Research Communications Manager, BBISS\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"692108":{"#nid":"692108","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Getting Food to the Neighborhoods That Need It Most","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBBISS researcher\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/nicole-kennard\u0022\u003ENicole Kennard\u003C\/a\u003E is mapping how Atlanta\u0027s local food ecosystem functions today, how the people inside it envision its future, and where the opportunities for transformation lie. A summer research trip to Europe brought back fresh models and new energy for the work.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHow does Atlanta\u0027s local food ecosystem function today? How do the people working inside it envision its future? And where are the opportunities for transformation?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThose three questions drive the systems and network mapping research of Nicole Kennard, a research scientist and assistant director for Community-Engaged Research at Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sustainablesystems.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EBrook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems\u003C\/a\u003E (BBISS). Within a systems map, Kennard charts intersecting food challenges and the intervention strategies that could address them. A companion social network map reveals the relationships that already exist across the food ecosystem and who needs to be brought together to create change. Both feed into the Atlanta Food System Research Network, an effort to increase coordination and build teams around the food system\u0027s most stubborn, systemic challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe mapping regularly shows one significant gap: One in eight metro Atlantans are struggling to access food. Although more local farmers are growing good food, there is a \u201cmissing middle layer\u201d of infrastructure connecting that food to those who need it, according to Atlanta\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/climateresilientatl.com\/climate-resilience-action-plan-2026-low.pdf\u0022\u003E2026 Climate Resilience Action Plan\u003C\/a\u003E. Food produced by smaller farms often can\u2019t enter traditional supply chains due to small quantities, so new models are needed to move that food in ways that people can access it within their everyday routines. A summer research trip through France, Belgium, and the U.K. provided her with fresh models for closing that gap.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022I learned a lot from these models that I\u0027m trying to bring back to Atlanta for my systems mapping research,\u0022 Kennard said. \u0022One of the biggest issues is we\u0027re missing that middle layer \u2014 better ways to distribute local food so it\u0027s reaching all neighborhoods equitably, and it\u0027s actually accessible.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt\u0027s not Kennard\u0027s first time working on food systems abroad. After graduating from Georgia Tech with a degree in materials science and engineering and running a student-led hydroponics project that grew food for the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.acfb.org\/\u0022\u003EAtlanta Community Food Bank\u003C\/a\u003E, she spent nearly four years in the U.K. as a Fulbright Scholar, earning a master\u0027s in sustainable agriculture and food security at Newcastle University before completing a Ph.D. in chemistry and biosciences at the University of Sheffield in 2023. That background, she said, is part of what draws her to the field. \u0022Food is the great connector.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBringing Ideas Home From Europe\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis summer, Kennard split her time between France, Belgium, and a return visit to Sheffield. At Georgia Tech-Europe, the institute\u0027s Metz campus, she met with\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/paul-l-voss\u0022\u003EPaul Voss\u003C\/a\u003E, director of academic programs, to explore future partnerships around sustainable entrepreneurship and research, potentially bringing BBISS-affiliated faculty and coursework to the campus.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Montpellier, she presented her work to three organizations clustered on a single campus: INRAE (France\u0027s National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment), L\u0027Institut Agro Montpellier, and CIRAD, the country\u0027s international agricultural development research arm, along with MOISA, an interdisciplinary CIRAD-affiliated research unit focused on sustainable food systems. There, she encountered a \u0022right-to-food\u0022 pilot in which Montpellier residents, half of whom live in poverty, pay a voluntary monthly amount on a sliding scale, from as little as 1 euro to 150 euros, and all receive a flat 100 euros back, redeemable at a handful of partner supermarkets. She also saw \u0022social grocery stores\u0022 reaching rural areas through mobile markets, and digital platforms, letting neighbors pool their money to buy directly from local farmers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKennard also attended the European Ecological Economics Society Conference in Belgium, where she presented her food systems mapping research and learned about other local food models, specifically farmer-based cooperatives.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Sheffield, Kennard gave a talk on community-engaged research methods and came away with insights from their local food network, \u2018\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sheffood.org.uk\/\u0022\u003EShefFood,\u2019\u003C\/a\u003E which is community-led rather than run by the university or city (though both have seats on its board). Leadership rotates every couple of years to keep it grounded in the community it serves.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrom Campus to Community\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKennard\u0027s Atlanta work leans heavily on the students and community partners building it with her. This semester, she is working with incoming computer science Ph.D. student\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/tristan-daniel-8b9b26253\/\u0022\u003ETristan Daniel\u003C\/a\u003E to automate her network map, scraping newsletters, news articles, and annual tax filings to keep the map\u0027s data updated in near-real time.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/rhutviahircde.my.canva.site\/rhutvi-ahir\u0022\u003ERhutvi Ahir\u003C\/a\u003E, a master\u2019s student in city and regional planning, has been working on integrating the systems map into a publicly available and interactive online platform.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELast semester, through a BBISS 2025 Sustainability Next Seed Grant project, Kennard, along with principal investigators\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/johannes-milz\u0022\u003EJohannes Milz,\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/people.research.gatech.edu\/ingeborg-rocker\u0022\u003EIngeborg Rocker,\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/people\/carl-disalvo\u0022\u003ECarl DiSalvo\u003C\/a\u003E, professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ic.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Interactive Computing\u003C\/a\u003E, convened 16 community and civic partners for a participatory design workshop mapping how food moves across metro Atlanta and where better data sharing could prevent waste. Drawing on feedback from that session, DiSalvo\u2019s team is now exploring tools such as digital maps that show where surplus food, refrigerated trucks, and distribution sites are located, as well as a dedicated messaging system to coordinate what is now handled through ad hoc texts and calls.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis fall, DiSalvo\u2019s graduate students in the interdisciplinary M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction program \u2014 from computing, design, and social science backgrounds \u2014 will turn those concepts into early prototypes to test with partners, giving students experience designing technology for real community needs rather than just commercial products.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDiSalvo says the core issue isn\u2019t only a lack of food, but the difficulty of coordinating people, resources, and logistics at scale. \u201cThere\u2019s so much need with food insecurity, and resources as well. It\u2019s a coordination challenge. Most people didn\u2019t get into this because they love logistics; they have a commitment to feeding people,\u201d he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe credits Kennard with helping position Georgia Tech as a hub for food systems and community-engaged sustainability research. \u201cNicole\u2019s work is important \u2014 not just her food systems research, but also the oversight she gives to community-based research. It\u2019s amazing we have her as a colleague.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDiSalvo isn\u0027t the only faculty collaborator.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ce.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/sofia-perez-guzman\u0022\u003ESof\u00eda P\u00e9rez-Guzm\u00e1n\u003C\/a\u003E, an assistant professor in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ce.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Civil and Environmental Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E and a BBISS Faculty Fellow, has partnered with Kennard to survey Atlanta residents in West End and citywide about how they access food. Their next step: building a tool based on what they learned.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022We\u0027re designing a decision-making tool that helps connect food locally, from producers to distributors and food access points in the community,\u0022 P\u00e9rez-Guzm\u00e1n said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENot every connection requires a grant or a formal project. Through the networks she is building and her continued engagement, Kennard has linked a local consulting group with a co-op needing strategic guidance and introduced a farmers market organizer to a food rescue partner. Community partner Fresh Harvest even referenced her food system network map in a recent presentation to WABE radio\u003Ca\u003E.\u003C\/a\u003E According to Kennard, it generated a lot of buzz, underscoring the appetite that Atlantans have for a shared picture of the food distribution ecosystem.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETwo Maps, One Goal\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBoth of Kennard\u0027s maps are expected to go live by the end of the summer. The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/foodfutures.research.gatech.edu\/atlanta-food-systems-network-map\/\u0022\u003Enetwork map\u003C\/a\u003E identifies the organizations working in the space and how they connect. The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/foodfutures.research.gatech.edu\/atlanta-food-systems-map\/#:~:text=Sustainable%20Systems%20(BBISS).-,Systems%20Map,-Alongside%20the%20network\u0022\u003Esystems map\u003C\/a\u003E, still being finalized, distills her interviews and engagement work into nine key thematic areas emerging as priorities for the city, along with competing visions of what a more resilient food system could look like.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe maps also anchor the research network Kennard co-leads with Emory University Associate Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/envs.emory.edu\/people\/bios\/burchfield-emily.html\u0022\u003EEmily Burchfield\u003C\/a\u003E and agrifood systems researcher\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/katem-d\/\u0022\u003EKate Mundon-Dixon\u003C\/a\u003E. The network has held two gatherings so far, one at a local hydroponic farm, where attendees added their own connections to the map. The network\u2019s active listserv now includes more than 55 organizations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Kennard, the goal was never a single map or tool. It was building the foundation and the infrastructure that let everyone else act together. \u0022I wanted to create this foundational research so that the academics and partners most poised to address specific challenges can create those teams and move forward together,\u0022 she said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe added that while most of her work is Atlanta-focused, it has implications for regional food access across Georgia. \u201cA key insight that came from my systems mapping work is the need to connect rural and urban growers to move forward a statewide agenda for a resilient food system,\u201d Kennard said. \u201cMy colleague at Emory, Emily Burchfield, is doing a lot more of the rural engagement, and we hope to align our work later.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEverybody in Atlanta\u0027s food space is doing amazing work, she added, noting that, \u0022If we can better align and coordinate under a shared vision and strategy, then we can actually move the needle on systems change, instead of just a few isolated things happening in different neighborhoods.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThree questions drive Nicole Kennard\u0027s research into Atlanta\u0027s local food system. How does Atlanta\u0027s local food ecosystem function today? How do the people working inside it envision its future? And where are the opportunities for transformation? She uses a systems map and a social network map to document what she learns and to connect Atlanta\u0027s food producers, distributers, and consumers.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Nicole Kennard researches Atlanta\u0027s food system using mapping and visualization techniques."}],"uid":"27338","created_gmt":"2026-08-28 17:04:53","changed_gmt":"2026-09-11 15:07:38","author":"Brent Verrill","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-08-28T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-08-28T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"681003":{"id":"681003","type":"image","title":"Kennard_Food_Network_Workshop.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EL to R: Carl DiSalvo, Ingeborg Rocker, Nicole Kennard, Johannes Milz, and Vanshika Kumar.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1787936912","gmt_created":"2026-08-28 17:08:32","changed":"1787940193","gmt_changed":"2026-08-28 18:03:13","alt":"Five people stand side by side in a meeting or workshop space with large planning boards displayed behind them. The boards are covered with flowcharts, diagrams, handwritten notes, and sticky notes outlining process maps and project planning information. The group is positioned in front of the displays, with name tags visible.","file":{"fid":"265350","name":"Kennard_Food_Network_Workshop.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/28\/Kennard_Food_Network_Workshop.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/28\/Kennard_Food_Network_Workshop.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":985145,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/08\/28\/Kennard_Food_Network_Workshop.jpg?itok=5XSOpsDM"}}},"media_ids":["681003"],"groups":[{"id":"244191","name":"Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188360","name":"go-bbiss"},{"id":"106351","name":"food systems"},{"id":"11278","name":"Urban Agriculture"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39491","name":"Renewable Bioproducts"},{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EBrent Verrill\u003C\/a\u003E, Research Communications Manager, BBISS\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"692530":{"#nid":"692530","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Exploring Place and Space With the Center for Interdisciplinary Media Arts","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Center for Interdisciplinary Media Arts (IMA) at Georgia Tech recently hosted 13 doctoral students and early-career scholars nationwide for a multi-day, National Science Foundation-funded workshop in spatial scholarship.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESpatial scholarship is a research approach focusing on social and humanistic questions, which foreground place, space, spatial data, and human experience.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHeld at the Georgia Tech Library, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/sts-fieldschool\/fieldschool\u0022\u003ESpatial Scholarship Field School\u003C\/a\u003E brought together researchers from eight top academic institutions, including Carnegie Mellon University, UCLA, NYU, and Georgia Tech, to examine how technology, data, and physical environments shape one another.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParticipants shared research, joined in panel discussions with Georgia Tech faculty, and learned interdisciplinary methods such as a variation of body-mapping that uses \u0026nbsp;wearable environmental sensors to explore how data shaped their felt experience in place.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=aAzGCxUC3Ac\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWatch a video about the Spatial Scholarship Field School on YouTube\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022We\u0027re really proud to host this Spatial Scholarship Field School \u2014 to spend a couple of days together thinking about what it means to take space and place more seriously as part of the scholarship we do,\u0022 said Yanni Loukissas, an associate professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lmc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESchool of Literature, Media, and Communication\u003C\/a\u003E (LMC) and director of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/media-arts.gatech.edu\/center\u0022\u003EIMA\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECo-led by LMC Assistant Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/40abaa84-d467-517c-b604-d2f77da94bf0\u0022\u003ERichmond Wong\u003C\/a\u003E, the event challenged scholars to evaluate how local neighborhoods respond to emerging technologies like self-driving cars and data centers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe invited participants to walk around with wearable sensors tracking sound, temperature, light, CO2, and air quality, interpreting readings through colored LEDs,\u201d said Alexandra Teixeira Riggs, who helped facilitate the event. Riggs is a 2026 Ph.D. Digital Media graduate who now works as an assistant professor at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis activity asked participants to focus on critical and interpretive approaches to bio and environmental data, situating themselves within campus environments,\u201d Riggs said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStephen Yang, a doctoral candidate at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, said the event advanced his thinking on how people experience built environments.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u2019m grateful for the thought-provoking conversations that pushed me to think hard about the taken-for-granted ways built environments are organized,\u201d Yang said. \u201cI left the Field School with many new ideas that I\u2019ll continue to ruminate on.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIMA is a collaboration between the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/library.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ELibrary\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Center for Interdisciplinary Media Arts at Georgia Tech recently hosted doctoral students and early-career scholars from around the country for a workshop on spatial scholarship.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Center for Interdisciplinary Media Arts at Georgia Tech recently hosted doctoral students and early-career scholars from around the country for a workshop on spatial scholarship."}],"uid":"34600","created_gmt":"2026-09-10 21:10:43","changed_gmt":"2026-09-11 13:48:04","author":"mpearson34","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-09-10T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-09-10T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"681135":{"id":"681135","type":"image","title":"Spatial Scholarship Field School","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech Associate Professor Yanni Loukissas, right, and collaborators at the Spatial Scholarship Field School lean over a large table workspace marking up a map.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1789074658","gmt_created":"2026-09-10 21:10:58","changed":"1789074658","gmt_changed":"2026-09-10 21:10:58","alt":"Attendees at the Spatial Scholarship Field School lean over a large table workspace marking up a map.","file":{"fid":"265495","name":"spacial-scholarship-image.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/10\/spacial-scholarship-image.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/10\/spacial-scholarship-image.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":994708,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/09\/10\/spacial-scholarship-image.jpg?itok=VVIeDfLd"}}},"media_ids":["681135"],"groups":[{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1283","name":"School of Literature, Media, and Communication"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:michael.pearson@iac.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EMichael Pearson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIvan Allen College of Liberal Arts\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["michael.pearson@iac.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"692183":{"#nid":"692183","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Opens Trash Lab to Turn Campus Waste Into New Possibilities","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENew IPaT makerspace combines advanced recycling technology, hands-on learning, and sustainability innovation.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EBeginning this fall, Georgia Tech students, faculty, and staff will have a new way to rethink waste. The \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/ipat\u0022\u003EInstitute for People and Technology\u003C\/a\u003E (IPaT) is opening the Trash Lab, a makerspace in Room S27 of the Technology Square Research Building dedicated to plastic recycling, upcycling, and circular-economy innovation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the heart of the new lab is the miniTrashpresso, a compact recycling and manufacturing system developed by the sustainability technology company \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.miniwiz.com\/\u0022\u003EMiniwiz\u003C\/a\u003E. The machine can take used plastics and other waste materials, process them locally, and transform them into new products in less than five minutes. By bringing manufacturing and recycling together in a single system, the Trash Lab aims to give the Georgia Tech community a way to explore sustainable design, material reuse, and the future of circular manufacturing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe launch of IPaT\u2019s new Trash Lab represents an exciting step forward for sustainability at Georgia Tech,\u201d said Jennifer Chirico, associate vice president of Sustainability. \u201cAs a living-learning lab, it provides students and researchers with hands-on opportunities to work alongside campus operations, turning used plastics into valuable new products and creating innovative solutions that support a more circular campus.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Makerspace Focused on Circular Innovation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Trash Lab expands Georgia Tech\u2019s growing network of makerspaces and innovation environments by focusing specifically on waste recovery and reuse. Instead of treating used plastics as disposable materials, the lab encourages users to view them as valuable resources that can be transformed into new products.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe miniTrashpresso represents the latest generation of recycling technology developed by Miniwiz. The company originally launched the world\u2019s first mobile recycling line, known as the Trashpresso, to support communities that lacked access to traditional recycling infrastructure. The newer miniTrashpresso is smaller, more energy-efficient, and more portable, making it suitable for campuses and community-based applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe modular system uses industrial equipment, including shredders, presses, and heating technologies, to process materials on-site. Advanced heat-induction presses and specialized molds can quickly transform recovered plastics into new objects and components. The system can also be integrated with AI-powered waste-tracking tools and robotic automation technologies that help identify, sort, and process materials more efficiently.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor IPaT leaders, the Trash Lab represents more than the addition of specialized equipment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cCommunity resilience and people-centered sustainability are core research areas within IPaT,\u201d said Michael Best, executive director. \u201cOur new Trash Lab will allow the entire Georgia Tech community to not only think about upcycling and plastic reuse but to make and do innovative projects that directly demonstrate sustainable futures.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETurning Trash Into a Resource\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMiniwiz founder Arthur Huang, who developed the miniTrashpresso system, describes upcycling as a practice rooted in centuries of human ingenuity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cUpcycling is actually recycling old material and turning that into something new,\u201d Huang said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThroughout history, societies have reused existing materials in construction, manufacturing, and everyday life. According to Huang, modern waste streams, particularly plastic packaging and electronic waste, represent an enormous and often untapped source of raw materials.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe miniTrashpresso was designed around that idea. Rather than transporting waste long distances to centralized facilities, the system enables materials to be processed where they are collected. By reducing transportation needs and creating opportunities for local manufacturing, decentralized recycling systems can help lower the environmental footprint associated with traditional waste management.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMiniwiz estimates that using recycled materials can reduce embedded energy consumption by 60% to 80% compared with using raw materials. The company has developed more than 1,200 upcycled materials and products from everyday waste streams, including plastics, food packaging, coffee cups, and electronic waste.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince its introduction, Miniwiz technology has been deployed in communities, campuses, and organizations worldwide, including projects in Taiwan, Italy, Singapore, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. According to Huang, Georgia Tech is installing and operating North America\u2019s first miniTrashpresso recycling machine from Miniwiz.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding a Community Around Sustainability\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new facility is also intended to serve as a gathering place for interdisciplinary collaboration. Students interested in sustainability, materials science, engineering, design, manufacturing, and public policy will have opportunities to experiment with new ideas while working with researchers and campus partners.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen Michael Best first pitched the idea of the Trash Lab, I expected there to be interest in a space like this given the general momentum toward sustainable practices on campus, but the level of excitement from students, staff, and faculty has been outstanding,\u201d said Tim Trent, IPaT\u2019s lab director for the Trash, Craft, Prototyping, and Usability Labs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis is an opportunity to create a gathering point for sustainability initiatives, act as a catalyst for partnerships, and help strengthen the many amazing networks and projects already present on campus,\u201d he said. \u201cThe IPaT Innovation Labs have a continuous focus on supporting the overall Georgia Tech research enterprise, and I\u2019m happy we are adding another piece to the portfolio.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs the Trash Lab opens its doors, members of the Georgia Tech community will be invited to explore how waste materials can be reimagined as resources, prototypes, and products. By combining makerspace culture, advanced recycling technology, and sustainability research, the lab offers a tangible demonstration of how circular economy principles can move from theory into practice.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Georgia Tech, the Trash Lab is not simply a place to recycle plastic. It is a space where innovation, design, and sustainability intersect, helping transform discarded materials into opportunities for learning, discovery, and impact.\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E---\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EFor more information about the Trash Lab, contact the IPaT Innovation Labs at \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ipat-labs@groups.gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eipat-labs@groups.gatech.edu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENew IPaT makerspace combines advanced recycling technology, hands-on learning, and sustainability innovation.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"New IPaT makerspace combines advanced recycling technology, hands-on learning, and sustainability innovation."}],"uid":"27513","created_gmt":"2026-09-01 21:33:00","changed_gmt":"2026-09-09 19:06:07","author":"Walter Rich","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-09-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-09-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"681033":{"id":"681033","type":"image","title":"Trash Lab Ribbon Cutting","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECelebrating the opening of Georgia Tech\u0027s Trash Lab - the newest makerspace on campus which is located in the basement of TSRB\u003C\/strong\u003E. Pictured left-to-right: \u003Cstrong\u003ETim Trent\u003C\/strong\u003E, director of IPaT\u0027s Trash Lab; \u003Cstrong\u003EArthur Huang\u003C\/strong\u003E, CEO of Miniwiz; \u003Cstrong\u003EMichael Best\u003C\/strong\u003E, executive director of IPaT; \u003Cstrong\u003EJennifer Chirico\u003C\/strong\u003E, associate vice president of sustainability; and \u003Cstrong\u003ERob Kadel\u003C\/strong\u003E, executive director of research program administration. They are wearing sunglasses made from recycled plastic created by using the miniTrashpresso machine.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1788297893","gmt_created":"2026-09-01 21:24:53","changed":"1788530006","gmt_changed":"2026-09-04 13:53:26","alt":"Pictured left-to-right: Tim Trent, director of IPaT\u0027s Trash Lab; Arthur Huang, CEO of Miniwiz; Michael Best, executive director of IPaT; Jennifer Chirico, associate vice president of Sustainability; and Rob Kadel, executive director of research program administration.","file":{"fid":"265381","name":"Ribbon-Cutting1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/01\/Ribbon-Cutting1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/01\/Ribbon-Cutting1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1136224,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/09\/01\/Ribbon-Cutting1.jpg?itok=u_x2dAAj"}},"681032":{"id":"681032","type":"image","title":"Tim-Arthur-Tai","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPictured left to right: Tim Trent, IPaT\u2019s lab director for the Trash Lab; Arthur Huang, CEO of Miniwiz; and Tai Liu, mechanical engineer with Miniwiz. In this picture, they are installing the miniTrashpresso system in the TSRB building and showing the test plastic bowl made using recycled plastic.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1788297611","gmt_created":"2026-09-01 21:20:11","changed":"1788297881","gmt_changed":"2026-09-01 21:24:41","alt":"Pictured left to right: Tim Trent, IPaT\u2019s lab director for the Trash Lab; Arthur Huang, CEO of Miniwiz; and Tai Liu, mechanical engineer with Miniwiz. In this picture, they are installing the miniTrashpresso system in the TSRB building.","file":{"fid":"265380","name":"Tim-and-Arthur-and-Tai-Liu.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/01\/Tim-and-Arthur-and-Tai-Liu.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/01\/Tim-and-Arthur-and-Tai-Liu.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":935131,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/09\/01\/Tim-and-Arthur-and-Tai-Liu.jpg?itok=HSZysoaX"}},"681031":{"id":"681031","type":"image","title":"Recycled Trashpresso items","body":"\u003Cp\u003ERecycled plastic items you can make using the Trash Lab include wireless chargers, sunglasses, bowls, and other items.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1788297484","gmt_created":"2026-09-01 21:18:04","changed":"1788354852","gmt_changed":"2026-09-02 13:14:12","alt":"Recycled plastic items you can make using the Trash Lab","file":{"fid":"265379","name":"ItemsYouCanMake.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/01\/ItemsYouCanMake.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/01\/ItemsYouCanMake.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":610865,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/09\/01\/ItemsYouCanMake.jpg?itok=L2xQj4GY"}}},"media_ids":["681033","681032","681031"],"groups":[{"id":"244191","name":"Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems"},{"id":"69599","name":"IPaT"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188084","name":"go-ipat"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"},{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWalter Rich\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EResearch Communications Manager\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute for People and Technology\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["walter.rich@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"692242":{"#nid":"692242","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Nine BBISS Faculty Fellows Appointed","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS) is pleased to announce the appointment of nine new faculty fellows for 2026. Selected for their outstanding leadership in sustainability-related research, these faculty members will join a growing community of scholars working to advance innovative solutions to some of the world\u0027s most pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEstablished in 2014, the BBISS Faculty Fellows program brings together distinguished faculty from across Georgia Tech to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthen the sustainability research community, and advance the Institute\u0027s mission of generating real-world impact through research, education, and engagement. Serving three-year terms, fellows act as strategic advisors, community ambassadors, and thought leaders within the broader sustainability ecosystem. Building on this foundational vision, the BBISS Faculty Fellows program has evolved to meet the dynamic needs of modern sustainability leaders. The newly revamped program emphasizes active leadership development, offering tailored networking opportunities, connections with broader sustainability networks, and focused training to help fellows grow as influential voices in their respective fields. Through these enhancements, the BBISS Faculty Fellows program aims to empower early-career researchers to maximize their reach, elevate their research, and innovate transformative sustainability solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe 2026 cohort represents a wide range of expertise spanning AI and sustainability, sustainable finance, computational materials discovery, infrastructure systems, environmental chemistry, urban resilience, and community-engaged research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe 2026 BBISS Faculty Fellows are:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ebdd6fbeb1f5c84612d7d8b8ec428501d\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lmc.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/624a4663-6439-585b-8bb0-3633dbbf089f\u0022\u003EHeidi Biggs\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor, School of Literature, Media, and Communication, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022eccad3040096319a501aee63554cbcea4\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eas.gatech.edu\/people\/bowen-jennifer\u0022\u003EJennifer Bowen\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, College of Sciences.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ecfc8499e98dcbc37448e99cb5e031457\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/econ.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/aa477a68-e824-5441-84f8-f9c968a402d7\u0022\u003EGaurav Doshi\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor, School of Economics, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e352d0010b0267e54c3729870e34e18a9\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/directory\/faculty\/he\/index.html\u0022\u003EXindi He\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor, Scheller College of Business.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e511b1bb49a5411509b3a05c9f8d430d9\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mse.gatech.edu\/people\/guoxiang-emma-hu\u0022\u003EGuoxiang (Emma) Hu\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor, School of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022eff1911cdc56eb3366df5283d34c60f51\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/user\/1086\u0022\u003ESuhas Jain\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor, George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e3f1be2753a61bfecda57015bdc34aafe\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arch.gatech.edu\/people\/patrick-kastner\u0022\u003EPatrick Kastner\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, College of Design.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e1682e55bd4bbe9706aa51550522f9131\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ic.gatech.edu\/people\/cindy-kaiying-lin\u0022\u003ECindy Kaiying Lin\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor, School of Interactive Computing, College of Computing.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e229f30d28bf1947b353468d749f1ef4c\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/julia-yang\u0022\u003EJulia Yang\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Professor, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECollectively, their research addresses the sustainability of interconnected human, natural, and engineered systems, encompassing topics such as watershed resilience, resource stewardship, carbon cycling, circular materials management, and evidence-based environmental decision-making. Their diverse expertise fosters new interdisciplinary collaborations that accelerate the development of practical, scalable solutions for communities, industries, and ecosystems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are delighted to welcome this exceptional group of faculty leaders to the BBISS community,\u201d said BBISS Executive Director Beril Toktay. \u201cTheir expertise, creativity, and commitment to sustainability will help expand opportunities for collaboration and accelerate the impact of sustainability research across Georgia Tech and beyond.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS) has appointed nine new faculty fellows for 2026, selected for their leadership in sustainability research. These fellows will join an interdisciplinary community aiming to develop innovative solutions to environmental, social, and economic challenges. The BBISS Faculty Fellows program supports early-career researchers with leadership development and collaboration opportunities to enhance their impact in sustainability fields.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS) has appointed nine new faculty fellows for 2026, selected for their leadership in sustainability research."}],"uid":"27338","created_gmt":"2026-09-03 13:13:43","changed_gmt":"2026-09-03 13:19:00","author":"Brent Verrill","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-09-03T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-09-03T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"681058":{"id":"681058","type":"image","title":"2026_BBISS_Fellows_Collage.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E(L to R, Top to Bottom) Heidi Biggs, Jennifer Bowen, Gaurav Doshi, Xindi He, Guoxiang (Emma) Hu, Suhas Jain, Patrick Kastner, Cindy Kaiying Lin, and Julia Yang.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1788441245","gmt_created":"2026-09-03 13:14:05","changed":"1788441245","gmt_changed":"2026-09-03 13:14:05","alt":"Collage of nine headshot portraits arranged in a three-by-three grid. The portraits show individuals photographed from the shoulders up in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings, including office spaces, landscaped outdoor areas, and neutral backgrounds, with professional or business-casual attire. The images are evenly spaced and presented in a consistent square format with varied background colors and lighting conditions.","file":{"fid":"265408","name":"2026_BBISS_Fellows_Collage.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/03\/2026_BBISS_Fellows_Collage.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/09\/03\/2026_BBISS_Fellows_Collage.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":734909,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/09\/03\/2026_BBISS_Fellows_Collage.jpg?itok=00FtNGVb"}}},"media_ids":["681058"],"groups":[{"id":"244191","name":"Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"},{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188360","name":"go-bbiss"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EBrent Verrill\u003C\/a\u003E, Research Communications Manager, BBISS\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691226":{"#nid":"691226","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Helps Advance Genesis Mission, a National Effort to Transform Scientific Discovery Through AI","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp lang=\u0022EN-US\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech will play a key role in the newly announced \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/undersecretaryforscience\/genesis-mission\/genesis-mission\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGenesis Mission\u003C\/a\u003E, a national initiative harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to propel scientific discovery and address challenges in health, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, and national security. The White House announced the first Genesis Mission projects on July 22 as part of a more than $5 billion investment in AI-enabled science and technology.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech was chosen for multiple Genesis Mission awards. Faculty will lead two projects and collaborate on others with research partners across the country.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cArtificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how we conduct research and drive discovery,\u201d said Tim Lieuwen, Georgia Tech\u2019s executive vice president for Research. \u201cThese awards recognize Georgia Tech\u2019s leadership in AI, advanced computing, engineering, and the sciences. By bringing together expertise from across our colleges and research units, we can help accelerate breakthroughs in areas that are crucial to the nation\u2019s future \u2014 from energy and manufacturing to health and critical infrastructure.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022eef48fed33303f787f2d03a09ca3172ed\u0022\u003EAmeet Pinto, associate professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and faculty director for interdisciplinary research and collaboration for the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems, will lead \u201cAI-Enabled Single Cell Phenotyping to Advance Biomanufacturing.\u201d The project aims to advance AI-enabled approaches for understanding biological systems and strengthening next-generation biomanufacturing capabilities.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e394fd872589e430e8a7f12ca5d6a40d2\u0022\u003EFan Zhang, assistant professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, will lead the project, \u201cAI Driven Workflow with Cyber Assured Digital Twin for Autonomous Operations in SMRs and Microreactors.\u201d Her team will focus on developing AI-enabled digital twin technologies to support the safe, autonomous operation of advanced nuclear energy systems.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe additional Georgia Tech-supported awards span multiple disciplines and involve researchers from the Colleges of Engineering, Computing, and Sciences; the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems; the Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines; the Institute for Data Engineering and Science; and the Strategic Energy Institute.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e7a92afba6dacd2d56dd5615804d907cf\u0022\u003EMarilyn Brown (Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will build AI foundation models that predict and test water-for-energy conditions in the Tennessee Valley Authority region.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e5ee3d514f06472b2bd8eed39853bf64e\u0022\u003EPeng Chen (School of Computational Science and Engineering) will collaborate on two projects designed to improve predictions of both water availability and flood risks. He will partner with ORNL and the Argonne National Laboratory.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e1bb31f256d17759aa5ead75ec2e02245\u0022\u003EAsif Khan (School of Electrical and Computer Engineering) will partner with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to accelerate the discovery of new materials for a type of computer memory called Electro-Chemical RAM (ECRAM) to help create more energy-efficient AI systems.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e2732e959fa01c6df4ef27eaccb18fd78\u0022\u003EFan Zhang\u2019s second Genesis Mission project is a collaboration with ORNL to develop AI tools for the lifecycle of fusion plants, including robotics and maintenance.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e940b6bc9dff007fbe6f6c84bebf1d591\u0022\u003ESamer Naif (School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences) will collaborate with the University of Southern California on the project \u0022AI-enabled Geobiological Critical Minerals Characterization and Recovery in Geothermal Systems.\u0022\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022eba933b0a9119da9f1ce9b17ace8d422d\u0022\u003EShimeng Yu (School of Electrical and Computer Engineering) will partner with Duke University on the project, \u0022Neuromorphic Circuit Primitives for Robotic Embodied Physical AI.\u0022\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s role in the Genesis Mission highlights the Institute\u2019s strong interdisciplinary research approach, which brings together experts across many fields to solve complex problems and rapidly advance innovation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ENote: Selection for award negotiations does not constitute a final funding award. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, awards remain subject to successful negotiations and the availability of funding.\u003C\/em\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/science.osti.gov\/-\/media\/funding\/pdf\/Awards-Lists\/2026\/GM-RFA-Awards-List.pdf\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/science.osti.gov\/-\/media\/funding\/pdf\/Awards-Lists\/2026\/GM-RFA-Awards-List.pdf\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Institute researchers will lead two projects and contribute to several others as part of the Department of Energy\u2019s $5 billion initiative. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers will lead two projects and contribute to several others as part of the Department of Energy\u2019s $5 billion initiative.\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Institute researchers will lead two projects and contribute to several others as part of the Department of Energy\u2019s $5 billion initiative. "}],"uid":"27561","created_gmt":"2026-07-24 13:57:45","changed_gmt":"2026-08-19 13:42:41","author":"Angela Ayers","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-07-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-07-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680665":{"id":"680665","type":"image","title":"GT_Lab_GradStudent_LowEnergyChemSeperation.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA Georgia Tech graduate student examines a hollow fiber membrane, used for low-energy chemical separation. New DOE Genesis Mission awards have bolstered innovative interdisciplinary work across the Institute, with Georgia Tech leading two projects and contributing to five more. (Photo: Rob Felt)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1784901576","gmt_created":"2026-07-24 13:59:36","changed":"1784903464","gmt_changed":"2026-07-24 14:31:04","alt":"Georgia Tech grad student holding a hollow fiber membrane that can be used for low-energy chemical separation.","file":{"fid":"264956","name":"GT_Lab_GradStudent_LowEnergyChemSeperation.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/24\/GT_Lab_GradStudent_LowEnergyChemSeperation.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/24\/GT_Lab_GradStudent_LowEnergyChemSeperation.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":241001,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/24\/GT_Lab_GradStudent_LowEnergyChemSeperation.jpg?itok=Dxo9rLze"}}},"media_ids":["680665"],"groups":[{"id":"244191","name":"Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems"},{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"364801","name":"School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS)"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"},{"id":"188087","name":"go-irim"},{"id":"188360","name":"go-bbiss"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"},{"id":"193652","name":"Matter and Systems"},{"id":"39521","name":"Robotics"},{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAngela Ayers\u003Cbr\u003EAVP of Research Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691717":{"#nid":"691717","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Essie Knows Best","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech industrial design students traveled to an Atlanta nursing home expecting to redesign gardening tools for older adults. Instead, they discovered that the residents themselves were their most important teachers. Working alongside horticultural therapy participants at A.G. Rhodes, the students observed how aging changes the way people interact with everyday objects and learned that good design begins with listening, not assumptions. Together, they developed practical solutions that restored small but meaningful moments of independence, proving that the people living with a problem are indispensable partners in solving it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.research.gatech.edu\/feature\/essie-knows-best\u0022\u003ERead more \u00bb\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"The lesson only nursing home residents can teach Georgia Tech design students."}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech industrial design students traveled to an Atlanta nursing home expecting to redesign gardening tools for older adults. Instead, they discovered that the residents themselves were their most important teachers. Working alongside horticultural therapy participants at A.G. Rhodes, the students observed how aging changes the way people interact with everyday objects and learned that good design begins with listening, not assumptions. Together, they developed practical solutions that restored small but meaningful moments of independence, proving that the people living with a problem are indispensable partners in solving it.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Designing with people, rather than for them, can restore independence while teaching future designers lessons no classroom alone can provide."}],"uid":"27255","created_gmt":"2026-08-17 13:40:52","changed_gmt":"2026-08-17 16:37:22","author":"Josie Giles","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-08-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-08-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680891":{"id":"680891","type":"image","title":"essie-final-thumb.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ELEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE: Georgia Tech industrial design student Olivia Chan (left) works alongside A.G. Rhodes resident Essie Bailey-Demic during a horticultural therapy session. By observing and designing with residents rather than for them, students developed tools that help restore independence.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1786981054","gmt_created":"2026-08-17 15:37:34","changed":"1786981054","gmt_changed":"2026-08-17 15:37:34","alt":"Two people work with potted plants in a greenhouse filled with hanging and tabletop greenery during a gardening activity.","file":{"fid":"265223","name":"essie-final-thumb.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/17\/essie-final-thumb.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/17\/essie-final-thumb.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":518282,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/08\/17\/essie-final-thumb.jpg?itok=pFwAUrAx"}}},"media_ids":["680891"],"groups":[{"id":"69599","name":"IPaT"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"195203","name":"go-noshow"},{"id":"188084","name":"go-ipat"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691593":{"#nid":"691593","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Engineer Rethinks Supply Chains for Community Resilience ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E--Written by Anne Wainscott-Sargent\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom a single Atlanta church to a growing network across the Southeast, Georgia Tech engineer Sof\u00eda P\u00e9rez-Guzm\u00e1n is connecting communities and researchers to support resilience in extreme weather events.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen a West Atlanta church received donated solar panels and battery storage to operate as a community resilience hub, P\u00e9rez-Guzm\u00e1n led an academic-practitioner team that helped the congregation turn that hardware into an operational playbook. She is now using the same model to build a regional network that links community leaders and researchers on resilience, food access, and disaster response.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EP\u00e9rez-Guzm\u00e1n, an assistant professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a faculty fellow at the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS), focuses on addressing problems within the supply chain and transportation domains. \u201cThese challenges often encompass disruptions, human behavior, multiple stakeholders, and sustainability objectives,\u201d she said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore joining Georgia Tech in 2023, she was a postdoctoral research associate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute\u2019s Center for Infrastructure, Transportation, and the Environment. She also holds a courtesy appointment in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAll of the research that I do always starts with a problem that has some sort of important social impact,\u201d she said, \u201cand then I try to draw from my expertise in different fields to help solve that problem.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding a Network, One Pilot at a Time\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough BBISS and its Sustainability Next grant program, P\u00e9rez-Guzm\u00e1n co-leads a community resilience network of roughly 40 to 50 practitioners and researchers working on community-led resilience hubs across Georgia and South Carolina, with plans to expand across the Southeast.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNeither researchers nor practitioners alone can advance community resilience as they could if they work together,\u201d she said. \u201cThe purpose of the network is to facilitate and leverage partnerships.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECommunity Church Atlanta is one of the first pilots. The church\u2019s resilience hub, established in 2023, offers weekly support services and on-site solar and battery storage to keep power flowing during outages caused by storms, heat waves, or other disruptions. It is also the launching point for the Westside Resilience Corridor, a partnership of four churches along Cascade Road working to become resilience hubs for their neighborhoods.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWorking with church leaders, emergency managers, and community representatives, P\u00e9rez-Guzm\u00e1n and partners held a two-day workshop to map likely hazards, define critical services, and draft activation procedures. Among those partners was Beth Remmes, coastal outreach and climate resiliency coordinator for Georgia Interfaith Power \u0026amp; Light (GIPL), who helped design and facilitate the process. \u201cThe whole idea behind resilience hubs is creating social cohesion,\u201d Remmes said. \u201cSocial connectivity and relationships in the community are one of the biggest determinants of our ability not only to bounce back, but hopefully to bounce forward in a stronger way.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe noted that churches like Community Church Atlanta already serve as informal first responders. The resilience hub work makes that role more intentional by focusing on preparedness, programming, and connection well before an emergency. Just as important, in her view, was Tech\u2019s ability to see how lessons from Community Church Atlanta could inform future resilience hubs across the region.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EErica Holloman-Hill, founder and chief envisioning officer of Ayika Solutions Inc. and a member of Community Church Atlanta, sees that impact from inside the congregation. In the resilience hub effort, she provides technical guidance on the solar and battery system, helps shape programming such as workforce development, and helped bring partners like Groundswell and Georgia Tech to the table.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia Tech uniquely brings the science and academia,\u201d Holloman-Hill said. \u201cBeing able to leverage an institution like Georgia Tech gives weight to some of the work that we\u2019re doing, while leaning on the technical expertise of professors like Sof\u00eda and partnering with organizations like GIPL to create models and support.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELooking ahead, Holloman-Hill said Community Church Atlanta is focused on refining how the hub operates and sharing lessons learned with other churches in the Westside Resilience Corridor. That means clarifying how the church will run the hub during emergencies, which partners need to be at the table, and how a third-party technical advisor can help keep the system performing as designed.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor P\u00e9rez-Guzm\u00e1n, those kinds of relationships are the real outcome. \u201cThe relationship, the trust, the partnership \u2014 it\u2019s probably the most important outcome we\u2019ve seen,\u201d she said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJennifer Hirsch, senior director of BBISS\u2019s Center for Sustainable Communities Research and Education (SCoRE) and the network co-lead, sees the same value at an institutional scale.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cUniversities are important members of their communities and can be key partners in sustainability and resilience efforts when they mobilize their research capabilities, students, and other resources to partner with and support local leadership and innovations,\u201d Hirsch said. \u201cNetworks of universities and communities can serve as multipliers of innovative approaches. With the resilience hubs network, we are excited to incubate new ideas that are community-centric and evidence-based and tailored to the Southeast communities that our partners know best.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhere Resilience Meets Food Access\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis partnership model also shapes what P\u00e9rez-Guzm\u00e1n calls her most immediately actionable project: a decision-support tool connecting local food producers, distributors, and access points in Atlanta. Her team has gathered survey and experimental data from residents in West End and citywide, testing how distance, travel time, price, and a store\u2019s ties to the community shape where people choose to shop. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to design tools for logistics and food distribution decisions that bring food closer to people,\u201d she said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA parallel thread runs through her disaster response work, where she studies how people choose among points of distribution for emergency relief. Proximity matters, she\u2019s found, but it isn\u2019t everything. Many people will travel farther if they believe they\u2019re more likely to receive supplies, or if it lets them move closer to family. In urban freight, she has applied the same lens to city logistics, studying behavior around emerging technologies such as sidewalk delivery robots and autonomous trucks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAtlanta\u2019s mix of freight infrastructure, food access challenges, and weather vulnerability makes it fertile ground for that range of work,\u201d she said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAcross every project, the constant is not only patience but also resilience. Along the way, we realize that the original research idea may no longer make sense, or that different approaches are required. The process is very nonlinear and requires revision, reassessment, and a lot of pivoting,\u201d she said. \u201cIt basically requires tons of resilience!\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThrough BBISS, P\u00e9rez-Guzm\u00e1n co-leads a community resilience network of roughly 40 to 50 practitioners and researchers working on community-led resilience hubs across Georgia and South Carolina.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Through BBISS, P\u00e9rez-Guzm\u00e1n co-leads a community resilience network of roughly 40 to 50 practitioners and researchers working on community-led resilience hubs across Georgia and South Carolina."}],"uid":"34760","created_gmt":"2026-08-10 17:09:38","changed_gmt":"2026-08-12 11:23:32","author":"Laurie Haigh","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-08-10T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-08-10T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680827":{"id":"680827","type":"image","title":"Sof\u00eda P\u00e9rez-Guzm\u00e1n","body":null,"created":"1786381614","gmt_created":"2026-08-10 17:06:54","changed":"1786381738","gmt_changed":"2026-08-10 17:08:58","alt":"Headshot of Sof\u00eda P\u00e9rez-Guzm\u00e1n","file":{"fid":"265150","name":"SPG2024.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/10\/SPG2024.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/10\/SPG2024.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1710516,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/08\/10\/SPG2024.jpg?itok=DoLrUXFb"}}},"media_ids":["680827"],"groups":[{"id":"244191","name":"Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"},{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188360","name":"go-bbiss"},{"id":"194701","name":"go-resarchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMedia Contact: \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EBrent Verrill\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EWriter: Anne Wainscott-Sargent\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691422":{"#nid":"691422","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Lindsey Bullinger Named Associate Dean for Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/bullinger-lindsey\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ELindsey Bullinger\u003C\/a\u003E, associate professor in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, has been named associate dean for research, effective Aug. 1.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBullinger is the Associate Director of the Health Economics and Policy Innovation Collaborative and a co-editor for the \u003Cem\u003EJournal of Policy Analysis \u0026amp; Management\u003C\/em\u003E and a consulting editor for \u003Cem\u003EChild Maltreatment\u003C\/em\u003E. She is also a faculty affiliate with the Georgia Policy Labs at Georgia State University, the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities at the University of Notre Dame, the Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the Children\u0027s Pediatric Research Alliance at the Children\u0027s Healthcare of Atlanta.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDr. Bullinger\u2019s\u202fdeep\u202fexpertise in research\u202fand leadership will be a tremendous asset to supporting and amplifying the amazing research in the College,\u201d said Amanda Murdie, dean of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, Regents\u2019 Professor, and Ivan Allen Jr. Chair. \u201cHer leadership roles both at Georgia Tech and in her research area make her an ideal leader for the College\u2019s research enterprise.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBullinger\u2019s research examines how public policies affect child and family health and well-being, especially among low-income families. Her work has been published in \u003Cem\u003EAmerican Journal of Health Economics\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Cem\u003EJournal of Health Economics\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Cem\u003EJournal of Policy Analysis \u0026amp; Management\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Cem\u003EContemporary Economic Policy\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Cem\u003EReview of Economics of the Household\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Cem\u003EEconomics \u0026amp; Human Biology\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Cem\u003EAnnals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Cem\u003EHousing Policy Debate\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Cem\u003EChild Abuse \u0026amp; Neglect\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Cem\u003EChildren and Youth Services Review\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Cem\u003EHealth Affairs\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Cem\u003EBMC Pediatrics\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Cem\u003EHealth Services Research\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Cem\u003EAmerican Journal of Public Health,\u003C\/em\u003E \u003Cem\u003EJAMA Pediatrics\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Cem\u003EMaternal and Child Health Journal, \u003C\/em\u003Eand more.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBullinger\u2019s research has been funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE), Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy, Spencer Foundation, Cash Transfer Lab at NYU, and Pew Charitable Trusts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the past three years, Bullinger\u202fhas co-chaired the Georgia Tech Office of the Executive Vice President for Research\u0027s steering committee, developing recommendations for a new Interdisciplinary Research Institute (IRI) on health and well-being. She has also served two elected terms on the\u202fJimmy and Rosalynn\u202fCarter School\u202fof Public Policy\u2019s Faculty Executive Committee and co-hosts the annual Atlanta Workshop on Public Policy and Child Well-being.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe earned a Ph.D. from the O\u0027Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. She holds an MPA from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and a bachelor\u0027s degree from Miami University in Ohio.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELindsey Bullinger, associate professor in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, has been named associate dean for research, effective Aug. 1. Bullinger\u2019s research examines how public policies affect child and family health and well-being, especially among low-income families.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Lindsey Bullinger, associate professor in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, has been named associate dean for research, effective Aug. 1."}],"uid":"35766","created_gmt":"2026-08-03 19:53:39","changed_gmt":"2026-08-03 19:59:41","author":"dminardi3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-08-03T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-08-03T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680768":{"id":"680768","type":"image","title":"MERCURY.png","body":null,"created":"1785786949","gmt_created":"2026-08-03 19:55:49","changed":"1785786949","gmt_changed":"2026-08-03 19:55:49","alt":"Lindsey Bullinger","file":{"fid":"265080","name":"MERCURY.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/03\/MERCURY.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/08\/03\/MERCURY.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1430722,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/08\/03\/MERCURY.png?itok=nIlfZM3f"}}},"media_ids":["680768"],"groups":[{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1289","name":"School of Public Policy"}],"categories":[{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:megan.mcrainey@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EMegan McRainey\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIvan Allen College of Liberal Arts\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["dminardi3@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691225":{"#nid":"691225","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Brian Magerko Appointed James and Mary Wesley Chair for New Media Studies","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/brian-magerko\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBrian Magerko\u003C\/a\u003E has been appointed as the James and Mary Wesley Chair for New Media Studies in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication. Magerko is a Regents\u2019 Professor of Digital Media and head of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/expressivemachinery.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EExpressive Machinery Lab\u003C\/a\u003E. He has served as director of graduate studies for the Digital Media Program for eight years and will step down from this leadership role on July 31.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe endowed chair appointment is a renewable, three-year term, starting on Aug. 1. The endowed professorship is supported by a gift from James and Mary Wesley, long-time Atlanta philanthropists. The chair conducts research and develops and teaches courses within the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lmc.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESchool of Literature, Media, and Communication\u003C\/a\u003E (LMC) and has recognized expertise in digital environments across media platforms.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Dr. Magerko\u0027s innovative work in cognition, coding education, and creativity makes him an ideal fit to serve as our Wesley Chair,\u201d said Amanda Murdie, dean of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, Regents\u2019 Professor, and Ivan Allen Jr. Chair in Liberal Arts and Technology. \u201cThis chair will help advance his groundbreaking research while also supporting his transformative leadership of LMC\u2019s Digital Media Program.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMagerko\u2019s expertise lies at the intersections of computation, cognition, and the social\/creative interactions between humans and artificial intelligence. His research explores how studying human and machine cognition can inform the creation of new human\/computer creative experiences. He has been research lead on more than $15 million of federally funded research and has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles related to computational media, cognition, and learning.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHis work has been shown at galleries and museums internationally, and he co-founded a music-based learning environment for computer science, called EarSketch, that has been used by about 2 million learners worldwide. Magerko and his work have appeared in the \u003Cem\u003ENew Yorker\u003C\/em\u003E, \u003Cem\u003EUSA Today\u003C\/em\u003E, CNN, Yahoo! Finance, NPR, and other global and regional outlets.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMagerko joined Georgia Tech in 2008 as an assistant professor of digital media. He received his B.S. in Cognitive Science from Carnegie Mellon University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDr. Magerko exemplifies our teaching and educational mission in his work on behalf of our Digital Media program,\u201d said Kelly Ritter, chair of LMC and professor of Writing and Communication. \u201cHe has built an already strong and forward-looking program into an even better one that provides pathways for students and fellow faculty to accomplish their own professional and intellectual goals.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/brian-magerko\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBrian Magerko\u003C\/a\u003E has been appointed as the James and Mary Wesley Chair for New Media Studies in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Brian Magerko has been appointed as the James and Mary Wesley Chair for New Media Studies in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication. "}],"uid":"36009","created_gmt":"2026-07-24 13:54:21","changed_gmt":"2026-07-24 13:56:33","author":"cwhittle9","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-07-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-07-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"672081":{"id":"672081","type":"image","title":"Magerko DSC_6937.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBrian Magerko, professor and director of graduate studies in digital media in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1697643232","gmt_created":"2023-10-18 15:33:52","changed":"1697643232","gmt_changed":"2023-10-18 15:33:52","alt":"Brian Magerko, professor and director of graduate studies in digital media in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication","file":{"fid":"255265","name":"Magerko DSC_6937.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/10\/18\/Magerko%20DSC_6937.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/10\/18\/Magerko%20DSC_6937.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4521996,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2023\/10\/18\/Magerko%20DSC_6937.jpeg?itok=j-KR26sG"}}},"media_ids":["672081"],"groups":[{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1283","name":"School of Literature, Media, and Communication"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMegan McRainey\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:megan.mcrainey@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Emegan.mcrainey@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"691192":{"#nid":"691192","#data":{"type":"news","title":"One Conversation at a Time: Remembering Georgia Persons","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDuring the early years of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, it was common to find Georgia Persons and a couple of colleagues sitting on a bench outside D.M. Smith, chatting. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe would talk, not just about public policy, but about life,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/cheryl-leggon\u0022\u003ECheryl Leggon\u003C\/a\u003E, a retired associate professor in the Carter School.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to those who knew her well, those small exchanges outside D.M. Smith reflected the way Persons, a professor in the Carter School, moved through the world. She built friendships and drew whole organizations together, one conversation at a time. Over more than 30 years, those connections became the bedrock of her remarkable career and legacy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFollowing her passing in July, her colleagues and friends reflected on the lasting impact of those relationships.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding Communities\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia was committed to bringing together scholars in her field,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/willie-pearson\u0022\u003EWillie Pearson Jr.\u003C\/a\u003E, a retired Regents\u2019 Professor in the School of History and Sociology.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShe specialized in connecting policy and political science scholars to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Persons played an active role in founding the National Conference of Black Political Scientists and edited the\u003Cem\u003E National Political Science Review\u003C\/em\u003E, the Conference\u2019s refereed scholarly journal, for ten years \u2014 an unusual distinction in scholarship and service.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPersons\u2019 talent for bringing people together also extended beyond colleagues in her discipline. She served all of Georgia Tech\u2019s faculty as an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/faculty.gatech.edu\/advance-professors\u0022\u003EADVANCE Professor\u003C\/a\u003E and was active in the Atlanta University Center Consortium, which promotes collaboration and public service among its historically Black colleges and universities member institutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAs one of the Carter School\u2019s founding faculty members, Georgia encouraged others to engage with contemporary social policy issues and with the larger community,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/aaron-levine\u0022\u003EAaron Levine\u003C\/a\u003E, interim chair of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy. \u201cThe School wouldn\u2019t be where it is today without her.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWidening the Doors\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPersons\u2019 talent for building communities and supporting others began during her undergraduate years at Southern University in Louisiana, where she studied under eminent scholar Jewel Limar Prestage, the first Black woman in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in political science. Throughout her career, Persons followed her mentor\u2019s example, encouraging those who were pursuing academic paths in political science and other fields.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter receiving a bachelor\u2019s degree in political science at Southern, Persons earned a Ph.D. in Political Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, specializing in American government and politics, urban politics and policy, and political development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cShe earned her Ph.D. at MIT at a time when there were far too few African Americans \u2014 and even fewer African American women \u2014 pursuing graduate work in such spaces. That achievement alone speaks to her determination, discipline, and exceptional capacity,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/kaye-husbands-fealing\u0022\u003EKaye Husbands Fealing\u003C\/a\u003E, a professor in the Carter School and former dean of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBut Georgia did not simply enter those rooms; she helped widen the doors for others,\u201d she added.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a teacher and mentor, Persons changed lives.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cYour laid-back yet academically enriching teaching style is unique among the faculty, motivating me to take any course in which your name is associated,\u201d Husbands Fealing quoted one of her students as saying. \u201cIt is under [your] insights that I am inspired to pursue a career in Public Policy.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPersons was also known for weaving personal experience into her teaching and research in ways that students found meaningful and inspiring.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia did more than teach courses. She opened intellectual pathways. She helped students see history more clearly, policy more critically, and their own futures more expansively,\u201d said Husbands Fealing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EScholarship with Human Consequence\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt Georgia Tech, Persons published widely on African American politics, American national government, national institutional processes, health policy, and health disparities. She was awarded the highly competitive Ford Foundation Fellowship and was named an American Political Science Association Fellow.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia had a gift for looking honestly at history \u2014 not as a fixed account of the past, but as a living record of struggle, resilience, exclusion, and possibility,\u201d said Husbands Fealing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERecently, Persons conducted research on health policy and healthcare safety nets. She was also consulting for the Fulton-Dekalb Hospital Authority. Her work focused not only on the problems with the healthcare system, but also on its potential and possible futures.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia\u2019s scholarship mattered because it was never detached from human consequence,\u201d said Husbands Fealing. \u201cShe studied institutions not as abstractions, but as forces that shape opportunity, dignity, health, leadership, and democratic belonging.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAn Enduring Legacy\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcross her decades at Georgia Tech, the qualities colleagues remember the most about Georgia Persons are the same ones reflected in those conversations outside D.M. Smith: her warmth, generosity, and remarkable ability to bring people together.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAssociate Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/hansklein\u0022\u003EHans Klein\u003C\/a\u003E recalled that in his first semester at Georgia Tech, Persons saw him in the hallway and joked that she thought he was one of the undergraduates. They laughed, and that good-humored warmth remained a hallmark of their relationship. (As recalled to Kaye Husbands Fealing.)\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI had the privilege of knowing and working with her for many years and have many memories of our long association. Georgia was a unique colleague, and will be greatly missed,\u201d said Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/a02d1ef3-23b1-5853-8cbf-efb1bb000062\u0022\u003EPhilip Shapira\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGenerations of students and faculty benefited from her wisdom and experience,\u201d said Dean\u2019s Distinguished Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/mary-frank-fox\u0022\u003EMary Frank Fox\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cI will miss Georgia \u2014 ever, always.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Persons, a professor in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, passed away in July. Her friends and colleagues reflect on her remarkable legacy.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Persons, a professor in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, passed away in July. Her friends and colleagues reflect on her remarkable legacy."}],"uid":"35777","created_gmt":"2026-07-21 15:32:16","changed_gmt":"2026-07-21 15:37:00","author":"Stephanie Kadel","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-07-21T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-07-21T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680634":{"id":"680634","type":"image","title":"Professor Georgia Persons in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy passed in July.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EProfessor Georgia Persons in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy passed in July.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1784647949","gmt_created":"2026-07-21 15:32:29","changed":"1784647949","gmt_changed":"2026-07-21 15:32:29","alt":"a headshot photo of Professor Georgia Persons","file":{"fid":"264923","name":"Georgia-Persons-2-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/21\/Georgia-Persons-2-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/21\/Georgia-Persons-2-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":610030,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/21\/Georgia-Persons-2-.jpg?itok=2FgQ3fYP"}}},"media_ids":["680634"],"groups":[{"id":"1281","name":"Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts"},{"id":"1289","name":"School of Public Policy"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:stephanie.kadel@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EStephanie N. Kadel\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECommunications Program Manager\u003Cbr\u003EIvan Allen College of Liberal Arts\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}